Two
I woke up early so as I can eat a good breakfast before heading off to school. One of my biggest pet peeves is sitting in class, starving. So annoying! Anyway, that was my plan so far. I plan my days usually as it goes.
I shuffled downstairs like I usually do, looking quite similar to a very lazy zombie taking a stroll. The house was so quiet and serene. It was weird. Usually I wake up with ten minutes left before school starts, and have to literally run around during those whole ten minutes so I can make it on time. Maybe I should start waking up earlier more often.
Everything was peaceful in the Maddox household until I realized I was not alone. Upon entering the kitchen I found Nate eating a whole box of cereal. I'm not kidding. I watched him pour the box's contents in his mouth, tilt the whole gallon of milk into his mouth as well, swish it all around, and swallow.
I stood there in a brief trance. Finally, I came to and started to flip out. "Nate! What the hell!" I screamed.
Nate stopped what he was doing and glared over at me. "What?" He growled.
"Really? You have no idea what you just did?" I cried incredulous. This boy has officially gone crazy! And not innocently, somewhat even a cute kind of crazy like I am. Literally he's mentally unstable.
"Charlotte, I've about had it with you always yelling at me. Going through my stuff. Leave me alone!" Nate bellowed. His voice was so loud it stunned me for a second, but I decided that he couldn't treat me this way. I'm the older one! Wasn't there a thing about respecting your elders? Not that I'm old, but…anyway, I decided to fight back.
"Hey, I was only going to use your laptop for a second. I had no idea you were looking up tattoo symbols! Have you gone crazy? Why the hell would you get a tattoo? Mom and Dad are going to kill you!" I shouted back. At this point I'm surprised both my parents haven't come running in, wondering what the noise was about. Actually Nate and I fighting wasn't anything new so they were probably just letting us 'talk it out'.
"Dad says I can get one. So stop bitching me about everything!" Nate shook his head and from my expert facial expression reading skills I could tell he was about to walk away like he usually does. But I was not going to let him go that easy.
"Dad let you? I highly doubt that. And the only reason I 'bitch' you out is because you're acting like a crazy person and eating all the food in the house!" I had half a mind to walk up to him and block him from leaving, too. I don't know what it is about fights but I always get a sort of rush and feel as if I could do anything. Maybe it was because it was Nate. Anyway…
Nate's expression suddenly changed so my whole vision of me standing up to him completely evaporated. Never mind about the whole rush thing, now that I'm looking at him from across the room. This fight is officially making me scared. It was so bad I briefly thought that this is what it must feel like to find yourself facing a bear.
And like a bear, Nate started making weird animalistic noises. For a second I began to mentally list all the exits in the house. Would it be faster to run back to my room? Or just jump through the living room window? Maybe I could stay put and fight him. Oh, wait, never mind. Forgot about the muscles. Damn, it!
To my astonishment and obvious relief, Nate didn't attack me. He simply walked away. Just like that. Scared me out of my damn mind, and walked away! What a wimp. All that strength for nothing. His bark was clearly bigger than his bite.
As I was trying to scrape up whatever food Nate left behind, Mom finally came in the room looking like she was forced to wake up.
"What's going on here?" She said, a few minutes too late.
"The usual. Nate acting like a dog with rabies," I shot back, still hurt. I'm so over my brother no longer being human. It's surprisingly depressing.
"Charlotte, you have to calm down. Maybe you're the one making him go crazy all the time," My mom suggested, very uncharacteristically of her I might add. My own sweet mother! Going against me and taking the monster's side. Typical!
"No!" I cried, deciding to fight for myself. "I caught him looking up tattoo designs on his computer. He wants to get a tattoo, Mom. And he said Dad let him!" I don't like being a tattle tale. But in sibling rivalry, it's truly the best weapon.
My mom looked over at me with a face I was not expecting. It wasn't anger (which I hoped would be) and it wasn't suspicious. It was sympathizing. As if I was the one going crazy and she felt sorry for me. I looked back at her in utter disbelief.
"Sweetheart, I honestly think you just need to lay low for awhile. Give Nate a break. Things will get better," My mom finally said. She turned her back to me as she retrieved a couple of coffee mugs, her trademark indication that she wants to stop discussing the matter at hand.
I gave up and headed to school. I needed something to distract me from my annoyingly insane family. I was walking through the parking lot when a really shiny Mercedes almost ran me over. Great, my day has started off wonderfully. I wonder what's next.
I made it to the entrance of the school safely, and just in time to see who would rather get to Bio in time than watch out for possible mass murders. Of course. The Elite.
In case you don't attend my school, let me give you the play by play of the few kids who do attend. Like any high school, everyone's divided into groups. But in this case, there's only two groups. Either you're an Elite, or you're everybody else.
The Elite got their name because as soon as you see them, you've long since stopped in your tracks. Never will you ever see a more perfect, attractive group. All the members have perfect skin. I know this because one of the girls was in the same history class as me for the past three years, and I'd watch her walk in and sit next to me every day. Never one pimple. Never any sort of flaw whatsoever. It was like she had permanent, perfect make up on all the time. How I hated that!
Their hair is also perfect. In North Pole, due to wind, snow, and overall horrible weather, bad hair days are common. But the Elite never have bad hair days. They come to class as if they had just gone to the salon. I have a weird insecurity about my curly hair, so this aspect of the Elite hurt me the most.
They were all tall, extremely fit and healthy, every feature perfect and attractive. But in case you were wondering, they do have one flaw. They don't talk to anyone else but their own members. They are for some inexplicable reason, very shy people. They don't go to school games, they don't go to dances, and no one really ever sees them outside of school either, about town. Weird, huh? People have tried to find out what their deal was. But it's impossible. They're simply the very definition of mystery.
I try to ignore them. It's bad enough they're perfect, but their modesty about it is really annoying. I try not to linger on their mystery and why I can't be one of them. I'm not completely unfortunate looking, by the way. I'm slim and healthy, have almost perfect skin, and knows how to dress very well. I think the only reason I may not be in the Elite is my hair. Damn!
But even if for some reason I got an invitation (or whatever the Elite do) I wouldn't accept. Nope. I love my friends; there's Marlene, of course. Bailey, who is the sweet but sort of not-that-smart redhead. She's a hoot, though. Gary, the funniest kid you'll ever meet. His immaturity can be somewhat annoying. And, hopefully Aiden, in the very near future.
The particular Elite who almost took my life was Joel Graham. I have to admit, if there had to be one, he was the sexiest male of the group. He always had the right amount of golden brown stubble that matched his sexy golden brown hair. Which was always styled perfectly, by the way. It was the kind of hair though that looked as if it was perfect by accident. Perfectly messy, not too long but not too short either. I loved that.
Whenever an Elite walked behind you or near you, you felt it. It was really weird. Actually, for awhile, I suspected that I've gotten crazier over time and it was only me that felt that sensation. But one day during the middle of Junior year, Marlene made a comment about how she hates being alone in the hallway and knowing an Elite was behind her. So it's safe to say I'm not alone.
I slowed down to make it seem as if I'm cool and don't care if I'm late. I felt Joel get closer and my heart began racing. Geez, I hate being a girl sometimes.
But as soon as he showed up, he was already walking away. Our only interaction was him giving me a brief smile as he walked by. I should totally have said something! But there was basically nothing you could talk to an Elite about. Wait, he almost ran me over! I should be mad. Geez, being a girl is awful sometimes!
**
Hours later I was in the cafeteria listening to Marlene complain about this girl in her science class who is constantly complaining herself how operating on frogs was animal cruelty. "It's a frog for goodness sake," Marlene fumed. "Either it dies and we get to receive an education, or lives and gives you warts. I prefer the first option."
I just nodded. I was waiting for one of two things; either for Aiden to show up, or Joel. I like to stare at either one of them. Aiden was a better bet though, for Joel didn't always show up for lunch.
I was surprisingly wrong. Aiden was nowhere in sight, but oh did I notice when Joel walked in. Also, another odd thing, Joel was by himself. Usually the Elite prowl together.
As the minutes progressed, I got even more confused. Funny, it seems like Joel is walking towards our table. Very interesting. If the Elite ever even show up in here, they go straight to the back. He was walking in the wrong direction. He was nearing our table. He was smiling at me. I was letting my baby carrot drop unattractively from my hand and landing on my tray. He was getting closer. Oh my…
Silence. Bailey was staring up at Joel as if he was her cult leader. Gary was looking at the ceiling, slightly shaking his head. Marlene was sliding down her seat. I was looking at him like a loser with my mouth open. Charlotte! Wake up! Say something! Anything. Actually, close your mouth. You look dumb.
"H-Hey," I said awkwardly. I tried looking away coolly, but my eyes didn't seem to want to obey and kept wanting to stare at him.
"I just wanted to apologize for earlier," Joel spoke in a low, soothing voice. I need to digress for a moment. I'm sorry but for what I'm about to say won't make sense unless I sidetrack for a bit.
North Pole is notorious for being the Christmas town of the world. It's crazy. People from all over choose to travel here to see all the Christmas themed things. We have a famous gift shop named Santa Clause House with a huge fiberglass Santa outside that drives people wild. The older folks around here and all the parents especially lose their shit when it's Christmas time. It's a big deal, to put it lightly.
There's more to it than just the residents and tourists going crazy. The town itself is kind of nuts. We have streets named Santa Claus Lane, St. Nicholas Drive, Snowman Lane, you name it. I'm glad I got stuck with the simple Pine Street. It could have been worse.
Anyway, the reason I mention this is because naturally, all the residents in North Pole care a lot about Christmas. Including me, of course. I absolutely love Christmas. But if anyone knows the true 'feeling of Christmas', it has got to be one of us who live around here. And this whole interruption was purely brought on to simply state, that Joel's voice reminded me of Christmas. It had a mix of tension, like when you're lying in bed waiting for Santa and can't sleep. It had a feeling of specialness, the kind you feel when you receive personal gifts and when you look around at your loved ones and simply feel so blessed.
I know. Some guy's voice shouldn't bring about all these feelings, but Joel Graham was special.
"Oh! It's ok," I replied, not really knowing what to say. "You were in a hurry, I understand."
"Good. I'm glad you're fine with it. I'm sorry again, though. I stopped by to make sure you were alright," Joel said kindly. Was it me or was he staring deep into my eyes, and my eyes only? Well, he was talking to me, after all. Joel Graham was talking to me!
"How sweet of you!" Marlene suddenly blurted out. I held back every urge I had to kick her under the table. Joel broke his eye contact with me for a second to give Marlene a small smile.
"Well, I'll see you around. Take care," Joel told me, and blessed me with a gratuitous wave. Then he was gone.
"What a weirdo," Gary said as soon as he left. I kicked Gary under the table and he yelped.
"Joel Graham is wonderful!" I practically shouted much to my embarrassment.
"Yeah, we noticed," Bailey said to me. "As soon as he spoke you froze up. It was scary."
I glared at her. "Oh, I'm hopeless," I let my head fall to the table. I regretted that later, because my forehead started to hurt.
"You're right. You love two people," Marlene spoke up serenely. I instantly sat up. She continued, "You go on and on about Aiden. Yet as soon as Joel walks in to the picture you seem to forget all about Aiden and melt before Joel."
"Stop psychoanalyzing me Marlene," I felt defensive all of a sudden. "It's called playing the field. I'm not committed to one or the other, so I can change my mind as many times as I want!"
Marlene shrugged but I understood her point. I couldn't go after both boys. I had to choose. It was surprisingly an easy choice, for Joel was far too intimidating. He's hot and all but I don't want to be in a relationship where my nerves are acting up twenty-four seven. Who am I kidding, anyway? As if Joel Graham would even consider making me his girlfriend!
A girl can dream.
"Aiden's a safer choice," I decided out loud.
"As much as I love talking about other guys, I'm going to leave. See you guys later," Gary grumbled, taking his lunch and moving to where all his basketball buddies were sitting.
Bailey instantly took his seat so as to be closer to me. "So? You're going to go after Aiden?" She inquired curiously.
I began to nod slowly, then more enthusiastically. "Of course!" I cried. "Aiden and I have known each other for like ever. He's super nice and cute. Plus, I don't feel like worthless human when I'm around him, I feel comforted and like I can talk to him about anything. I can so picture us canoodling in Cocoa by the fireplace and sharing our lifelong dreams over white chocolate mochas. Which he'll secretly love too, we'll probably bond over that," I solemnly predicted.
Bailey began to giggle. She loved when my imagination got the best of me. Marlene however, didn't look that amused.
"Charlotte, realize what you're saying. How do you know Aiden is that way? You need to get to know him first before you picture your wedding. However, I'm glad you realize all Joel does is make someone feel inadequate. I hate that," She grumbled.
I looked at her confused. "Geez, someone's grumpy. You told me to pick one!"
"In my opinion, you shouldn't go after either of them." Marlene gave me a really rare, serious face.
My stomach began to flip flop. Marlene was practically my sister, and it'd be incredibly wise to heed her advice. But here, in our very lame and small town, lived two of the most attractive men on--what I believe--planet Earth itself. Not including the rest of the Elite, who are just as good looking. But anyway, she was confusing me greatly. The only thing I could come up with was that she was jealous. But I would never admit to her I thought that.
"Marlene, do you know anything about either one of them?" I wanted to know. To my surprise, Marlene began to look somewhat frightened. She leaned in and grabbed my hand.
In a wavering whisper, she said, "Listen to me. They're bad news. Understand? Please listen to me. You'll regret it if you don't."
