Eliza Cullen, such a beautiful name, fitting for the owner of it. I must have been staring for too long, because Eliza looked at me right before she sat down at the table across the room. I turned away quickly; listing to what Jesse was saying.
"She's a total babe of course, but no one here appears to be good enough for her," he looked at Michelle and added, "like I care", though she didn't seem to care. She was looking at the table the Cullen's were sitting at, then leaned in near me.
"Ben, Eliza is staring at you," she whispered. I glanced over my shoulder and sure enough Eliza was staring at me. Her dark onyx eyes fixated on me, like a predatory glaring at its' prey. She quickly turned away, and started talking to her siblings. I did the same, listing to the discussion that was taking place.
"Jess they're not related, who cares if they're together?" A boy named Alex said.
"Yah but they live together, it's weird. Dr. Cullen must be some kinda foster mom slash matchmaker." Jesse finished.
"Maybe she'll adopt me next?" Alex added. Jesse looked at me, a slight smirk spread across his face.
"Seriously Ben, don't waste your time."
"Wasn't planning on it," I said looking down at my tray of food. I continued to eat my lunch, but I could feel Eliza's eyes on me.
Lunch ended, and Michelle walked me to my next class, biology. Michelle chatted endlessly as we walk to the science wing of the school. The biology teacher reminded me of Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus series. His hair was a mess, and his clothes were odd, so all and all I already liked him. Michelle took her seat, and I walked to Mr. Modine's desk to introduce myself.
"Ah, Mr. Swan, yes um well, take the seat next to Ms. Cullen," he said as he pointed towards the front of the room. I looked and saw that it was indeed Eliza Cullen. I gave her a weak smile, which was not returned. As I sat down she moved her seat further away. Discreetly and quickly, I smelled my pits to make sure they didn't stink. They didn't, thank God! When she clasped her hand over her nose I thought maybe she didn't like the type of soap I used. Class was awkward; Eliza didn't say one word to me. By the end of class I was sure that for some reason she hated me, for what reason I didn't know. She was out of her seat before the bell rang, and out of the class before anyone else was out of their seat. After my last class I went to the office to pick up my parking pass. To my surprise Eliza was already talking to the secretary.
"There has to be something, anything? Chemistry, oceanography, physics?" It was the first time I had heard her voice. It sounded like heavenly bells chiming to the sweetest singing in all the world. I was brought out of my daze when they woman behind the desk spoke.
"I'm sorry but everything is full." A moan escaped from her lips. She looked at me, almost as if she knew it was me the whole time.
"I guess I'll just have to endure it!" She stormed out of the office in a fluid motion. I was left dumbfounded. I knew she wanted out because I was there, but what had I done to her?
I went home and did my homework. It only took an hour to do, so I was left with a few hours of free time before Charlotte got home. I turned on the television and flipped through the channels. I finally found a show I liked, A Haunting. For as long as I could remember I had a fascination for the supernatural. After a few episodes I decided I'd start dinner. The chicken had just come out of the oven when Charlotte walked through the door. She hung up her jacket and work belt.
"Smells good!" I fixed her a plate and then myself one. We sat in silence; the sound of forks hitting ceramic plate was the only thing that filled the room. "I got called to a construction site today. Body of one of the workers was found."
"Was it a murder?" I asked anxiously.
"Nah, we think it must be some kind of animal attack," she said with a mouthful of chicken.
"Animal?" I asked
"Yah, you're not in Phoenix anymore Benny, we've got bears, wolves, mountain lions up here, you gotta watch yourself."
Later that night I got a call from my dad, asking me about my day.
"It was fine, you know. New school, new people, it's a little hectic. Any reason why your calling on a payphone?"
"Okay, don't laugh at me, but I can't find my phone charger. I swear I repel technology." I laughed. It was true my father had always been bad with technology. When the call ended I went to bed. While I was lying there I thought about Eliza and her strange behavior. I decided that tomorrow I would confront her and demand to know what her problem was.
