A/N: Hey there! I seriously wrote this in like a half hour so it might not be that great. I apologize for that now. Anyway, hopefully after this the story will get more interesting. Reviews are always appreciated!
"Eli!" Adam said as he jabbed his best friend in the back with his index finger, startling the older boy. "Since when were you and Bianca a thing?" Eli nonchalantly pushed his books in his locker, contemplating whether or not to ignore his best friend. Realizing that would be impossible, Eli decided to just try honesty. After all, what was the worst the could happen?
"How'd you find out?" Eli asked.
"I heard a couple rumors, but I didn't think it was true!" Adam exclaimed. "So...what? Is she just sexually harassing you or something?"
"It's complicated," the junior admitted. "We're not official... Just... exclusive." That was easiest way to explain what was going on between him and Bianca anyway.
"Speak of the devil," Adam mumbled, nodding in towards the tall brunette. She was walking in their direction with a smile on her face, as if she was eager to spend time with Eli. She draped her arms around his torso, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before she noticed Adam was with him.
"Hey," Bianca muttered as she and Adam exchanged awkward glances.
"I should go..." Adam quickly blurted out. He turned on his heel and walked off, leaving Eli in Bianca's clutches.
"I'm guessing he doesn't like me?" Bianca said.
"He doesn't like the thought of us," Eli replied. He couldn't blame Adam for being so against the two of them becoming a couple. Bianca did garner quite the reputation in only one semester. But in only a day she had proven that there was so much more to her than meets the eye. And that's what was pulling Eli in. She was a puzzle and he wanted desperately to find all the pieces and put them together.
"Good thing we're not serious," Bianca stated dryly.
"You say it like you're disappointed," Eli joked as he offered Bianca a smirk. He shut his locker and the pair walked side by side to the cafeteria. Casually, Eli let his hand brush against Bianca's and she gave him a quick smile.
"You're so inconspicuous," she said. Eli shrugged and she rolled her eyes before letting out a small giggle. When they entered the cafeteria, Eli motioned towards the lunch line, which was still relatively short due to the fact that most people were still on their way to the lunchroom from their previous class.
"I don't know how that whole dieting thing of yours worked," Eli whispered, "But it'd really make me feel better if you ate something for lunch. Even if it's just a few baby carrots or something." Bianca noticeably tensed but took a deep breath before she nodded.
"I don't know what I was thinking," she admitted with a silly grin. "I didn't even realize how stupid I was being with those pills until you told me. Now, come on, I'm starving." Eli beamed at Bianca and they waited patiently on the lunch line until it was their turn to get food. Eli merely took a tuna sandwich, some water and an apple while Bianca filled her tray with a bit of everything; a slice of pizza, half of a grilled cheese sandwich, a cup of pudding, some salad, and a small carton of milk.
"Are you sure you're gonna eat all of that?" Eli asked.
"Yeah, why?" Bianca asked. Eli stared at the brunette girl confused, but shook it off as they sat down at an available table near a window.
"Okay, so I have to be honest," Eli said as he took a bite out of his apple, "Explain what happened between you and Drew. I'm dying to know more about you."
"I'll tell if you tell me more about you," Bianca bargained. Eli grinned widely at her and for the first time in a while, he felt comfortable. Bianca was nice company and he wouldn't mind coming clean to her. She knew what having a dark past was like and he knew could open up to her easily, unlike with Clare. There was no fear, no judgment. Just trust.
"Fine," Eli said. "It all started when I ran over Clare's glasses..."
"So you killed your ex-boyfriend in an alley after he tried to rape you?" Eli asked. "Hardcore." Bianca giggled and nodded her head. The hour they had spent together had felt like only a few minutes. It was weird how well they seemed to click, and she was rather disappointed she would have to go to her next class instead of spend time with Eli.
"The bell's about to ring," she stated.
"Well, let me walk you to class," Eli offered, as he picked up their two empty trays. He was still surprised that Bianca had eaten all that food, but he was happy her dieting was over.
"I'd love that, but I need to fix my make-up," she replied.
"Well, I'd hate to come between you and your beautiful cosmetics," Eli joked. "I'll see you after school?"
"Um, yeah. Of course," Bianca said with a slightly nervous laugh, and El immediately felt as though something was off.
"You okay...?" he asked, stretching out his words longer than necessary. Bianca nodded her head and he decided to back off. The last thing he wanted was for her to think he didn't trust him. He truly did. She wasn't judgmental, but she wasn't overly sympathetic. She just understood. He cupped the side of her face in his hand and kissed the top of her forehead gently. "Okay. I'll see you later." Bianca gave him a dazed look as he walked off, leaving her to process what had just happened. She wasn't sure if Eli was her type, but something about him made her want to be around him.
You're only going to hurt him she thought as she felt tears stinging in her eyes. You're going to hurt him, just like you did with Drew and you know it. So don't even try to have a happy ending. You know you of all people don't deserve it. Swallowing hard, Bianca rushed to the bathroom and locked herself in an empty stall, trying to control her emotions. She quickly checked under the stalls to make sure she was alone, before she looked back at the toilet, her hands shaking violently.
"God, why am I so ugly?" she demanded as she wiped the tears that were now flowing down her cheeks. "I make myself sick. I hate myself! I'm so Goddamn ugly!" Her sobs seemed to echo off the walls in the bathroom, only making her feel even hollower inside. She allowed her back to arch, her head hanging over the white bowl, before shoving her index finger down her throat and vomiting into the toilet.