It was a chilly Monday morning. January 6th to be precise. It was 5am and Eva was sleeping straight through her alarm. "Eva, time to wake up. Today's your big day!" Bertha said yawning. "Why didn't anyone tell me High School started so early here?" Eva groaned as she covered her face with her pillow. "Come now, I made you some pancakes. Let's go!" "Fine." Eva said as she slowly removed her pillow from her face. Everyone was asleep except for Bertha and Eva. Eva was barely awake as she toyed with her breakfast. "It's a good thing your brother found the right college to attend yesterday." Bertha said as she took a sip of her coffee. "Yeah, Great Florida College is the real deal around here." Eva said taking a bite. Bertha just laughed. "Are you going to be this tired every morning?" Eva just stared at her unamused. "Don't worry, it'll get better. Now off you go!"
Eva walked outside with her backpack on and it was pitch dark except for the street lights guiding the way. "Good morning, Eva." Eva turned to see a dark figure approaching her. It was Leo. "Oh, good morning!" She said. "It's a wonder why they begin school so early here." Leo began as they headed off to school. "I don't know. But hey! At least that means we get to go home early." "True." Leo replied. "So I never got to ask you, where are you from?" Eva asked. "I was born and raised in England." Leo responded. "Oh, so how did you end up in Spain?" "My flight took a detour there instead of going straight to America." "We were lucky, we only needed to take one flight." Eva said. "I consider myself lucky too. I got to meet you, didn't I?" Leo said with a smile. "Well, uh-" Eva said looking away. "I suppose we were just meant to be friends." Eva said. "Fate is funny that way. So what's your first class today?" Leo asked. "Spanish 2. My parents wanted me to perfect my grammar." "That's cool. Mine's history." As they arrived at school, they noticed the place was filled with students talking, laughing and hanging out as they waited for the bell to ring.
"Ugh. I hope I'll be able to make friends." Eva said nervously. "You have me, don't you?" Leo asked. Eva looked surprised. "Well, you know, I meant more friends." In the midst of the courtyard was a tall bell tower. Surrounding it were peculiar looking people wearing black and acting very differently than everyone else. "Ooooh." Eva said as she headed towards the bell tower. "Are you sure you want to join that crowd?" Leo asked. "Of course! I want to be a rockstar someday and there are bound to be some future rockstars in that group." Eva turned to Leo. "Want to come?" But to much of Eva's surprise he was gone.
"Hey there!" "Huh?" Eva said turning towards the bell tower. There was an Asian girl with long black hair waving Eva over. "Come on. Join in!" She said. "Ok!" Eva said walking over. "My name is Kiersten. What's yours?" "I'm Eva." "Wow!" Eva thought to herself. "I think I found the perfect group!" "Nice to meet you, Eva! I don't remember seeing you last year. Are you new?" Kiersten asked. "Well, actually, yes! I literally just came from Spain last week." "Spain, huh? Lucky you! What's it like there, anyways?" Kiersten asked. "Oh, it's wonderful there! But America's great too! And-" As Eva said this the bell rang. "Well, I guess I'll have to describe it to you later then." Eva said laughing. "Yeah you will! Well, I'll see you around Eva!" "Bye Kiersten!" Eva said as they parted ways.
"Room 104. This is it!" Eva said walking in the classroom. There were several students already seated. Eva decided to sit next to a girl who was writing something. Eva watched as this girl just happily wrote on and on. "What are you working on?" Eva asked. The girl looked over at her and smiled. "I'm writing fan fiction!" "Fan fiction? What's that?" Eva asked. "It's when you write your own version of a story you really like. I'm writing one based off an anime called Dog Boy." "What's anime?" The girl laughed. "Have you been hiding under a rock all this time?" Eva laughed. "Heh heh, yeah. I guess I have!" "I'm Lisa. What's your name?" "Eva." "Well, Eva. You have a lot to learn!" "Don't I know it!" Eva agreed as she smiled. "Alright class. Let's begin!" The teacher announced.
After Spanish and P.E it was time for Eva's favorite class of all. Lunch! Eva saw her group sitting at a long, stretched out table. She noticed that Lisa and Kiersten were there, though they were sitting at different parts of the table. As she happily headed over there with her tray of food, she noticed Leo sitting at a table by himself. Eva felt bad, so she decided to join Leo first. "Hello there!" Eva said setting her tray down. "Hey Eva!" Leo said looking up at her. "Why are you by yourself? Haven't you made any friends yet?" "Don't worry, it's only the first day. I'm sure I'll make friends eventually." "Right." Eva said. "Have you made any friends so far?" Leo asked as he took a bite out of his sandwich. "Yes I have! Kiersten and Lisa!" "That's great!" Leo said.
A few tables over were the cool kids. The most popular girl of all was named Kelly. She had long blonde hair and was very beautiful and very popular. And her goal in life was to keep it that way. "My, my, would you look at those love birds sitting at a table by themselves." Kelly said resting her chin on her hand. "Right? Like, what is a hottie like that doing talking to such a hideous creature like her?" Said her friend, Haley. "Let's go find out, shall we?" As Leo and Eva spoke, they were approached by Kelly and Haley. "Um, I'm sorry. Is this girl bothering you?" Kelly asked mockingly. "No. Why?" Leo asked looking rather angrily at her. Kelly and Haley looked at each other with an annoyed shock. "Ahem, well. What's your name again, hot stuff?" Kelly asked flinging her hair back. "Leo." "Well, Leo. If you ever want to hang out with real women, there's a seat reserved just for you, honey." Kelly said as they walked away.
Leo paused as they left and turned to Eva. "Are you alright?" "Who me? Oh yeah, I get treated like that all the time." Eva said nervously rubbing the back of her head. "What that girl said was wrong. You are very valuable, Eva." "Thank you." Eva said shyly. "Well, if the popular kids want you then you're all set!" Eva said smiling as she got up. "Wait." Leo said grabbing Eva's hand. "Huh?" "Please stay a little while longer." Leo said gazing into Eva's eyes. "Um, well. Okay." Eva said sitting back down. "Those girls have nothing to live for. That's why they bully others." Leo said. "I know. They just want attention because they don't get any at home." Eva said eating some of her mac and cheese. "You're right." Leo said. "Hey Leo, are you sure you don't want to join my group's table?" Eva asked excitedly. "You go on ahead. I don't really belong there." Leo said. "Oh, well I'd hate to see you sitting alone." Eva said sadly. "Don't worry about me. Have fun!" Leo said with a smile. "Ok, if you're sure." Eva said getting up. "I'll see you around!" "Bye Eva!" Eva looked back at Leo, then headed towards her group.
"Hey Kiersten! Mind if I join you?" "Eva!" Kiersten exclaimed giving her a big hug. "I can't believe we have lunch together! Come sit!" Kiersten said making room for Eva. "Don't mind if I do!" Eva said happily. "So if you don't mind me asking, what group is this known as?" Eva asked. "Well, we're sort of the outcasts of school. Though our interests do vary. Some of us are goth, some of us are anime lovers, some of us are gay, some are part of the occult, others depressed. And some are all of the above!" Kiersten said laughing.
"So what is anime, exactly? I met another girl who is into it and-" "Oh my God, you never heard of anime?" Kiersten was shocked. "No." Eva said. "Ok, so you know what cartoons are, right?" "Yes." "Well, basically anime is a type of cartoon that comes from Japan. They have every type of genre you can think of and most of their illustrations are breath taking!" "How cool!" Eva said. "My favorite is called Dog Boy." "Oh, that's Lisa's favorite too!" "Hey! I know Lisa! Well, just a little anyways." Kiersten said. "Why don't we join her?" Eva asked. "Okay!"
They approached Lisa who was sitting at the end of the table with her friends. "Hey Lisa!" Eva said. "Oh, hi!" Lisa said turning to Eva. "Mind if Kiersten and I join you?" "Sure!" Lisa said. "Hi Lisa!" Kiersten said with a grin. "Hey, I remember you from last year! We were in Anime Club together." Lisa said. "Yup! Good times." Kiersten said. "It's good to see you again!" Lisa said. "Likewise!" "Hey Eva, you should join Anime Club with us!" Lisa suggested. "Sure!" Eva said. In saying this the bell rang and lunch was over. "Well, I'll see you guys later! I'm off to Biology class!" Eva said picking up her half-finished tray. "We'll see you around!" Kiersten said.
After the last class, the bell rang and it was time to go home. "Made it through my first day!" Eva said putting her books in her backpack. As she walked through the courtyard, she saw Leo standing at the entrance, waiting. "Leo?" Eva said. "There you are! Let's go." Leo said as he headed home. "Um, Leo." "Yes?" "You didn't have to wait for me. I mean, we don't have to be together all the time." Eva said looking up at him as they walked. "Why not? We're friends aren't we?" Leo replied. "Well, I'm not sure." Eva said bluntly. "What do you mean?" "Well, we don't exactly have much in common, you know." "That doesn't mean we can't be friends." Leo said sadly. Eva was confused.
"You're very different." Eva said. "How is that so?" "Well, I mean. Everyone knows that someone like you should be with the popular kids. You're sort of breaking the school's code of conduct." "Eva." Leo began. "Just because I look a certain way doesn't mean I have to act a certain way." "I know, but most people would take advantage of their good looks to be popular." Leo smiled. "Are you saying I'm handsome?" Eva blushed. "What? No, I didn't mean that. Well, what I meant was-" Leo laughed. "Don't worry Eva, I know what you meant."
They both walked quietly afterwards. "Well." Eva finally said. "Of course I don't mind us being friends. I just wanted to make sure that was really what you wanted." "Of course it is." Leo replied. They finally arrived in front of Eva's house. "Well, we're home! I'll see you tomorrow Le-" As she said this, Leo pulled her in for an embrace. "What?" Eva thought. "See you tomorrow." Leo said. And in saying this he walked home. Eva's heart was pounding as she stood there. "Does Leo, like me?" Eva thought. Eva shook it off and went inside.
"How was your day, sweetie?" Bertha asked looking up from the couch. Bertha and Annabelle were watching a soap opera. "It was great! My classes were easy and I made some new friends!" Eva said. "Be sure to invite them over soon." Annabelle said eating popcorn, being mesmerized by the television. "I will!" Eva said as she let the dogs out. Her heart was still pounding. "Does Leo actually like me?" She thought. Then she shook her head. "No, of course not. He's just a very emotional guy." Eva thought as she sat on the swing to watch the dogs play.
"Oh, I haven't written Lily yet!" Eva said going inside to get a paper and pen. She went back outside to write a very lengthy letter about all of her experiences in America so far. "P.S." She wrote. "We plan to visit Spain in August for my birthday! See you then!" She sealed the envelope and dropped it in the mail box. "See you in August, Lily." Eva said.