It's already been a week since I started studying here at Moonshire. So far it's great, very different from what kind of studying I've been used to. I have adjusted pretty well, having Kleir by my side, who told me we're friends already. Fitting in is not that hard. It is actually far from what I had imagined.
When I was a child, studying literature and mathematics wasn't a priority. My father makes me learn and study something else that he said everyone could benefit from in the future. I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into studying that thing.
I was being homeschooled back then. This is my first time going to an actual school, having schoolmates and classmates, and even a friend. Very different from then where you should face your tutor knowing how 'insignificant' her teaching was, but I have still learned.
Everything is new, just like now. Being dragged everywhere by my hand is strange and peculiar to me. I kept my usual blank expression, not knowing what to feel and just letting her drag my hand wherever she wanted.
It's already dismissed and everyone is going home, aside from those students who have Friday practices and athletes- that includes Kleir, who is a cheerdance member. That wasn't so surprising. Kleir is beautiful and sophisticated. A cheerleader's material.
"Eloise, come! I'll introduce you to them! " She said this in excitement, jumping and giggling. Arriving inside the gym, we stopped in front of a long gym court bench.
Last week, I promised Kleir that I would let her introduce me to her friends on the cheer dance team because, as she said, the more the merrier.
"Hi everyone! She's here-the new friend I was talking about! " Kleir squeals while closing the distance between the five people in front of a bench.
"... Everyone this is Eloise, Eloise this is everyone- Bryce, Agatha, and Anasia!" She said with all smiles. She is so bright. If her radiating energy could materialize, it would be bright and shiny with sparkly things all over her.
I smiled at her friends after she introduced me. They all acknowledged me, exchanged greetings and handshakes, until followed by a few conversations.
"You are a transferee?" From where? " Agatha asked their cheerleader.
I don't know what to say. I've been homeschooled ever since. I don't want them to know about that. It is embarrassing for me. They might think I'm some kind of ignorant girl or a girl that was born with a golden spoon in my mouth. And to think of it, it's not something I could be proud of...
"Just there." I said. Straight, eye to eye with Agatha, with finality in my tone. That shows' 'that's it'. I don't want to ask these questions... it is bothersome.
They conversed more with each other while I remained quietly listening to them. I only speak when they are speaking and asking questions of me.
As I observe more of them. I learned that Agatha and Anasia are classmates, from class '6-5', along with Bryce. They knew Kleir only because she was a member too, in cheerleading.
The weekend passes by as fast as a lightning strike. It is Monday, and I'm currently hitting the end of the speedometer as I drive my motorcycle. I'm already fifteen minutes late for my first subject!
This is the very first time that I'm coming late for something for the reason that I woke up late. It's because of that novel book I read last night.
I couldn't sleep thinking about some things last night. That is why I read a book and stayed up late. I didn't expect that I would sleep that tightly.
I don't mind being scolded, but what bothers me the most is the fact that my record of tardiness for my whole life adds up. God knows how much I hate tardiness.
I arrived at school a little wet because of the slight rain shower. Luckily, only my white hoodie has gotten damp, aside from my hair.
I ran swiftly along the pathways and corridors. I arrived at the classroom panting and struggling with my breathing. I wore my usual expression, I entered the room breathing heavily but composed.
"Good morning. Please excuse me, I'm late. " I said, between my silent, heavy breathing.
The entire class stared at me.
'Is Miss Peralta going to scold me for being late?'
"It's alright. Come in, just don't be late again next time. " She said with a smile, then pointed me to my seat.
As soon as I took my seat, my tense body from exhaustion felt relieved. Since I was wearing a black t-shirt, I didn't remove my damp hoodie. I was in a hurry. I didn't even mind putting on a coat. The rain shower didn't bother me. I just grabbed everything and drove fast. I let down my damped pony-tailed hair to let it dry and started listening to the professor who was discussing it at the front.
"... and also, please work with your partner in this research." I know you can do it all. Please be reminded that this research will make up a huge part of your grading system. That's all. "Good luck!" Miss Peralta said.
'Research?'
"Oh! Miss Imperial?" Miss Peralta called out. "Yes maam?"
"I was discussing your research project, and it's by pair. We're already done pairing up earlier, and since you arrived late, only Mr. Gauthier doesn't have a partner yet, and it happened to be so are you. Mr. Gauthier, you and you will be a pair. " Miss Peralta explained.
I glanced at this man beside me, who had his eyes widened at the statement.
"But maam-!" He was about to complain when I interrupted him.
"Yes maam." I replied, nodding.
He is looking at me with a very weird face. I just slightly smiled at him, then returned my attention to the front.
"Remember, this research project will be your constant project for this entire school year, meaning you will work with each other for an entire year. Now, please kindly sit with your partner and discuss your research project together." She instructed.
As instructed, everybody moves, dragging their tables so that they can face their partners. I got up and also dragged my table and chair. I didn't have to drag it further. He was just a step away from me.
I turned and stared at him, waiting for what he was about to say.
But I looked at him and noticed that he was fidgeting and seemed uneasy. Seeing his actions, I moved back a little away from him, giving him more space. That way, he seems more at ease.
I know what kind of rumors are circling about him, but even though we are seatmates, I completely ignored his presence along with those glimpses that as the day passes and day passes by, it is completely dispersing-or I just didn't care anymore.
Why would they believe it?
I looked at him blankly. Judging by his looks, he doesn't look like one and doesn't act like one. He looks like a grown-up child. A softie. I've met a real psychopath before and they are not alike at all at any point. I dismissed the thoughts and asked him about our agenda.
He's just looking down at his book again as I stare at him. Does he have some issues with his neck? He is always looking down.
"Now what?" I broke the silence. It seems that he doesn't have any plans to talk.
"I-I'm-erm... Don't worry about it, I-I'll handle it all. Just leave it to m-me. " He said, stuttering.
My brows furrowed. I don't like the idea proposed to me.
"No, I want to help." I seriously said, frowning.
"N-no! T-trust me- it's okay... I can handle it. " He said, waving his hands in front, uttering the last words in a whisper.
I felt some gazes on us, maybe because he said that a little loudly. I relaxed my face and looked straight at his blue eyes.
"We are going to do it together.That's final. " I said in a serious voice.
I want to help, not because I'd burden him if I didn't. It's just because I really want to.
"O-okay."
"So what am I going to do?" I asked, really interested and moving a little forward to hear him.
"First, we need to find a topic or a study for our research. I-I'll handle this one... if it's okay with you.." he said, looking at me and the paper on the table, unsure.
"Okay." I said, then moved away again. He is more knowledgeable than me at this thing, so I'm just going to follow him.
"Achoo-!" I sneezed. My nose is itchy and I'm feeling cold.
He stopped writing and looked at me.
"Are you okay?" He asked. I don't know, but I like the way he said that.
"Hmm" I just nodded.
He didn't say anything after that. We just discussed and discussed until the science subject period was over. I returned my table to its original place, then sat.
I looked at this boy beside me, Killian. He was looking at me. I was about to ask him what he was looking at, but Kleir's loud voice boomed through the entire room.
"Eloise Hi! Uhm... come with me! " She said, holding my hand, urging me to stand, but I resisted and remained seated.
"To where?" I asked, gently raising my eyebrows.
"Uh... the comfort room! Right! At the comfort room! " She said, smiling... fakely.
I stood up and again let her drag me. As soon as we entered the comfort room, she quickly pulled me aside and examined my body.
I stopped her. Looking at her frowning, I seriously asked.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm checking you up! You are so close to him, Eloise!He might have done something-" I cut her off.
"He's not crazy, Kleir." I said in a reassuring but serious voice.
"You can't be sure!" she insisted.
"You can't be sure either, Kleir. It's just a rumor. " I said, looking at her seriously, straight in the eye.
"..."
She had said nothing. She just stared at me for a couple of seconds, then heaved a sigh.
"Okay-Okay, I get it. But what if it's true? Just be careful. " She moved away from me and smiled lightly. I just nodded, then smiled back, just to end everything.
"Let's go?" She took my hand, and we returned to the classroom.