"True love doesn't exist, does it?"
Lizzie Walter has struggled with the belief that love could actually exist. After her parents' failed relationship, Lizzie prefers to stay with her best friend, avoiding making new friends. When she ends up being...
Hey y'all! Hope you guys are enjoying this book so far. I have a lot planned for this one! Enjoy!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I was sitting down at the center table in the cafeteria, when something changed. It was if everyone's attention was on one person. And for once, that wasn't me. I turned my gaze the the person everyone was focusing on. Looking her over, I could tell she was pretty. She wasn't like the other girls who wore clothes that barely fit. Her black hair fell straight down her back.
Everyone was staring at her, including the most popular girls. As if she could feel it, the girl stood up quickly and her friend followed. They left the cafeteria quickly, but not before I could see her chest rising and falling rapidly. She was hyperventilating. I wanted to go check on her, but I didn't want to make the situation worse. I may be popular and a jerk sometimes, but I care about the well being of others.
Soon enough, the attention that had been on the girls had disappeared. Oliver came in seconds later, giving me a questioning look. I explained what happened and then asked who the girl was. "Oh, her? She's, my bio partner." I nodded, "That explains why everyone looked at her. Poor girl." Oliver quickly responded with a 'hey!' "It's not that bad to be stuck with me. Is it?"
Rolling my eyes, I responded, "Not that, you dimwit. Everyone wants to be your biology partner, which makes her a prospect for bullying. Especially from the girls." Oliver's eyes widened, "Oh no. She's quiet enough as it is, I barely got her to say her name. Tilting my head, I asked the question most had been asking since the incident, "What's her name?"
"Lizzie Walter."
***
The rest of the day, I couldn't get that name out of my head. Lizzie Walter. I felt like I had heard it before, but I couldn't remember how or when. The image of her rushing out of the cafeteria was engraved in my memory. All I could think about was; who was this girl? The bell rang, shaking me out of my thoughts. Gathering my stuff, I strolled down the rapidly emptying hallways.
Most people rushed to get out of school, I on the other hand, couldn't care less. What use was it to rush to your car just to wait in school traffic. Reaching my locker, I started pulling the items I would need out. The rest of the school was empty, or left with a few of the stragglers who stayed after school. That's when I heard the quiet footsteps. Whipping around, I faced the girl from earlier. Lizzie.
When I turned around, I startled the poor girl and she jumped. Her eyes widened. That's when I really took in her appearance. Her glossy black hair fell a little ways past her shoulders. The contrast between her hair and skin was great, but her pale skin was lightly freckled, adding to her beauty.
And lastly, her eyes. They were the color of pale emeralds. Not the bright, vivid ones most people are used to. But the pale, soft greens with a darker ring around the edges. All in all, the girl was gorgeous. And the best part? She wore no makeup. I had seen many pretty girls who covered themselves in makeup, hiding their true beauty. But Lizzie needed no makeup to hide herself; she was absolutely beautiful.
Shaking myself out of my daze, I quickly analyzed her. She was carrying a navy blue backpack and had her arms crossed over her chest, as if nervous. I watched as her eyes flickered back and forth around the hallway. I could tell she was nervous, if a bit insecure and skittish. Not only that, but from the way she held herself, she was a shy, quiet, and closed off kind of girl.
We seemed to be in some sort of stand off. That is, until she shifted her weight nervously and we both were jerked out of our dazes. It seemed that neither of us knew what to say so I just started with the obvious.
"Lizzie, right?" She looked confused as to how I knew her name. "My best friend is Oliver." I clarified. Lizzie nodded to answer the question. I nodded as well, not knowing what else to say. "I'm Hunter. Hunter Brooks."
"I know." The reply was so soft I barely heard it. But I did. She spoke, she actually talked to me. Maybe not a full sentence but it's something. I smiled at her and she gave a small one in return. "Want to walk to the parking lot together?" Lizzie seemed surprised at my offer but nodded shyly anyways.
Together, we walked to the parking lot where her friend was waiting in her car. Harper, I think was her name. As we reached our parting point, instead of just waving or nodding as I normally would, I called out, "Bye Lizzie. See you tomorrow?" Agains, her eyes widened, albeit a bit nervously, but she nodded slowly, as if trying to figure out what to say.
Turning away, I started walking to the car. I had only gotten a little ways when I heard her say a soft, "Goodbye. Hunter." I almost faltered in my steps, but kept going to not draw attention. Getting in my car, I let out a sigh. What a girl.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Have a great week!
