{Elias POV}

     Today I start my last year in high school. So many years of enduring sleep during class had been worth it. I like being with my friends, and some subjects are not so difficult, but why the hell do we have to get up so early? Fuck, and more if they wake up like me. Many people are used to waking up with their cell phone alarm, their alarm clock, or their parents, even a rooster, but not me. The one who wakes me up is my sister, and it’s not in a way ... Nice, so to say. Every day I wake up with a fucking tug on the quilt that ends with me on the floor, as she says I’m a heavy sleeper. But anyway, I don’t want to focus on her.

     It seems that thanks to God and my subconscious, I woke up much earlier than my sister or well before she entered. I stretched out and got up, my watch read 6:50am, great I’m late, when I was about to go to the bathroom I heard the door slam open.

“Hey, gnome, get up, you will be late” - she was surprised to see me awake- “wow! What mosquito bite you?”

“What? Can’t I get up early? -I asked- Besides, I didn’t want you to throw me to the floor.”

“Well, hurry up,” she insisted, “if you’re late, it won’t be my fault” - she was going to leave the room but stopped.

“What happened?”- I asked.

“No, nothing, just ...- she sighed loudly- Dad has called Mom on the phone and said he will be home because he has "stuff" to do in town with his company in three weeks.”

“Oh ... okay... I’ll go to Yury’s house for a couple of days then- I smiled at her- it’s nothing new.”

     She looked at me for a few seconds, which felt like hours and went to her room. My father and I don’t have the best relationship. When we spend more than an hour in the same place, he doesn’t take long to mention some errors he finds in me, which ends in a violent discussion. A sound made me come down from the clouds, my phone was ringing, it was Yury who had sent me a message.

[Yury ]

Hi dumb dumb

I hope you are awake and dressed up because we agreed that I would pick you up today.

You more than anyone knows that I don’t like being late the first days of jail.

———

     Oh my god, the school. I had completely forgotten about it. I threw the cell phone on the bed and ran to the bathroom. I got in the shower I took a quick shower, and got out. I opened my closet and looked for clothes; I didn’t take anything out of the ordinary, it was cold, so I took a dark blue sweater and some jeans. I didn’t comb my hair or anything; I put on a beany. I took my cell phone and ran down the stairs. I went straight to the kitchen, and my mom was serving breakfast.

“Good morning, ma,” - I said and kissed her cheek.

“Good morning, darling,” - he said and kissed me on the forehead- “have a quick breakfast, so you don’t get late, okay?”

“Okay mom- I answered- and Cruella?

“Elias- he said reproachfully. she didn’t like me calling her like that, and she didn’t like that we were arguing all day.

“Yes. Ok.-I said with a sigh- Where’s Amanda?"

“She’s in her room talking to Brandon,” - she said.

     My stomach churned, just hearing that name. Brandon is my sister’s ex-boyfriend. Their relationship ended because she found out that he was cheating on her with a different girl weekly while she was struggling in college. He wants to get back to her now, but that’s not what made my stomach turn, but reminding me of, well, it doesn’t matter. I shook my head and ate half of my breakfast. I took my cell phone and texted Yury.

(Elias)

I’m ready, and you?

———

[Yury]

I’ve been out for two hours.

Get your fat ass up and get out.

———

(Elias)

Yes, yes, as you say. But you and your exaggerations will never change.

———

     I took my things and left the house. Outside was Yury talking on her cell phone, quite happy. I sighed; I walked over to the car. Today she wore her blue afro fluffier than ever; sometimes, I even think she wakes up 2 hours earlier to make it that perfect. Her tanned brown skin matched with her hair, and it made her brown eyes stand out more than normal. She saw me, and her eyebrow piercing gave me goosebumps. I don’t know how she handled so much pain. It has three in one ear and one in the lip.

“Hey, what are you waiting for? Get in,” - She said.

“I’m waiting for you to finish talking to your possible next victim,” - I said, shrugging my shoulders.

     I didn’t like what she did. Every month she had a different “girlfriend.” And it wasn’t that it bothered me or anything, but I don’t like it, she has been one of the best people that have come into my life. I would like to see her with someone who makes her happy. She looked at me and sighed.

“I have something to do; I’ll call you later,” - she said whoever she was talking to and hung up. 

     After that, I got into the passenger seat and fastened my seat belt. The whole trip was in silence; she was just sighing; she knows I don’t like it. We arrived, and I got out of the car. Entered and walked down the hallways until a pair of arms surrounded me. I was surprised, I was about to hit the person, but immediately I knew who it was by the smell of his cologne. I separate a little and to see him better.

     There was my best friend, he seemed taller than the last time I saw him, although with my height everyone seems tall. His jet-black curls fell over his forehead, and part of them was tied in a small bun, the occasional rebellious curl falling over his gray eyes, hiding them a bit. I smiled at him and returned the hug.

“Andrew, how have you been?” - I said while moving slightly back. He smiled hugely, showing his pastel pink braces. We dared him to put them like that, and he ended up liking the way they looked- “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for a call or a message from you, and nothing at all. You had abandoned me.”

“I’m really sorry, but in my grandparents’ house, everything is like the 50s. No cell phones, no internet, you can already know if the TV they have is black and white.” - he told me.

     My jaw dropped, how he was able to endure all the vacations at his grandparents’ house. My poor friend was kept in a cave.

“Wow, believe me, I wouldn’t want to be at your grandparents’ house.” - Yury said next to me. I stepped aside so she could greet him. I took a step back, causing me to hit someone.

“I’m sorry- look who it was, and my face changed completely- Ah- I said, changing my tone of voice to a calmer one- it’s just you, William. Why do I always have to bump into you? “

He smiled at me as always with that arrogant smile. “And because you have to have that attitude every time we talk or meet, baby.” - said.

“Why is it? - I said - it will be because my stomach upsets completely when I see you.”

He opened his eyes in surprise, but the same smile returned- “You never change, huh?”

“And you will never stop being an idiot, huh?” I said, imitating his tone.

I heard quiet laughter behind me. I turned around, and Yury and Andrew were trying not to laugh out loud. I rolled my eyes.

“Can you tell me what is so funny? - I looked at them.

“No, it’s nothing; we just think that you two will never change,” - said Andrew.

“Right, which I still don’t understand - Yury said, looking at Andrew with a big smile hinting at something.

“Hey, if you go out with your things, you know what will happen to you - I told them.

“Hey, Elias, mom said she wants to talk to Emma and us. - He said. I looked at him, confused when he was going to say something; he spoke again. - and don’t ask me why? I don’t know anything.”

I sighed- “Yes, anyway, just go away; you hurt my sight with your presence,” - I said tiredly, gesturing with my hand to leave.

He smiled again- “Another thing, Emma asked me to take you home. So now you know.” - He winked at me and left with his arrogant smile, leaving me speechless.

I blinked a few times and turned to my friends. -” Did you hear that?”- they nodded- “I have to go with that idiot in his car.”- I smiled. And they looked at me shocked.- Only he thinks that we will go home together.

“By the way, how is Emma?” - Andrew said.

Everyone will question, Who the hell is Emma? Well, she’s my mom, she’s so friendly that everyone loves her, but she doesn’t like being called ma’am or anything like that. So they call her by her first name. And let’s just say she doesn’t help me much when it comes to dealing with William. I try to stay totally away from him, and she manages to do the opposite. And I have enough with being his neighbor.

“She is really great. - I said, smiling. - She said that she will bake cakes later and that you can go by for a slice. “

They both smiled and clapped their hands. Let’s say they loved her food too. We walked a bit until the bell rang; each went to their classroom since we had different schedules. And I was shocked when I entered. All the seats were full except one, and when I saw who was sitting next to it, I thought it couldn’t be worse. I walked to the chair and sat down.

“Is it fate that wants to see us together?- he said with his irritating voice.

“What a fate” - I whispered to myself.