Shifting in the back seat of the truck, I played aimlessly with the zipper on my backpack as Evie and her boyfriend Mark whispered amongst themselves in the front. Up and down, I fiddled with it over and over and over again. It seemed like boredom was a cement brick sitting in my lap.

We only had one more turn until we would arrive at school. My gaze was locked on the passing wheat fields and cow pens that filled with thin morning air with long and drawing moo’s. My beige flannel was slightly wrinkled from where the buttons slipped between the fabric. It had dried awkwardly on the line last night.

A fact that was not helping my current mood. I don’t know much about Mark Miller. I knew he plays football and that his mother cooks fantastic cha ca Hanoi. But that’s it. I’m not sure why Evie likes him to be quite honest.

“Are you excited for the party tomorrow night?” Evelyn inquired as her gaze fluttered over to Mark, her hands still clutching the wheel.

He ran his hands through his hair, fixing it to look like a 50’s style greaser with the amount of product swirling through his dark hair. “Super excited. You’re still good to drive right? I wanna get fucked up.”

Evelyn laughed harder than she should’ve for a joke that was barely funny in the slightest. It made my scowl deepen. “For sure.” She mused as she twirled a piece of dark hair around her finger.

Faint drawls of rock music swirled through the truck and flew out the open windows as the car turned its last turn of the morning ride.

I hopped out of the truck as soon as it came to a full stop. I’d rather walk aimless laps of the school instead of sitting in their lovey-dovey love fest. We’d arrive a couple minutes early, meaning I could get to class before the bell and flip through the newest farm equipment manual that was sitting in my heavy backpack.

That’s when I saw him. Black leather made him stand out like an omen among the flannels and camouflage hunting jackets. His back was pin straight as he slipped between groups of students whom snarled at him.

Everyone knew who Elias Alvara’s parents were.

I could see his mahogany eyes from where I stood; dark light a forest with fading light on its outskirts. His eyebrows furrowed for only a moment before raising as a smile more akin to a teasing smirk graced his face.

And he saw me.

I audibly groaned as he turned and made his way towards me with a swagger accompanying each step of his polished and shined shoes. Raising his hand in mock surrender at my obvious scowl, his voice had the same haughtiness of yesterday when he’d introduced himself to my dad. “I’m not here to run you over with my car again. If that’s what you’re so worried about.”

My parents had made their feelings on the Alvara’s very clear. Which made my steps totter as I wanted to leave this conversation.

“You didn’t hit me,” I muttered awkwardly, he had hit me with the car and I had the still echoing sensation of ripping the car’s metal beneath my fingers, “ I jumped in afterwards. And was that supposed to be a joke?”

If he thought I got up from getting hit with his car that quickly, he’d have questions. Questions that would make my life much more difficult.

He spoke with a slight grin as he tried to fake a pout that defined his jawline, “You didn’t like it?”

“What are you doing here? I thought my dad made it pretty clear on how you can repay us.” Around us, other students passed, the bell was going to ring any moment now, Elias didn’t seem to notice. I on the other hand struggled with just where to put my hands.

“I just noticed that I never introduced myself to you. Isn’t it in poor taste to not introduce yourself to the boy who revived you from the dead?”

Instead of waiting for me to counter, he stuck a straight hand out at me, “Elias Alvara.” I already knew his name from when he had introduced himself to my dad. And I’m pretty sure he knew that.

But I had to shake his hand anyways, manners were essential to any type of proper human conversation. I hike my backpack up further on my back before taking his hand. “Rory Curie.” I stated, feeling the cold metal of his thick ring against my palm. He shook my hand like it was a business deal; strong and firm.

We broke apart and I hiked my backpack up against my back again, “My father says you’re nothing but trouble. And I don’t really do trouble.” I tried to clarify that this was going to be our only conversation.

“Well, well, aren’t you just a golden boy?” His head tilted to the side, his dark eyes observant and alert as he looked me up and down. “Don’t you wanna find out if I really am then? You seem smart enough not to always take everyone at their word.”

We’ve had one conversation, why does he think I am smart enough not to take people at their word? “So far my dad is seemingly correct. And you’re not doing much to prove him wrong, Alvara.” Especially not with those shiny shoes and observant eyes. I shifted side to side under his gaze, my feet willing me to leave.

Instead of responding, Elias’ head tilted again as he watched me more. Like I was something to stare at. I crossed my arms over my chest, “What?”

He smirked, “I’m intrigued Curie. You’re intriguing.”

Confusion muddled my features, “What does that mean?”

His eyebrow raised tauntingly but his smile widened, like he was winning some game at confusing me, “You don’t know what interesting means?”

“What? No! Of course I know what interesting means! Shut up!”

Tilting his head back slightly, Elias laughed audibly. A loud, rollicking chuckle filled with deep hearty laughter. “See? You’re interesting.”

“I can’t tell if you’re complimenting or insulting me.” I shook my head, fiddling with the buttons lining the middle of my flannel.

He shrugged noncommittally as his eyes crinkled into a half-smile. Almost like he was taunting him, “Up to you I guess.” And without a wave goodbye which would’ve been mannerly in this conversation, Elias instead walked away without a word.

“Huh?” I groaned to myself, “What just happened?”

After my awkward encounter with Elias Alvara, my day passes smoothly and without much attention passed onto me.

This is when I noticed that Elias Alvara was in my science class. I don’t think he noticed me. He sat directly in the front, closer to the window. His chin rested against his hand, fingers tapping against the lower part of his cheek as he stared out of it as if anything beyond the glass pane was interesting. The only thing below the window was the football field, which no one was on right now.

Beyond the school grounds it looked pretty much the same as everywhere else. The remnants of the one row of stores and the farmhouses that circled it.

Mr. Ayaz bent down and leaned against my desk which tore me away from watching the window. With furrowed “Rory, I heard about the accident. Are you feeling okay?”

“All fine sir.” I stated, “You don’t have to worry about me.” He raised up and fixed the lines he’d creased in his jeans before walking away.