Chapter 2: Strange Faces

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

"People are pretty strange."

-Norman Reedus

"Al-Alberto? Like...like a guy?" Eli struggled to phrase the question.

"Yeah, Alberto like a guy." The giggle that left his lips made Elias question it even more. "But seriously. Just call me Sunshine."

Eli let his eyes roam the face in front of him. He had long dark lashes that framed his innocently soft shaped eyes, his lips were small and pouty, his skin was caramel, clear, and smooth; his hair, shiny and silky. His body was very petite. Just a flat chest, some lanky arms, and thin legs. Eli shook his head, suddenly looking at him now he could see he was a boy. Though something about his face continued to throw him off.

"Alright, Hazel." He tapped Eli's nose with his finger, and once again Eli flinched away. "Now it's your turn. What's yours?"

"Stop that." Elias gave him a stern glare.

"Stop what?" He tilted his head. Even his voice was soft and high. He also had an interesting hispanic sound to his tongue.

"Being so close-and weird-touching me."

"Oh yea, yea. Personal space and all that. Don't worry. I gotcha, Hazel."

"It's-my name is not Hazel." What's his problem, he thought. And why is he so close?

"Am I-I'm doing it, huh? I'm annoying you. Am I annoying? It's just-I mean I don't mean to." He stepped back, taking a breath. "I'm trying to meet you."

Eli watched stiffly as the boy trailed off into his own thought. He's never seen someone try to meet someone before. He was putting a little too much thought and energy for something so trivial.

"I wanna start over." Eli moved back as his hand shot out, afraid he was going to try and feel him again, but it just stuck out; still. "I'm Sunshine. What's your name?"

There was definitely something off about him. Autism? He thought. Shaking hands? Who shakes when meeting another kid?

Though, he was a very strange boy, he could tell he had good intentions. His advances had been innocent. It was a little refreshing. Different to say the least. It was like he was the only colorful, interesting thing on the street. A dab of paint on a blank canvas.

Relaxing his alerted muscles, Eli met him half way and shook his hand, very slow. "Elias."

"Nice to meet you, Elias. Can I call you Hazel? I like Hazel. Hazel sounds fun. Almost like Sunshine." He sped up again; a little too excited. Eli felt a flow of relief as he heard the loud bus curving around the street corner.

"No." He answered, snatching his hand away quickly.

~*~

He never thought he'd feel actual happiness from seeing a high school full of kids. Normal looking, normal acting kids. Unfortunately, it seemed to resemble the same tone as the rest of the town though. Dry, boring, and gray. For a moment, he was beginning to think the town was cursed by a couple of witches during its founding days or something like that. There had to be some screwed back story to explain the dark aura. Otherwise, it just made it feel even more strange.

Sunshine was doing his best to make the town seem like more than it was during the ride, though there wasn't even much to embellish on, but Elias just let him speak. The kid was getting a kick out of it.

It was the start of the second term. Of course no one was going to have that first day spring in their step because they were used to the routine by now.

He sighed, feeling that his move to this town was becoming a whole lot harder.

With help from this new Sunshine character, he found his way to the front office and received his schedule.

"Aw. We don't have any classes together." He frowned. Elias felt hopeful for the first time that day as he watched Sunshine study his new schedule with that frown. "Whoa you're pretty smart, huh? No wonder. I could never get in those classes."

"I'm alright." He replied, humbly.

"You go to Ms. Wills classroom first. That's room 2216." Sunshine handed him his schedule. "That's your homeroom. You want me to take you?"

"No." He answered quickly. Not meaning to be rude at all, appreciating the help. Though, he knew if he spent one more second with him, he would have killed too many brains cells to function for the day. "I can figure it out. I'll have to learn sooner or later anyway."

"Alright. I'll be seeing you." With that Sunshine left him in the office, joining the rest of the moving crowd. Elias tried to hold in his cringe. Very strange kid he thought very strange indeed.

Eli had been walking for some time, and honestly at this point, he wasn't even looking for his class anymore. Just swimming along with the river of students down the endless halls. Though, he did learn a few new things about the school.

Somerset High. A school not very big on sports as seen by the lack of trophies, but rather focuses on academics and the arts. This was a little disappointing, but it didn't matter. He didn't plan on joining any new teams. They were the otters, and their school colors were blue, white, and gold. It was the standard everyday high school. He didn't find anything wrong with it, but it was typical.

The more he learned about this new town, the more disappointed he became with it. He was waiting for something, anything to happen for redemption. Something worth coming there for.

"That is a lost face if I've ever seen one." The girly, almost raspy voice reached his ears, and he unknowingly slowed to a stop. Not noticing the other students had broken off into their individual classrooms, Eli stood dumbfounded in the middle of the hallway, looking for where the voice was coming from.

"Over here, handsome." His eyes met the curvy girl snickering into her sleeve with a clipboard held close against her black sweater. If the book bag strap on her shoulder wasn't enough, her height and husky voice confirmed she was another student. Her skin was smooth and chocolate, and her kinky red hair was pulled into two curly poofs. When she finally removed her sleeve from her face, he noticed her thick rimmed glasses and her brown eyes just beyond them. "I was about to write you up until I saw that face. You're new?"

"Write me up?" He asked.

"I'll take that as a yes." She clicked her red pen, sliding it back behind her ear. "I'm Beverly. One of Somerset High's top seniors and the head council member. It's sorta my job. Keeping people motivated, out the halls, and in class and stuff. But on the side I help new peeps like you. You don't look like a first year..." she paused, studying him.

"Junior." He handed her his schedule. "First day. I'm looking for room 22-"

"Twenty-two sixteen? Oh, you have Ms. Wills. Follow me young-in." She waisted no time, spinning on her heel. "For future reference, try to remember that any room in the two-thousands is upstairs and any room in the one-thousands is down here."

He followed her down the hall and up the stairs, seeing he was going in the wrong direction completely, though he wasn't too upset about the long walk. He actually enjoyed Beverly's company. She reminded him of himself when he was at his old school. Not necessarily being in leadership positions, but being a top student, outgoing, and in extracurricular programs. Though, he was sure they were both a part of these groups for different reasons. She seemed to enjoy it.

Elias did them for recognition. Thinking if he slapped his name on a few honorable clubs, his father would actually feel proud. Or if he joined baseball, basketball, and soccer his father would take out the time to go to at least one of his games. He never did. His attention was always elsewhere.

They both came to a stop in front of a door Eli assumed must have been Ms. Wills.

"Here we are, young-in. Now one thing I'll tell you about this lady is she could be the sweetest old woman in the world or an old hag out to get you. It all depends on you. Luckily, she's only your homeroom, but I'd still advise you to find her good side and stay on it. She likes to give out cupcakes at the end of the year." She winked, handing him his schedule. "You seem smart. I won't worry about you too much, but don't hesitate to ask me anything if you see me in the halls, kay-kay?"

"Yeah, thanks." He nodded, and she smiled before spinning on her heel disappearing down the hall.

~*~

The first day of school was like any first day. New. For any other kid, it probably would have been more stressful, but for Eli everything came naturally. He knew he was easy to talk to and people loved testing out the waters with the new kid in school. The teachers especially. He was meeting new students left and right. Everyone at Somerset seemed normal-mostly everyone anyway. Everybody seemed to take a liking to him pretty quickly as well. He even enjoyed glances from a few girls throughout the day. Easy he thought. Not to be cocky, but it went exactly how he'd expected it to. He wasn't the shy type and knew he could pretty much impress anyone if he put his mind to it. Anyone excluding his father.

It was the last period of the day. Last class of sideways glances from students and hesitant verbal pokes from teachers. Eli was ready to get it over with so he could go home and sleep before his father made him take care of Ava for the rest of the night.

Entering the room with the rest of the class, he took a side seat so he could get a good view of the front board. This last class was AP world history. A note taking, lecture giving class. These classes were simple enough. Just pay attention he thought can't get easier than that.

"Good afternoon, children of the corn. I've just been informed we have a new student." A fluffy looking guy dressed in a button down shirt and a poorly done tie said, erasing his board before turning around. "Meet him on your own time. Right now it's time to take out your notebooks. We're going to pick up where we left off yesterday talking about, my favorite, and one of the greatest revolutions in history. The Industrial revolution. Clap it up my little studs and studettes. It gets good."

The class groaned and Elias grinned seeing everyone sluggishly reach into their bags. He'd never admit it, but a part of Eli liked school or more so the passion in some of the teachers regardless of the subject.

"Now during this period, people-"

Scruff-scruff-scruff-scruff-scruff

"And surprisingly we came back from that stronger than ever. Each in our own but very similar ways. Now this revolution, even though it's genius, came with its issues. One being-"

Scruff-scruff...scruff-scruff

Eli's concentration wavered as the sound continued. It was almost obnoxious; like a fly buzzing by his ear. It was loud. He snapped his head back; his eyes narrowing in on a boy. He couldn't see his face; only the top of his head, but he could tell he was a boy. A boy with jet black hair and sickly pale white skin. A boy sitting in the back of the room. The only one with his head looking straight down at his desk. The only one moving his hand a little too fast for note taking. The only one sketching.

The annoying noise echoed in his head. The constant scrape of lead against paper. Elias never felt like this towards any sound in particular, seeing it hard to find any other noise more aggravating than Ava's babbling...until now. This noise was different; almost mocking in a way. It wasn't even in a pattern; just wild, random strokes. He glanced around the room, seeing everyone taking notes from the teacher, completely unfazed. I can't be the only one he thought. Does he know how loud he's being? How disruptive those repetitive strokes were?

He was the new kid in the class. He didn't want to be the complainer, but how could no one else hear it?

Ten minutes later...

Scruff-scruff-scruff-scruff

Thirty minutes later...

Scruff-scruff-scruff-scruff-scruff

One hour later...

Scruff-scruff-scruff-scruff-scruff-scruff

His eyes were wide now. Wide with frustration and agony. They had to be. He could feel them. He couldn't pay attention to one word the man was saying because he couldn't bring his attention away from the noise. Least to say, Eli had a new definition of hell now.

"Alright. That is a wrap for today. Pack up. The bell will ring in-"

Brrrriiiiinnnnnnngggg!

"Right now." He laughed. "See you all tomorrow."

Just as Eli grabbed his things, finally understanding the meaning of being saved by the bell, he heard another noise that made him stop completely. It was a different sound, though equally as loud. He knew what this sound was.

Crumbling paper.

He watched the crushed ball bounce off the rim of the trash can in the corner before the sketcher boy calmly passed him, exiting the classroom. Elias stared at the paper, his brows slowly furrowing.

An hour.

An entire hour of that noise...and he just threw it away. Eli couldn't put his finger on why he was so bothered by it. It wasn't his work, yet he felt like he put in a good amount of effort to keep his thoughts to himself. He wondered what could be on the paper. After so much time creating, so much time annoying him, there had better been a mini version of the Mona Lisa in that balled up piece of trash.

What could he have drawn that whole time he thought.

Elias sat still, unable to keep his mind from wondering as the others hurried for the door. What if it was stick figures? Or a deformed animal?

The thought of this alone made him chuckle. A try-hard artist trying too hard.

Curiosity got the best of him as he stood from his seat, picked up the paper, and slowly opened it. This better be good he thought. As his eyes finally met the paper, the smug grin on his face vanished.

It was a woman. That's not what bothered him. She was laying down on a pasture of lush grass. That wasn't the problem. The thing that bothered him was the sight of her ribs through her dirt stained dress. The starry look in her eyes while she watched the sky. The way her body laid limply on the bed of grass. The dark marks around her neck.

She was dead.

The amount of detail was unbelievable. The line work, the shading, it was sharp. It seemed almost impossible to have been drawn in an hour. Eli couldn't keep his eyes away from it. How could something so sinister be so...beautiful?

Her silky hair was spread out, running off the paper. Her body was surrounded by flowers. The dress she was wearing was skin tight, dirty and torn, but nice. One of her hands rested against her chest while the other bathed beneath the shading of the grass. Her face was peeling and decaying, but somehow she retained her beauty and soft features. It was incredible.

Why would he throw this away he thought. More importantly why the hell was he sketching dead women?

"I know my class is the best." The teacher said, snatching Elias out of his trance. "But I believe that was the bell."

"Right." Eli replied softly, shaking his head. He was about to let the paper slip into the trash can, but he paused. He didn't want to throw it away. Sure, it was wrinkled and dark, but something about it drew him in. Without giving it another thought, he slid it in between his books, and left.

~*~

The Next Day

Elias decided he was going to ask him. He was going to meet this kid and get answers to his ongoing questions. In all honesty, he just wanted to see what was wrong with him. There had to be something off about the guy to draw something like that, right? Maybe Eli was crazy for taking the damn thing. For some reason he couldn't seem to think about anything else. It's not everyday you find something like that, but it was almost like it compelled him.

"-but then Mya said to ask you anyway. So, how bout it?" Her high voice reached him.

"Huh?" He asked, realizing he completely blacked out for the fourth time that day. He was walking to the cafeteria with Diana. A sweet girl he met yesterday. Though, he could have sworn he began the walk alone.

She sighed. "I said...my friends and I were wondering, since your new and everything, if you wanted to come sit by us. I told them you probably want to sit with guys instead, but Mya said to ask you anyway. So?"

"Oh." He rubbed his neck, averting his gaze. His eyes landed on him. The boy from yesterday. That was the only person he's seen with such pale skin. He could easily pick him out in a crowd. It had to be him.

"You could sit by me." She smiled, grabbing his arm.

"Who's that?" He inquired.

"Who?" She asked disappointed, watching Elias nod towards the sketcher boy.

"Oh, you mean Cush?"

He scrunched his nose at that. "What kind of name is Cush?"

"I don't know. Rich people always end up giving their kids weird names." She said, dragging Eli in line with her, pulling his gaze away from the boy just in time before they made eye contact. "But yea, I know of Cush but no one really knows him. His family owns a lot of the towns factories and they aid small businesses and give to charities and shit like that. His sister graduated from here a few years ago. I forgot her name, but she was a celebrity at Somerset. The beautiful, popular cheerleader type. Cush just keeps to himself. He's a little strange. I mean, seriously. His name is pretty much taboo around here."

Once they grabbed their food, if it can even be called that, Diana guided him to her friends. After meeting them, he sat down and began eating.

"Hazel!"

He paused at the voice, looking up to see Sunshine weaving his way through the crowd. People were giving him weird looks as he stumbled towards him. "Oop, sorry. I mean Elias."

Eli watched as people turned to one another, staring as Sunshine stood in front of him. "I didn't know we had the same lunch. Can I eat my lunch with you while you eat your lunch?"

"The table's pretty crowded as is." Diana answered. "You should try looking somewhere else."

Eli sighed. Fuck it.

"Sure." As the word left his lips, Diana hesitantly looked at Eli before returning to her plate.

"Oh okay." Sunshine nodded. "I understand-"
The amount of happiness that took over his childish face made Elias instantly regret his decision. "You said yes?"

"Sure." Elias replied again, slowly.

"Oh. Most people say no. I usually leave before they can start calling me weird stuff." He began, popping a french fry in his mouth, taking a seat. "But you're not like most people. No. You seem nice. I like you."

Eli raised his brows, watching him eat and smile. Part of him wanted to laugh, part of him wanted him to leave, but another part was curious as to why he was so child-like.

"So why do you call yourself Sunshine?" Eli asked and he laughed.

"You like it?"

"Just curious." He answered.

"It's a long story. I got it from a friend. He died a long time ago though." Elias was taken back by the unfazed nature he said it with, continuing with his fries.

"Sorry to hear that."

Sunshine paused, his mouth parting slightly as to say something, but changed his mind drinking his juice instead.

~*~

He was finally in his last period, and he could see Cush sitting exactly where he was the day before; doing exactly what he was the day before. Elias wasted no time in walking over to him. He was

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net