·*:༅。.。༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　　✿✼:*ﾟ:༅。.。༅:*·

Today was our first day of school at West Valley High.

I wasn't feeling too nervous, especially since I knew I would have my friends around, expect for Robby who was supposed to go to college but decided to drop out this year, and stay with Mr.Larusso

Skylar had been anxiously pacing around the apartment since early in the morning. I tried reassuring her, but it ended with her throwing random clothing at me, trying to figure out what to wear.

She had been extra moody since Dawson had gone back home for college.

Still in my pyjamas, I dragged the garbage outside, walking towards the bins lazily.

The sun was starting to rise, painting beautiful colors over Reseda, as the soft, warm wind grazed on my barely awake skin.

I soon regretted my decision when I saw that Eli was already there, swinging a couple of black bags into the big garage bins.

He only noticed me when I got beside him.

"Morning," He softly smiled.

"You slept at Miguel's?" I asked before he took the bag from my hands, throwing it in while nodding.

"Do you guys wanna ride with us? It'll save gas,"

"Yeah sure thanks,"

Our conversations had been dry lately, I didn't know how to feel about it, I had the feeling that both of us didn't know exactly what to say to each other, especially since there was so many things to talk about.

"Feeling better than yesterday?" I asked with a playful grin, feeling the need to pursue the conversation.

"Yeah, Johnny surprisingly helped," He chuckled lightly, becoming visibly more comfortable as we both faced each other with familiar smiles.

We stayed like that for a couple of seconds, bathing in each other's comfort before his eyes traveled to my uncovered arm.

I made sure to walk around with some long sleeves, but I didn't think I would've seen anyone this early in the morning.

"You never told me exactly what happened," He broke the silence in a soft, not fully awake voice.

"Because it's not important,"

"It kinda is y/n, she clearly tried to hurt you... If I didn't arrived when I did, things could've gotten a lot-"

"Well it didn't," I sighed, "I'm fine," I nodded reassuringly.

"If anything were to happen to you..." He looked down while his eyebrows furrowed.

My heart skipped a beat, wanting to hear exactly what he was going to say.

But nothing came out.

He brought his head back up, making our eyes connect again.

I only realized now just how close we were standing next to each other.

"So umm, be ready for 8:30..." He cleared his throat awkwardly before backing away slightly.

"Yeah," I let out under my breath. "See you later," I spoke just a little bit louder before we both went into our respective apartments.

"So what did he say?" Skylar almost jumped on me as soon as I walked through the door.

"N-nothing," I shook my head while walking past her, avoiding her millions of questions.

"Sure," She scoffed teasingly with a soft grin, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You look cute," I changed the subject, signing at the outfit she finally decided to wear.

She only shook her head with a smile before walking back into her room.

~

"I call shot gun!" Skylar screamed before running towards the passenger seat, making us all giggle.

Miguel got in the drivers seat while Eli and I got in the back quietly.

I could feel his eyes lingering on my skin while I kept my eyes in the front, acting like I didn't notice him.

The drive was loud mainly because of Skylar and Miguel who were way too hyper for this early. Eli and I only communicated with our eyes, constantly and uncomfortably stealing glances from each other.

We soon arrived in front of the school, were I started suddenly becoming more nervous, especially facing the size of the school that was at least three times bigger than the one back home.

Skylar and Miguel didn't take time leaving the car to enter the school, but I stayed almost frozen.

Surprisingly, Eli stayed by my side as we were both still sitting in the backseat.

"You okay?" He asked, looking over at me concerned.

I nodded, while trying to calm down my progressively faster breaths.

"We can stay in here for a while if you want," He reassured calmly while I could see his hand almost touching mine from the corners of my eyes.

I nodded again, closing my eyes before looking back at the enormous school full of new faces with a shaky breath.

"Hey, look at me," He spoke as his hand fell on top of mine making me gasp as I turned to him.

It's like he knew.

He knew how everything stopped when I looked into his eyes. He knew that I melted from his touch and couldn't focus on anything else.

"It's gonna be fine, I'll always be near I promise," He sighed before squeezing my hand.

It has been a while since I felt this kind of intimacy with him, I hated to admit how much I missed it.

"Thanks," I said through a tight lipped smile.

"Come on, let's go," He nodded towards the school, "Don't be nervous, everyone's gonna love you,"

I genuinely smiled at his little comment before getting out of the car and walking with him side by side.

"Do you want me to hold your things?" He said after a while.

"I'm fine Eli," I laughed under my breath at his sudden concern since this morning.

I really felt like there was less Hawk and more Eli in him recently.

~

It was lunch time.

The day had been going relatively well so far; I had my first class with Miguel and Demetri, the second with Sam and the third with Eli, who didn't talk to me since we arrived this morning.

I arrived at the cafeteria a little late since the math teacher wanted to talk to me; she said that my grades were very impressive and that I should enter the tutoring program, I told her I'll think about it.

I grabbed my lunch before scanning the cafeteria for at least one of my friends.

it wasn't long until I found Miguel sitting with Skylar, Demetri and Sam.

I walked towards them with a smile until I saw, at the very back of the cafeteria, Eli sitting alone with his head down.

"I'll be back," I tell my friends, my eyes fixed on Eli.

"Take your time," Skylar smirked teasingly earning snickers from Miguel.

I rolled my eyes before making way towards the lonely boy.

"Hey," I sat next to him, making him look up before his face lit up softly.

"Hey," A soft smile appeared on his face.

"What are you doing here all alone?"

"Well I don't belong there anymore," He looked over to the table of Cobras.

"If I'm being honest, I'm glad you don't," I sighed before he looked back at me. "Why don't you come sit with us?"

"It's not my place y/n, I don't even know how Demetri feels about me i've been such a jerk to him." He looked genuine. "And Sam's in Miyagi-do, she doesn't like people like me,"

"Well I'm in Miyagi-do too, and I don't mind you..." He appeared even more hurt at my choice of words.

"I'd like to sit here for today," He gulp staring at the untouched food facing him.

"Do you want me to leave?"

He only shook his head lightly, "Stay,"

a/n: Lots of y/n x Eli interactions in this one! I really hope you enjoyed it! They're finally warming up to each other!! Anyways, if you liked it, feel free to leave a vote <3

Stay tuned for the next chapter! Have a good day/ night, I appreciate all of you so much !

-C