C h a p t er   T h r e e

The Fault in Our Stars should be banned. It is too depressing for everyone's good. I was in such an emotional wreck after reading it last night it is just not mentally possible for me to prepare myself for school today.

But parents just don't get it.

"What do you mean you can't go to school today?!" Mum screeched.

"I can't go to school like this!" I gestured my puffy eye.

"I don't see any problem." She squinted, "Except that your eyes are a little swollen today."

"Exactly."

She muttered 'teenagers' so quietly I almost missed it.

"You're going, and that's the final decision."

"But mum," I argued.

"Not buts."

"Fine." I grumbled under my breath, "Tell Blake I'll be ready in five minutes."

I forced myself upstairs, opened my closet, and then sat on my neatly folded sheets.

If I locked myself in here will I be able to avoid school?

Knock.Knock.

"What?" I shouted impatiently.

"It has been five minutes." Blake called.

"Then give me another five."

"Unless you want to be late on your first day back, sure."

"Blake," I jumped out of bed, "I just need five more minutes to..." My mind searched for all possible responses and instantly came up with an instantaneous lie, "Find something at least presentable to wear."

"Don't you have a closet full of them?"

Yes. But I really don't want to go. And all of my clothes look extra ugly today.

What was I thinking when I bought these?

I let out an unattractive groan.

"I'm coming in." He said after a few seconds of silence.

Before I could protest, he let himself through the door. "Let the pro find you something."

"What pro?" I joked.

He rolled his eyes in reply and threw me a hideous green top with red shorts that obviously didn't match. I don't even know why I got them in the first place.

I tossed them back and grabbed a simple white tank and floral shorts instead, earning a protest from my lovely brother. "Hey! It took me a while to decide on that outfit!"

I snorted, "try harder next time."

"Next time huh." I have a feeling that he had already started planning it in his mind.

"Okay, now get out so I can change."

He pouted in a way it was obvious that he was just kidding around, "Why can't I stay? We used to change in front of each other when we were younger."

"Pervert," I muttered. 

"Oh and Elliot," his eyes softened. "It's not really about the eyes and clothes, is it?"

"Hm?" But I know what he was talking about; the reason why I was avoiding school.

"Come on El, we both know what's bothering you."

"Maybe I just don't want to talk about it."

A moment passed by with him staring at the wooden floor, clearly thinking about things to say. I was about to kick him out when he interrupted.

"Why can't you just... Let it go?"

"What –"

He stared at me with a serious look plastered on his face. "I mean, I'm sure you can find Anader boy that is just as Hansome as him."

"Blake," I started, "Are you quoting Frozen?"

"Pshh," he waved his hand in the air, as if he was trying to wave off a fly. "Of course not, but all I'm saying is, you should just forget about him and find another boy who will unfreeze your frozen heart."

Yep. He definitely was.

"Because you know," he stood up. "Love is an open door."

He stared at my door dreamily. Who knew what was going on in that boy's mind?

"Blake, half the things you say don't make sense anymore."

"Your opinion." He shrugged, "But in all seriousness, El, he's not worth it."

"Thanks."

Blake pulled the door open but stopped midway, "You know you can tell me anything right?"

I gave him a reassuring smile.

"And for your information," he winked, "I do like warm hugs."

He shut the door behind him. I heard footsteps proceeding down the stairs before he shouted, "five minutes!"

I threw on the tank top and shorts, grabbed my bag, and rushed down the stairs.

Blake paused the timer that was located on the fridge and faced me, "Four minutes and fifteen seconds, not bad."

I ignored him and walked out the front door, to his car. "Are you coming or do I have to drive myself there?"

"No!" He ran out of the house, a bottle of water clutched tightly in his hand. "Don't you dare touch Jasmine."

"Who?" I was aware that I wasn't touching any woman.

"She's a Mercedes Benz, Sixth Generation W222, and very precious."

Great, now he's naming his car.

"Awesome." I slammed the door shut, earning a diminutive cry from Blake. "Now can we leave? I have Davidson first period, and he's not a morning person."

"No worries, baby sis, Jasmine will take you there safe and sound."

Believe it or not, Blake did have me there on time. A minute and thirty seconds right before the bell rang to be exact. I didn't even bother to stop by at my locker to get my textbooks. Running in a speed similar to a cheetah's, I sprinted my way to my first class.

After being scolded for years and years, I finally understood the saying 'no running in the hallway'.  Not watching where I was heading, I crashed into something – someone with great force.  That force sent me flying back, landing heavily on my bum.

"Ow," I winced while a voice muttered "fuck" at the same time.

My eyes shot up and find a pair of emerald green eyes staring back at me. I wanted to say that I've never seen this boy in school before, but that wasn't the case. I could recognise this boy anywhere.

He was the boy from the airport.

His eyes sparkled with mystery and curiosity at the same time, and it matched perfectly with his striking black hair. His muscles clearly visible from the thin shirt that held firmly around his torso. Even I had to admit that he looked a little cute.

Needless to say, he looked way better without the hideous outfit.

"I would let you stare all day," he interrupted but smiling. "But I'm kind of late for my class."

My attention immediately tore away from his body, "Who said I was staring?"

He cocked an eyebrow as if to say 'seriously?' but reached a hand out instead. He caught me off guard, so I ended up staring at his hand, not knowing what to do.

"Who said you weren't, Stranger?" He smirked.

Embarrassed, I quickly took his hand. He pulled me up without second thought.

I dusted off my shorts, "Thanks."

"Anytime," he gave me a quick nod before heading the opposite direction from where I was going.

Decided it was not a good idea to sprint, I hastened in a quick pace towards my class. It wasn't long before I heard someone chasing after me.

"Wait!" He called, panting a little. "Gosh, how can someone so little walk so fast?"

"Yes?" I waited impatiently, "Just so you know, I also have a class to go to."

As if to my cue, the school bell rang just on time. It was not a delightful sound to hear.

"That you have already missed," he corrected. "So why don't you help me out a little?"

I let out a sigh, "Depends."

"Where exactly is English two?" He scratched the back of his head, "the directories in this school is seriously messed up."

So he was a new student here, huh, such a small world.

I scuffed, "you'll get use to it."

"I sure hope so."

"Why don't you come with me?" I asked, giving him a small smile. "It's my first class too."

"Great." He reached his arms out, "lead the way."

I did without being told the second time. After a summer, I almost forgot how cranky Davidson can be in the morning. The moment I turned the door knob, I could already hear her loud, monotonous teachings.

"Miss Darren!" She turned to me, "Late on your first day isn't going to do you any good, is it?"

"No," I muttered silently. I felt the boy moving slowing next to me, as if he was trying to make a run for it. I grabbed him by the arm, "But I am late for a reason."

She stayed silent. "I was helping a new student."

Her attention moved, and so did the rest of the class. A few gasps and dreamy sighs came audible from the classroom as whispers began to form. "And who is this?"

"Alec Hayden." The boy spoke, and shot her a wink.

I was positive that half of the female population melted.

"Well Mr. Hayden," Mrs. Davidson seemed to soften up a little too, "Grab a seat right there." She pointed to a seat near the very back.

"And as for you, Miss Darren," her eyes scanned the room. But there were obviously only one empty seat left; right in front of where Alec was sitting. "Over there."

I muttered a few repugnant words under my breath before stumbling my way through rows of desks and plopping down on the uncomfortable green chair.

I felt Alec move passed me and settled down in his seat, tossing his bag pack on the ground, trying to make himself comfortable. Boys immediately turned and started chatting with him, as if they were good friends who haven't seen each other in years, while girls could not seem to keep their eyes off him.

"Alright class! Attention please," Mrs. Davidson yelled.

The whole class quiets down so suddenly it almost seemed weird. I guess this was one of the 'first day of school' magic; everyone seemed to be more attentive.

"Open your textbook and flip to page three." She called, "Kale, read the passage please."

My eyes followed Kale's reading word by word as I felt a light tap on my back. "What?" I whispered, turning around.

"Can I share the textbook with you? I didn't receive mine yet." Alec whispered back, his lips tucked up slightly.

"No, share it with the person sitting beside you." I replied a little too loudly.

"Miss Darren, is there a problem?"

As if on a cue, everyone in the room turned and stared at the same time.

"No." My voice came out weaker than I intended it to. Clearing my throat, I repeated it again a bit louder this time. "No. No problem at all. Sorry."

"Good" was her only reply before she let Kale continued on.

I rubbed my temple and stared down at the pages. The words seemed to go on forever; the white pages were filled with endless black ink.

"Darren," I heard Alec whisper, followed by a poke on my back with his pencil. "Hey."

I ignored him, which led on to another poke.

"Hey," he spoke a little louder and continued on poking.

"Listen," I whispered harshly, turning around midway. "Someone here is trying diligently to concentrate, but you are giving her a hard time to."

"Oh," he said after a moment of silence. "Alright."

It hasn't been a full minute of peace before I felt another sting on my back, led by an all-too-familiar voice. "Hey, Stranger."

"What?!" I screeched, facing him. "Why can't you just stop talking?!"

"Excuse me?" A voice that does not belonged to Alec's replied.

"I –" I froze in my seat, too scared to turn back.

"Miss Darren," her face was now tomato red and I swore I saw smoke coming out of her ears. "Detention, now!"

"But I was –" I defended but found myself speechless, "But he was –"

Groaning out of frustration I shouted like a little kid, "This is entirely his fault!"

The second my finger landed on Alec, people gasped. Mrs. Davidson did a little, too.

"NOW!"

I scrambled out of my chair, grabbed my bag, and left without looking back. I have not once in my entire life been sent to the detention room before, and now because of the new student? Aside from Alec's annoyingly good looks, he was anything but good. He was cocky, obnoxious, and full of himself. And God, could he be any more irritating?

Since it was still class hour, the hallway should be empty. It was preferably that way, too. I really didn't want anyone to see me getting sent to the office.

I turned around the corner and a wall of dark blue lockers came in sight. Along with a figure of the person I didn't want to see the most.

Cole.

Keeping my head as low as possible, I quickened my pace, hoping that he won't see me. You know how ostriches dig holes and bury their heads in whenever they don't want to be seen? They believe that if they can't see others, others can't see them, too.

I was something like that.

Shutting my eyes tight, I sped right pass him. We were so close our shoulders brushed lightly against each other's. The moment he was behind me, I let go of my breath I didn't realize I was holding. I let my guards down a little too soon, though.

"El?"

The sound of his voice made me shiver. I wanted to hear more, but it hurts. I stopped my tracks and closed my eyes briefly. Ugh, I was this close from being recognized.

"Don't call me that."

"Elliot," he corrected. "I missed you."

'Same here', I wanted to say. His tone sounded sincere, but I didn't dare to turn back. I wasn't sure if I could look at him just yet.

Instead, cold laughter escaped my lips, "Isn't it too late for that?"

I heard his footsteps getting closer towards me and my body stiffened involuntarily. "Just leave me alone," I whispered, barely audible, and the last word came out like a choke. "Please."

He either didn't catch that, or decided to ignore it.

Cole placed his hand on my shoulder and spun me around. His other hand kept me balanced. I kept my head low, deciding it was a great time to examine my shoes. "Hear me out, Elliot, please."

"I – I need to go."

I whirled around and left. But I couldn't. I was trapped in his arms, in that warm hug I missed. "Don't leave." He whispered into my ears, his voice cracking. "Give me five minutes and I'll explain everything."

I wanted to accept it. I wanted to know why he left me so suddenly. One day we were the best-friends-turned-into-couple that everyone idolized and were jealous of, the next day he was avoiding me as if I was a plague. Didn't our ten year friendship/relationship mean anything to him?

"Five minutes." He said firmly, "Just give me five minutes and if you still hate me after that..."

I don't hate you. I wanted to say, but didn't.

"Let me go first." He did.

I turned to face him, reluctantly. It took me a long time to finally bear up the courage to meet his forever blue eyes. The second my eyes met his, I felt like I was melting. My legs were jelly and my heart was pounding louder than any drum. 

"I'll give you five minutes tomorrow after school."

"Awesome," he beamed.

"I really need to go."

"Oh."

"Yeah." I replied awkwardly, slightly shifting my weight.

"I guess I'll see you later than." It sounded more like a question than a statement.

"You will."

We both turned and continued on our separate way before I realized something.

"Wait, Cole!" I stopped him and instantly regretted it. Stupid me.

"Yes?"

"What are you doing here during class hour?"

He scratched the back of his head and admitted shyly, "I was on a bathroom break."

I couldn't help but chuckle a little. A bathroom break for almost fifteen minutes? He'll have some serious explaining to do once he got back.

"Now my whole class will wonder what I have been doing for the past fifteen minutes." He frowned, but then it twitched upwards, into a grin, "But totally worth it."

My heart may have stopped a little.

"See you then," he waved and I nodded in reply.

Detention passed by in minutes but seemed like hours. It was as boring as the word itself sounded, might even be worse. Scratch that, it was definitely worse. Saved by the bell, I quickly made my way to the cafeteria, not wanting to spend another second in the office.

I spotted a certain red head in the crowed, my best friend to be exact, "Ava!"

Her head immediately shot up and waved me over, "Over here!"

Avery Summers, also known as Ava, has been my best friend since fifth grade. Cole, Ava, and I used to hang out so casually people thought we were having a threesome. But I have been closer to Cole, everyone knew that. The thought of Cole made my heart twitch.

I joined the table and sat beside her. Across me sat Tanner, Josh, Nick, a few other jocks, with Cole at the other end. Tanner Sykes, the co-captain of the football team, was Ava's soon-to-be boyfriend but they were just both too shy to admit anything. His dark brown hair and hazel-green eyes drove every girl crazy. Josh Griffin was the funny one, but was a bit of a player. Nick Sawyer was the mysterious bad boy with the leather jacket. But I have talked to him a few times before, gotta say, he's a pretty cool guy to be with.

And then there's Cole.

I wasn't a part of the so called "populars" but Cole was the captain of the football team and we came as a package. Used to, at least. I felt a little uneasy by this seating arrangement so I starting stuffing my salad into my mouth. My eyes didn't even leave my plate once.

"Elliot!" Ava's high pitched voice snapped me out of my thoughts, "Were you even listening to me?"

"Sorry," I mumbled. "I am now."

She let out a long sigh, "If sitting here makes you uncomfortable, we can move you know."

"It's fine," I forced out a smile that may have looked more like a grimace.

"You sure?"

I gave her a small nod.

"Okay, so I was saying, did you meet the new boy yet?"

Before I had a chance to reply, she interrupted me. "I heard he's hot!"

"How awesome is that?!" She said dreamily.

Tanner coughed. Our attention turned to him immediately. "Sorry, continue please." He waved us off.

Ava continued on her little speech about Alec, but I wasn't interested. I couldn't get my mind off Cole; His eyes, his smile, his hugs and kisses. And the things he did to me. How am I supposed to face him tomorrow after school?

"Oh my God!" I could hear Ava's excited squeals beside me as she nearly leaped out of the chair by the sight of Alec. "I think I see him!"

"He really is hot, isn't he?" She sighed dreamily, again.

Right on a cue, Tanner choked.

Everyone in the cafeteria watched as Alec made his way towards our table. His eyes darted towards me, and then shifted away almost immediately. He greeted the boys with those half nods that guys greet others with.

The guys greeted back and waved him over. He plopped himself between Tanner and Josh. Almost as soon as he sat down, he managed to start a conversation with the jocks. Every few minutes they would high five each other or laugh so loudly everyone in this place could hear them. But I guess no one minded; girls from other tables shot us jealous looks as they whispered to their friends.

Ava just stared at him as if he was some kind of celebrity. In a way, he was. Alec Hayden was lionized by almost everyone in this school on his first day. I guess his God-like looks helped.

"Oh!" Josh shouted suddenly. "I almost forgot that you're new here. Here, let me introduce you to my friends."

"Our friends," Tanner corrected him, earning a small chuckle form Ava.

Josh ignored him and continued on. "This is Ava," gestured her and Alec winked at her. "Tanner's soon-to-be girlfriend."

Ava's face turned crimson instantly while Tanner choked on air. Seriously though, how many times can that guy choke?

We all cracked up laughing at their reaction. They should seriously just confess their undying love for each other and make out already. I was so shipping Tava.

"Anyway," Pointing at me he said, "This here is –"

"Oh, I know her." Alec's dimples displayed as he smiled, "Elliot Darren."

___

author's note

because cliches are just overrated but i still have to write one, am i right c; don't forget to comment, vote, and follow x