Chapter 3 Three

Drenched in yoghurt

"If it gets harder, you're probably getting closer to the finishing line. So keep pushing."

---

~ Elizabeth ~

The lunch bell finally rang at noon, and I let out a deep sigh of relief.

Patrick had left after the first period-thankfully. Any longer, and I might have suffocated under the weight of his presence.

Lectures at Holland were sixty minutes long, and sitting through four of them back to back before lunch was... brutal. Believe me.

"You brought lunch?" The red haired girl, Evie appeared in front of my desk, smiling as I tucked my books into my bag.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Same. Let's go eat in the canteen."

Her words made my eyes widen in surprise. My old school had no such rules-we could eat wherever we wanted.

"That's where everyone eats. Having lunch anywhere else is forbidden."

I sighed and nodded, falling into step beside her as we walked outside.

The canteen was massive, just as I had imagined, teeming with students. My eyes scanned the room, searching for an empty table, but it seemed hopeless-until...

"Found one!" Evie chirped excitedly.

"Where?"

"There," she pointed, and I followed her gaze to a table tucked in the corner. Strangely, no one else had taken it, even though it seemed like the perfect spot.

We hurried over and sat down.

"So, where are you from?" Evie asked before I could even take a bite of my food.

"New Orleans. You?"

"Germany. You moved here because of Katrina, right?"

"You bet. It sucks."

"Yeah... it left a lot of people devastated. Even-"

"I lost my twin, Eliezer." The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Evie's face softened with compassion. My sister's death wasn't something I liked talking about. Even after a year, the wound was still fresh. But sometimes, it just... happened.

"I'm really sorry," she said, reaching out to squeeze my hand.

"It must've been hard."

"Very." I forced a small smile. "Thanks."

"But... the pain made you stronger, didn't it?"

"That's what pain does," I murmured. "Makes us stronger and more resilient."

"Yeah, it does."

I glanced at her. "What about you? What's your story?"

"Nothing much. I'm the youngest of four kids and the only one who actually dreams big about college."

"Must be tough."

"It is."

"What do you want to study?"

"Philosophy. You?"

"Sociology."

"We're kind of on the same path, huh?" Evie laughed.

For the first time that day, I laughed too.

Then, out of nowhere, she said, "Patrick seems to have a thing for you."

I instinctively turned to my right-and there he was. Watching me. Like a predator eyeing his prey.

"Don't remind me," I muttered.

"He's never been this interested in anyone before."

"How long have you known him?"

"Five years."

"That's a while."

"It is. But it doesn't change the fact that he's clearly interested in you."

"Oh, please. He's a bully."

"You bet."

I finally forced myself to look away from Patrick's piercing gaze-only for my moment of peace to be shattered.

"Liz, you-" Evie's words cut off abruptly, her eyes wide with shock.

Before I could react, something cold and sticky seeped through my uniform, making me shiver.

I looked up-and there she was.

The Queen Bee.

My gaze dropped to my uniform, now drenched in yogurt. My stomach twisted.

"You-" My voice trembled with anger as I shot to my feet, my hand instinctively lifting to slap her-

Only to have my wrist caught midair by one of her cronies.

"Dare who?" She smirked.

"Who are you to speak, poor newbie?"

"Don't you-"

"What? You think you have a say here?"

Suddenly, I was surrounded. Five girls. All of them part of her clique.

The rest of the canteen? They just watched. Like they were at a movie theater, enjoying a rom-com.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice quieter now.

"Five words." She leaned in, her breath warm against my cheek. "Stay the hell away - "

"From Patrick?" I scoffed, interrupting her. "Are you serious?"

"He's mine."

My face burned with frustration. "I never did anything to attract his attention!"

"You did," she sneered. "You slutty virgin."

The words punched the air from my lungs.

Why? Why was I being bullied for being... pure? Back at my old school, that was something to be proud of. Celebrated, even.

How did they even know?

"I didn't-"

"Stay away from him!"

She shoved me.

I stumbled backward-

And nearly fell-

Until Evie caught me.

The Queen Bee and her followers sauntered away, laughing, as if they hadn't just humiliated me in front of the entire school.

Pissed and ashamed, I grabbed my bag, strapped it around me, and bolted out of the canteen.

I ran straight into the bathroom, needing a moment to breathe-

And then I saw him.

Standing there.

The last person I ever expected to meet.

What the hell is he doing here?

....

A/N: Don't forget to leave a comment, guys!