GREY

CHAPTER 4 - A Zero

Wednesday 28.05.15

I grudgingly entered Maths class, greeting Mrs Brown politely before taking my seat on the neglected table. To say the least I was drained from energy. The weekend had completely taken any strength I had left for school and today I simply dreaded to come in.

Though I hadn't been honest with mum or dad about how I really wasn't a fan of the school, I decided to be truthful to Jess and Taron. They surely did sympathise with me, which I did appreciate but they too had no clue on how I could better my circumstance to enjoy it here more. At this point I was just anticipating that we get a call telling us to move to a different place again.

I sighed, abruptly reaching out for my maths textbook with shaky hands once again finding people look my way and gossip amongst themselves, making me want the floor to swallow me as a whole. The stares they shot down at me shattered the hint of confidence that was left within myself, resulting in my vulnerability to overflow internally, suffocating me to the core.

I was aware of my presence as the new girl, but the looks they gave me were far from just judgemental ones. They left me feeling apprehensive and weak. I wasn't sure if it was just the students in maths class or if it was the fact that I was sitting alone, but something about me caught their attention. The more I entered the lesson, I found my feeble nature making its way to the surface. My defensive shield was slowly disintegrating into thin air, leaving me frail. I was more submerged to the underlying, loathing tension, that was brushing across the room, instead of being able to pay attention to the lesson.

"Ah Elana, nice of you to join us again, how are you dear?" Mrs Brown's enthusiastic voice brought my focus as I looked up. The class thickened with tension as everyone whispered to each other, giggling and scoffing. My eyes found a petite girl with beautiful long blonde hair.

"Much better, thank you Mrs Brown" She replied in a sweet tone and I furrowed my eyebrows, I hadn't seen her here before. She turned over with a wide, blissful smile that could make any girl jealous, but as her stunning green eyes met my gaze, her smile dropped.

My breath got caught as I came to terms with those familiar glistening emerald orbs. They were wide in shock, staring directly at me and I couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated. There was a moment of silence, both of us staring at each other and I felt my heartbeat accelerate.

A small smile made its way on her lips and she slowly approached me, my pulse raising at each step she got closer. Fuck what did I do? The entire class had gone silent, watching her every move and I gulped in nervousness, my entire body trembling as my breathing became rapid. I was bound to have a panic attack any time soon.

All of a sudden, she took a seat beside me, taking her books out as if she didn't mind me sitting beside her at all. "Alright let's start the lesson, shall we?" Mrs Brown spoke, attempting to quieten the gossiping students that couldn't seem to be able to rip their gaze from me.

"Hey, sorry I stared at you that way, I'm Elana" the girl beside me spoke sweetly and my heart stopped for a moment, surprised by her gentle tone. My tongue was caught as I admired her from close; she was gorgeous. Her golden white skin complemented her blonde hair and her smile was so perfect that I envied her. "I'm not sure if you're aware but I'm a zero." She whispered, her warm green eyes already making me feel at ease as I felt my heart slow down.

"I don't think it would be a good idea if you sit by my desk, people don't exactly like me." She gently spoke, her eyes filled with concern, causing my heart to warm up. Ever since I had entered the school, I had only been receiving harsh treatments from these students. I had never before met them but they either treated me as though I was an alien or as if I didn't even exist at all. But to hear someone who I'm meeting for the first time, having concerns for me truly was touching.