Chapter 3: Unique

Ellie's POV

"Well, here we are," I mumbled as I pushed the door to the science lab open. He flashed me a smile and sauntered in after me with a quiet thank you. I made my way to the back of the class and slumped down onto the stool.

"Xavier Montreal, you must be the new student. Welcome! My name is Mr. Smith, welcome to Chemistry class! Have a seat wherever you may like."

Xavier nodded his head and I prayed silently to myself that he won't choose to sit next to me. But unfortunately, he did and I watched in horror as he sauntered towards me. "Hey, princess." He winked as he lowered himself down beside me.

"Angel."

"I know you think I'm an angel but are you gonna say this whenever we're around each other?"

What!? Did I say that out loud? I snapped my head towards him and flushed in embarrassment. "Cat got your tongue?" He teased and I rolled my eyes before flickering my eyes away from him. Mr. Smith began to teach the lesson and I zoned out - per usual.

I could feel my eyelids growing heavy as I stared at the black wall beside me. My vision began to grow blurry and I lowered my head onto my arm as a wave of exhaustion flowed through my body.

I flickered my eyes shut and I could feel myself slipping off even though I tried to fight the exhaustion. Eventually, I let the darkness consume me.

...

"Hey, Green, wake up. I have no problem leaving you here but I'm not wicked so unless you want me to break my back carrying you I suggest you get up." A familiar voice said down my ear and I flickered my eyes open and peered up at the pair of brown eyes staring down at me.

"Uhm. . ." I trailed off as I raised my head. The class was empty and Xavier stood beside me, chuckling softly at the confusion on my face. "So you wanna leave or not?" He asked and I nodded my head slowly as I slipped off the stool.

I stumbled over and he wrapped his arm around mine before pulling me upright. His eyes flickered down onto my arm and he frowned deeply as he eyed the red patches on my skin. "What happened to your arm?" He asked and I frowned deeply.

Those were symptoms of having leukemia. But I won't tell a complete stranger that. "Uhm. . . Uhm those are hickies!" I blurted out as I snatched my arm from his grip. He snorted and stared down at my arm in amusement before flickering his eyes to me.

"Hickies? Seriously?"

Say no, say no.

"Yes!" I squealed and he chuckled deeply as he began to shake his head in amusement. "You could have simply said it was a rash or something, anything but hickies." He exclaimed and I blushed in embarrassment as I flickered my eyes to the floor.

"Well would you look at that, it's lunch and I'm wasting my time here!" I said as I began to shuffle away from him and towards the door. "Wait up, I'm kinda new here can I maybe-"

"Sit with my friends, sure." I blurted out as we tumbled out of the classroom. I blushed deeply once again when I realized what I just said and I peered up at him and watched as his lips fell into a thin line.

"What makes you think I wanna sit with you?" He asked confusedly and I stammered over my words as I processed what he just said. I fumbled with my hands nervously and he suddenly flashed me a smile before chuckling softly, "I'm kidding."

I let out a breath of relief and nodded my head. "Since you know my name, it's only fair I know yours."

Well I mean that's only fair.

"My name's Ellie, I know it's stupid. My parents could have named me Elly but no they needed to be extra and name me Ellie." I scoffed and he shook his head in disagreement as he peered down at me, "it's unique, I like it." He smiled and I blushed once again as I tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Yeah, my brother calls me Lie, yes like the actual word Lie. I hate it, he knows that and he won't stop so now I gotta deal with it."

"So Ell as in L and Lie as in well - lie." He said as he suddenly slung a hand over my shoulder. "I'd much rather call you princess." He winked and I widened my eyes before snapping my head away from him and chuckling nervously.

Never in my life have I encountered someone as bold and upfront as him. Well, other than my brother but he doesn't count. I placed my hand over his and brushed it off my shoulder. He chuckled softly and shook his head as we tumbled into the cafeteria.