Ellie's POV (picture above)

I was a sophomore at Arlington High school when it all began. Only 5'4, making me shorter than just about virtually everyone in the school, I was not looking forward to returning to this hell hole.

I removed my chocolate colored hair away from my eyes to get a better view of the students arriving in their cars, looking for my friend Caroline. She was at least 4 inches taller than me and still insisted on wearing heels to school.

Pulling my sweater closer, I silently cursed at myself for forgetting to bring an actual coat. If Caroline doesn't get here soon, I just might freeze to death. But there she was, strutting in her very high heels. She was a green eyed, blond haired beauty. Sometimes I don't know why she was friends with me, my dull hair and dull grey eyes, but she was always there, and that's what mattered.

I then noticed the boy hightailing her, trying to keep up with her fast heeled walk. It was amazing she could do that so well in heels. The boy was Josh, her newest boyfriend, and one of her many since freshman year. It wasn't that she was too clingy, in which she very well could be, but she hadn't found the right man for her until josh, so she claims. Josh too was much taller than me, a full 7 inches even, making him seem like a giant, or me a dwarf.

"Elizabeth, good to see you darling!" Caroline greeted in her fake, posh English accent.

I laughed and played along, "ah, good day my fair Caroline!" My English accent was much better than hers, but I wouldn't tell her that.

We bowed at one another before laughing and agreeing to head inside where there was actually heat. And thank god, I was beginning to feel like my toes had frozen and fallen off. But this is what we get for after winter break weather, when we actually have to go to school the weather decides to get crappy. Maybe we'd have a snow day.

I groaned remembering how many assignments I would have to continue from before break. I really hated school. Sure, I had A's in all of my classes, except English that is, in which I had a C, but if anyone hated school the most, it was me.

A loud shriek of joy drew me from my thoughts before I was tackled half way to the ground. It was Skylar, my other closest friend, also taller than me with my same combination of colors but so much more lively. She was like a clown in a way, minus all the creepy makeup, and the nose, and the shoes. . . okay forget I said that.

"Skyler, please, GET OFF!" I begged, remembering I couldn't actually breathe.

"Sorry, Ellie! I just missed you guys so much!" She squealed, a little too excited.

"You didn't hug Caroline," I said grinning, as Caroline gave one of her signature don't-touch-me-or-I-will-kill-you looks.

"Who's ready for Algebra!?" Skylar asked, very loudly I might add.

Both Caroline and I groaned, rolled our eyes and began the too short trek to math class. The familiar scent of chalk dust reached my nose as we entered the room. Our teacher refused to use an actual whiteboard, so there was chalk dust just about everywhere.

Finding my familiar seat in the back row, I slumped into the chair and sighed. Before I could even make a move to escape, my long time nemesis, Vanessa, cornered my exit. Well her merry band of slaves did. They did absolutely everything for her, including bother me.

Sometimes ignoring her worked. She hated being ignored. So I took out my notebook and began to doodle unicorns and dinosaurs on my lined page. Ignoring her seemed to be working for the most part, except the fact that I heard them whisper my name several times over, which meant they were probably planning something.

Just then Mrs. Williams our Algebra teacher walked in, taking a piece of chalk in her hand to write today's lesson. Vanessa and her crew returned to their seats, leaving me alone. I sighed happily that they were gone. Thank goodness.

"Mrs. Williams can I please use the bathroom?" I asked halfway through the class. I really needed to pee.

Vanessa motioned for her crew to look at me, and they did, all watching intently, too intently. Mrs. Williams looked too, answering my question with a swift nod.

I stood from the chair, trying to take a step toward the door, but instead my foot tugged on something, making me fall forward, nearly slicing my head on my desk. As I fell I realized it was not my foot that had got caught on something, but rather my foot on myself. My shoelaces were tied together. How had they even managed to do that without me noticing?

If there was anyone not watching me before, they all were now. Few cringed at me because most of them were laughing. Even the teacher was laughing. Skylar and Caroline gave me sympathetic looks, but it did little to make me feel better.

Sitting back down I saw it best if I didn't use the bathroom anymore. I would just wait to go during period switch or during break. I didn't know how I would survive three and a half more years of this. Soon each day would blur into a haze just as this one.

•

Finally, it was soon almost the end of the school day and I had one class left. Of course though, it was English. I've always hated having this class last because it meant I was staring at the clock the majority of the time, waiting for it to release me into freedom. But I basically did that in every other class, so now that I really think about it, it doesn't matter.

Thankfully, there were only 5 minutes left in the school die. I could survive just these five minutes, if I pretended to be writing my essay, but I would have to finish it for homework anyways.

The bell rang, and I darted out of my seat and out the door until I was outside. I don't care what people say about the outside air, but after being in a stuffy school building all day, this air was wonderful.

Taking my time, I walked to find Skyler because she was my ride home. I do know how to drive, but my family doesn't have enough cars for my mom, my dad, and me to use all on the same day. I'm really hoping to get one for my birthday, but that probably won't happen. It would be kind of hilarious if they got me a bike instead like some parents in movies. Wait no, that wouldn't be hilarious.

Reaching the student lot, I found Skyler practically making out with some junior by her car. Being the polite friend I am, I waited and waited, and you're not gonna guess, but I waited some more.

They were really going at it, getting some real tongue action, but I decided I didn't want to look at that so I spoke up, making Skyler jump a little, and turn around blushing.

"Oh, ehehe, um, hey," she smiled sheepishly.

The guy said, "See you later babe," and walked off blowing a kiss to Skyler. I watched as she pretended to catch it from the air and hold it to her heart. Mm cliche much?

"Who was that?" I asked interested in Sky's new kissing buddy.

"Oh well his name is Aidan and he is my boyfriend."

"Aww Sky that's great. I'm so happy for you!" I said, smiling excitedly.

She gave me another one of her signature tight, squealing hugs. She gets really sappy when it comes to stuff like this. But I'll admit, it was cute, so at the moment, I couldn't blame her.

Getting into the car, Skyler started the engine and pulled out of the parking space.

"So what's he like?" I asked, realizing I was smiling like crazy again. I think she had actually lifted my horrible mood.

"Well he is really kind, and hot, and he always brings me presents, and he's really hot!" She squealed.

We both laughed at the comment on him being hot, as she pulled out of the student lot and onto the main road.

I'll admit he was pretty cute, but I am very single for the time being and unless some magical man is just going to show up and magically want to be with a person as dull as me, then I guess I'm going to stay that way. Or so I thought.