CHAPTER ONE
❀ ✿ one percent ✿ ❀

"TURN THAT THING OFF!" A voice boomed from the other side of the door. Eloise Diaz shot up from her sleep, her alarm clock blaring beside her, 6:55am the clock read, she slammed her hand on the button causing it to finally stop. "Shit, shit, shit." She panicked getting out of bed, her alarm had been going off for ten minutes and she hadn't woken up, "How the hell didn't I wake up?" She exclaimed.

She ran out the door towards her bathroom, luckily she'd prepared her outfit the night before so she wouldn't spend 20 minutes deciding. She wore overalls that were slightly ripped at the knees, a baby blue crew neck and her white convers (her favourite shoes). Her wavy hair was left as it was but she put on a black beanie with a white daisy embroidered on the front.

Grabbing her schoolwork and bag she checked the time, 7:15, he would be here in 15 minutes. She ran downstairs to greet her older sister, Olive, and her girlfriend, Riley.

Olive sat at the kitchen island, papers scattered across it.

"How to preform a coronary artery bypass," Eloise read aloud. Olive was a second year med-student meaning she was constantly studying. After the girls parents died Olive was left to care for her younger sister which scared her, so she asked for help. The brunette's girlfriend was more then happy to move in with them, she worked as a kindergarten teacher and was the nicest woman you'd ever meet.

"Eat you're breakfast." Olive demanded. Pushing the bowl of cereal towards the 16 year old. She chugged down her food as she could, careful to not choke. She placed her bowl in the sink, kissing her sister on the cheek and walking out of the room and into the den. "I'll see you after school."

There stood Riley Montgomery flipping through her binder, "Hey, El, you leaving?" The blonde asked looking up.

The Latina nodded, "Yeah, just wanted to say goodbye." She walked over and placed a kiss on her cheek. The two were awfully close even before Riley moved in. Where Olive was the strict older sister, Riley was more laid back. It gave the household a sort of balance and Eloise was thankful for that. She waved goodbye once again as she heard honking coming from outside. She quickly exclaimed a last love you and went out the door.

There he was, Anthony Foster, her best friend since 3rd grade. They'd met when Eloise had first moved, Anthony was in the office getting ice for his knee (he had hurt it during gym class) and Eloise noticed and decided to talk to him. At first he said nothing but soon realizing the girl was nervous he'd quickly began to converse. Soon after they went to class only to realize they were in the same class. From that day forward Anthony Foster and Eloise Diaz were best friends.

"Hey, loser." She greeted the boy, getting in the front seat. Tossing her bag to the back.

"Hey, Ellie." Anthony greeted as he drove away from the house.

Ellie only Anthony was allowed to call her that. She'd never like the nickname before but he'd been calling her that to annoy her for so long it kinda just stuck.

"Is Nate ready for the cast list?" She asked pulling down the sun visor which had a mirror to apply her lipstick. She was carful not to get any on her face as Anthony drove passed a speed bump faster then usual. "Anthony, I swear to god if I got lipstick on my face because of you." She threatened, he laughed in response before replying to her previous question.

"Yeah, he woke up extra early today and was trying way to hard on his outfit." He said, "Oh and did I mention he was wearing lipgloss bc his pediatrician told him he has 'unusually sensitive' lip skin." He made finger quotes.

Eloise rolled her eyes at his comment, "Leave him alone, Ant. If he wants to lipgloss, let him wear lipgloss. If he wants to paint his nails, let him paint his nails. He's a kid."

"Yeah, I know, but he's come home a few times crying because kids make fun of him." She smiled sadly at his response. As much as Anthony refused to admit it, he loved his little brother and didn't want to see him get hurt.

Nate Foster loved musicals and everybody knew it. He and his friend, Libby, would audition play after play but never getting their desired rolls (or at least not Nate). Unlike his younger brother, Anthony hated musicals and he was definitely not supportive which made Eloise furious. Eloise was in between, she did hate them but she didn't love them, it all depended on the day. But she'd go to every play Nate would be preforming in, big or small it didn't matter. Nate would often say Eloise was the sister he never had, which warmed her heart.

Anthony pulled into the schools and parked. The two friends got out and walked into the school together. "I swear if Mr. Lincoln gives me anything but an A on my woodwork project I'll hurt him." The Latina told him as they walked towards Javier Campbell (one of Anthony's track friends). "I spent a month on it."

Anthony chuckled at her threat, "I'm sure 6'8 Mr. Lincoln will be very scared of a 5'5 girl."

"He should be, I'm Latina and I know karate." She joked karate chopping the air.

"Wow, El, who's gonna be on the other end of that?" Javier asked, fist bumping Anthony.

"Mr. Lincoln." She said plainly opening her locker and placing her books in it.

"Well, I'd hate to be him." He laughed. Javier and Eloise had a weird relationship, they used to like it each other back in grade school but no one ever made a move until freshman year. They dated for a month or so but decided they were better off friends. They hardly ever spoke about it and didn't really consider it to be a relationship.

The bell rang indicating class would be starting soon, "I'll see you boys later." And with that she left but not before she saw Anthony stare at a pretty brunette from the other side of the hallway. It took a second for Eloise to recognize the girl but when she did Eloise fought rolling her eyes at the sight.

Miranda Keery. The golden girl of Eastward High. Anthony had had a crush on her for months but never made a move, which was odd as normally the Foster boy would be very confident, especially when it came to a girl.

Eloise Diaz was never a fan of Miranda. She was never sure why as the girl was always super nice but something about her made the Latina want to rip her hair out. But she'd never tell Anthony that.

❀ ✿ ✿ ❀

Anthony dropped Eloise off at her house after school. It didn't take long for Eloise to realize she'd be alone for dinner. The driveway was empty and the lights were off everywhere in the house. She read the note left on the fridge,

Riley's at a meeting and I'm staying at the library to study. Sherrie offered to have you over for dinner so you'll be eating there at 7.

Love, Olive :)

Eloise sighed, she probably should've just stayed with Anthony. She opened the fridge taking out a bowl a fruit as she did her homework.

When 6:45 came around Eloise had began to walk to the Foster house. It was around a 20 minute walk so she decided if she ran she'd get there faster (she didn't because surprisingly when you stop to take pictures of ducks at a pond you actually take up time).

She opened the door of her friends house, and made her way towards the kitchen. She saw Sherrie and Dawn setting the table for dinner. "I'm so sorry I'm late! I saw ducks." She smiled nervously.

Sherrie looked up at the girl who seemed like she'd just run a marathon. "Don't worry sweetie we asked Anthony to text you not to come until 7:30 dinner won't be ready for another 15 minutes."

"Oh, I think he forgot." She said, "is he in his room?" She asked, the woman nodded as she made her way upstairs. Before she reached Anthony's room however she noticed Nate Foster on his phone laying on his bed. She knocked on the door with her knuckles. "Hey squirt." He looked up to see the Latina walking into the room.

"Hey, El, what're you doing here?" He asked placing his phone on the nightstand. She made her way around the room, admiring the pictures and posters on the wall.

"My sister and Riley are out so I'm having dinner here." She explained. "Oh did you get the role you wanted for the musical?"

He shook his head sadly, "No, but there's always next time." She furrowed her eyebrows, it was unlike Nate to dismiss something like that so easily it was almost like he was hiding something. She dismissed the idea and bid her goodbyes making her way towards Anthony.

"Knock, knock. I'm coming in, you better not be naked." She covered her eyes walking into the room.

He smiled admiringly at the girl, "You're all good, Ellie." She uncovered her eyes to see a shirtless Anthony Foster, or semi shirtless as he was in the middle of putting on a shirt. She noticed the gold chain she'd gotten him for his birthday two years ago.

He looked hot. But not that she'd ever say it out loud.

He noticed her staring, "You good, or you gonna keep on the starring?"

She quickly looked away. "I wasn't starring, I was admiring the chain I got you." She lied through her teeth and Anthony knew this. Whenever she fidgeted with her rings he knew she wasn't telling the truth.

"I know you think I'm very attractive, Ellie. Don't deny it." He teased. She threw a pillow at him which he barely dodged.

"Shut up."

They spent the rest of the evening talking and playing video games on Anthony's consult. He told her how his parents were going on a spa retreat this weekend while he was at his meet, meaning Nate would be spending the night at his friend's, Libby, house.

After dinner Anthony walked her back to her house. "Good luck tomorrow." She said. "I'm sure you'll be great."

"Thanks, Ellie." He hugged her goodbye and with that he left. She watched as his figure slowly disappeared from view before heading inside. She smiled to herself at the thought of the hug. "Why the hell am I smiling?" She asked in disgust. "God, I'm such an idiot."

INEZ SPEAKS

I gave Anthony's friend and crush a name since I don't think they have one. I'm in the midsts of writing the last 3 chapters so I hope you enjoy this, I'll be updating every Tuesday and Thursday!

unedited