PHILOPHOBIA

Marley and Me

(Oh Yes, this chapter is dedicated to the book Marley and Me!)

Eleanor's Mom was still ignoring her. She wished that her mom wouldn't, but her mom needed time to think. Eleanor just wanted a clear answer. But she knew that if she rushed her mom, the answer would be bad. Eleanor sighed before putting on a pair of blue skinny jeans.

Today was her first day back to school since it happened. But she didn't want that to get caught in her mind. She knew that she had to tell Latif about it, she knew that it would have to be this week. At least he was in a different school, he wouldn't get half the bullying she was going to get as soon as the baby bump started to show. People would stare, people would talk, but worst of all people would tease. It was part of human nature; get the weak prey. It was inevitable for them not to.

When Eleanor finished getting ready, she grabbed her gray messenger bag and left her house - not before locking the door. She starting walking down the street to school.

~

Eleanor tried to make it feel like today was normal. She couldn't. She felt like she had a fire burning inside of her that wanted to get out. The secret that she was keeping from her friends and family - well, most - was eating her from the inside out.

Eleanor's friend, Marley, was the most suspicious of her active behavior. Marley had dominant blue hair with blond hair streaked in different spots. Her eyes were a shimmering sea blue that seemed to speak her every word, even without a mouth. Her pale skin looked like she had skipped the entire teen process of pimples or any hormones at all, in other words, she had no face blemishes or anything that showed that she was a teen. Either way Marley knew her like the back of her hand, Eleanor knew she wasn't giving up until she squealed.

"Did you know that season 4, episode 20 on Spongebob Squarepants was called The Best Day Ever?" Marley had asked, a sandwich - cheddar - being grinded between her teeth. It was making Eleanor feel a bit nauseous. "Hm?" Eleanor was eating something that looked like beef. She knew it wasn't beef. Especially since it was from the cafeteria.

"I said - nevermind, you've been acting weird all day, what's up with you?" Marley turned her head to Eleanor. Eleanor smelt cheddar on her breath. She hated cheddar cheese. "What? Nothing Marley, I'm completely fine" she waved Marley off.

"Are you sure?" Marley asked her, her words laced with concern. Eleanor nodded and smiled to seal the deal "I'm fine, don't worry" she replied, Marley nodded once before continuing on with her sandwich. Even though Eleanor's shoulders were lifted, her stomach still in knots from the smell coming from her companions sandwich.

After lunch with Marley, everything seemed to go by smoother. She knew nobody else in the rest of her periods.

When it was time to leave, she had to stay. Marley had invited her to the basketball game practice where her boyfriend was flexing with the other teammates. Eleanor didn't want go at first, she didn't want to be the third wheel. Marley insisted, she had said that she owed her for acting weird today. Eleanor finally agreed and had gotten to the track around 3:15.

"Finally" Marley said, exaggerating "Your here."