Eli glanced at the clock, just wanting the class to end already. It was the beginning of their last school year, and he was excited to start college and begin his new life. The problem was... there was still something on his bucket list that he wanted to accomplish no matter what.
Eli was a very shy high school student, and liked to keep to himself most of the time. He had a few okay friends, and that was all he really needed. He spent most of his time playing video games at home, enjoying the company of the stories that developed as he played. He was also really smart, the top of his class for most subjects, though most of it was to make his parents happy more than anything else. He didn't really care about his future, and just wanted to leave the small town life behind in hopes of learning more about the world.
He was slim with messy black locks, and though he tried combing it, it wouldn't budge with the genes he had clearly inherited from his father. He typically wore a hoodie with jeans on most days, not caring much about his appearance. Though recently... he had been considering doing a little better. The problem was, no matter how much he wanted to escape from this town, he had his sights set on the girl of his dreams. Chris Haber. A woman that had captured his heart and his attention since he saw her on the first day of class.
She hadn't done anything too particularly special, but the way she talked to people, the way she laughed and looked at them, the way she teased and made them laugh as well... to him, it was something he was never able to do himself, and he was in absolute awe of her. It didn't hurt that she was absolutely gorgeous as well. She had curly brown hair that fell at her waist, and the way that she walked in her tights, sway from side to side with the nicest ass he's ever seen on anyone... he gulped just thinking about it. The problem was, there was no way he could ever get a girl like that, and he didn't know why he even bothered. They had nothing in common, but he could feel a deep connection to her no matter how much he tried to push it away.
He knew he had to come up with a plan before the year ended, but there was nothing he could do other than look at her like he was some kind of stalker. His journey of trying to woo her began one Friday afternoon, when he walked by a classroom with two boys playing video games on one of the school's computers. He recognized them as Canyon and Ben, the former was big, and a cheerful boy that got along with most of the school. Ben, on the other hand, had a body that showed he worked out, and was currently dating Eli's best friend, a girl named Noe who had rumoured to be the biggest breasts in school, which she didn't bother hiding. He couldn't help but watch them at the door, though he was a little too shy to actually go in and talk to them.
It was Canyon who turned back and saw him, and grinned widely. "What are you doing just standing there?" He asked, studying Eli.
"Um..." He shifted his feet. "That's my favourite game." He said finally.
"Dude, do you know how to finish this level? We've been trying to for hours." Canyon said, shifting his head towards Ben who was currently very focused on his turn. Eli nodded eagerly, happy to help out as much as possible. He pulled out a computer chair next to the two boys, and watched Ben as he attempted a failed robbing attempt.
"How did you guys get access to the computer?" He asked, wondering how he could manage to play here after school or between classes as well.
"We hacked Mr. Thomas's account, stole his password when he wasn't looking." Ben chuckled, praising himself for his wit.
Eli whistled, clearly impressed. "Wow. That takes guts."
"Eh, we've done worse." He replied, and went deep into the game again.
"You're doing it all wrong." Eli said despite his shyness. He didn't hide away from video games. Never.
"What do you mean?" Ben paused the game to look back at him. Eli sighed and explained to him how to actually pass the level, and Ben nodded listening intently. Canyon only laughed the whole time, knowing Ben would hate looking like he knew nothing in front of this new kid.
"Damn you know a lot about this game." Canyon whistled a last, and patted Eli on the back. Eli blushed and nodded, taking the compliment.
"I spend a lot of time playing video games." He said shyly.
"Wait, what was your name again?" Canyon asked.
Eli felt a sting in his chest. They had been in multiple classes together, and definitely worked on group projects before. The fact that Canyon had no idea who he was... just confirmed how much of a loser he really was at this school. "Eli. My name is Eli."
"Nice. Is this your first day here?"
"Dude. He's been in our class since freshman year." Ben grunted, mashing the buttons on the keyboard.
Canyon looked at him once more, his eyes widening. "Oh god I'm so sorry, I must look like a dick right now. I thought I saw you before..."
Eli could only chuckle awkwardly. "It's okay. I generally keep to myself."
"Why?" Canyon asked, not understanding the idea of wanting to be alone at all.
"I'm just used to it." Eli shrugged.
"I bet you're one of those really smart kids." He said a little intrusively. Eli knew he meant no harm, he was just the type to say what was on his mind.
"Eh, I do pretty well." Eli grinned, knowing the jock would be slightly jealous.
"Ah, I'm sure you don't have to worry about getting into the good colleges. My parents are going to kill me soon if I don't get good news about my future." Canyon groaned.
"You still have plenty of time to improve your marks." Eli commented.
"Hey, would you be able to tutor me? I'll even pay you!" Canyon asked, an idea sparking in his mind.
"Um..." Eli said, looking between the two guys. Ben hadn't said a word since he taught him how to pass the level. "I don't think I'll be a very good teacher..."
"C'mon. I don't understand anything our teachers say. Please...? I know you don't have a social life anyways." Canyon said, not trying to be rude.
"Okay. But I don't want you money." Eli said, an idea sparking in his mind.
"Well, what do you want then?" Canyon asked, scratching his head. "Do you want football lessons?"
Eli shook his head. "I want you to help me get Chris Haber to fall in love with me."
