A/N: Chapter Two RE-edited.

Close My Eyes

Chapter 2: Bizarre

The sound of the alarm clock rang in my ears loudly. The annoying beeping I hear every morning was just as tiresome as the day itself. I did what I did every single morning. I pounded on the snooze button on my alarm clock, until it shut up. I forced myself out of bed and into the shower.

I changed into clothes for the day and quickly dried my hair. I headed downstairs and into the kitchen. I grabbed a piece of bread and quickly toasted it. I was the only one there at the moment. My dad died when I was young and my mom was out on one of her business trips. But I was use to being alone and it was okay with me.

The toast popped out, and I grabbed it, not bothering to spread something on it. It tasted the same as all the other times I had toasted bread. Why should it taste any different? Sometimes, I just wish something would happen. But my wishes are useless. Heaven forbid my wishes to mean something.

I hurried out of my house, locking the door. Today would be the same as yesterday and the day before that and the day before that. And, heck, perhaps even tomorrow. That's so boring. But that's my life. That's life for anyone in this town. It's like a never-ending cycle of dullness.

I walked peacefully to school, only concentrating on my thoughts. I ignored the sounds of the birds in the morning and the cars driving by. As I crossed the street, towards my school, some selfish driver almost hit me. I gave him a glare and proceeded forward. I reached the school, on the brink of being late. Almost everyone had gone into the school, but I still had time to make it.

The bell rang, conveniently, right after I entered the school. So, I hurried to my locker and grabbed my books. I practically ran to homeroom, which was the, Language Arts room. Out of breath, I entered my small homeroom and took a seat in the back. As usual. Even my everyday actions are the same, boring, and predictable.

"Hey, did you hear?" Some boy was talking to his friend only a few desks in front of me.

"Hear what?"

"There's a new kid," said the boy. I became slightly interested. But not totally interested. "In the office, I saw."

"Wow. Cool. A chic or a dude?"

"Dude."

"Just as long as he's not a geek."

I found it slightly strange that we had a new student. I don't remember anything like that ever happening in my schools. And I've lived in this boring town my whole life. You're usually born here. You grow up here. You work here all your adult life. And if you're lucky you leave. Only if you're lucky. I hope I'm lucky.

I'm a senior, and as soon as I can, I'm going off to college far, far away. This town and surrounding towns have good colleges all around here. So most people choose to live at home or at a dorm and attend college locally. But I could never live like that. I have to get away. As soon as possible too.

The morning announcements came on and were soon followed by the first bell. People left the classroom and headed to their class. Language Arts was my first class. Lucky me. I remained in the classroom and remained in my seat. I sat at my table alone, as I usually do.

And finally for once in my life...something new and unpredictable happened. He walked through the doorway and approached my teacher. I paid little attention to him at the time. The teacher standing up and clearing her throat soon interrupted my thoughts. I looked up, slightly.

"Everyone, this is our new student, Dallas Trenton," She announced. Hmm...interesting. His name was the name of two cities. That's worse than me. My last name is 'Lansing.' A city. I glanced over Dallas. He had light hair that shined from the light.. I couldn't exactly see his eye color. But he did look familiar. Oh right! I remember him now! He's that selfish idiot that almost ran me over this morning. Loser. "I hope you all will make him welcome. Now, Dallas, you can sit..." She glanced around the room, noticing that all the tables were full. Except mine. Please don't let him sit here. Please don't let him sit here. "In the back with Ashlyn." No.

I gave a weak smile to signify I was Ashlyn. But as soon as Mrs. Hannigan turned her back, I frowned. Dallas took a seat next to me and smiled. He stuck out his hand.

"I'm Dallas."

"Ashlyn," I muttered, leaving his hand untouched.

"Are you always like this, or are you just grumpy in the morning?"

"I'm usually okay if you're on my good side," I said. "But towards people who try to run me down. That's a different story."

"Oh. You're the person that crossed the street not paying attention and not looking both ways," Dallas whispered.

"Well I actually DID look both ways. Plus cars are suppose to STOP for pedestrians," I pointed out. And then muttered under my breath, "Plus your name is two cities."

"My full name is Dallas Seattle Trenton." He corrected.

"Alright, three cities." I said. "I'm luckier. Ashlyn -no middle name- Lansing. Only ONE city."

Dallas let out a small laugh. He started to stare at me. He had unusual grey eyes. Unusual, but interesting.

"Why are you staring at me?" I hissed at him, careful not to be too loud. He snapped out of his daze.

"Oh, sorry," He said, quickly. He turned frontward and appeared to be paying attention to the teacher. I don't know how he can pay attention to her. She is so boring. But I deal.

I stared hard at the teacher as she started to read some more. Another passage about the meaning/feeling of love. Trash. That's all it is. Trash. I wish she would stop reading about that. It's not too appealing to me.

"This is so stupid," I muttered under my breath. Dallas apparently heard me, so I didn't talk soft enough.

"Why? Love's not that stupid," He whispered, not facing me. I glanced at him.

"Yes, it is. It's fake."

"Well, how would you know that? You've never been in love," He retorted. How did he know that? How could he possibly know that?

"So. I doubt that you have."

"The truth is... I am in love."

It was lunchtime. It could be considered the highlight of my day. And that's saying something. And it proves that my life is boring. Nothing extraordinary ever happens. I can't stress that enough.

I nabbed a spot in the lunch line and bought the most sanitary meal. None of them looked too appealing, actually. But I have to eat, it's a must. I sat at one of the small, round, and secluded tables, as I usually do. I don't really have friends. But that's alright. I've been alone for a long time and I'm use to it by now.

I picked at my lunch, eating only a little. I looked around at the crowded cafeteria. Everyone looked so content and lively. How is that possible in this town? They lived here their whole lives, so they're use to it. But I'm not. Everyone is the same. If you're different, you're hated. Like me...

Dallas Seattle Trenton, suddenly, appeared across from me. He dared to take a seat across from me at MY table, although it was the 'wrong' and 'uncool' thing to do. I stopped eating and stared at him. He just sat there casually although everyone stared at him and invited him to their tables. But he just sat there and started eating, as if he couldn't hear. I was confused. What was he doing?

He finally looked up from eating and noticed me staring.

"Hi. What's wrong?" He asked. My jaw dropped. What was wrong with me? What was wrong with HIM?

"What are you doing?"

"Uh, eating lunch?"

"Why are you sitting here with me?" I asked. Not that I wouldn't mind the company. Actually I think I sort of like it. But maybe it's better being lonely...it's what I'm use to.

"I don't know. You look like you need the company," He said. Am I that predictable? He doesn't even know me, but he can say exactly what I am thinking. It's weird. And it's not cool. I'm dull.

"Yeah...I'm just use to being alone," I said, looking down at my food. "I don't have...friends."

"Why not?" He asked. "You seem nice enough." I couldn't look him in the eye. Sure, I was nice enough occasionally. But that wasn't why they all hated me.

"It's because I'm weird, okay?" I said, with a bit of anger arising. "I'm a sci-fi, supernatural freak."

I looked up a bit to see his reaction. He was smiling. What?

"Really?" He asked. I nodded. He looked at me. "Me too," He said, his voice lowered. I stared. What? This is weird.

"Better not let anyone else know that," I suggested. He shrugged and went back to eating. I almost had to smile. Almost.

Well the rest of the day, seemed the same as it always was. The only difference I noticed, was the attention Dallas seemed to get. For a guy with his name made up of three cities, he's pretty well off. And he's not too bad after all, not that I would ever let him know that. When he noticed me glancing at him while he was talking to the popular people, he waved.

I looked away, of course, slightly embarrassed. But there's something about Dallas. He's different. That's right, different. Different in this town of sameness. And that's great. I observed in secret. What makes him so different from all of us here? I can't tell. But maybe someday.

The last bell rang, taking me by surprise. Today went by rather fast. I was expecting that it would be slow and long, as always. But it wasn't. It ended too soon, did it? I exited the class, as everyone else did. The hallways were crowded with excited students happy for the end of school. I went to my locker and filled my bag with all my homework and books. As I closed my locker, I saw Dallas. He looked at me with a smile on his face.

"Yes?" I asked, wondering what he wanted.

"You're beautiful," He said, with no hesitation. I could feel myself redden. What did he just say?

"Excuse me?" I asked, making sure that I heard what I think I heard.

"You're beautiful," He repeated, proving that I did hear what I thought I heard. Why was he saying this? What is going on? I've never heard those words directed to me. Ever.

"Yeah, right," I said starting down the hallway.

"No, really you are. I know you don't know me, but don't let anyone tell you otherwise," He called out to me. I ignored him, although I heard everything he said. I walked out of the school, still confused by his actions and words. But also intrigued. It took a while to get use to those words. But why did he say them? Why?

I walked home, lost in thought. It was confusing to have some kid you don't even know, tell you, you're beautiful. I'm confused as hell. But I shouldn't let it bother me too much. It's nothing. Forget about it. But I couldn't forget about it. It stayed in my head and continued to circle in my mind like a never-ending cycle.

By the time I reached my house, my thoughts were focused on Dallas and his words. I needed to get my mind off him. I need to! I entered my house and climbed the stairs to my room. I fell onto the bed, not bothering to kick my shoes off. I needed peace and quiet. How could such a little statement affect me so greatly?

I know why. It's because it's different. It's new. Something unusual.