Different But Same (Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz)

XLIV. Lie To Me

Eli walked the school hallways with a sigh. Lainey wasn't answering his messages, he slipped his phone into his pocket with a sigh. Demetri approached him.

"No sign of Lainey?" Demetri stated.

Eli shook his head. "She's not answering my messages either."

"Did anything happen after I left last night?"

"No. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"She had a bath and I got some ice for her back," Eli shrugged. "Then the rest of the LaRusso's got home so I left because she was sleeping."

Demetri nodded. "Maybe she'll turn up today."

"Maybe."

Sam caught Eli's attention in the hallway, he rushed towards her.

"What is it?" Sam asked.

"Where's Lainey?"

"She's sick." Sam rolled her eyes.

"Still?"

"No Eli, she's fine. She's just not here." The girl clutched at the strap of her backpack. "I don't know why."

"That's odd. Not like her to miss school."

"She told my parents she's still sick, so what can you do?"

Eli shook his head. "Did she give you my notes I left in her car?"

"No, why?"

"No worries, I'll get them during lunch."

"Alright."

Eli stood with a confused expression on his face, he dialled Lainey but she didn't pick up. He groaned in frustration.

"Eli, are you alright?" Moon asked as she approached him with a smile.

"I'm good, Lainey isn't answering me."

"Is she still sick?" Moon frowned.

"Yeah."

"Did she catch it from you?"

Eli furrowed his eyebrows. "Catch.. What from me?"

"She said you were ill and that's why you didn't make it to the party on the weekend."

"Wait, what party?"

"At Kyler's."

"Kyler's? When was this?"

"The weekend just gone."

"So you weren't doing your art project with her?" Eli asked.

"What art project?" Moon asked.

Eli blinked and clenched his jaw. "Oh nothing, I must've got my wires crossed."

"Are you alright, Eli?"

"I'm fine. See you later."

Moon nodded as Eli wandered away from her. He entered the boys bathroom and dialled Lainey again. He then messaged Demetri to meet him in the bathroom.

"You realise how dodgy this is, right? Me meeting you here," Demetri stated.

"Lainey's been lying to me," Eli responded.

"What makes you think that?" Demetri asked.

"She was at a party on the weekend... At Kyler's house."

"You mean... Kyler Park?"

"Well, obviously."

"Man... Why?"

"I don't know." Eli inhaled. "Something's not right, is it?"