Chapter Eight
Fred and I walk up the sidewalk to my house and sit on the porch steps.
-"I can't believe that happened" Fred says with his tilted grin. "How many people can say that they were slashed with a knife at a school dance?".
-"Not many people" I respond.
-"It was worth it, to protect you" He says with a serious face.
-"Really?" I ask "I don't think I'm worth that.
-"Elliot, look at me" He commands.
He reaches towards my face and turns my face toward him by my chin.
-"You are worth it" He says, locking eyes with me with his face inches away from me.
I feel my cheeks redden and I can hear my heart pounding in my chest.
His face draws nearer to mine.
Then the door opens.
Fred stands up and shoves his hands in his pockets.
I stand up too.
My mom is standing in the doorway.
She runs towards me, ignoring Fred.
-"Are you okay Elliot? Are you hurt?" She interrogates "You have bruises on your eyes, Have you been crying? Your eyes are puffy".
-"I'm fine mom" I answer "This is my...friend Fred".
Fred waves awkwardly.
-"Hello Mrs. Jefferson" He says.
-"Hello Fred, What happened to your cheek? Did that evil boy get you too?" She asks Fred.
-"Yeah but it's alright" He responds.
-"You poor boys" She says, sympathy in her voice.
-"I gotta head home now, See you around Elliot and Mrs. Jefferson" He says, giving me a one armed hug and walking away.
-"He seems like a nice boy" She says when he's gone.
-"He is" I reply with a smile.
It's about five minutes later.
I'm in the family room watching Spiderman.
I hear Gabby talking to mom then she runs in the family room.
She looks at me with a panicked?concerned face.
-"What happened to you?!" She exclaims "Tell me everything".
I tell her what happened, including almost kissing Fred.
She was silent the entire story.
-"Okay I have three things to say" She says "One, Derek is not only an a**hole but a dangerous one, Two, I have to meet Fred, Three, How come you had two guys have crushes on you but all I have is a cat".
I laugh at the last thing she said.
-"Your cat is the best though" I respond "And I agree about the Fred thing".
-"So when can I meet him?" She asks.
-"How about Halloween" I respond "We can watch Scary Movie".
-"Sure, sounds good" She says.
Gabby and I hear a knock on the door.
We both bolt to the door but ultimately Gabby gets there first.
She throws open the door.
Fred is standing there, confused to see Gabby.
None of us are wearing costumes because we aren't going trick or treating.
He walks in and gives me a quick hug then looks with confusion at Gabby.
-"My name is Gabby, Elliot's best friend, Nice to meet you" Gabby says in a fast voice.
-"Hey Gabby, I think Elliot's told me about you" He responds with smile.
-"So we're planning on watching Scary Movie" I say "Care to join us?".
-"Sure" He says with his tilted smile.
We lead him into the family room.
He helps himself to some soda and I make the popcorn as Gabby gets the movie ready.
We all sit on the couch, Gabby on my left and Fred on my right.
When the movie's over I let Gabby interrogate Fred.
She asks him things like: "Are you gay?" "Do you do drugs?" "Do you drink?" "Have you ever committed a crime?".
She's acting like she's my mom.
When she's done asking questions they talk about normal things and they seem like they'll be good friends.
