Can't Run From You

Chapter 39

Needless to say, Lila was pissed Monday. As soon as we got to track Eli and I did our warm ups, when we finished we saw we saw Lila stalking in. I looked at Eli who already had a devilish grin on her face. Lila walked right up to us and said

"I know it was you."

"Dammit you caught me. I'm the one who got the last apple pie at lunch."

"Quit your shit Eli I know you wrapped my car on Friday."

"What do you mean wrapped your car?" Eli was playing dumb and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Stop playing dumb. I know it was you. My mom saw your cast."

"This old thing?" Eli waved the cast around. Lila rolled her eyes. She looked pissed.

"Stay the hell away from me."

"Deal." Eli called out as Lila stomped off. Clark gave Eli a look. Eli's response was to smile like an idiot and wave.

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"But did you see how much of a lead I had on her?" Eli laughed through the phone. Clark was in a good mood since its Friday so she only made us work out during the period and not after school. I wanted to hang out with Eli but she had a doctor's appointment and then after her parents were going to take her out to eat as a family thing. She might get her cast off today. The doctors going to check it out and decide if they can take it off.

"You were like 50 yards ahead of her." I laughed back. I was driving home and so was Eli.

"Haha yeah it was hilarious. She was so pissed when you we finished."

"I know. Hey baby I just got home. I probably won't be able to talk for a while though because of the doctors and my parents get mad if I'm on my phone during dinner."

"Yeah that's fine. Have fun with your family and good luck at the doctors." I hung up the phone and pulled onto my street. I let my mind fill with thoughts of Eli, and today, and just how good this week was compared to the ones I've been having. After Eli's break down things took a little while to get back to normal. Eli was very cautious and very distant with me for a couple of days, but after Lila's car and the sleep over she was acting like herself again. Things were good. I felt good. I even felt closer to Eli, in a way I'd never felt before. I depended on her more than anyone I've ever depended on before. I am completely in love with her. These happy thoughts filled my head until I felt my heart stop because Wills truck was in my drive way. I pulled the key out of the ignition and opened my door. I stared at Will's truck as I walked to the door. I didn't bother grabbing my bags from my car, all I had on me were my keys and my phone. When I opened the door, I saw Will sitting on the couch, with my parents on the opposite couch facing him. Will looked like he was crying, he had his head in his hands and his blonde hair was falling over his face. My mom's eyes were red and puffy too.

"Hey what's going on?" I asked trying to keep the fear out of my voice. Will wouldn't look at me. My dad stood up and met me at the door.

"Hey sweetie. We're having a talk with Will. Why don't you go to your room and we'll talk to you later." My dad's voice was even but it was off. Like something wasn't right. Despite myself I nodded my head and went up the stairs.

When I got in my room I started pacing back and forth. What if he tells my parents? Why is he crying? What the hell is going on? I couldn't breathe. It's like the fear was taking over me. If he told them I don't know what I'll do. What will they do? I can't lose Eli. I pulled out my phone and started calling Eli. It rang three times before I realized she probably didn't even have her phone. I threw my phone against the bed and started pacing some more. I fidgeted with my red bracelet and tried to not think.

Will wouldn't tell them. If he was going to tell them he would have done it weeks ago, or after we broke up right? I sat on my desk chair and ran my hands through my hair trying to calm down, to think rationally but it wasn't working. I got up and grabbed my phone off my bed and called Molly. She answered on the second ring.

"Hey Thea what's up?"

"Wills here and he's talking to my parents and I don't know what he's telling them. What if he's telling them about me and Eli? Molly I don't know what I'll do if he's telling them. Him and my mom were crying when I walked in and he wouldn't look at me and Eli is at the doctors and she doesn't have her phone and I'm freaking out!" I said most of this in one breath.

"Thea calm down. Why would he wait till now to tell them?" Valid point.

"I don't know but what if he is?"

"Thea your parents would be talking to you right now if he had told them." Another valid point.

"Molly I'm freaking out."

"Thea breath. Just wait it out and try to calm down."

"Okay okay fine. I'll call you later."

"Wait no..." I hung up. I laid on the bed and tried to fight off the thoughts that were bombarding my brain. I laid on the bed staring at my ceiling for a good 10 minutes before I heard my door open and in walked my mom and dad.

"Hey Honey." My dad said as parents sat on either side of me.

"What was that about?" I asked

"Will's dad called him today and he was asking for some advice on it, and also because he has been having a hard time with the break up." I looked down at the bedspread feeling a whole new level of guilt. Will's dad has been in and out of his life since he left in the 7thgrade. As I sat there I started thinking of how freaked out I got because I thought he told them. Then I started think about Eli. I couldn't explain why but I felt so bad all of a sudden. I felt like I couldn't keep Eli and I a secret anymore. I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Don't worry sweetie, he's going to be okay." My mom said

"No that's not it."

"Well what is it?" My dad asked as he scooted in a little closer to me.

"There's something I need to tell you." I could feel my mom tensing up next to me.

"I love Eli." I mumbled

"What do you mean?" my mom asked. Her voice was low and somewhat frightening. I didn't know if I had the courage to actually tell them. I took in a breath and thought about Eli, and how she is always so strong and brave.

"I'm gay." Hearing the words out loud made me start to cry. My mom stood up and just stared at me. I didn't look up, but I could feel her staring at me. When I did look up my mom had this look in her eyes, like she didn't know me. It was the same look you give a stranger who accidentally bumped you while you were walking. The look brought tears to my eyes. I stared at my shoes as we all stood there in silence. I felt my dad put his arm around me and say,

"I know."