detention

twenty one - kai

i sigh, sitting down on my bed. fiddling with the hem of my shirt, i try to think of the right words to say; but none come to mind. how do i explain this?

my eyes follow as elliot takes a seat in the chair at my desk across my room rather than next to me. admittedly, it hurt.

i lie on my back, and stare at the ceiling as if it's going to suddenly change colour or fall down. but everything stays the same...and elliot is still upset with me.

i blink a few times hearing him say my name.

"i'm trying to think, li!" i say, more out of frustration than anger- i hope he knows.

after a little while of elliot staring at me waiting for an answer, i come up with a story. and i know it's completely wrong, but i don't think twice before the lie escapes my lips.

"i...uh, walked around the halls and i knocked one of those painters over. he, uh- spilled it all over me."

i'm a bad liar.

his glare soon turns into a frown, "huh?"

i only shrug in response, knowing better than to keep the lie going. i watch as elliot shakes his head with narrowed eyes. he knows i'm lying.

he looks down, clearly deep in thought. conflict and confusion evident in his eyes as they flicker to different spots in my room. then, he stands up abruptly, shocking me temporarily.

"i'm going home." is all he says, before slinging his bag over his shoulder and walking out of my bedroom.

it takes a minute for his words to register, but when they do; i quickly leap up. i chase after elliot, who's now half-way downstairs. grab his arm, spinning him around to face me.

"wait! elliot, stay." i say as casually as i can, hoping he'll change his mind.

"i have chores."

"they can wait. i owe you."

he looks up at me at this, making eye contact, but he doesn't say a word. when he doesn't begin walking away again, i slowly walk backwards up the stairs. to my relief, he follows. i don't miss the skeptical look he pulls.

we reach the landing and i hesitantly pick up his hand, dragging him into my room. this time, i'm much more careful because i fear if i'm too rough, he'll leave.

and i can't let him.

i back up until i'm sitting on my bed, and i gently pull elliot's hand so he's sitting next to me.

minutes go by before he speaks up, "what do you mean, you owe me?"

i gulp at this, forgetting he'd want an explanation. i didn't know how to respond, because saying this out loud didn't exactly come easy. so i just turn and look at him, choosing not to answer and hoping he'll get it.

he tilts his head, somewhat similar to a puppy. it's adorable. his eyes stare into mine, and it's not before long i find myself staring at his lips. i curse at myself mentally, but i don't look away.

elliot's eyes flicker down to my own, and i shift around getting comfortable. he does the same, moving delicately to face me.

now, we're face to face. both waiting for something to happen.

my heart picks up it's pace, and i can almost hear it thumping hard in my chest. i wonder if he can hear it too, but i pray he can't.

oh, how i'm making this so painfully obvious- but elliot is so painfully oblivious; it's painful!

falling for your best friend.

i wince at the thought, suddenly feeling guilty. i shouldn't feel this way. and i've been a horrible best friend, now i'm lying to him, too?

the truth is, i like elliot. and when we end up in these situations; i can't think straight. it makes me feel like i'm doing something wrong because elliot would never like me back.

and to him, we're just messing around with one another. to get on each other's nerves. it's what we do.

but who would've thought that my feelings aren't as fake as i pretend?

suddenly elliot leans in, and my mind goes blank. my thoughts evaporate and i can only focus on elliot.

i almost back away, scared of what's about to happen. but i don't.

instead, i challenge my thoughts. and i lean in too.

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word count: 743
*edited*
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