Work in Progress

Chapter 18: Stares

*SAM'S POV*

    After our talk I couldn't help but feel relieved. Not only did I find out that Eli didn't hate me, she even helped me work through my problems. When she told me about her past, I knew it took a lot for her and that made me grow a bigger appreciation for the girl. I know she was joking but showing me her scars was also showing the vulnerable side of her. She didn't say what happened exactly but I know we'll have a chance to talk about it eventually someday. We were finally at an understanding and I'm not going to ruin that.

    Plus... I think I may have a chance. I blush to myself. I don't know if I was imagining things but I swear I heard her say 'eight months' under her breath. I turn eighteen in eight months. Does that mean she'll wait for me? Nooo, she wouldn't. Who can wait eight months? Don't get your hopes up, Sam. Either way, whether she waits for me or not, I'm coming after her.

***

    Before we knew it, finals were over and Eli has actually been open to hanging out with us. That is if you count the occasional lunch hanging out, which I do. The holiday spirit was in the air and everyone was relaxed and excited. Or as relaxed as they can be since they still couldn't believe that a whole month has passed by without the notorious top two groups doing anything. I was keeping to my word whereas Brendan... word has it that during their meeting in the principal's office with his parents and Eli, the latter apparently said some things in his defense. Everyone was shocked because we all knew how Brendan treated Eli and how Eli would fight back. Even the teachers had an idea but no one really did anything. You would think that given the opportunity to have Brendan kicked out, Eli would jump at it. But nooo. She just had to be mature about it. Why do I like this girl? Wait what?! Oh right. I've come to terms with that. Haha, silly me.

    My problem now is: everybody likes this girl. And Eli being pansexual and flirtatious isn't helping my case. I'm on my way back to class from the bathrooms when said girl was leaning on the wall talking to a boy who I recognized was Jack, one of Brendan's friends. He had his hand on Eli's arm and they were both laughing.

"So I'll see you there?" I hear him say.

"Sure." Is she agreeing to a date?! Jack's eighteen so that's possible.

"Alright then!" Jack leaves winking at Eli.

"Hey! Are you slacking off class again?" She says as I pass her.

"I could ask you the same thing," I answer, annoyed.

"Shoot! I've been gone too long." Then she runs away.

How long were they talking? Or were they not just talking? I may not hate Eli anymore but I do hate how she's making me feel right now.

***

    P.E. came along and I had every intention to demand from Eli what she was agreeing to earlier but Coach had us do drills as a goodbye before the break so I had to wait until class was over. Plus, if I didn't ask her now then I wouldn't have the chance again since today was the last day for the sem. But it was just my luck that I was at the back of the line so by the time Eli was finished I was still in the middle of the drill. As if knowing what I was planning, Kate ran towards Eli before she could leave and asked if she wanted to hang out. I see Eli nod.

    "You're welcome," Kate says to me as I finished. "She'll meet us at Cafe Co."

***

    We were seated by the window chatting about our plans for the break. The cafe was packed with people, some of them students from our school, excitedly talking about their own plans. So it was obvious when a sudden hush came over the room. The reason for which presented itself in the form of an Eli. She was making her way from the entrance to our table, except she wasn't wrapped in her usual sweaters or dress shirts. Her tattoo sleeve was totally exposed by a black muscle tee tucked at the front into black skinny jeans and she had swapped out her earrings to match the look. To complete the set, she wore black Palladiums whose every step you could hear as she walked towards us swinging a leather jacket.