Work in Progress

Chapter 24: Common Ground 2.0

*SAM'S POV*

A week has passed and nothing has changed. I'd catch glimpses of Eli in the hallways but she was as distant as ever. Jane shared a class with her but they didn't really talk much either. Jane would try to start a conversation but Eli would just give short answers like her usual self. So I guess things aren't that bad? But they're not good either. I was getting frustrated. This would've been easier if our schedules were the same as last sem's. I saw her everyday but now sometimes I don't even see her at all.

I was having a particularly bad day and decided to ditch my afternoon classes. I got into my car when suddenly someone else entered the passenger seat. I was ready to sucker punch the hell out of them when I turned around and it was Eli.

"I understand if you'd still like to punch me," she says looking at my fist hanging in mid-air.

"What do you want?" I say putting it down and staring out the windshield. Now that she was here I didn't know how to act.

"To talk. Really talk." I just continue staring. "You're still mad at me. It's fine." I hear her open the door.

"I'm not mad at you," I quickly say. "Maybe just little." I add as she closes the door.

"That's alright," she says with a small smile. Then, "If we're going to ditch, we should probably leave now." She motions to a teacher in the distance. I start my car then leave.

***

We decided to go to Cafe Co. and found some seats in a corner. We got our drinks then sat for a while not saying anything. Eventually, Eli coughs then begins talking.

"I've had some time to think about this. First off, I want to say sorry. You were right. I didn't put your feelings or anyone else's in consideration. I only thought about protecting myself. Second, I wanted to tell you what happened, about my family, but I wasn't ready. I'm still not. I still think it will be too much of a burden on you if I tell you. But you at least deserve to know that it was my fault. Because thirdly, I want to say that I like you." She takes a deep breath then continues. "I understand if you can't forgive me or don't feel the same way. It's alright." She finishes.

"You have to stop saying that." She looks at me confused. "It's okay not to be okay." I smile at her and take her hand. "Obviously, you weren't listening the last time we talked because I basically confessed that I like you too." Eli looks at me surprised. "But it's going to take a while for me to trust you. You're not the only one who finds it hard to be vulnerable," I say with a small laugh.

"I know. If I ever start pushing you away again, you can just give me another lecture." She smiles sheepishly, scratching her hair.

"What about your other friend?" I suddenly ask. "I thought you went on a date?"

"Yeah, umm... we did. We dated for a while during break but it wasn't going to work out. She was going back to college and we weren't really into long-distancing. And we both figured that wouldn't be the best for both of us considering that I'm going through some issues about trying to be vulnerable again and she's going through issues about her ex. We weren't really thinking straight at the party when we--." Eli cuts herself off then I realized what she was saying, so I let go of her hand. "Sorry, I didn't mean to... hurt you with that. I shouldn't have said anything."

I sit back on my chair and sigh, "No, that's good. You're being open. Communication is key." I tell her but also trying to convince myself. Either way, the deed was done and it wasn't like we had an agreement between us then.

"She actually helped me realize how I felt for you." I look at Eli, surprised. "We got into a fight because she noticed that I wasn't really making an effort, which was the exact same thing her ex did during the last months of their relationship. And I was really trying to let myself be vulnerable with her because I actually liked her too but... she just wasn't you. I don't know if that makes sense."

I try to hide my blush then suddenly remember, "I saw you two together last week after school."

"She was leaving town that day and I was sending her off. We decided to stay friends." Then noticing how I looked, Eli added, "We were just too interestingly complicated for each other that we just had to keep in touch. You know... for some juicy deets."

I laugh as she wiggles her eyebrows then she laughs with me.

"So what does this mean for us?"

"Well... we can take it slow. Since we still have to wait six months anyway."

"I can't believe you're taking this age thing so seriously."

"Hey, it is a serious matter. I'd be fine with it if we were already together before I turned eighteen but we weren't so we'll be doing the mature thing and wait."

"Ugh, I hate waiting."

***

*ELI'S POV*

"Can you pick me up tomorrow? My bike's still in school," I ask Sam as she drops me off at home.

"Okay," she agrees, smiling.

"Thanks," I smile back. "I should probably go now."

"Yup."

"See you."

"See you."

I go up to my apartment smiling. I know I'm taking a huge step by doing this and probably risking a lot by still having six months to go. But I also know as long as Sam is happy, I will be too.

Ever since she left I had been thinking non-stop about what I could've done better. I tried to do those things with Alex but something was just missing. I was just lucky enough that Alex understood what I was going through and that she was willing to help me work it out. I know I still have a lot of issues to work through but at least this time I'll have someone by my side.

A/N: If it weren't for this pandemic I'd be out drinking with friends and asking people how old they are before doing a do