Devour (The Devoured Series Book 1) by Shelly Crane (1)

 

 

There’s a game you play. The one where you guess what the shapes and objects the clouds have made above you. Today there was a lady with a long witchy nose, a rabbit, a sailboat. Everyone’s perception is different; we all see different things. I personally think you see what you want to see.

I was solely entranced in my gazing. The sun was bright behind me as I lay in the grass, my head on my jacket. My insanely dark black hair was long and almost too warm as it fanned around my head and caught the sunlight. The small hill on the edge of the park was the perfect spying spot. Spying on clouds, on people, on squirrels, but I was alone. Alone here and alone in life. My family used to come here together, but no more. My sister was gone, joined the Navy and would be gone for four years. She couldn’t handle the fact that our parents died and decided to fulfill my dad’s wish for us to be in the armed forces.

The burglary, and the burglar who took their lives, was something we all wished to forget. Even the Montana police hastened the investigation because things like that just didn’t happen in our town. But there I was, stuck in my last year of high school, living with my Pastor’s family as a temporary custody home until I graduated and went off to college. I was as alone as I could be.

The sun so bright behind me made the shadow that was suddenly loomed over me startling.

I looked up to see a guy standing by my head looking down at me. He had a little smile, almost wistful, on his lips as he cocked his head to the side. I sat up and twisted to see him better. His eyes were a freakishly bright violet. I’d never seen a guy with purple eyes - well, I’d never seen anyone with purple eyes. It was a rare thing, I guess, but now looking at them like that, they almost seemed natural.

He was wearing a deep green button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans with a small tear in the knee. Aviator sunglasses hung from his collar. His hair was as black as mine and close cropped. His hands were in his pockets and he continued to stare at me until I spoke.

“Hi.”

“Hello, there,” he finally said, his voice deep and lilting with a small accent that I couldn’t place.

“Can I...help you with something?” I asked since he continued to gaze at me unabashedly.

“Nope. Just enjoying the view,” he said and then smiled slightly as he turned to look up at the clouds and then back down to me. “There always seems to be a rabbit and an old lady doesn’t there.”

“How did you know I was...”

“I guessed. Why else would you be laying here, alone, looking at the clouds?”

I laughed nervously and twisted the ring on my finger; my nervous tick.

“Are you new here? I haven’t seen you around. Big Timber is a small town so, you kinda know everyone whether you want to or not.”

He laughed and it was delicious and rich making my stomach flip. I frowned. I had a boyfriend. What was wrong with me?

“Yeah, I’m new. Just moved stateside from Zimbabwe. My parents were teachers at one of the schools there. I’m Elijah Thames, but everyone calls me Eli,” he said and knelt down in front of me, sticking out his hand in greeting.

“Clara Hopkins.”

I took his hand, almost expecting something to happen when our skin met. Though his hand was warm and rugged, it was just a normal handshake.

“Nice to meet you, Clara Hopkins.”

“You too, Eli. You came at the perfect time I guess. Second semester starts tomorrow so we all get new classes. It won’t just be you getting a new schedule.”

“That’s nice, I guess. I’m pretty used to being the new kid though.”

“Are your parents missionaries or something?”

“Of sorts,” he said vaguely and stood. “So, what’s there to do in this town on a Sunday afternoon?”

“You’re looking at it,” I said through a giggle. “This is about it, I’m afraid. There is an old theater in town but it only plays one movie at a time and there’s a club here, but I’ve never been to it. We usually just hang out at the burger place.”

“Who’s we?”

“What?”

“You said ‘we hang out’. Who’s we?”

“Oh. My friends and I. My boyfriend,” I said and was shocked at how reluctant I was to tell him that.

“Ah, I see. I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy, huh?”

“What wouldn’t?” I asked though I felt the blush creeping up, knowing exactly what he meant.

He just smiled.

“Well, can I walk you home at least? It’ll be getting dark soon.”

“Um...sure, I guess.” I took the hand he offered and then picked my brown corduroy jacket up, slipping it back on. “So, do you always walk up to strange girls in the park and start conversations?”

“Nah,” he said slyly and bumped my shoulder. “They didn’t have parks in Zimbabwe.”

I burst out laughing and was intrigued by how comfortable we seemed to be together already.

“Where do you live?” I asked him as we hopped onto the sidewalk.

“We bought a place on Buxton.”

“The bed and breakfast?”

“Yeah. My parents are all about trying something new.”

“Wow. Well, it’s a nice house. I’ve always loved that place.”

“It’s nice and big. Too big but I guess once you get a house full of guests it won’t be big enough. I made my room the basement though, so that should help with the privacy.”

“The basement? Won’t that be cold and muggy and...creepy?”

“You watch a lot of scary movies, do you?” he said in amusement.

“Maybe I do,” I spouted playfully. “I’m sure it’s nice enough anyway. But you know, it could be the attic,” I said and shivered in mock horror.

“Oh, attic’s are way creepy.”

We laughed and it resounded in the quiet darkening street.

He seemed to know right where he was going so I just walked beside him and let him lead us. Buxton was only a few blocks away from the city park and I lived beside the church near there.

We walked and talked for about a block before trouble turned the corner.

My boyfriend, Tate, was coming down the street in his big 4x4 truck. He was on the wrestling team, the town’s pride. He was really good to me, very attentive, and while I enjoyed spending time with him, I wasn’t in love with him. And he was a very jealous guy. All he ever talked about was us going to college together next year, but I didn’t want to go to college. I wanted to go on a mission trip or maybe apply to a Music or Art school. If my parents were alive, they’d be so disappointed. My dad dreamed of his alma mater and the Army and my mom wanted me to marry right away and find a man to take care of me. Both of those dreams were nil.

But Tate was a sweet guy. Even though he was popular, he was pretty nice to everyone...except guys who tried to talk to me. He once almost pummeled my science lab partner when he stopped me in the hall to get my notes.

Apparently, his mom cheated on his dad all the time and his dad had no inclination to do anything about it. The whole town knew about it but they held a position of status and prime real estate in the town so no one cared, essentially. But Tate had always cared.

“Oh boy,” I mumbled.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, just my boyfriend. Just don’t listen to anything he says for the next five minutes, ok? I’m sorry ahead of time.”

“Ok,” he said, dragging it out in apprehension.

Tate stopped the truck and I saw it overcome him. His fingers turned white on the steering wheel, his lips grim in a tight line. He opened the door and closed it gently, too gently to be considered normal. It was a façade.

“Hey, Tate. Were you coming to see me?”

“You weren’t at home. I was headed to the park to give you a ride…but I see you don’t need one what with prince charming walking you home and all,” he sneered, glaring daggers at Eli.

“Tate, this is Eli. He’s new here and lives near me. We were walking home together, talking about school tomorrow.”

“Uhuh.”

“Tate,” I chided and went to give him a kiss on the cheek. I felt his skin, hot and angry on my lips, before I pulled back. He flicked his eyes to me once before looking back to Eli. “Tate, this is ridiculous,” I whispered to him. “Why don’t you trust me?”

“It’s other guys I don’t trust!” he yelled, making me jump. “You have no idea what guys are thinking about.”

I took a deep confused breath. He’d never been that vehement before. I glanced over at Eli to apologize, but he looked strange. Almost like he was...in ecstasy. His mouth was slightly open and his eyes hooded as he watched me. His breathing was heavy. I squinted at him and he seemed to snap out of it.

“Come on, man,” he said to Tate. “Really, it was nothing. She was just telling me about classes changing and all since I just moved here. She told me she had a boyfriend within the first two minutes of talking to her.”

Tate looked at me, his eyes softening a little. I looked at him pleadingly. He took a hesitant step towards me and when he saw I made no move to step away he caved and pulled me to him.

“I’m sorry, Clara, you know how I get. I can’t... It’s dumb, I know. I’m really sorry.” He pulled back to look at me. “I didn’t mean to be like that.”

“I know you didn’t,” I said softly and him being the blonde, beefy guy he was who stood right at my height level, put his forehead to mine.

“How do you even put up with me?” he whispered.

“I don’t know,” I said jokingly, “you’re pretty cute. I guess it makes up for it.”

“Pretty cute?” he joked and suddenly dropped to one knee and in his best English white knight accent began to beg. “Oh, please, my darling. My love. Forgive me and my assness!”

This was the Tate I knew and cared about. He was fun, playful and not afraid to make a fool of himself.

I laughed and bowed a little.

“You’re forgiven. Now. Tate, this is Eli Thames. Eli, this is Tate Richman. He’s captain of our wrestling team and his dad’s the mayor,” I said proudly.

“Hi,” Eli said cautiously and stuck his hand out.

Tate stood and took the hand offered.

“Hey, man. Sorry. I’m can be a bit of an ass when it comes to this girl. I’m sure you can understand,” he said with a wry smile.

“Understood.” Eli looked back to me and smiled a little sadly. “Well, I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“You can have lunch with us tomorrow,” I threw out. “I’m not sure if I’ll see you before then, but we eat at the long table right in the middle of the cafeteria.”

“Ok. Thanks.”

“See ya, man,” Tate said and waited for Eli to turn, then pulled me to him, snuggling into my neck. “Oh my gosh, Clara, you smell like something I very much want to eat.”  

I giggled and pushed him back a little.

“You think you’re getting off that easy, buster?”

“What do I owe you this time?” he asked amused and touched his tongue to his lip to think. “Diaper duty? Because if that’s it, it was nice knowing you.”

“Hey!” I yelled playfully and smacked his chest. “No. Mrs. Ruth has the kids tonight, but you do have to take me home and...watch the last Vampire Diaries I DVRed.”

“Ah, Clara,” he groaned. “Anything but that.”

“Come on, it’s not that bad.”

“It’s torture,” he said pointedly and then smiled. “But for you I’d do just about anything.”

“I know,” I agreed and I did. Tate had reasons to be the way he was and the way he normally treated me would put the Salvatore brothers to shame. But for some reason, I just couldn’t move past the feeling that he was just some guy I liked, had feelings for, but knew it wasn’t going anywhere. “Come on.”

He helped me into the truck and drove the short distance to the Parish. Once we stopped in front of the house, I started to get out but he stopped me. 

“Wait. Before we enter the no-touch zone...”

He pulled me to him across the seat and kissed me. Tate was usually a gentleman and knew how far I was willing to let him go. Sometimes he casually tried to push the envelope; he was a guy after all. This was apparently going to be one of those times.

His hand gripped my leg, as if to tug me into his lap. I let him. He seemed fueled by that and as his hands on my hips pulled me closer to him. I heard him groan a little. It rumbled through me and made my heart beat a little faster. I knew it was only torture to do this. I’d never let him do anything more than this. We were both virgins, though I was happier about it than he was. But sometimes, I just needed to feel the glue to the envelope strain a little.

I let him kiss me for a good while, just like that. I ran my fingers through his hair. It’d been a year since we started dating. We’d both always gone to the same school together, always lived in this town. We hung out with the same friends but he’d never seemed interested in me before and I never thought about him that way. I’d been on a few dates with other guys but never really dated anyone exclusively. Then one day, he met me at my locker, alone. It was odd because usually there was a group waiting there for me. As I made my way to him, he smiled bashfully.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” I had said cheerfully ignorant.

“How was Spanish? I have that next semester.”

“Brutal.”

“I was afraid of that. So, um...there’s this movie playing at the Cineplex, Adam Sandler is in it. Looks pretty good. I was wondering if you wanted to go tonight?”

“Sure. Who else is going?”

“Just you. And me.”

“Oh,” I had said and even I heard the odd note to my voice. He mistook that as reluctance.

“It’s ok if you don’t want to go, I just figured it might be fun. It’s ok,” he had said and started to walk away.

“No, wait. I didn’t say I didn’t want to go.”

“Do you want to?” he’d asked and came to stand closer than he’d ever stood before.

I remembered my pulse had suddenly jumped and I noticed how green his eyes really were for the first time.

“Yeah. I do.”

His smile was genuine and a little surprised.

“Great. I’ll pick you up at five thirty. We can get something to eat first if you want.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

He’d walked backwards, grinning, away from me. That night he’d picked me up and we had fun, lots of fun. When he dropped me off I couldn’t help but ask why he was all of a sudden interested.

“I can’t say it was all of a sudden,” he’d answered. “I just wasn’t sure if you’d want to and I didn’t want things to be weird so I just watched you. But you never looked at me different...so I took a shot.” Then he touched my cheek, his thumb sweeping across my cheek bone. “I’m glad I did.”

“Me too.”

Then he had kissed me and I felt something in me burn, like slow lava. We’d stood there on my parents porch and kissed slowly and gently for a good while before my dad turned the light off and on, making us laugh.

Two months later, when my parents died, he was there for me like no one else. He was the first person to meet me at the hospital waiting room. He held me - just held me - for hours in those uncomfortable chairs as I bawled my eyes out. My sister had been gone on a skiing trip with friends and wasn’t there yet. I had been to a movie with my friend who moved to another town, Addison, and found my parents when she dropped me off. Tate stayed with me all night. Took me home, held me as I finally fell asleep on the couch. I don’t know what I would have done without him.

And now as he ravished my mouth with skill and restraint I was still thankful for him but, I didn’t love him. He had never said the words to me and I wasn’t sure what I’d say if he did. I couldn’t lie.

“Mmm, Clara, you are driving me every kind of crazy,” he spoke huskily against my lips.

“Then maybe we should stop.”

“No. No, don’t stop,” he said and took my lips again.

“Tate,” I whispered. “You’re not making this easy.”

“Then give in to me,” he suggested and I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Tate,” I chided.

“Ok, ok.” He blew a long breath. “It should be illegal for you to look the way you do and me not be able to have you.”

“That’s so cheesy,” I said through a smile.

“I know,” he laughed. “Alright, fine. Vampire Diaries in the preacher’s house it is.”

“Thank you,” I said and pressed one last kiss to his lips before climbing out of the truck.

We spent the night like we spent a lot of nights; watching television on my bed, with the door open and a clear view of us from the door. I was allowed to lay by him but there was no kissing in the house. The preacher, Pastor Paul, was very lenient with me but there were certain rules of conduct, especially with Tate, that he was strict about. Despite us being young and all, we were both kind of home bodies. I’d rather sit and watch a movie at home with him than go out with a whole bunch of people. Our friends and I usually had to work pretty hard to get Tate to go out somewhere. He much preferred to be alone with me.

 

~ ~ ~

 

I was back, laying in the grass in the park. It all looked so real. The sun was bright and gorgeous behind me as it cast sparkles on the lake. A perfect day. I saw a shadow over me. At first I thought it was Tate but this person was taller and leaner and I felt something coming from him. Like I could feel his interest in me like a tangible thing. He knelt down beside me and I sat up. His face was covered in shadow from the halo of sun around his head. He reached out and touched my face. I gasped at the pleasure his touch elicited from my skin, goose bumps spread widely and I tingled all over. A response I’d never felt before, not even with Tate.

He moved in to kiss me and I was helpless to stop him. His lips almost touched mine. I felt the heat from his breath and a tremor ran through me. I suddenly felt afraid for no apparent reason at all and he moaned, seeming to enjoy my reaction. He pulled me to him and I whimpered as my terror spiked and he continued to hold me to him, like I was something he couldn’t live without.

I jolted me eyes open with a start. What was that? I wasn’t even asleep yet. Too many vampire shows for me…

The next morning I woke feeling a little strange. The first face I saw was Eli’s and I immediately felt guilty. Tate was good to me, though he had his flaws like everyone else. He was very desirable; a hot commodity at our school, and I was lucky he wanted to date me. At least that’s what everyone told me. It couldn’t be that he was lucky to be with me.

So I threw on my school uniform. Most people hated them, but I loved them for some reason that escaped me. It was a typical uniform; red and black plaid skirt, white collar shirt and a vest that matched the skirt. No knee highs though, thank goodness. We were instructed to wear black ballet flats. After I fixed my hair and threw in some earrings, I made my way downstairs.

After helping Mrs. Ruth with all the babies breakfast - she had five kids under the age of five, the latest being twins who were only four months old - I rushed off to school, a little later than I’d wanted. I came through the gray concrete halls of our prison looking high school looking for Eli. I had wanted to get there before homeroom bell to make sure he found his class easily, but the bell was about to ring. Dang, I was going to be late. The church and the parish were across the street from the school. They shared a parking lot in fact, so I never got a ride with Tate; I didn’t need one.

I ran to my new home room just as the last bell rang. I slid into the first empty seat I saw by the door. I noticed Tate across the room, looking at me with amused eyes. He made kiss lips at me as we both turned to face forward.

After the bell rang, we made our way to the hall. I waited for Tate and he studiously threw his arm around my shoulder and kissed my temple.

We walked to my locker and there was Eli. At first I thought he was waiting for me there and wondered what Tate would do, but I saw him reaching into the locker next to mine. He was now my neighbor.

“Hey, Eli,” I said.

He looked surprised to see someone knowing his name and almost dropped his books, catching them very cutely in a jumble before they hit the floor and stuffing them in his locker.

“Oh. Hey, guys,” he said in that low rumbling voice of his.

“Who do you have for homeroom?”

“Mr. Winepeeno?” he tried and Tate and I both laughed.

“It’s Winepegofski. I know, it’s an impossible name. I think he’s from Russia or Poland or something.”

Someone called my name and I looked up to see Ashley. I waved and turned back to Eli.

“A Polish guy teaches U.S. History?” Eli asked with a smirk.

“Welcome to America, Mr. Zimbabwe.”

He laughed and leaned on his shoulder against his locker. I looked up to Tate to see him no longer smiling. He was looking between us with a slight frown gracing his brow.

“Tate, who do you have next?” I asked, trying to include him.

“Bishop. Shop,” he spouted shortly.

“Ugh, well, we definitely won’t share that class. I have Menendez.”

“Me too,” chimed Eli.

“Huh,” Tate said, clearly annoyed. “I’m out. Gonna be late and Bishop will ride me all year.”

“Tate,” I called and grabbed his arm. “I’ll see you at lunch, ok?”

“Ok,” he said tightly.

“Hey,” I pulled him to look at me and saw a couple freshman giggling at us from across the hall. I ignored them. “I’ll miss you,” I said to appease him. “It’s too bad we don’t have anymore classes together.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll really miss me with Zimbabwe over there,” he said low where Eli couldn’t hear us.

“I will. He doesn’t watch vamp shows with me and follow silly rules at the house I live at. He doesn’t know exactly where to find me when he comes to see me and I’m not home. He’s just a guy, Tate.”

He laughed a small breathy laugh.

“Ok,” he conceded. “You better miss me,” he joked and poked a finger at my chest gently.

“I already do,” I said and accepted his kiss. He usually didn’t kiss me on the lips in school, but right then he was letting me have it. I felt his hand on my lower back, pressing me closer. In the distance I heard a whistle from someone and I pulled back to breath. “Wow.”

He chuckled.

“I can definitely deal with wow.”

“Bye.”

“Bye, babe.”

I watched him walk away as he bumped fist with someone and they started to jog across the campus.

Then I turned to see Eli still standing there, with a wry look on his handsome face. The fluorescent lights made his hair even blacker. He looked almost ethereal like that. Today he’d worn his hair spiked to the side and I noticed he had his right eyebrow pierced with a small silver rod. I hadn’t seen that last night. He was wearing the same jeans as before but with a Queen 1986 Tour shirt. It was his first day, so he didn’t have his uniform yet. It always made the new kids stick out like sore thumbs.

“Hey, sorry. I told you he’s...I don’t know. And I’m sorry about last night too.”

“No worries. It’s not your fault. So,” he grabbed a black messenger bag from his locker and threw it over his shoulder, “can I walk with you to our next class or will I get my spleen removed for it?”

“Ha ha. Yes, walk with me. It’s way over on the other side of the gym, so we better get going.”

We walked and I saw he was getting quite a lot of attention. I even got the stink eye from a couple of girls and I couldn’t help but laugh. He was definitely cute with a bad boy thing going that made me cringe with the cliché of it. He wasn’t hot in the traditional sense, I guess. He was a little rugged and jagged, but he was extremely nice and not cocky so that added to his appeal.

“Hi, Clara!” Sarah called as she passed.

“Hey.”

“Who’s this?” she said and walked backwards beside us to eye him appreciatively.

“This is Eli. He’s new.”

“Oooh. New meat. I’m Sarah. I’m single by choice, a Pisces, and I’m on the spirit squad with Clara. I’m also free this Saturday.”

Eli chuckled and it had the same effect on Sarah as it had on me yesterday. She looked about to jump him right there in the hall, so I saved her some embarrassment.

“Sarah, we’re late. You can ogle him at lunch, ok?”

“Ok. Bye, babe! Bye, Eli,” she sang his name and flounced away.

“She eats lunch with you?”

“Afraid so. You may as well get used to it now. We hardly ever get new kids at our school and the girls I hang out with are...forward when it comes to guys. You can back out now and I wouldn’t blame you.”

“No. No, I like a challenge.” I looked at him sideways to see him smiling in his profile. “So the spirit squad? I didn’t peg you as a cheerleader.”

“You pegged right. I’m not,” I laughed. “Spirit squad decorates for games and sells tickets and ribbons and stuff. We try to pep people up for events.”

“I see. Sounds interesting. And cheerleaders can’t do this?”

“Not when they’re too busy getting busy in the bathroom before the games.”

He laughed and I looked at him with a smile. He was so different somehow.

While gazing at him I forgot to watch where I was going and plowed right into a freshman, but he may as well have been Andre’ the Giant. He was huge and the fact that I was a girl apparently had no effect on him.

“Watch it,” he growled.

“Sorry.”

“Why don’t you just take your,” he slapped my butt hard, “pretty little pampered spirit squad butt back to where you belong and get out of my way.”

“Whoa, pal,” Eli said and pulled me behind him. I was surprised by it but grateful. “Don’t talk to her like that and don’t ever touch her again.”

By this point there was an eager crowd with the word fight dancing in their eyes.

“Who are you, Pippy?” Everyone laughed and snickered. “If I were you I’d watch it. You’re not making a very good first impression at this school. First, you’re hanging out with spoiled ice queen over here, and now you’re messing with me. I’d just go around me and pretend you never got in my way if I were you.”

“Sure. I’ll do that after you apologize,” Eli said calmly.

“I don’t apologize to brats who get everything they want. She should apologize for bumping me.”

“I did,” I mumbled at the same time that Eli said, “She did.”

“Whatever-”

“Get to class!” Mr. Brank called from his classroom and everyone scattered. “Now.”

“Later, Pippy,” the big freshman jerk called. “Later, spoiled brat.”

We started to walk and heard the bell. We were still a couple hallways away from class and I saw no point in rushing now.

“Thank you,” I said after some time. “I have no idea who he was, but he apparently knows me.”

“I don’t think he does if he thinks you’re a pampered, spoiled brat.”

“You don’t know me,” I said but thought it sounded defensive so I added jokingly, “I could be a horrible drama queen who stomps freshman under my leather stiletto boots.”

“I highly doubt that,” he rebutted and looked at my feet, then dragged his gaze back up to my eyes. “Besides, I don’t see any stilettos.”

I realized we’d stopped in the hall and were now just standing there, looking at each other.

“Thanks. Really. You didn’t have to do that. Now you’ve already made an enemy and it’s the first day.”

“Yeah, but I made a friend too.”

Gosh, his eyes were so breathtaking. It made me feel like I had Jell-O knees looking at him. His face changed and he cocked his head a little before opening his mouth slightly. He looked surprised this time though. He had that same look before, last night, when Tate and I had been fighting; like he was in ecstasy.

“What is it?” I asked.

He shook his head and smiled sheepishly at me.

“Sorry. You’re just...um. We better get to class.”

“Yeah,” I said nodding.

We walked into Menendez’s class well after the bell, everyone turning to look and see the new guy. I saw a couple people I sat with at lunch in this class too and dreaded the conversation I knew would take place later as we took the only two seats left; the two sitting right next to each other in the back.

 

 

“So, I was just sitting there, minding my own business, when he comes up and asks for my notes from the day before, right in front of everyone. Number one, like I take notes, and number two, like I’d give them to that nerd just because he missed a day for his allergies,” sneered Megan, flipping her white, straight as a board blonde hair, making everyone laugh.

Everyone but me and Eli, I noticed.

We’d all piled in as we always did and sat together. Eli had found his way to our lunch table not long after that. He sat across from me and Tate and I introduced him to everyone and the girls swooned appropriately. 

Then more stories of their precious existence encounters with the commoners of our high school droned on. Mike tripped a guy and he almost spilled his chili and everyone laughed. Tommy told us how he lifted some band girl’s skirt before gym and she’d cried and ran to the office.

As much as I liked my friends, they could be awfully shallow and cruel. Usually Tate wasn’t involved in that stuff. He was a nice guy who would talk to anyone but he laughed right along with everyone else on most things.

When it seemed everyone was done with their stories, they started asking Eli questions about where he was from and Megan asked if he was attached to anyone. He answered their questions smoothly and even threw in a joke here and there. He seemed to pass their exam.

Then I saw it; the look and the cold smile directed at me that I’d been waiting all lunch period for from Deidre.

“So, Clara. Why were you and Eli late to Menendez this morning? You both came in way after the bell rang.”

I felt Tate tense beside me. Deidre was jealous. She apparently had a crush on Tate forever and decided to tell me this after I’d already been going out with him for weeks. Then she expected me to dump him because of it, just like that. I explained to her she should have said something before. She was still pissed, hence the foul behavior from her. She was pretty - really pretty. She tanned every week and had a bright glow to her that matched her more strawberry than blonde hair perfectly. But it didn’t match her demeanor.

“We were late because Eli saved me,” I told everyone.

“What?” she sneered in unbelief.

“What?” Tate bellowed, his jealously gone. “Saved you from what?”

“Some big freshman guy slapped me on the behind in the hall when I accidentally bumped him,” I explained. “Eli put him in his place.”

“Behind? What are you? Two?” Deidre sneered but everyone ignored her.

“What? Who?” Tate said louder.

“I don’t know, but Eli handled it.”

Tate looked at Eli and nodded to him.

“Thanks, man. I owe ya.”

“No worries. I was glad to help.”

Tate nodded again and then turned to me once everyone started talking about their own ‘brushes with death’.

“I should have walked you to Menendez, I forgot about the delinquent hall.”

Our in-school suspension was on that hall and it was always full.

“It’s ok. You would have never made it to Shop if you had.”

I heard Dee making gagging noises.

“Well, I’ll walk you tomorrow. I’ll explain to Bishop. He’ll understand or I’ll just be late everyday.”

“I can walk her if you want. We have the same class,” Eli offered easily and yawned into his fist like he was bored.

“Uh...” I knew Tate was absolutely not thrilled with that. “Well, tomorrow, sure. Then I should be able to do it after that.”

“Guys,” Dee groaned. “You act like she’s a precious little movie star or something whose adoring fans are getting rough. She’s fine. So one guy grabbed her butt, big deal. I think she’s blowing all this a little out of proportion anyway.”

“Shut up, Dee,” Tate said.

“No, she’s right,” I said and looked right at her then back to Tate. “It’s ok. I’ll be fine.”

“I want someone to walk you, Clara,” he insisted.

“Who’s gonna walk me?” Dee asked snidely. “I have that same class.”

“Yeah, but you come up to it from your locker on the East wing, Clara’s locker is on the South. You don’t even touch delinquent hall and it’d take too long for her to walk around it.”

She pouted and looked hurt. I knew better. Witch. 

“Are you ok?” Tate asked quietly. “Did he hurt you?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“You’re sure? I’m sure I can find out who this guy is. I’ll make sure he understands not to-”

“I’m fine. Really,” I soothed and put my hand on his leg. “So, what time is your match?”

“Uh....five. You’re coming right?”

“Yep. I love to see you hug sweaty men. It really does it for me,” I said sarcastically but with a sweet smile plastered on.

“Aww,” he crooned and pinched my cheek. “What a thoughtful girlfriend.”

I laughed and leaned in to kiss him quickly but he pulled me back to him, keeping me there and once again, kissing me in front of the whole school, which he never did. I had a feeling this had a lot to do with Eli but I would never accuse of him of such.

With his hand on my cheek I let him kiss me. When I heard our friends start to comment and joke, I pulled back and licked my lips before looking up, straight to Eli.

He was looking between ecstasy and pain. It was strange how he got that look but this time he didn’t seem to be enjoying it, whatever it was; like it was something he had to do but didn’t like it.

When he saw me looking he quickly schooled his features into neutral and began studying his food, but I was intrigued now to say the least. I looked back up to Tate to see smug satisfaction as he threw his arm over my shoulder. He was content for the moment and that was good enough for me.

“So, babe. Wanna do something after the match? We can go to Snitzy’s.”

“Yes!” Deidre chimed loudly like her say was final. “Let’s all go to Snitzy’s after the match.”

“I meant me and you,” he muttered softly to me, but we both knew better than to mess with Deidre.

“Bell’s about to ring,” Mike said.

“Crap,” Tate said sitting up. “I gotta go all the way to the back lot so I’m gonna take off.” He looked at me. “See you in the stands?”

“I’ll be there.”

He kissed me quickly and shot up from his seat, striding across the lunchroom with a smile. Our group quickly dispersed from there. I asked Eli about the rest of his schedule. We had every class together after lunch.

Great.

So, we walked together. I told him about the wrestling match tonight and asked if he wanted to come. My friends had been friendly enough to him. Sarah still giggled at him and made flirty jokes about his accent. He said he would like to go and I told him where and when.

We were assigned alphabetically in the next class, Math, so we didn’t get to sit beside each other; which was probably for the best anyway. It went by quickly as we were given our books and an outline of our curriculum for the year. Then our next and last class of the day was Art. We walked together again. I told myself it was to show him where it was but I could foresee us walking together everyday. Why not?

Art was a laid back - sit wherever - do whatever - kinda thing. I moseyed nonchalantly to the back and took a corner work desk. It was a two seater, kind of like a lab desk. Eli came to stand beside me and I couldn’t tell if I was happy or not about the fact that he was going to ask to sit down.

“Do you think I could sit here, or would Tate not be happy about that?”

“Um...” I stalled.

“Alright. Just thought I’d ask even though I already knew the answer,” he said and turned to go.

I bit my lip. This was ridiculous. Tate couldn’t tell me who to be friends with.

“Wait,” I called. “It’s fine.”

“Don’t feel sorry for me. I can sit somewhere else, it’s fine. I just figured it’d be more fun to sit with you.”

“I don’t feel sorry for you. I want you to sit. I never get to pair off with anyone I know for these things.”

“You’re sure? I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

I bristled at his implication but knew it wasn’t really him I was upset about. If Tate hadn’t showed his butt last night, Eli would have no reason to think that.

“No, I promise. It’s fine.”

He sat down, taking off his bag and throwing it over the edge of the chair. I didn’t want things to be weird so I started talking right away.

“So. Where did you go to school before? Did you go to where your parents taught?”

“Yep. Over there kids of all ages sit in the same classroom. It was weird I guess. It was kind of like being homeschooled. It was very laid back and they tried to make it fun.”

“That’s sounds cool. So why did you move to the states?”

“Back to the states, actually,” he clarified. “We lived in Seattle until I was twelve. Then moved to Zimbabwe until now. Now I’m eighteen, graduating and they’ll be leaving for some other place soon and I’ll have to figure out what I want to do.”

“I hear you there. I’m so lost on what to do with the rest of my life.”

“What do your parents do?” he asked, putting his head on his elbow to look at me.

“They died a few months ago,” I answered smoothly and tried to keep the sting out of my voice.

That response always elicited mixed responses from people and I tried to not make it uncomfortable for them by tearing up.

“Ah, man, I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. It wasn’t like I could say ‘it’s ok’ because it wasn’t, but I could at least try to keep it together.

The teacher came in and started to explain our goals for the year. To create a piece for submission to any art school of our choice, whether we wanted to go to Art school or not, was our final grade.

“And today, we’ll be learning about shading. No piddling in my class. We’ll be starting right out of the gate with a graded project due by the end of class.”

The collective groan of the class was lost on me. I was excited. Art was exciting and fun and with Eli as my table partner, I had a feeling it would be interesting this year.

“I’m sorry I brought up your parents,” he said and looked up at me a moment before looking back to his paper.

“It’s ok that you did. You couldn’t have known,” I said and felt my heart break a little at having to say that. “I want to remember them. It’s nice to talk about them sometimes. Everyone else avoids it because they think it’ll make me sad.”

Having to tell someone they were allowed to bring my parents up... It was just wrong. I looked at Eli and saw that same expression on his face as before. Ecstasy wrapped in pain and discomfort.

“Are you ok?” I asked.

“Yes,” he answered, his voice strained. “I’m fine, just uh...” He looked at me and I felt bad. I had made him uncomfortable with all that dead parent talk and now he was embarrassed or something. I felt even worse. And then his face twisted even more. “I’ve got to go,” he said suddenly and huskily.

“What? Class just started?” I protested, completely baffled.

“I’ll see you tonight, ok? At the match,” he called as he grabbed his stuff and made a swift getaway out the classroom door.

I was so very confused, but what could I do? I didn’t have his number to check on him. He’d been acting kind of weird all day. I would ask him tonight. Maybe he was going through something or having a problem about moving again.

Class ended uneventfully and I turned my shade in of a Dogwood tree along the river bank to which the teacher smiled at me me in appreciation.  I made my way across the street quickly and prepared for the barrage of screams and squeals.

“Clara! Clara’s home!” Josiah announced loudly, as he did everyday.

“Clawa!” Hannah yelled happily and wrapped herself around my leg. “I had fishies today.”

“You did,” I crooned and picked her up, slating her to my hip. “Oh, man. I could really chow down on some gold fishies right now.”

“There’s more! In there!” she pointed towards the kitchen and I followed her instruction. “Mommy, mommy! Clawa wants fishies too!”

“Oh does she now?” Ruth said and smiled at me. “Hi, Clara. How was school today?”

“Great. I can handle my new classes pretty well. And there was a new guy today. Eli, from Zimbabwe.”

“Really? That’s interesting. What was he doing there?”

“He said his parents were some kind of teaching missionaries or something.”

“That’s awesome. God Bless them. Now, honey, would you mind taking this stack of letters to the post office on your way to the match tonight? I didn’t make it today and it’s the get well cards for the church members.”

“Sure. No problem.”

“You’re such a sweet girl. You know we love having you around, don’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do, and I like being here too.”

“Good. Have fun tonight and you know Pastor’s rules.”

“No after midnight and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do if he was watching me.”

“That’s our girl. Everybody say, have fun Clara.”

A sweet shrill untamed chorus of ‘have fun Clara’ rang out as I smiled and ran to my room in the back of the hall. The parish was a small but pretty green cottage type house right next to the church. It was one story but I got lucky, my room was all the way on the other side of the house so I never heard babies crying at night.

I took a quick shower and went to put on some clothes. I had to be at the games and matches half an hour early to sell hats and buttons and ribbons and such.

I picked out a red long sleeve shirt and jeans with my black boots, to match our school colors for The Red Devils.

It was getting chilly out at night now but I figured long sleeves were good enough. I fixed my hair in the mirror on my dresser. My room, my temporary room, was cute. It had been Mrs. Ruth’s sewing room but when I moved in, she let me have it because there was no where else to go. The walls were a pastel purple and the trim and carpet was a lime green. She’d asked me several times if I wanted to paint or change anything, but I figured I wouldn’t be here that long and I wanted to make it as easy on them as possible when I left to get things back to normal.

Once I was ready, I headed downstairs and said my goodbyes before walking down to the post office and then hurrying across the street to the school and around back to the gym. Sarah already had our table set up and was putting out all our merchandise. She was the only one of my friends who participated in the sprit squad, or anything really. The boys were into their sports but Dee and Meagan refused anything extracurricular for school.

“Hey! Ready to sell the mess outta some t-shirts? Mrs. Collins said if we don’t sell the t-shirts tonight, she won’t order anymore. I say we kiss whoever buys one. They’ll sell like hotcakes.”

“You go right ahead,” I told her laughing. “I’ll stick to the buttons and mugs.”

Sarah was the quirky friend. She wore these outrageous outfits and her crazy curly red hair was always bunched into some kinda wild bun or pigtails. She was so very pretty and guys liked her because she was fun and outgoing, and her skirts were usually shorter than they should be.

Within no time, the people started pouring in and I saw Eli. He looked casual and did a subtle double take when he saw me. He smiled and made his way over to me, but Sarah intercepted him. I couldn’t hear them because her back was to me, but I saw her put her hand on his arm and I felt a flare of something strange go through me. Jealousy? Me? No...

I looked back up to see Eli watching me with a slightly shocked expression. He seemed almost pleased about something and it irked me even more, though he was looking at me not Sarah. But I had no right or claim to him. I had a boyfriend and felt bad enough as it was. I wiped those thoughts away and concentrated on the people flowing by.

“So, anyway,” she was saying as she walked towards me with her arm in his. “I sit in the middle behind the home team. I’ll find you when I’m done, ok?”

“Alright,” he said smoothly and detangled himself from her. “Clara, hey.”

Sarah bristled and a frown appeared as she heard his tone. She huffed silently and turned to take care of a customer.

“Hey, you made it.”

“I told you I would.”

“Listen. Are you ok? You seem to be acting a little...strange, and you ran out of class today. I’ve never been the new kid before, but I’m sure it sucks.”

“It’s not that. I’m just going through something, I guess.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry if I was rude.”

“No. No, I was just worried about you,” I assured and turned the ring on my finger to keep from looking at him.

“You were worried about me,” he repeated and smiled crookedly at me.

“Yeah...ok. Well, we’ll be done here in a few minutes. We’ll join you, if you want to sit with us,” I said, giving him an out if he wanted it.

“Yeah,” he said softly and flicked his eyes to the table. “And I’ll take a...hmm. What’s a big selling item?”

“Mugs and buttons are our biggest.”

“What’s your lamest?”

“T-shirts.”

“Well them I’ll take a t-shirt.”

I laughed and picked through them to find his size and took his ten dollars. “You want the lamest item? Why? Trying to go against the flow?” I joked.

“Nope, just don’t want the t-shirt to feel left out,” he said and winked before walking away.

“OMG. He was so flirting with you,” Sarah said loudly and I shh’ed her.

“No, he’s not. You’re just like Tate. Just because a guy talks to me doesn’t mean he wants to date me, ok?”

“Yeah, but I want to date him and he wants to date you. I can tell these things.”

“Well then get your radar checked,” I yelled playfully. “Everyone needs to get over it. I’m dating Tate, end of story.”

“Well it better be. You already got a hunk!” she chimed. “Well, let me sit next to him when we go out there, ok? I need a little help. Maybe I came on too strong earlier,” she mused and bit her thumb nail.

“You? Never,” I said, my sarcasm dripping.

We laughed as we put up our wares and made our way to the packed bleachers. It seemed the whole town came out for these things. I let Sarah sit next to Eli and other than a quick look from him, I received no reaction. Once we sat down I remembered that I hadn’t had any supper and was going to get a hotdog. I turned to Sarah to say as much, but Eli stood and waved me off.

“I’ll get it. I was going anyway.”

“Ok, great, thanks.”

“You want anything, Sarah?” he asked politely.

“Diet Coke, no ice, please.”

“Sure thing.”

As soon as he was gone she leaned over and put her head on my shoulder dreamily.

“His eyes. Oh my gosh, those eyes! Have you seen them? The most gorgeous purple eyes ever.”

Yes, I wanted to say. Yes, I’d seen his gorgeous eyes. In fact, I saw them first. But I held my tongue and looked out to see Tate about to take the mat. As Sarah droned on in my ear about Eli’s accent, Tate looked for me and when he found me he smiled. He made kiss lips at me, too, making Sarah produce gagging noises beside me. I punched her arm playfully and she laughed before starting a chant for our team. Eli came back a couple minutes later with our food and drinks and passed them out before taking a seat...next to me.

I heard Sarah huff beside me and I tried not to giggle. I glanced at Eli and he was smiling like he knew a secret.

We watched the match and I finished my hotdog in record time. Sarah was going on and on about the opposing team. About how hot Tate’s wrestling opponent was and how she was going to get his number after the match. Eli was forgotten, just like that.

The match didn’t last long. We won, of course, and Mike and Deidre finally made their way over to us.

“Hey, guys. Snitzy’s right? Let’s go get a burger,” Mike reminded.

“We just ate,” Sarah groaned, but then changed her expression to a smile. “But I’d love to go and hang out. Eli, you in?”

“Are you in?” he asked me and I saw Deidre put a hand on her hip in my peripheral.

“Yeah. It’s still early. My curfew’s midnight.”

“Then I’m in,” he answered and smiled slightly at me.

Deidre pushed Mike aside, squeezed herself towards us and then plopped herself on Eli’s lap. Eli remained still and expressionless as he watched me. When she wound her arms around his neck, I closed my eyes and shook my head as I looked away.

“So,” Dee started, “Clara, why don’t you go get your boyfriend?”

“I’m sure he’s coming.”

“Well then let’s go. I’m riding with Eli.”

Being able to tolerate Dee was getting harder by the minute. So I got up without a word and walked to the locker room. Tate was all showered and changed, checking his phone when I came up. I apparently startled him because he looked shocked at seeing me. He put his phone away quickly, like he’d been waiting for a call or text maybe.

“What’s up? Are you ok?” I asked.

“Yeah. I was about to text you, but here you are.” He kissed my cheek and threw an arm around my shoulder. “What’s up with you? You never come to the locker rooms after matches.”

“Everybody wants to go eat, remember? You still wanna come with us?”

“Everybody who?”

“Mike, Dee, Eli-”

“Ok. Cool.”

We all piled into Tate’s truck and Mike’s car and made our way across town. Dee and Eli rode in the back seat of the truck with us and I heard Dee trying to coax him into taking her out this weekend. He didn’t say much, but once when I glanced back, she had her lips on his chin, nipping playfully and then kissing it. Eli and my eyes locked for a second before I looked away.

Tate pulled me from the seat out his door once we arrived. He seemed anxious or riled up. Maybe it was from the match. He held my hand a little too tightly. I looked at him funny and he smirked and kissed my fingers as we waited for everyone else to order. Tate ordered me an iced coffee and himself a big burger with the works. We sat scattered around two pushed together tables and listened to the country playing on the radio above us screaming some Taylor Swift song.

For some reason my eyes kept drifting to Dee and Eli. He seemed so disinterested, so why did he let her touch him and carry on like that? Every time I looked his way, he was already looking at me. You’d think I’d be creeped out or feel weird about it but, it felt almost welcome to me. It was strange why I was so ok with it, but I knew I had to let this go...whatever this little attraction to Eli was. So when Tate started touching me, I completely opened myself up to it and tried to feel every sensation it gave me. I wanted to be full of Tate, my boyfriend.

I ran my hand up his thigh after he did the same to me. I played with his fingers as his thumb caressed my wrist. When he leaned over to peck the side of my neck, as he did often, I leaned back to him and kissed his jaw, my hand gripping his arm. He looked at me with a pleased, but surprised face. He pulled me to sit in his lap.

“What’s gotten into you?” he whispered amusedly in my ear.

“What? You don’t want me to?”

“Oh, I want you to. You’re just usually not like this.”

“Well, I want to play tonight,” I said and bit my lip. “Is that wrong?”

He grinned and pulled my face to his, his lips were greedy and I tasted alcohol. Someone had brought a flask with them and the guys had spiked their drinks. Great. I didn’t stop though, there was no point. I ran my hands through his hair and let him kiss me. I stopped him once his hand tried to slide too far up my thigh.

“Clara,” he growled quietly in my ear. “You are such a tease.” I looked at him, but he was smiling a little. “One of these days...”

He seemed a little more frustrated with the brakes than usual. I wondered about it, but let it go.

When the girl brought our food, I cringed, knowing exactly what was coming.

“Hey, Molly. Nice costume. You know it’s not Halloween yet, but you get points for showing up early,” Dee sneered and the expected heckling and laughing followed.

Molly was one our school Goths. She worked at this burger joint that we loved to come to and Dee and the rest of them always gave her crap every time we came.

“Bite me, Deidre. You couldn’t pull off black anyway.”

“Oh, you’re right about that. I’m not dead.”

“Yet,” Molly said and smiled brightly before bouncing off.

Dee fumed and huffed. “Eli, did you hear what she said to me?”

“Yep,” he answered easily.

“Well?” she replied indignantly.

“Well?” he said and drug it out to be sarcastic.

“You’re not going to do anything about it? She practically threatened me!” she yelled and put a hand on her chest to barter some sympathy.

“That sounds like a job for a boyfriend to me.”

She scoffed as Mike and Tom laughed. I saw her turn red, but then she switched and smiled, albeit fake.

“Ah, is that your way of asking me to go out with you? So sweet,” she said and kissed his cheek from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He didn’t comment and didn’t look at her, only me. I started to wonder why no one noticed that he’d pretty much stared at me all night.

Before Molly returned, Dee orchestrated revenge, as always. She poured her water glass on the floor next to her chair. When Molly came, Dee specifically complained about her burger and asked her to come view the hair in plain sight. When she did, she slipped and fell on her butt, right there in front of everyone, including other customers.

“Oopsy! That’s a Workman’s Comp. claim right there,” Dee said seriously then burst out laughing and the minions followed suit.

“Yeah, Molls,” Mike yelled. “I’d watch it. You’re gonna flatten out that back side even more. We’ll have to change your name to no-butt.”

I stayed quiet as I always did as they cackled like hyenas around me, and so did Eli. Molly got up, red faced and embarrassed and stalked behind the counter. When she came to give us our ticket, Mike asked her how her fall had been. It must have hurt, he said, because she had no padding to break it and then he tried to grab her butt…again. Molly just slammed the ticket on the table and left. They didn’t leave a tip, they never did.

I threw a couple dollars down as I walked out, but it wasn’t nearly enough for a group our size.

Tate dropped me off at home and Eli got out as well, saying he could walk, it wasn’t far. Tate kissed me and then saluted Eli.

“Go straight in the house, Clara. It’s late, ok?” Tate ordered.

“Sure.”

“Alright. I’m gonna run Dee home. See you tomorrow, babe.”

“Bye.”

Dee climbed over the seat to sit in the front with Tate as he drove off and I turned to Eli.

“They’re fun, huh?” I said sarcastically, knowing he didn’t really have fun.

“Yeah, a blast,” he said wryly.

“Ok, well-”

“So do you guys always hang out like that? Just sitting around different venues...making fun of people?” he said and I thought I heard a bit of an accusation in there.

“Pretty much. That’s all they ever do. I hate it. I wish I’d never went with them at all once I’m there.”

“Then why go?”

“Something to do? Routine? Bored? That’s all I got. Take your pick.”

“Hmm.”

“So you and Dee?” I asked cautiously.

“Nope.”

I was confused.

“But you let her hang all over you? She kissed you,” I said and groaned inside at sounding jealous even to my ears.

“I was testing...someone. To see if they’d react to another girl showing interest in me.”

That sounded cryptic and loony, but it almost made sense.

“Well? What did you find out?”

“Oh, she reacts,” he said wryly, pushing his fingers through his hair.

“Is it how you wanted her to?”

“Not quite. She’s made a habit of making out with her boyfriend more often to ward off the attraction. It’s kind of backfiring actually,” he said with a little smile and crossed his arms over his chest.

My mouth opened, but no words came. He was talking about me. How had I not seen that one coming? Oh, I know. Because he was ruggedly handsome and exotic and different and he knew I had a boyfriend.

I just smiled shyly and turned to go. “Bye, Eli. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Clara,” he floated my name on his breath. “Sweet…dreams.”

And sweet dreams was what I had. Even though I wasn’t asleep, when I closed my eyes it was like another world was waiting behind my eyelids. Tonight, the dark boy and I met in the school cafeteria. I should have been scared. The last time we’d met I got a feeling of being terrified, but had no reason to be and didn’t understand it. I wasn’t scared now.

I found myself just walking around the dark dreary room, completely pitch black except wide streams of moon and streetlight beaming in. It was funny how our perception of everything changed by just the time of day changing. At night everything seemed so much more mysterious. I was in my sleep clothes this time; a pair of sleep shorts with little penguins on them and a black off the shoulder t-shirt.

I didn’t see him anywhere yet, but I had a feeling he would be here, so I just walked around, thinking about all the times I’d eaten there and all the stupid things my ‘friends’ had done.

“What are you thinking about?” I heard him say behind me. “You’re concentrating pretty hard.”

I turned to see him sitting on the tabletop, half in the shadows a few tables away.

“I’m just wondering who you are, and why I feel strange around you.”

“Strange how?”

“Strange like...I don’t know. Like I should be afraid, but I’m not. I trust you but I don’t even know you.”

“What if you did know me? Would that help things?”

“Would you still come to me when I closed my eyes?”

“Yes.”

“Then I don’t know. I guess I’d feel like I was cheating on my boyfriend. I shouldn’t be thinking about other guys.”

“But it’s not real, right?” he said and his tone indicated he didn’t believe it.

“Why does it feel so real?”

He ignored my question and asked me one.

“Why are you so sad?”

“What?”

“The sorrow...it’s pouring off you.”

I sat down on the table top like him, but I was still a table away. “My parents died not too long ago. I’m not over it.”

“I’m sorry. That must be tough.”

“It is. Or it was. It’s not so bad now I just miss them. I live with a really great family.”

He seemed to absorb that answer. Then he spoke again and leaned back even further in the shadows.

“I wish I could take it all from you; your sadness, your sorrow. I’d want you to never feel pain again if I had the say in it.”

“Thanks, but everyone has to feel those things at some point. It’s what makes us who we are...makes us human.”

“You are a remarkable person. I can’t wait to get to know you. I want to know everything about you.”

“Everything?” I laughed. “There’s not much to know. So, are you.... are you going to scare me again, like last night?” I asked and felt bold and blunt. I wanted to go to him, but knew there was some unspoken boundary there.

“No. No more scaring. That was a mistake, one I regret and apologize for. Had I known then what I know now, things would have gone differently.”

“What do you know now?”

“That I am completely and utterly taken by you. I can’t function without you invading my mind, day and night.”

“I have a boyfriend,” I said though I knew he knew.

“Yes, I know. But can he invade your subconscious?” he said and I heard the smile in his voice.

“No,” I whispered. “Can I see your face?”

“Does it matter what I look like to you?”

“No, but I want to know the face to look at in my mind when I remember this later.”

He chuckled. “One day,” he promised. “There are a few things I have to take care of first.”

“What’s that?”

I didn’t hear or see him move, but I felt his breath on my neck and his voice in my ear saying, “All in good time, Clara.”

 

~ ~ ~

 

The next day was a repeat of the first, minus bullies on the way to Menendez. Tate let Eli walk me to class and it was all fine. He talked to Bishop about it and he said it wasn’t his problem. So, begrudged, Tate asked Eli to walk me to class everyday if he didn’t mind. 

We all met at the school that night for another match. Dee, Megan, Sarah, Eli, Mike and I sat in the bleachers and watched as the guys warmed up and sparred in preparation.

Dee worked overtime to get Eli’s attention as he and Mike talked about our football team and how Eli should sign up. Eli avoided her a lot more and once, he leaned forward to put his elbows on his knees while he watched the first match start and she rubbed his back. He shrugged her hand off and turned to look at me. It was like he was telling me he was done pretending with her. His case was made and he was waiting on me.

But all was forgotten soon when Tate started acting funny. Even if you didn’t know him you could see something was wrong. He was shaking his head from side to side furiously when he took his stance and his face was as red and twisted as I ever seen it.

I heard Eli take a deep startled breath beside me and the look was back. This time there was no painful look involved. Eli was just soaking in whatever it was he was doing. Pure ecstasy and goodness was all over his face as he watched the boys face off. It made me stiffen with concern and curiosity, but Tate was taking my focus right then.

Then Tate did the thing that matched the face he was wearing. He threw the boy on the mat and with a cry of battle rage began to smash the guys face with his fists, over and over. It seemed he’d hit him at least ten times before someone reached them to stop him. Tate was straining and yelling for them to let him go; he was bloodthirsty. The crowd all stood in silent shock. The boy was bleeding from many places and groaning as he rolled on the mat in obvious pain.

Without thought, I stepped down the bleachers and went to Tate as he struggled with coach. I touched his arm and started to say his name, hoping to calm him.

“Ta-” I said, but he reached and punched me hard in the chest with a fist that got free.

I fell back forcefully to the mat on my back and heard a big gasp from the onlookers. I rubbed the spot he’d hit and felt the sting of it. I looked around shocked and realized what had just happened. Tate had just pushed me down in front of the entire school and half the town.

 

 

I was stunned as I looked up to him and saw him finally register it, too. His whole face changed and he looked so incredibly guilty.

The other coach, Mr. Mackey, came to help me up. He kept his arm around me, for support or courage to pass Tate, I wasn’t sure which, but as we passed him Tate spoke to me in a gut wrenchingly heartbreaking voice.

“Clara, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know it was you. Please, babe, I’d never hurt you. You know that.”

I didn’t say anything, just walked. I didn’t know what to say.

“I’ll call your parents,” coach Mackey said and then blanched. “I mean, the Pastor.”

“No, It’s ok. I just live across the street. I can make it.”

“I’ll make sure she gets home safely,” I heard behind me and saw Eli there, a grim and unhappy look on his face. 

“Alright, Mr. Thames. Good of you. Go on then. We’ll take care of Tate, you just get on home.”

“Yes, sir,” I answered and let Eli lead me away, a thousand eyes on me, with his hand on my lower back. Once we reached the parking lot I finally felt the weight of the situation. “Oh my- what just happened?” I whispered hoarsely, my hands on my cheeks.

“What happened was your junkie boyfriend hit you,” he said angrily. “Are you ok?”

I rubbed the spot on my chest and winced as the sting.

“Yeah, I’m ok. Wait- junkie? What do you mean?” I asked hotly and stood with him by the gate to the school entrance.

“I mean he’s using steroids. He’s got classic hot head syndrome.”

“Steroids,” I whispered and shook my head back and forth furiously. “No. No, he wouldn’t.”

“So he’d just hit you for no reason?” When I didn’t answer he leaned over me, placing his hands on the bars above me, towering over me. “Has he done this before, Clara?”

“No, never. He’s always been gentle with me.”

“Has he ever beat a guy like that before?”

“No.”

“I’m sorry, Clara, but I think he’s got a problem. State is coming up isn’t it? Wrestling is a really big deal in this town,” he said with inflection.

I stayed silent as I looked out at nothing in the dark. I mentally waded through his behavior lately. He’d been very snappy, even with me, and his dad, the mayor, was on him more than anyone about making his town proud. Oh no, it was true.

“I want you to be wrong,” I confessed softly.

“I want to be, too, but I don’t think I am,” he said just as softly.

The moon was shining streaks of white through his dark hair and his brow ring caught the light, twinkling. I reached up and touched it before I even realized what I was doing. He shivered and I finally looked into his eyes that were already watching me. His eyes were so violet, even in the night, and they captured me. I could literally have stood there all night and just locked gazes with him and smelled him. This close, he smelled like soap and something else, something delicious.

His face took on that familiar twist of enjoyment, but he seemed to keep in reigned in for the most part.

His hand came down to smooth my cheek. “Are you ok? You seem very...torn,” he said finally.

I could think of nothing with his hand on me. Absolutely no words came to mind as I just stood there and let him touch me and held his gaze. And then he leaned in slightly, carefully, testing me. More, more. Then when he was so close I felt his breath on my lips, I put a hand on his chest to stop him.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I can’t.”

“Because of Tate?” he asked and I heard the edge there.

“Yes.”

“He hit you, Clara,” he growled. “He hurt you. How can you even think about him right now?”

“I know what Tate just did was horrible, but I have to talk to him. I can’t kiss you when I’m still dating someone else, even if it is on the rocks. I’m not like that.”

He nodded and seemed to calm down.

“All right. You’re right. I respect that.” He leaned back and took a deep breath. “Come on. I’ll get you home.”

 

~ ~ ~

 

Pastor was waiting on the porch for me. “Coach called. You ok?” he said and came to pull me into a hug.

“I’m fine. Pastor, this is Eli Thames. He’s new.”

“Thank you, son, for walking her home,” Pastor said and shook his hand.

“No problem, sir. I’m glad to help.”

“Well, you need a ride home?”

“I just live a little bit that way,” he pointed and started making his way. “See you tomorrow, Clara.”

“Bye. And thank you,” I called.

He nodded and lifted a hand in acknowledgement as he walked away.

Pastor took me inside and passed me to Mrs. Ruth, who took me straight down the hall for an inspection. She removed my shirt and even through my bra I could see a faint spot showing right between my breasts. 

“Clara...I can’t believe Tate did this to you. I think it’s needless to say you can’t see him anymore and we need to file a police report.”

“No! Wait... He didn’t know it was me, I came up behind him. I need to talk to him first, to understand what happened.”

“Clara...I don’t think it’s a good idea, but...I’ll talk to Pastor about it.” She ran her hand down the back of my hair. “You want to stay home from school tomorrow? I’m sure that would be quite all right.”

“It’s ok. People will just talk even worse if I’m not there. They’ll say Tate killed me or something,” I joked and tried to make light of it. “I’ll go, I’m fine.”

“If you’re sure. I’ll make you pancakes in the morning, ok?”

“Mrs. Ruth, it’s ok. I know the twins keep you up at night. Really, I’m fine. You guys are doing just fine at taking care of me. You don’t have to try so hard,” I said with a smile.

“Oh, honey. It’s been a pleasure having you stay with us. Your parents are so proud of you. I guarantee it.”

“Thanks.”

“Night. Let me know if you need anything. You know I’ll be up,” she said wryly making me laugh.

“Ok, thank you.”

She closed the door and left. I collapsed on my bed, wondering how the day had ended like it had. Pulling my knees up I felt the sting in my chest and buried my head under my pillow. He hadn’t known it was me coming up behind him…but still. Why would he punch someone he when he didn’t even know who it was? Just because it was me still didn’t make it ok for it to be someone else.

I lay down just like that, my bra on and jeans, face under my silk pillow case and feet hanging off the side of the bed. I closed my eyes and realized my subconscious had been invaded when I was standing back at the school gate. I was leaning my back against it and there was a presence over me. It wasn’t ominous, though I felt if it had been seen by someone else they would have thought so. He leaned in, his face shaded and dark like before, his breath overly warm and powerful before my lips. He spoke.

“I’ve waited a very long time for you. Please don’t hate me.”

“Why would I hate you?” I whispered, fearing my voice would no longer work.

“I’m not a good person. I’m an evil thing that has fallen under your spell,” he muttered and ran the back of his hand down my cheek and neck.

“Eli?” I asked, testing my theory.

“Is that who you want it to be?”

“I want you to be who you are.”

He hesitated, then the shadow lifted from his face as he inched closer and I was struck by his face. He was unlike anything I’d ever seen. He looked like him, but not. He was so completely breathtaking with his gorgeous ruggedness and imperfections and he was looking at me like I was the only thing he wanted in this whole world.

“What did you mean you’re an evil thing, Eli?” I asked.

“I am...something I can’t describe. I’m not worthy of you in any sense of the word, but I must have you. Do you understand? You have ensnared me, bewitched me, and I can no longer exist without you with me.”

“I barely know you,” I whispered.

“But I know you,” he said cryptically against my cheek, kissing my scorching flesh. “Open your eyes, sleeping beauty.”

I gasped aware on my bed and felt my cheek where he had laid his soft lips. It was still too warm to be normal. I sat up and looked around. Oh, man. My imagination was working overtime. Was I becoming one of those pathetic girls who couldn’t get a boy off her mind to the point of obsession, usually ending in restraining orders and timed served at a mental health facility?

When I lay back down and closed my eyes, I was alone.

The next morning I woke with a start. A quick glance at the clock showed I was borderline running late so I hurried to jump in the shower. The bruise was a little more angry today, but still not horrible. I put my hair up in a ponytail and worried over my wardrobe. I’d have to pick something to hide the bruise. I put on my black turtleneck under my school vest and earrings with a necklace so I didn’t look like I was trying to cover anything up.

I was just normal me. The mirror said as much and I grabbed my bag swiftly from the chair and raced downstairs. I kissed all the babies and grabbed an apple as I shoved my way out the door, trailing loud goodbyes in my wake.

Once I reached the street though, I was suddenly overcome with a sense of embarrassment and shame. What had happened last night would no doubt be the talk of the school today. My steps faltered and I looked around at all the faces. There seemed to be a lot of eyes trained on me but then looking away quickly. I straightened my back and slung my bag further up my shoulder.

I was not going to cower for something I didn’t even do.

I walked all the way across the street and saw a few people who normally didn’t talk to me wave at me and smile. I returned it and looked for my friends. I saw Megan and Deidre...with Eli. Deidre had her tacky fake nails on his arm and was pushing her chest against him as she laughed at whatever he was saying.

And just like he could sense me, Eli looked up and directly at me. He watched me watch him and then he craned his neck, his expression changing, and began to come forward but Dee grabbed his arm to stop him. I wondered what was wrong but then I felt it. The warm, gentle hand on my wrist and the eerie quiet of the courtyard as everyone watched.

Tate.

“Hey. I’m glad you came today. I was so worried about you last night but you’re phone was dead and the Pastor wouldn’t get you for the house phone.”

“I’m surprised you came,” I said softly.

“Why? I had to see you,” he said and came closer, his hand drifting down to rest in mine.

I heard a bunch of murmurs and gasps and looked around to see everyone’s eyes still glued to us. I pulled him by his arm, feeling Eli’s eyes on me, and took a swift glance to confirm that. He looked like he wanted to follow, but I towed Tate all the way through the school to the girls bathroom. I shut the door and turned against it for support as I faced him.

“What’s wrong, Tate?

“Nothing,” he said and looked at the floor. “I’m fine. I just got really mad. That guy was cheating.”

“Don’t lie to me. Not to me.” He took a deep breath before letting his book bag fall to the floor and shoving his hands in his pockets. “Steroids, Tate? Really?”

“You don’t know what it’s like!” he yelled and I flinched.

He saw and came until he was flush with my toes. He touched my cheek. “You can’t think I’d ever hurt you. I’d never, ever, hurt you, Clara. I love you.”

He finally said it. After he hit me and humiliated me in front of the whole school, he says it.

“Tate, I can’t do this. You can’t just say, 'yes I’m taking steroids' and expect everything to just go back to normal. Stop taking them!” I yelled and he seemed surprise by it. “Get your crap back together! You could have killed that guy! Do you even understand that?”

“I know, ok!” he yelled back. “I know, but what can I do about it now? I already got a court date for it. Friday I have to see a judge and them tell me what they’re gonna do to me. That guy pressed charges so...”

“As he should have, Tate. You really hurt him.”

“My mom was worried you were going to press charges, too,” he muttered and looked at me from under his lashes. I noticed his parents weren’t worried about me, just Tate’s reputation.

“Pastor wants me to, but I told them I had to talk to you first.”

“That’s my girl,” he crooned, cracking a smile and pulling me to him. “I knew you’d know I never meant to hurt you. It was an accident.”

I pushed him back a little. “This isn’t over, just like that. You hurt me, Tate, and scared me. Watching you hit that guy over and over...I never want to see that again. That’s not who you are.”

“I know it’s not. I’m sorry. Babe, I’m so sorry. I love you, please, please, forgive me,” he begged into my neck.

“I’m working on it,” I told him. “But you have to stop taking them.”

“Already did. I flushed it all last night when I got home. I’m done, babe. Promise.”

“Good.”

I let him kiss me, though I wasn’t into it, he didn’t seem to notice. I noticed he never asked to see my bruise or if there even was one. And after a few minutes we made our way, well passed the bell, into the empty hall and he walked me to my first period class. He opened the door for me and kissed me right in front of everyone as they all looked to see who was coming in late. My cheeks flashed scarlet and I wanted to ask Tate why he had done that. It was like he was telling everyone ‘See, she forgave me, ha!’  

The rest of the week went just like that. Tate was extra attentive, especially in the halls where everyone could see. Our group of friends pretended that nothing had happened at all and everything was fine. And Eli.

When I lay down at night and closed my eyes, Eli was right there, every night. The first night he pulled the collar of my shirt down with his finger to see my bruise and winced. He said he’d kill him if I’d let him. We almost kissed every time and he always told me he needed me and wanted me more than anyone else. In real life, he was different.

He watched me, always watching, and Deidre seemed to cling to him whether he wanted her to or not and he let her, but everyone could tell he was just humoring her. I heard her say he was taking her out on Saturday, but who knew if that was true, knowing Dee. He never spoke to me unless it was about school stuff as he walked with me to classes and in Art. Things were strange, awkward in an oddly comfortable way. It seemed that Eli was just waiting for me. And I was curious about the dream-like visits and how I felt so strange around him.

And Tate. He had spent every night at my house. Despite Pastors' advice, I let him come over and told them everything was fine. It was all just a big misunderstanding. They didn’t seem convinced, but let me have it anyway. Tate tried to seduce me in his truck before we went in every night. I told him he didn’t have to try to make up for anything anymore. He said he wasn’t, he just wanted me so badly. I had to physically push him to stop him twice, which I’d never had to do before.

He said he wanted to come walk me to school the next day so I let him. He pulled up in his truck but instead of walking he lifted me onto the seat and climbed in beside me. He drove into the parking lot of the school and parked. Then he pulled me onto his lap immediately and began frantically kissing me. He kissed my neck and tugged my hair to pull my head back to give him more access to my throat. He moaned and groaned, using his hands to pull me against him. When he started to unbutton my shirt I slapped his hand away and asked what he was doing.

“What does it look like?” he said and laughed. “Look, babe, the windows are tinted. I love you and I know you love me. No more games, Clara. I’ve waited and paid my dues and now it’s time we were together. I know you want to.”

He gripped me too tightly on my thigh and licked my earlobe. I pushed him with both hands and looked at him closely. He looked like a wild caged animal. Then I knew. “You’re still taking them,” I accused in a whisper.

“I have to,” he said, not even trying to deny it, “until the meets are done. State is coming up. Then I’ll stop. Come on, Clara. Don’t be such a stick in the mud. I’ve been taking them for three months now and you never noticed.”

“Well, I notice now.” I started to climb out, but he grabbed my arm.

“Where do you think you’re going? You can’t just leave me hanging like this.” He motioned to his boy parts and I felt sick. “Help a guy out, Clara,” he sneered and I jerked from him and tried to straighten my clothes as I walked away, leaving my bag and everything.

He yelled at me, where everyone could hear in the parking lot. “Tease! Don’t ask for it if you’re just not ready for it, honey!” he said snidely and I heard him laugh.

I ran towards the bathroom, feeling tears on my cheeks and everyone’s eyes watching me, once again. I rammed right into someone turning the hall corner and felt warm arms go around me. I didn’t even care who it was at that point, I just wanted someone, but I knew it was Eli. Without even looking up, I knew it was him.

“What did he do, Clara?” he asked softly.

“He’s just being a jerk.” I leaned back to look at him as I wiped my eyes and saw that familiar expression, but it seemed tame now. Under control. “I’m sorry I ran into you.”

“You didn’t. I ran into you.” At first I thought he was making a joke, but he meant it. He must have seen what happened and intercepted me. “I’m sorry you had to go through this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Here.” He put his arm around my back and pulled me with him. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

He took me to the girls bathroom and I watched fascinated as he came in with me and lifted me so I was sitting on the sink. He looked down and I saw his eyes bulge and his expression turned angry. I looked down and saw two of my shirt buttons were open and the buttons ripped off. Tate had been rougher than I thought.

“Oh,” I said and covered myself.

“Here,” he said and took his shirt off leaving a black wife beater on. Then he slipped that off, too ,and I heard my breath catch. Oh my, but he was nice looking. He had a huge scar on his chest, over his heart in the shape of a circle. It looked like a brand of some kind but the rest of him distracted me. He was lean yes, but that didn’t mean he was missing anything. His arms and upper chest were lumps of muscle and toned skin. His black uniform pants were riding low on his hips, his blue boxers sticking slightly out of the top.

I felt my cheeks burn hot and turned to gaze at the wall, covering my mouth with my fingers.

“Off,” he said and motioned with his hand, up.

“What?”

“Shirt, off,” he repeated.

“Close your eyes.”

He smiled and chuckled silently. “Of course,” he conceded.

I unbuttoned my red uniform shirt and as soon as I was done, with his eyes still closed, I felt him tug his wife beater over my head. It smelled heavenly and I bit my lip to keep from sniffing the collar right in front of him. He opened his eyes and pulled my shirt back on over his, doing the buttons so that his shirt peeked out the top and my bra was no longer visible.

“Better?” he asked as he put his shirt back on and wet a paper towel to wipe my face. I assumed my mascara was running.

“Yes, thank you. You’re pretty handy.”

“Did he hurt you?” He ran a tentative hand down my arm, turning it over to inspect.

“Not really.”

He pulled the collar of my shirt down to inspect the bruise and he nodded as I fought to keep my breaths even. “It looks better today.”

“Better? When have you seen it?” I asked and watched him closely for some reaction.

The only time he’d seen it was when he came to me when I closed my eyes. He looked up at my eyes now and stared in silent contest...as if daring me to say the words. To say we shared some kind of dream-walk thing. But that was crazy right? I mean, that’s just something my subconscious had conjured because I was apparently obsessed with him or something, or maybe my mind made up something to help me get through all this.

“Are you done with him now? Has he hurt you enough to show you he’s no good for you?” he said evenly, not answering my question.

“I just...he’s got so much going on right now. He wouldn’t really hurt me,” I protested and looked down as I fingered my popped buttons. “At least , I didn’t think so. I don’t know what I’m gonna do.”

“Look,” he said and waited for me to obey. His words were even, but his tone was anything but. “I will not stand by and watch him hurt you again. The next time he does this, I’m going to have to do something about it.”

“I don’t think they’ll be a next time. He just...I-” I took a deep breath and pushed him back a little to hop down. “I’m gonna go. Thank you for helping me. I don’t know why you keep coming to my rescue, but I’m grateful,” I told him and smiled, walking to the door.

I turned around to look at him. He came around me, so close behind me I could feel his warmth.

“You’re more than welcome, Clara Belle,” he whispered in my ear and stuck something in my front pocket. “My cell number. Call me if you ever need me.”

“How did you know my name?” I asked, but when I turned he was already gone.

 

~ ~ ~

 

At lunch I sat with my friends, though I didn’t want to, I didn’t know what else to do. Tate sat on the end with his boys, looking ripe with guilt. He stared at me across the table, slouched in his chair, and begged me with his eyes to forgive him. I just looked away and refused to look at him again. No one asked if I was ok, not even Sarah. No one asked me why I wasn’t sitting with Tate. They all knew and didn’t care or refused to upset the balance of the cool table.

Eli took the only seat available when he showed up, the one Deidre had reserved. She ran her fingers through his hair and kissed his cheek as soon as he sat down.

I waited for him to tell her to stop, something. But no, he just let her touch him. I found myself extremely upset by that. Dee of all people? Sarah was way sweeter if he was looking for someone. But why did he have to be looking? After all the flirting, all the strange chemistry between us... ugh…who was I kidding? I still had a boyfriend. Sort of….

Dee looked right at me a few times, she could tell I was watching, as she sifted his hair or gripped his arm playfully as she spoke into his ear. He looked stoic, but she didn’t notice or didn’t care. Probably the latter.

After some time, I couldn’t just sit there anymore. I got up and went to get a soda from the machine across the room. I realized I shouldn’t have after I was halfway across because I was getting lots of sympathy stares and then some ha-she-got-what-she-deserved stares too. It was unnerving. I put my money in the machine and turned to find Patrick.

“Hey, Clara.”

“Hey, Pat. What’s up?”

“Um...I was wondering...there’s a dance coming up.” Oh no. Please don’t ask me. Patrick was a really tall, cute guy who had an unfortunate case of shy-guy. He hung out with the skateboard crew because they were non-threatening, but I’d always liked him just fine. “I was wondering if you think Sarah would go with me?” he finished.

I smiled. It wasn’t me, it was Sarah. Honestly, I knew she would never ever go out with him because he wasn’t part of our table. Though, she had once divulged to me that she thought he was adorable. But as I glanced over Pat’s shoulder and saw Dee draped all over Eli, I didn’t care about that. It might be a good distraction for my group.

“I think you should ask her. Right now. She likes guys who are bold, Pat. Go for it.”

“Really? You think so? Ok.”

I walked with him back to our table and sat down, turning a quick smile on Dee, then Sarah.

“Sarah, look who came to see you.”

Everyone turned to look at Patrick. That’s when I felt my first real jolt of guilt. Oh, no. What had I done? I’d practically fed him to the wolves because I was jealous of Dee and Eli. I started to tell Pat never mind, to just forget it, but he’d already started.

“Hey, Sarah.”

“Oh?” Dee chimed happily and leaned her back against Eli. “This should be good. Well, go ahead.”

“Um...I was just thinking it might be fun to go to the dance together. It’s short notice, I know.”

“Patrick…um,” Sarah stalled. She could be cruel too but not to someone like Pat and not just outright. But apparently, Dee was bent on answering for her.

“You thought she’d go to the dance with you?” Dee shrilled loudly, calling attention from everyone in the lunchroom.

Pat turned a betrayed glance to me before putting them back on her and silently pleading for her to stop.

“I’m sorry I bothered you,” he said to Sarah, who sat silently.

“Oh no, we’re not finished.” Dee stood quickly. “Mike, Tom, get him!”

They grabbed him in on both arms and Dee stood in front of him, smirking like the fake princess she was.

I thought about saying something, but I was already in hot water with the Tate thing and now Eli and you just didn’t go up against my friends and make it out unscathed.

“You thought she’d go out with something that looks like I scraped it off my boot?” she sneered and grabbed Sarah’s chili bowl from in front of her. I cringed in horror as she handed it to Mike and he dumped it on Patrick’s head, right there in the lunch room. Everyone started laughing immediately, taunting. “Now. Go run along and play with the kids at your table. You will never speak to her again, understand?”

He started to fight back, but Mike and Tom were pretty big guys. He probably figured Tate and Eli would join in the fray, too, so he pulled briskly from their grasps.

“Whatever,” he grumbled and walked away, leaving chili marks on the floor and wiping his eyes and face with it as the heckles ensued around him.

I covered my mouth to stifle my cry. I wanted to burst into tears for him. No one deserved that, especially not Patrick, and I was the cause. I felt sick.

Then my eyes drifted to Eli and I felt even sicker. He was looking at me with doubt and unbelief. He raised his chin and flicked his eyes towards where Patrick had slinked off to. He was challenging me again. Wanting me to stand up to my friends who were still laughing about ‘chili boy’. But I wasn’t the one who poured chili on his head was I?

I stood, though I had no intention of intervening. I just stood.

Dee sat back down and when she did, Eli got up. She tried to stop him with a surprised smile, she tried to coax him to sit, having no idea what he was doing.

“Come on, baby. It’s not time for bell yet.”

He gave her a look that said he knew exactly what time it was.

“I’m not into spoiled princesses who have to stomp on people to feel good about themselves. But thanks anyway,” he said smoothly, jerked her arm off of his then walked away. Just like that.