by C. M. Boers
I went through the rest of the day effortlessly, and was relieved when I got to P.E. We were playing volleyball. For the first day, we were paired with partners to get down basic hitting of the ball. Thankfully, Bailey was my partner and I didn’t have to embarrass myself in front of someone I didn’t know very well. Bailey and I were equally matched in our ability, which meant we both sucked.
When class was over Bailey informed me that she was coming with Eli and I after school. They had plans to study together after they dropped me off at my house. I couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous since I couldn’t have the same easy-going relationship with Pete that Eli and Bailey had. I always had to have a ‘babysitter’. I tried my hardest not to let it show that I felt left out; I knew they needed alone time but I wanted in on it too. Instead, I was going home to an empty house to do homework and make dinner. Maybe I had been wrong to even give Pete a chance. Would we ever be a normal couple?
My mood was destroyed further when I listened to the message waiting on the answering machine at home. It was my mom. She wasn’t going to be home until late that night, she guessed around 9 p.m. I would be alone for dinner as well. I really needed a little companionship, and there was nobody to give it.
Doing my homework took longer than expected. I was lonely and it made it harder to concentrate. I was still working on it after I ate dinner later that night. I guess it gave me something to help take my mind off of things, but I’d sooner be done with it all together.
After two hours of working I was finally so focused that I jumped when my cell phone rang. It was Eli, and I couldn’t help but sigh, remembering that he was probably still with Bailey. When I answered I tried to sound cheerful.
“Hello.”
“Hey Abby,” he said. “What you up to?”
“Homework, you?”
“Talking to you.”
“I thought you would still be with Bailey,” I said sarcastically. I heard myself say it and immediately felt bad. I was not trying to sound sarcastic, but my comment definitely came off that way. Luckily he didn’t seem to notice. Why was I acting jealous? Eli wasn’t mine and I had never even considered him in that way.
“No, she had to go home to eat dinner like an hour ago. What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked.
“Nothing so far, why?”
“I was thinking we could go look for jobs like we talked about. What do you think?”
Job hunting was something that would be a great distraction for me. Between things with Pete being rocky and not ‘normal’ combined the anticipation of my dad coming, I could use any distraction I could get.
“Okay, we can go right after school. Make a list of the places you want to check out, and I will make a list of mine and we can compare them tomorrow.”
“Okay, talk to you tomorrow.”
I hung up the phone smiling, feeling my mood lift a bit. I was excited about trying to find a job. It would be something fun to share with Eli, and I would also have something great to share with my dad when he came to visit the following week—that is if I found one. With much relief, I finally finished my homework and started on the list of places I would like to look for a job.
Suddenly, I heard to knock at the front door. I was surprised to have heard it from way upstairs and I wasn’t expecting anyone. Mom wouldn’t have knocked so I was more than curious and scared to find out who it could be. After all, I was home alone, and that didn’t bode well for unexpected visitors. I slowly padded down the stairs and made my way to the front door as quietly as I could. When I peeked through the peephole, I saw it was Pete. What could I do?
“Hey,” I said, peeking around the doorframe as I slightly opened it.
“Hey, sorry to come by without calling first, but I was driving by and wondered if you wanted to do something.”
“Sure, come on in we can hang out here.” The words were out of my mouth before I even knew what I was saying.
We made our way into the living room, hand-in-hand. Eli will never have to know, I thought. I was breaking the rules, but I didn’t care. I needed the company.
“Do you want to watch a movie?” I asked.
“Sure.”
I put one in, but I didn’t think it mattered much what it was. We cuddled up on the couch together. I thought of my mom coming home to find us like that and made me worry a little that she might be upset, but it was quickly gone again once the movie started. Before long Pete leaned over and kissed me. He was such a good kisser, and it wasn’t long before our kisses intensified. I was so lost in the moment that I had no idea what time it was anymore. I ran my fingers through his hair as he pulled me closer. I could feel his fingers stroking my long hair as it flowed down my back. After quite a while, Pete finally pulled away slowly, hesitantly, and announced that he should be going. By that time, it was almost 10 p.m. An hour had passed since he arrived, and I was shocked that it was so late already. I blushed, thinking of how I lost track of time so badly.
“What are you doing tomorrow after school, you want to do something?” he asked as we walked to the door with our arms around each other.
“I already have plans, sorry. I am going with Eli to look for a job,” I answered regretfully, even though I was excited to be going.
“Why are you always with Eli?” he asked, his voice gruff and irritated.
I couldn’t tell if he was angry or saddened. Either way, I didn’t like where the conversation was going.
“What?” I asked confused.
“Every time I want to do something with you, you’re already busy with Eli. Is there something going on between you two that I need to know about?” His voice elevated to shouting level.
I was completely blindsided that he would think that. There was only one other time that I did something with Eli instead of him. Where was he getting this?
“Eli and I are just friends.” I searched for something else to say, because I knew that wasn't enough.
“Friends huh? I don't think I believe that.” He grabbed my shoulders forcefully.
“Ow, that hurts,” I squealed.
I began to tremble. What had I done?
“You need to spend more time with me. I don't want you spending time with him anymore. Do you understand me?”
My ears were drumming with the sound of my pulse.
“W-w-whatever you say,” I faltered.
“Good,” he said, shoving me back out of his hands. I stumbled backwards and almost fell on my butt as he walked out of the room and out of my house. He slammed the front door.
I stood there shaking. We had just shared an intimate time kissing and holding each other. I couldn’t believe that he had blown up at me like that. Although I knew it was possible, I never thought it would actually happen. And of all things for it to happen over—Eli? I was flabbergasted to say the least. It took me a long time after he left to even move. I plopped down on the couch defeated. My feelings were running rampant; there was confusion and fear, but shame took the cake. How could I have been so stupid to think he would change? I should have been smart and high-tailed it as far from Pete as I could the minute I smelled trouble on our fateful first date. If I had, maybe I wouldn’t be sitting there all alone, dumbfounded and saddened by his severe arrogance.
Then, there was a knock on the door. There was urgency in the knock, making me afraid that Pete had returned. It had only been five minutes since he left, or at least that’s what it felt like. He very well could have been waiting outside. Maybe he was coming back to apologize.
I cautiously peered through the peephole. It was Eli. Relief washed over me. I’d never been so happy to see anyone in my entire life.
I couldn’t hold myself back. I flung open the door and threw myself in his arms, almost knocking him over. Tears flooded over my eyelids. He stood there holding me for a long time, and being in his arms felt like home. He felt strong and safe. I instantly felt strange, clinging to him like my life depended on it. Slowly I pulled away feeling guilty.
“Stop—I know, it’s fine. That’s why I'm here.”
“It's why you’re here? But how…”
It was like he understood what I felt, but how could he?
“Can I come in?”
I stepped back without speaking a word, giving him ample room to walk in. He looped his arm around my waist and pulled me into the living room to sit down.
“I know you must be wondering why I am here, but I can’t tell you. I know that is hard to understand but you have to trust me. Please just let me be here for you.”
I leaned into the curve of his arm to allow myself the comfort he offered. There was nothing I wanted to do more than borrow his strength. My head threatened to explode, so I just let myself draw in his calm.
My pulse slowed and I could no longer hear it in my ears. I felt myself relax, and I didn’t try to speak. Nor did Eli.
The next thing I knew morning light was streaming through the window and Eli was gone. Mom was standing in the doorway.
“Hey sweetie,” she said as she walked into the room.
“Hey Mom,” I said casually.
“Sorry I got home so late, did you enjoy having the house to yourself last night?”
If only she knew I hadn’t been alone. She would not have approved of last night, so I played dumb and ran with it.
“It was okay, quiet, but I didn’t mind,” I lied. I did mind being alone, but after what had happened I didn’t need to go into more details than I had energy for.
“I have to get to work, but I left breakfast in the kitchen.”
Like I don’t already know that, I thought. I was in an awful mood. “Okay, see ya later.”
She disappeared from the room. I shut off the TV and headed upstairs to get ready myself. Every muscle in my body ached from sleeping on the couch. I must have been in a very graceless position.
I showered and was downstairs in record time. There was a knock at the door when my foot was just leaving the last step—perfect timing as usual. We had a good amount of time before we needed to leave. I wondered vaguely if Eli planned to be here early.
We shared my breakfast in silence. It felt awkward to say anything. I couldn’t figure out how he knew what happened, but I wasn’t sure that I wanted to know. What I did know was that he had been there for me when I needed him most, and I was thankful.
“Are you okay?” Eli asked cautiously after we sat in silence for the first few minutes.
“I'm fine—confused about more things than I can name—but I’m fine.” I sounded more sure than I truly was.
I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not, but I couldn’t dwell on that. I had enough to think about already. He didn’t push any farther, and I had nothing else to offer.
We got in the car silently. The longer the silence lasted, the more uncomfortable it became.
“I hung out with Pete last night. Alone.” It came out in such a rush, I wasn’t even sure if he understood or heard me.
“I know.”
He didn’t seem angry or mad; it was just straightforward and without judgment. How could he know? Unless… unless he was outside my house watching me?
“What? Were you spying on me?” I was suddenly hurt and it all made sense. “You don’t trust me, do you?”
“Abby… it’s not that at all!”
We were already parked in the parking lot, so I stormed out of the car. I couldn’t believe I had trusted him. Here he was pushing me away from Pete, but he was just as bad! Normal people didn’t spy on their friends, they just didn’t.
“Abby! Wait!” Eli chased after me.
I was in the building before he even crossed the courtyard. I ran the rest of the way to class, not caring what anyone thought of me. Then I saw Pete and came to a dead stop. He had been smiling up until I stopped running, and then his face fell. It was almost as if he thought I wouldn’t remember last night or care about it. I walked right past him into class right as the bell rang. At least class bought me an hour before I had to deal with him. I wasn’t ready yet. I wished I could press a pause button and have as much time as I needed. Now that would surely come in handy, in more ways than one.
My thoughts were racing. Should I tell Pete off? Should I stay with him and ignore yet another outburst? Should I give him one more chance? I couldn’t decide.
Of course the one class that goes slowly on a normal day flew by on the day that I truly needed it to go at a snail’s pace. I took a deep breath and stood up as the bell rang. He stood and turned, instantly grabbing my hand and guiding me out of class. He pulled me out into the hall where Eli was waiting. Had he been waiting outside the whole class period? As soon as Pete stopped I tried to pull my hand out of his without success.
“Hey guys!” he said casually as if nothing was amiss.
I looked up at Pete, who only glared at me.
“Pete, we need to take a break. I need some space. Now if you will just give me my hand back…” I tried my hand back a little more aggressively this time.
He threw my hand at me and glared at Eli before storming off muttering to himself.
I looked at Eli and started walking away. I knew I couldn’t outrun him again. I was tired, physically and mentally.
“Abby, I wasn't spying on you. I know you aren’t going to believe me, but I wasn’t. What do I have to do to make you see that?” he was pleading with me.
“What am I supposed to believe, here you are pushing me away from Pete, then you swoop in at the first hint of trouble when you were nowhere around? What would you believe?”
“The same thing you do…” His head drooped.
“Well, then now what?” I said expectantly.
“I had hoped you would just trust me. I’ve never given you a reason to doubt me. I’m your friend. I’ll always be there for you.”
“You gave me a reason not to trust you last night!” I said a little louder than I had planned. Some of the other students were staring at us.
“Please don't make a scene. I don’t want this getting around. Let’s talk after school. We can go looking for jobs and talk then. Please Abby.”
I really needed to find a job so reluctantly I agreed. “Fine.”
“Thank you Abby, can we pretend nothing happened with everyone else? I don’t want Bailey to worry or think the same thing you are, she may be hurt if she thinks what you are, even if it isn’t true. The last thing I would want to do is hurt her by dragging her into something she doesn’t understand.”
“Fine,” I said.
We walked the rest of the way in silence. I could tell he knew I needed some space to think. I was at least grateful that he respected it.
At lunch, Pete was nowhere to be found and I was glad. I really didn’t want to sit through lunch trying to play nice with him and Eli. Though other people at our table were questioning where he was, of course I couldn’t tell them. The truth was, I hadn’t a clue and didn’t want to. I wasn’t sure what our future lunches were going to be like, but at that point I just wanted to be quiet and think. The rest of the day passed slowly, but was thankfully uneventful.
I met Eli at our usual spot after school and we went on our way. He drove out of the parking lot, but when we got on the road he pulled into a neighborhood and turned the car off.
“I know you are confused and angry right now, but I hope that you can look past this and continue to be my friend the way we should be. I don’t want things to be weird between us. I really enjoy having you as a friend, more than I ever thought I would. I don’t want to lose that. Please don’t be mad at me.”
I sat there listening, but didn’t look over at him. I took a few minutes to think before answering, even though I already knew what my answer was going to be. I had been thinking about it all day.
“Okay, you were there for me when I needed you, and you are my best friend so I can't stay mad at you. I really hope th
at you aren't spying on me and if you were don't do it again. Okay?”
“Deal!”
I knew there was still something he wasn’t telling me, but I couldn't figure out what. I couldn’t understand why he wanted to hide something from me. It hurt me to think he could keep something from me. I would never even dream of keeping anything from him, but I had to assume he had his reasons.
He started the car. “So where are we going?”
We reviewed each other’s lists and realized we had three places in common. And one of those was at the top of both of our lists: Rosali’s. The very pizza place we went on our first double date. It couldn’t have been planned any better than that so we went there first. We spent most of our afternoon filling out applications and turning them in. All in all we went to seven places, and the best part was that we both got an interview for Rosali’s on the spot. Turns out they were hiring for three new positions. We scheduled our separate interviews back-to-back the next afternoon and decided that we would go together.
I told my mom that night at dinner, and she was thrilled for me. She came upstairs to help me pick out an outfit, and we decided on a black knee-length skirt and a button-up royal blue shirt. Mom said it looked professional enough for a waitressing position.
The rest of the night and the next day at school passed in a flash. I couldn’t wait for my interview. I had a ton of confidence that this would pan out to be my first job.
CHAPTER Eight
Riding to the interview, my nerves were getting the better of me. I felt like I had a thousand butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. Eli admitted he was nervous too. I couldn’t tell though, and I wondered if he said it to make me feel better.