Blame Game ; Eli Moskowitz

09 ― pinning the blame.

Nathalie saw Hawk running towards the truck that she was on top of as a dog chased after him, barking and snarling viciously. Hawk attempted to climb onto the truck but kept struggling. For a moment, Nathalie debated whether or not she should help him climb.

Despite the fact that she would have loved to watch him struggle and suffer, Nathalie extended her hand out.

"Grab my hand, idiot!" Nathalie shouted at him.

Hawk reached for her hand, and Nathalie tried to pull him up. But it was too late. The dog had bitten Hawk on the leg. He let out a loud scream, squeezing tightly onto Nathalie's hand.

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"And then he blew a dog whistle, and a bunch of dogs came running at us!" Sebastian finished telling Marisol about training at the junkyard.

Marisol couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Okay, I'm going to need you to back it up a bit. Did you say that he had you walk over a bin of sharp scrap metal and glass? And you all did it? Are you insane?"

"Told you she'd be mad at us," Oliver mumbled.

Marisol shook her head. "No, no. I'm not mad at you. What made Johnny think that was safe for children?"

Oliver furrowed his eyebrows. "So, you're mad at Sensei Lawrence?"

"You're the one that agreed to let him be our sensei," Nathalie chimed in, taking a bite of her food. "I mean, you knew the man was crazy, and you still agreed."

Marisol glared at her. "I didn't think that would include taking you to a junkyard and having you do things that could put you in the hospital!"

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "No one went to the hospital."

"Actually, Eli had to go get stitches on his leg after that dog bit him," Nathalie pointed out. "And he had to get a rabies shot."

Marisol shrieked in disbelief, shaking her head.

"And why do you know that he went to the hospital?" Sebastian asked. "Hmm?"

"Miguel told me," Nathalie said as if it were obvious.

Marisol scooted her chair out and started to walk away from the table. The teenagers followed her with their eyes as she walked toward the front door and opened it. They turned to face each other, their eyes widening the second they realized what was happening. They all pushed their chairs out and followed Marisol out the door. They stood across the courtyard, watching as Marisol pounded on Johnny's apartment door.

The door opened slowly, revealing Johnny on the other side. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, actually, you can," Marisol replied. "Do you think that it's fun to put children in life-threatening situations? Taking them to a junkyard and having them walk across a bin filled with scrap metal and glass? Having them get chased by rabid dogs? What in the hell is wrong with you?"

Johnny blinked at her, confused. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

"You're kidding, right?" Marisol scoffed. "I live across from you, genius. Marisol Torres. My siblings and their friends are students of yours."

"Torres?" Johnny questioned, thinking for a moment before the realization hit him. "Are you talking about Runt, Thing One, Thing Two, and Tree Hugger?"

"If you mean Nathalie, Sebastian, Oliver, and Flora, then yes," Marisol replied. "Look, the point is, I'm their guardian. Legally, Nathalie and Sebastian's, and most of the time I take care of Flora and Oliver when their parents are out of town."

Johnny just stared at her, waiting to see if she was going to say more.

"You can be their sensei, but for the love of God, please don't put my children in danger," Marisol told him. "Do I make myself clear?"

Johnny smirked. "Now I see where the little Runt gets it."

Marisol stepped closer. "Do I make myself clear?"

Johnny nodded his head. "Yeah, sure, Melissa."

Johnny started to close the door, causing Marisol to step back.

"Marisol!" she corrected him. "It's Marisol!"

The door closed. Marisol scoffed, rolling her eyes as she turned and walked back to her apartment. The four teenagers were standing in front of the door.

"Your children?" Flora asked. "You think of us as your children?"

Marisol nodded. "I do. I mean, you're staying here most nights. I cook you dinner. I buy you birthday presents and take care of you while your parents are out of town. You might as well be."

Flora and Oliver smiled at her. Nathalie never really thought the two siblings looked too alike until they smiled. They had the exact same toothy grin. Flora wrapped her arms around Marisol, hugging her tightly. Marisol hugged her back.

"Thank you," Flora whispered. "For everything."

Marisol smiled. "Of course."

Flora pulled away from the hug. Marisol looked between the four teenagers.

"Let's go in and finish dinner," Marisol stated. "I think our food is getting cold."

She walked back into the apartment and sat down at the dining table. The four teens followed her, taking their usual seats at the table.

— EMILIA'S NOTES

we know what eli said to nathalie. but what did she say to him?? stay tuned to find out :)

i love marisol. best big sister ever award goes to her.

i know nathalie and hawk's interactions were limited in this chapter. but i'm finding writing enemies to lovers hard because i feel like i can't figure out how to add more conversations and interactions with them. i hope it's keeping you on the edge of your seat regardless.

luckily, the next chapter will be the party at the canyon and i have soooo much planned for that.