Ava's POV:
I broke rule number ten.
But, I still uphold rule numbers 1 to 9.
Is that good enough?
That's 90%, which is still an A. Also, considering how we're not in a full relationship. I'll only deduct half a mark so, technically, I'm at 95%.
If I said that out loud and recorded it.
I'll hear the sound of stupidity.
I unravel Eli's scarf than my own. Rushing my fingers down the scarves, I hung it beside the front door.
Eli places his shoes on the shoe rack, "It seems like Trev isn't going to be back tonight."
That's what I'm afraid of.
How can I explain to my parents about my brother's friend's sleepover when my brother isn't there?
Then again, Eli is my friend too.
So, it should be okay...right?
My eyes lurk towards the keys hanging on the wall. Maybe, I'll drive him back tonight.
Eli stretches his limbs and yawns.
It's half-past two.
For the first time, I felt like a teenager again. I was sneaking a boy into the house without my parent's permission.
"So," Eli whispered. "What do you want to do with me?"
He must have noticed my internal conflict. My grip tightens on the scarves.
Eli chuckles, "I'm playing around Av. I'll sleep in Trev's room, and in the morning, we can tell your parents that Trev left early to meet Mina."
I look at him, "That doesn't-"
"We'll use her moving as an excuse. How he's worried about their relationship."
That's actually a damn good excuse.
He smiles, "Unless you're thinking of something else."
I place a finger on his forehead and push him away. "You know the way to Trev's room."
"Well, it doesn't hurt to try, right?"
As expected, nothing happened that night, and in the morning, things went according to plan.
"Poor Trevon," mom said. "Mina is really moving?"
Eli nods before he scoops up another spoonful of eggs. "Yeah. He's really bummed about it."
Mom got up from her seat, "This won't do."
"Where are you going?" I ask.
"I'm going to go bake him some cookies." Mom looks at dad, "Go scoop up the snow."
The fork slipped from his hand, "What?"
"Well, who else would do it? My broken-hearted son?" She gave him a disgusted look before leaving the dining room.
Dad glanced at Eli, who stopped eating his eggs. His eyes traveled up, and he grinned widely. "So, Trevon left early in the morning, huh."
Eli nods, "Yes, sir."
He ran his tongue across his cheek before his eyes traveled towards me. "Hm." Dad stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
Eli turns his head towards me, "Your dad looks like he's about to murder me."
"For someone who is supposed to be a victim. You look delighted."
Eli's smile only spread wider, "I never thought I would make a dad's hit list."
I sip my tea, "I find it hard to believe all dads like you."
"Well, my ex-" he stops talking.
I place down the cup, "Go on."
Eli puffs his cheeks, "My exams are coming soon. I better study for it." He grabbed a strip of bacon and munch on it.
I cut the pancake in half, "You don't have to act like that. We both have exes, and we both had sex before. We're not kids." I dip the slice into syrup.
Eli halts his chewing, "You don't...feel anything knowing-" he didn't finish his sentence.
"No. Not really. I mean, it's not a big deal unless someone makes it a big deal."
He swallows the content inside his mouth. "Right. No big deal." His tone doesn't sound like a good one.
"Do you want to make it a big deal?"
Immediately, he shook his head. "No. No." He still doesn't sound good.
I place down my utensils, "Elijah."
"No. I mean, I know we were with other people so...yeah...no big deal."
I stood up and grabbed his hands. Scanning my eyes around, I lead Eli towards the guest room. With my back against the door, I said: "Something is swirling inside that head of yours. Spill it."
Eli settled down on the bed and heaved a breath. "I mean, I know you weren't a virgin, and you know I'm not a virgin, but I don't know why I'm so irritated."
This is definitely not the type of conversation someone in a situationship would have.
"I think it's stupid, so that's why I don't want to talk about it." He looks up, "I mean me. I'm stupid."
I nod, "That is pretty stupid."
Eli groaned and flopped his body on the guest bed. "Tell this feeling to go away."
"Go away."
Eli chuckles, "Wow. Not feeling any better." He groans before kicking his limbs around. "It's not you. It's me."
"Wow, you're breaking up with me already?"
His eyes narrow, "You know what I mean."
I settle down beside him. I place a palm on his head, and he stops moving. "If you're uncomfortable knowing I've been with other guys then-"
He sat upward, and my hand flinched back, "No! No! I'm not going to break up our half relationship."
I snicker, "Half relationship?"
"You know, I'm finally halfway there, so half a relationship."
Eli grabs my hands and moves it toward his lap. "We have been with other people," he stated. "But none of it matters as long we're together now." He nods to himself.
"So, where did that behavior come from earlier?" I found out the best way to maintain a relationship - or whatever it is between Eli and me - is to talk. Talk through the insecurities before leaping to conclusions.
"I mean, it's just...I was worried-" his eyes went elsewhere, "that you know when you're with me long enough, you would realize how those guys you dated or been together with are better." He peeks at me, "I've seen the guys you dated."
"And you think they're better than you?" Then, I remember how Eli confessed his thoughts about Luke towards me.
"Ava. Look at me." He ran his hair back, "I'm not good looking like all the guys you date. I'm not fit like them. I'm not smart. I'm...just Eli."
"And I like just Eli."
His eyes went from our hands towards me, and he smiled.
"You do?"
I nod, "Yeah." I scoot closer to him, "And I don't want you to think they're better than you because they're not. You're amazing, but in your own ways, and sometimes, it takes people a while to find it." I tangle my hand with his, "But they'll bound to find it...like me."
His light smile only widens.
"After all, if you weren't so great in your own ways. Then, all your exes wouldn't have begged you to come back."
His smile dropped.
"And I, right?"
The atmosphere in the room made a sharp turn.
"You knew," he said.
"Yeah."
"Who's your informer?"
"A close friend."
"Benjamin." He glared at the wall, "I was there to support him with WinWin, and he betrayed me. What a backstabbing, girlfriend worshipping son of a gun."
I nod and release his hands.
"Wait. I can explain about the exes."
I nod.
"I didn't have many of them, and I broke up with them because I realized that it is a waste of both our times to nurture relationships that won't bear fruits."
"Oh? And it has nothing to do with milking the cows like us cool kids?" There's a hint of mockery in my voice.
His face pales, and with that cue, I got up and left the room.
"W-Wait!"
I'm not upset or angry that Eli hooks up with girls for sex. It's not uncommon for teenagers or adults to get laid.
When the weekday rolls around, I find myself filing my nails in the hallway. "And-" Eli continues to talk, "the elephant," he tilts his head, "Are you listening?"
"Hm." I stretch my fingers to make sure all the nails are even.
"You're not listening." Eli groaned, "Listen to me. Listen to me." He wrapped his arms around my body while I continued to file my nails. His head digs into my neck, and I could feel his hot breath scattering on my skin.
My eyes flicker around the hallway. I can see it, the judging eyes.
The group of cheerleaders came towards me. Some were smiling while others stared in disapproval.
"Hey, Av!" Zoey said. Sarah whispers something into one of the girl's ears, but other than that, she didn't say a single word.
"Hey there," I said.
Eli didn't release me. Instead, he took a step behind.
Zoey smiles, "Aw. Look at you two being so cute." I'm certain Zoey had fun this weekend with the girls, gossiping about me and all that good stuff.
"What's going on here?" Mary shows up with Winnie and Ben behind her. Winnie was on her phone while Ben carries her books.
Everyone turns their heads, and their eyes are dead set on Winnie. She popped the gum inside her mouth. "What?"
"Are you two back together?" Zoey asks.
"Yeah. You got a problem?"
Zoey shook her head, "Not a problem at all. I mean, we're all free to date who we want."
On the other side of the hallway is the usual group of popular guys. They didn't say anything; only glare. Among them was Landon.
"What?" Winnie shouted. "You boys got something to say?" She's been on edge lately.
They all look away.
Winnie can't beat them in a fight, but she can sure bring hell with words.
"Hey. Hey. Hey! Why are we all here?" I look to my right to see Shelbie. She had a massive grin on her face.
"We're here to congratulate Av and her new boyfriend," Zoey said.
"Boyfriend?" Shelbie tilts her head towards me.
I stay quiet.
She claps once, "Eli, right? Oh, congrats, you two! You guys look cute together!" Eli released me when Shelbie went in for a hug. "We can go on double dates!"
My eyes flicker towards Mary, who stays quieter than me.
Shelbie notice who's in my line of sight. "Mar!" Shelbie's voice pitch. "Aren't you going to congratulate Av? I mean, we're all good friends, right?" There's some hostility behind her voice. I don't want to know their history.
Mary smiled, "Of course! I was just shocked that you have a boyfriend. Who's the lucky guy?"
Shelbie shrugs, "Well, we're not officially together, but we will be."
"Sounds desperate," Sarah grumbled.
"What?" Shelbie turns towards Sarah. "What did you say?"
"I'm out." Winnie walks away with Ben hot on her trail.
Sarah flips her hair, "I'm just saying, you shouldn't go around bragging about a boyfriend that doesn't exist."
I should leave.
Shelbie jaw cracked, "At least I'm not someone who goes home with anyone."
"Excuse me?"
Shelbie rests her weight on one leg, "You know what I mean."
Then, it began—the glare off.
Now, it seems like the right time to go.
"Who do you think you are," Sarah said.
"I'm Shelbie. Duh. Thank goodness you're pretty."
Okay, I'm bored.
"You-"
"Hey," I said. Everyone stops talking and looks at me. "I need to get to class, and you're all in my way."
Eyes flicker around the group, and steadily, one by one, they made way for me. I took a few steps with Eli still behind me. He whispers: "You're so cool."
My body jolted when I heard those words. He's so freaking stupid.
When we made a turn, I stopped walking. "Isn't your class the other way?"
Eli grinned, "I'm a fast runner."
The bell rang.
"Well, you better sprint."
"Shit." Eli strikes my cheek without notice.
I held it, "Elijah!"
"Gotta go. See yah half-" he mumbled the half portion. "Girlfriend!" he shouted. He ran down the hallway, dodging the eager student one by one.
The day rolled by, filled with questions among my peers and curious eyes, among others who are not as close.
"Hey. Mind if we talk?"
I close my locker and turn towards Sarah. "What's up?"
"I'm going to be upfront." There's a few other girls who mix with some guys not too far from her who continually look at us. "Are you and Winnie out of your minds?"
"Depends on the day," I respond.
"This isn't a joke, Av. It's one thing to hang out with them but to date one of them? Do you not care about your reputation?"
I exhale heavily before running my fingers through my hair. "We're in high school," I said flatly. "Do you really think I care about the opinions of others who can't operate without their parents' support?" I zipped up my backpack and threw it over my shoulder, "They can come at me when they grow a pair and confront me instead of pushing all the responsibility towards one person."
"Av," Sarah said. "The group is falling apart without you! Shelbie is fucking a plumber!" Sarah is exaggerating. She's crushing on him at the most.
"And?" I question. "At least the guy has a job. All the guys over there still beg mommy and daddy for spending money." Each of my words is sharp and truthful.
Even with Sarah's dissatisfaction, she couldn't make a rebuttal because she knows I'm right.
"Don't huddle up in a box," I said. "High school reputations aren't everything." I look at the group hanging not too far from us. "If you all have something to say. Say it to my face instead of pushing someone else to do it."
They stay quiet.
"Next time you all want to talk shit. Remember, at least I'm not fucking twins-"
I look at one of the girls who widen her eyes.
"Fucking sisters."
A guy looks away from me.
"Cheating on exams for a scholarship."
"Beating up others for a girl who won't give me the time of day."
"Not talking to my friends for a boy."
"Fucking my friend's girlfriend."
I look at the two girls who turn red while the guy tilts his head in confusion.
Yes, I'm calling everyone out.
I look at Sarah and smile, "Me being with a guy who isn't an athlete or popular is the least of our problems."