Summary: Samantha Goldsworthy is Eli's big sister. She walks back into Eli's life after three years of no contact. What's changed?
Chapter One:
Eli POV
'Come on bell, ring already!' I was very impatient to get out of school. Today I was going to be working with Clare on an English assignment. I never let it show that I was eager, but today I was going to ask her to be my girlfriend. Everyone could tell something was up.
'Three, two, ONE!' The ending bell finally rang and I jumped out of my desk, grabbed my bag, and ran into the hall. I bumped right into Adam.
"Whoa, sorry dude." I picked up his bag off the floor and looked around for a sign of my blue-eyed goddess.
"Easy there Eli." Adam said with a chuckle, "What's got you so on edge?"
"Nothing." I replied too quickly. My face involuntarily broke out into a wide smile as I saw Clare walking to Adam and I. Adam followed my stare and rolled his eyes.
"Eli, you seriously need to stop wasting your time." I didn't have time to rejester what he meant because he rolled his eyes and walked away just as Clare walked up. She smiled at me. God I love when she smiles.
"So Eli, ready to go?" She clutches her purse strap, seeming nervous.
"As ready as I'll ever be." I shrugged, trying to hold in my eagerness to get her to my car. We walk out of Degrassi and head to the parking lot, and I try to quicken my pace. 'I can't wait to tell her!'
"Someone's eager to work on English." She giggled a little, looking up at me as we walked to my hearse.
I shrugged, "Easy there Edwards, someone might think you don't like schoolwork with that kind of implication." I smirked at her and saw a blush highlighting her cheeks. It was adorable! We reached my car and I opened the door for her to climb in.
"Why thank you." Said Clare. She tried to climb in quickly so I wouldn't see her blush, but she wasn't fast enough. I ran to the drivers side, got in and started the car. As I had planned, the song "Love Story" by Taylor Swift started playing. It was Clare's favorite and, just as I suspected, she glanced at me shyly and her face turned even redder.
"Why do you have this song playing?" She asked, trying to stay calm, but I saw past her facade.
"Oh, I dunno." I shrugged easily and pulled out of Degrassi. We got to The Dot just as the song ended. I looked over at her and could tell she had relaxed a lot. She even hummed the last few lines. I turned as best I could in the closed space and took her hand in mine. I looked at our joined hands as I spoke.
"Clare, you're beautiful and smart and funny and witty. I've never met someone who can put up with my sarcasm all the time the way you do. You've helped me through so many troubles and I know if I have any more in the future, you can help with those to. I guess what I'm trying to say is... Will you be mine?" I glance up at her face and she her blush is back. I love when she blushes. After a few seconds her face breaks into a smile and she looks into my eyes.
"What exactly are you asking?" She asks shyly.
"I want you to be my...g-g-girlfriend." I stutter at the word. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to say it. It still hurt to say the g-word because Julia was the only other person I've called that. Instead of answering, Clare leaned over and pressed her soft lips to mine very briefly. She grips my hands and looks into my eyes with total confidence.
"Yes Eli, I'll absolutly be your girlfriend." YES! That moment was perfect. I never thought I'd get her to say those words. I brought one hand behind her head and drew her lips to mine for a searing kiss. She was finally mine!
Clare POV
IM FINALLY HIS! He's the best kisser ever! After two weeks of giving him space, the distance ends and I'm FINALLY his forever. Eli breaks the kiss and smiles a genuinely happy smile. Not a smirk like usual, a real smile. I could get used to those smiles...
Eli POV
I got out the car and walked to Clares side, open the door and help her out. I grab her hand and we walk to the entrance of The Dot. Right here, right now is going to be our first date. After eating, I'm going to take her to the movies, and then maybe take her to see a view of the city. 'Maybe she'll get scared and cling onto me.' We sit down and order our food and make some small talk about our classes.
When our food arrives, I feel someone slide into the bench next to me and sling an arm over my shoulder. I look over and freeze.
Chapter Two:
Eli POV
"S-S-SAMANTHA?" I gawk at my older sister calmly stealing a fry from my plate and sipping my coke.
"Hey to you too little brother." She grinned at me. She looked different, but the same. She still had a nose piercing, too much eyeliner and black eyeshadow, a clingy dark red and purple striped shirt that showed too much of her massive chest, and, though I couldnt see them, I assumed she was wearing dark wash, ripped skinny jeans.
Despite the physical similarities she looked changed, like she had been through more, seen more, and handled more in life. She looked more mature.
"Long time no see. Who's this?" She asked, looking at Clare. She still has her arm over my shoulder so I awkwardly pushed it off.
"This is Clare, my girlfriend. Clare, this is Samantha." I introduced the two stiffly and she reached across the table and shook Clares hand briefly. "What're you doing here?" I ask before she has time to say anything else.
"I can't visit my good ol baby bro? You used to love being around me!" She chuckled lightly and took another fry.
"You never wanted to visit before." She opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off. I don't want to have this argument in front of Clare. "Forget it. Just go, I'll talk to you later. I'm busy."
"Actually, there's a reason I came to see you." She told me.
Clare POV
Eli and I were chatting when our food arrived and someone walked into The Dot. She looked strangely familiar. She looked around then started to walk to our table. She slid easily into the bench and slung her arm over Eli's shoulder. She grabbed one of his fries and then drank a sip of coke. I could tell from Eli's expression and rigid body that this was NOT a good thing.
His eyes got that mysterious glint in them, like they got when he was telling me about Julia. I was introduced as his girlfriend, and that made me blush a little. Her name was Samantha, and she looked a lot like Eli. They dressed the same way, and they both had those blazing green eyes, but Samantha's eyes didn't have the sparkle that Eli's did. Her eyes were darker, somewhat distant, and honestly they looked lifeless. Dead.
Eli POV
I needed to get Samantha away from Clare. There was stuff I still hadn't told Clare. Yet.
"Samantha just go away." I said giving her a warning look. She ignored it, of course.
"We need to talk though Eli. You finish up your meal here. I'll be over there." She pointed to a table in the corner. "Please don't bail, its serious." She got up and sauntered over to the table, sat down, and clunked her head onto the table. I was right about her jeans.
"Who is that?" Clare asked, staring after her. I sighed and began to explain.
"That's my older sister, Samantha. She is not good news. Something brought her back, and I don't want to know what it is. Can we go?" I desperatly needed to get out of there. The last I saw Samantha was when I was graduating my eighth grade year. She hugged me before I left for the ceremony, and I didn't see her again until just now. It's been three years without any word from her. Dad told me she was with some friends, but I wasn't stupid. Who has a three year sleepover?
"Eli, she seems like she really needs to talk to you. Do you really want to just walk out?" Clare kept glancing at my sister, seemingly asleep on the tabletop. She always was a great actress.
"Yes. Come on Clare, before she picks her head up." I stand up, throw some money on the table and take Clare's hand as she stands up too. Clare didn't say anything, but her eyes were on my sister as we left. I ran her to my car and started it. I pulled out The Dot parking lot and drove off. I don't care about Samantha anymore. She left without a word, and I don't need her anymore. She was the closest thing to a mom that I had.
Chapter Three:
Samantha POV
I glanced up a few minutes later to check that table Eli was sitting at, but it was now cleared off and empty. I slammed my hands on the table.
Damnit! Here we go again.' I shoved myself up from the table and stomped out to my car. I saw a hearse pull out of the parking lot. 'That's Dads!' I realized. without another moments hesitation I climbed into my red truck and followed the hearse.
The hearse drove and drove and drove. It seemed like hours. Where was he going? Finally he pulled up in front of a quaint brick house. It was nice, but only the girl from before got out. The one Eli said was his girlfriend. I quickly memorized the address, and was pleased because I had kept track of Eli. He wasn't going to go on any longer without hearing my story.
Eli POV
'Shit. She found me.' It was her red truck and I knew it was. After trying to loose her I finally gave up. I dropped Clare off at her house, but didn't get out just in case she didn't know it was me driving. I drove home, the truck still on my tail. 'Damnit!' I slammed my hands against my steering wheel as we both pulled up in front of my house. I got out of the hearse and walked right up to her.
"Go away Samantha." I said forcefully. I almost pushed her, but she used to be stronger than me, and I didn't want to test out her strength now. "I didn't need you then, so I don't need you now." I stormed up the steps as I heard her follow me. I opened the door and tried to slam it but she body blocked the door from shutting. She was still stronger than me.
Chapter Four:
Samantha POV
"No Eli, you have to hear me out." I said, crossing my arms. He rolled his eyes and slammed his bag down, clenching his teeth and stepping aside so I could walk in. I stroll around looking at the somewhat familiar living room. No pictures, no mirrors, no decorations at all.
"Not artistic without me, I see." Smirking, I turn and look at my baby brother. The baby brother I haven't seen in three years. Eli was sitting on the couch, bent over with his head in his hands. I heard him muffle something, but I didn't catch it. "What was that?"
"I know you're not here to criticize my and dads decorating abilities." He smirked right back at me. I move and sit on the couch next to him.
"I've missed you, ya know." I spoke at my hands. "Leaving wasn't easy. I regretted it every second I've been gone." My voice cracked a little, but Eli didn't notice.
"THEN WHY DID YOU GO?" He jumped off the couch and shouted at me, breathing heavy. I flinched. I knew he was mad, and I knew I had to tell him the truth. It was now or never. I stood up and put my hands on his shoulders and gently pushed him back down to the couch.
"I'll explain, but where's Dad?" Eli started to shake a little when I mentioned our father, I couldn't tell if it was with anger or what and was about to ask if he was ok, but he stopped himself. He didn't answer my question, and my stressed voice took over. "Eli... tell me where Dad is." I ordered. When he still didn't answer I knelt in front of him and held his chin so he had to look into my eyes. "Elijah Goldsworthy you will tell me where my father is or so help me..." I let the threat hang. Eli sighed and pushed my hand away.
"He left about four months ago to look for you." He admitted. My heart stopped. Dad wasn't here? He left Eli? I jumped up and screamed, holding my hair.
"HOW COULD HE LEAVE YOU?" I screamed. More at myself then at Eli, but Eli flinched, just like I had, as I continued to scream. "WHAT A BASTARD! How could he? You need him! You can't be by yourself! Doesn't he know how you get?" I flopped onto the couch and was about to cry. I couldn't handle myself anymore. I sat up and flung my arms around my little brothers shoulders and sobbed silently.
Eli may not know this, but he's my little brother and I love the little guy to death. All those years of taking care of him, I've learned a few tricks here and there, but Eli... Eli's just a teenager! He can't live by himself and make his own choices! He needs someone. I'm never leaving him again.
Eli POV
"Shh, don't cry Sam." I wrapped my arms around her waist to comfort her. I missed her too, but I wasn't about to let her know. "Dad left because..." I hesitated, do I tell her about Julia? "he left because I had a breakdown and he couldn't deal with me." I edited the truth a little. She sat back and we let go of the hug. She wiped her eyes on the back of her long sleeve, her heavy makeup smearing. I've never seen Samantha cry before.
"What happened?" She asked sniffling, her green eyes sparkling with care for me that I haven't seen in a long time. I heaved a sigh and began to explain.
"Well, after you left I had a mini freak out, so he slapped me and threw me on the floor, he told me to grow up and stop being a baby. After that I was scared so whenever I felt one coming, I'd go to my room so he wouldn't see. Nothing helped. I mustve destroyed seven dozen pillows. I started at Degrassi and met a girl there. She made me feel comforted, like I wasn't a freak. She helped me see everything would be okay."
I stopped, swallowing my sobs and blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. Samantha grabbed my shaking hand and waiting for me to go on. "Her name was J-Julia." I took a deep breath to steady myself.
I haven't said her name out loud since she died. "Julia and I were happy together. We started dating, and soon we took it a little too far. I got her pregnant and when she told me, I had a freak out on her. She ran away in the night, and got run over by a car." I stopped and shuddered at the thought. I couldn't go on anymore. I closed my eyes to calm myself and was about to go on, but Samantha help up a hand to stop me.
"It's okay Eli. I can figure out the rest. You had a freakout on Dad after she died, and he left?" I nodded pitifully. She scooted closer and draped her arm across my shoulder like she did at The Dot, only this time it was comforting, instead of alarming. We stayed like that until I calmed myself down. I turned to her and she turned to me, curling her legs up on the cough and leaning against the edge of the sofa.
"Your turn now." I told her, grabbing her hand like she took mine, urging her to explain.
Chapter Five:
Samantha POV:
"Well..." I took a deep breath, "When was the last time you remember seeing me?" I asked.
"Right before my graduation. You hugged me and gave me this." He reached around his neck under his shirt and pulled out a silver chain, with a small metal square on the end. I gasped and held the square, the chain still around his neck.
"You kept it!" I exclaimed, amazed.
"Well it held so many of our memories. You never took it off after mom died. All those nights, every one of my freakouts..."
"You'd rip it off my neck and say I didn't deserve to wear it." I finished for him, dropping the necklace. The small square metal came from one of moms old and most favorite necklaces. It was an add on necklace, she could buy new charms for everyone she loved. She had one for me, one for Dad, one for herself, and one for Eli. After the accident, the only one we could find was the square. The one symbolizing all four of us, one for each corner. I was pulled out of my memories by Elis dark chuckle.
"You never let me get away with that. I remember being so confused when you gave it to me. You told me to just wear it for good luck. I was so excited."
"I'm sorry I left you Eli." I said, speaking the truth and looking into my hands.
"I forgive you, but only if you never do it again. I hate being alone! I need to know why you left."
"I left because I was one month pregnant." I blurted out. His eyes grew huge in shock and his jaw dropped. My hands flew to my mouth and I spoke from behind them, "I didn't mean to just blurt it out!" He reached his hand up and I flinched, thinking he would slap me, but instead he took my hands away from my mouth and pulled them down. He reassuringly held onto one of my hands again.
"Go on." he said, slightly angry, but he didn't say anything. He waited for the rest of the story.
Chapter Six:
Eli POV
'Pregnant?' My mind screamed. I composed my face and held in my anger at her. She promised that if she ever got pregnant before marriage, I'd be the first to know and she would take me with her away from Dad because he would surely kick her out. I held onto her hand and waited for her to go on.
"Well you remember that party I went to at Erica's one night? The first night you started sleeping on my bedroom floor at night. You were worried about me." She sighed and reached up to ruffle my hair. I didn't let myself smile at all the memories of her doing that to me.
"I had some drinks, nothing too intense. I watered down the beer myself. I hate the strong taste of alcohol." I nodded, remembering her spitting out her first sip of beer all over Dad. I smirked, and she went on.
"Anyway, well I guess I didn't water them down enough. I got drunk, blacked out, then the next morning I woke up in some dudes apartment. I was terrified like you wouldn't believe. I sneaked out and headed to Jenna's house. I knew she'd have clothes and stuff for me and she'd tell Dad I slept at her house that night. She was the only one that knew what really happened."
She stopped and I could see her eyes fill with more tears. Not matter how angry at her I was, I hated to see her cry. I rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb.
"It's okay Samantha. It's all over now. I know what happens next, but why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you take me with you?" She smiled lovingly at me and held back her tears.
"It was the day before your graduation day that I found out. I couldn't pull you away from your graduation. And I couldn't tell you after because I couldn't afford to send you anywhere. I didn't have money to pay for a place to live or food to eat or clothes to get you. I knew you'd be growing again after graduation." She smiled and looked me up and down.
"Well, you were right." I chuckled, trying to lighten her mood. I understood why she left, but I still can't believe she did that to me. "I guess I can see your reasoning. Dad was furious when he came home with me and found all your clothes gone. No note, no calls, no messages. He was absolutely livid." I shuddered at the memory. "I slept in your room from then on. I sort of it took over." I admitted sheepishly, "I missed you so much." I closed my eyes and let a few tears flow down my face. She took her hand out of mine and put it on my shoulder.
"But I'm here now." she said comfortingly. We smiled at each other and relaxed. I was happy she was back, but there was still something bothering me.
"Samantha, one more question." I slightly hesitated, but she nodded and made a go on motion with her hands. "Where's your baby?"
Chapter Seven:
Samantha POV
I sighed. I knew he'd ask me that. The one question I didn't want to answer most.
"Well, I tried to have the baby aborted at first." I stopped when I heard him gasp and he started to say something, but I cut him off by stating, "I chickened out. I heard all the screams of other teenagers or older women in there and I ran out when they called my name."
"Oh." Eli obviously wasn't expecting to hear that. "Then what did you do?" He questioned.
"Well," I plunged on, "I had the baby. That's why it took me so long to come back. I had the baby and tried to raise it for a few months but child services took it away when I couldn't pay to feed it or shelter it. Baby Hope is with a new family. One that can take care of her." I sighed, "It's what she needed. I wish I could of kept her, but she deserves better than me for a parent."
"Well that would only take about a year. What was up with the other two years?" he asked. I missed his stubbornness. Only Eli could push my buttons without getting yelled at. He just had a brotherly way of caring.
"Well I was getting to that. I didn't want to face you and Dad, so I stayed with a friend I met up with during pregnancy. His name is Mason." Eli groaned. "What?" I asked defensivly.
"You got a boyfriend? Samantha, there are plenty of guys closer to home." I blushed and slapped his arm.
"He isn't my boyfriend Eli." He laughed
"Then why are you blushing?" My jaw dropped
"I'm not blushing!" We both laugh for a minute, but then I say decide to tell him the last little bit of my secret history.
"I'm a lesbian." I say, standing up and walking through the open door frame to the left, into the kitchen.
Chapter Eight:
Eli POV
'MY SISTERS A LESBIAN!' I was internally freaking out, still sitting on the sofa with my mouth wide open. I pull myself together and haul myself off the couch. Samantha was snooping around in the cabinets.
"Got any cups around here?" She asks, just as she opens the cabinet with all of the cups. "Oh, never mind." she laughs lightly, but tensely. She knows Dad has homophobia. I didn't have it, but I thanked the Lord that Dad wasn't home to hear that one. Samantha got a cup down, filled it with tap water, and sat at the table slowly sipping it.
"When did you discover this little tidbit about yourself?" I asked, trying to make the question light.
"I decided to switch my line of prey after the rape. No boy parts, no boy fluids, no accidental babies." She said it as if it was the easiest realization in the world. The sad part was, I could totally see where she was coming from.
"Oh sis. Dad will flip!" 'If he ever comes back to find out that is.'
"Yeah, I know. That's why I wanted to know if Dad was here. I planned on making something up for him, but you deserve the truth. That man didn't do anything father-like after Mom died. He's a disgrace." She shook her head in disgust and took another sip of water. I sat down at the table across from her and nodded in agreement.
"Will you stay? Now that you're back, you're here for good, right?" I looked at my hands and fiddled my thumbs nervously. I needed to know if she was leaving. She had no morals anymore, no life in her green eyes, absolutly nothing going for her. Maybe, if I convinced her to stay with me, I could help her back on her feet and we could be a family again.
"I was hoping I could stay here? I know you might not want me to stay with you again, and I understand if you're mad at me, but I really want to be with my family, and you're the only member I have left. No aunts or uncles or grandparents. Just my baby brother." I looked up at her, hoping she was serious. She was looking straight at me. She really was giving me a choice. She would leave if I told her to. My face unvolitarily broke into a huge smile. I nodded eagerly, my hair flying around my face.
"The house has been empty without Dad. We have the guest room, you can have it. Do you have bags? I'm so happy you're going to be living with me again." I said it all in one breath. I couldn't believe the day I've had. My sister's back, Clare is my girlfriend. Everything is going great! Samantha laughed at my eagerness. She ruffled my hair, but this time I chuckled and enjoyed the sisterly gesture.
"My bags are in my truck. I can get them later. First, tell me about this Clare girl. How long has she been your girlfriend?" She smiled at me and I grinned like an idiot in love.
"Well..." And with that, I went into an explanation all about Clare. Starting from when I accidentally ran over her glasses, to just today. Asking her to be my girlfriend.
Chapter Nine: Clare POV
Eli just called me. He sounded really happy! He's coming pick me up in ten minutes. His sister wants to meet me again, but this time Eli wants me to. We're going somewhere to eat, then back to his house. Eli says that he's going to tell me everything. I'm not sure what everything entails, but I'm dying to find out!
**Time Passes**
After getting picked up by Eli in his hearse, he drove me back to his house. We picked up his sister, who wore different clothes than the ones she had on at The Dot.
Her eyes looked different than before. They didn't look as dead. They looked, healing. I smiled, really happy the two had sorted their differences.
They took me to a resteraunt, I'm still not sure on the name of the place, but it was quaint. Eli sat next to me and Samantha sat across from us. Her head was tilted to her hands. We were reintroduced, and she shook my hand warmly this time instead of firm and stiff like at the Dot.
Eli and Samantha joked around and bonded and teased and played. Near the end of the dinner, as dessert was coming around, the tone got serious. Eli cleared his throat and Samantha gave him a 'Not now.' look, but he ignored it and turned to me.
"Clare," He looked into my eyes nervously. "I know we've only been going out for a day, but you know more about me than anyone else. I think you deserve to know the truth."
The two siblings recapped what had happened, and they told me all about Eli's freakouts, their mom's death, their dad's homophobia, and now Samantha's sexual prefrence. I took it all in easy enough.
Every family has problems, right? I kissed Eli's cheek and Samantha "Aww"ed at us. I giggled and blushed and excused myself to the bathroom, and Samantha came with me. Eli said he was going get his hearse to pick us up at the door once we were done. Samantha and I went into the bathroom and I got the typical big brother speech, which was weird because I'm Samantha and I are girls. She gave me a firm look and told me if I ever hurt Eli, she would mess me up in ways I couldn't imagine.
I took her word for it and nodded, and then she went back into friend-mode and helped me touch up my makeup. We walked out of the bathroom and out of the resteraunt to see an ambulence, with Eli being loaded into the back.
Chapter Ten:
Samantha POV:
"ELI!" 'Oh my God.' I ran up to the back of the ambulence.
"Are you realted?" the nurse asked me, I nodded and grabbed Eli's hand. He looked horrible! His clothes were torn, his face was cut up and blood was flowing from a huge cut on his stomach.
"What happened?" I asked, terrified.
"A bystander called in and said they saw him get hit by a car. He rolled over a few times, and rolled over a broken beer bottle. How are you related to this man?"
"His name is Eli," I shakily replied, "Elijah Goldsworthy. I'm his older sister and legal guardian Samantha Goldsworthy. We don't have parents to contact. Will he be okay?" A few tears rolled down my face as I looked at my unconcious baby brother.
"Miss calm down, if we get him to the hospital right away he should be fine, but we must leave now. Will you be riding in the ambulance?"
I desperatly wanted to say yes, but Clare was probably just as worried as I was. I shook my head no.
"His girlfriend is here. I have to get her home, then I'll drive up to the hospital." She nodded and I watched as they finished loading him into the back, and drove off. I looked around, trying to find Clare.