"THIS ISN'T FREAKING WORKING!" Trixie screamed. She flung the offending piece of metal across her bedroom. Trixie didn't usually lose her temper: but trying to fix her camera was like asking a mechanic to style your hair. She wished Kord was here: but he was visiting his family. So was Pronto. The only people at the house were Trixie and Eli. The slugs were watching a movie. She heard someone knock on her door.
"Come in," she said wearily. Eli came in, with two glasses of lemonade. He nearly tripped on the piece of metal but regained his balance quickly.
"Want some lemonade, Trix?" he asked, knowing it was her favourite.
"Sure," she replied. He sat next to Trixie and gave her a glass of lemonade. Ice bumped against their lips. Eli looked around the room.
"What happened here?" he asked. "A Tormato came in and blew something up?" Trixie smiled.
"No, I'm trying to fix my camera according to Kord's booklet, but it isn't working," Trixie explained. "And, um, I kind of lost my temper." She blushed, and Eli laughed.
"Kind of? It looks like you exploded!" Eli joked. When he saw Trixie's facial expression, he stopped laughing. He leaned in closer and tucked a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. Eli had never done anything like that: the two were close friends, but nothing more. Or was that starting to change…?
"Look, I'll help you," he said softly. Trixie smiled.
"Thanks, Eli," she said, hugging him. They set their lemonades down and started collecting the pieces Trixie had flung all over her room. They both started fixing Trixie's camera without speaking. An awkward moment was when they both reached for the same piece. Their hands touched and the two blushed. Eli let Trixie have the piece.
Two hours later, Trixie and Eli admired their handiwork. The camera looked almost new.
"Thanks for helping, Eli," Trixie said. She looked at him. He had a sly grin in his face. She wondered why he was grinning like that.
"Does that mean I get something?" he teased. Trixie rolled her eyes.
"For example, what?" she asked him. He leaned so close Trixie could feel his breath.
"Like a kiss?" he whispered. Trixie widened her eyes. Then she smiled. She leaned in,looking like she was going to kiss him. Instead, she pecked him on the cheek, then bolted for the door yelling, "Catch me if you can!" Eli ran after her yelling, "Hey! You can't do that without kissing me!"
The chase led out of the Hideout and Eli finally caught her just in front of the Hideout. He grabbed for her waist, and had them landing on the ground laughing. Trixie sat up and looked like she was going to say something, until Eli pulled Trixie closer to him.
"You can talk later," he said slyly.
"I love you Eli," Trixie said, looking at him intensely. Eli smiled.
"Right back at you, Miss Sting," he replied. "Now, can I have that kiss you owe me?"
"Not unless you promise to be my boyfriend," Trixie said, raising her eyebrows. "And since when did I owe you anything?"
"I promise," Eli replied. "And you owe me simply because I said." Trixie rolled her eyes, but finally relented and her lips met his.