A/N: Hello! I'm back once again! I finally managed to make a cover for the story, but unfortunately, the dimensions are too large. I'll make a new one once I'm not busy with club activities...so...yeah, I think that's all.
BTW, thanks again to my readers, reviewers, followers, and those who faved the story. Onwards!
Chapter 3: The Truth
I met Gil by the front porch in our house with my usual loose shorts and messy ponytail. My brothers were such a pain in the butt. They kept teasing me with kissing noises claiming that I like Gil. Well, I actually do like him, but not to the point that I want to kiss him. Eww. That's just gross.
Anyways, Danen and Dietrich (they're twins by the way) stopped the teasing only when I swore that I'd kick them where it really hurts. Both of my brothers can actually fight, but I'm smaller so I have a bigger chance of getting a direct hit on their private parts. They looked horrified when I said that, and eventually they left me alone all the while grumbling incoherently. Tremendously satisfied, I redid my ponytail and hurriedly went outside.
Gil stood outside the fence looking all cool with his sunglasses. During our usual hang-outs, he told me a lot of stuff about his albinism. He has a hard time seeing things when it's too sunny or bright, that's why he usually only plays with me during afternoons or, if the brightness is too unbearable, like today, he resorts to wearing UV-protected dark sunglasses.
I beamed after seeing him and made a brief explanation as to why I'm a couple of minutes late. Thank goodness he didn't mind; he met my brothers days ago and even he was surprised at their troublesomeness.
Gil was obviously excited to see Lake Ailateh so I wasted no time and led the way.
I'm glad I finally have someone to share this place with. Lake Ailateh has always been my secret hiding place ever since I discovered it two years ago. I wandered and just accidentally came unto this place and eversince then, I remembered the tracks, good hiding places and even the good areas where I could see the whole view of the lake.
I made Gil promise me that he wouldn't tell anyone, and I'm not actually sure if he's heard me since he immediately stripped down to his boxers and jumped in the cold lake.
Having two brothers in the house made me immune to looking at boys' bodies so that's why I didn't scream like a banshee and covered my eyes like most girls my age would do. I just marveled at the paleness of Gil's skin tone, shrugged, and decided to follow his lead and lept in to the cool, cold waters.
I forgot about the fact that I didn't bring extra clothes. Marvelling at my stupidity, I mentally slapped my head and decided to just go on with it. Or, as my mom would say: No use crying over spilt milk.
As we swam and played in the waters, I noticed Gil kept looking at me weirdly. Was it because I wore my shirt while in the water? But I don't want to be seen naked. Despite being a tomboy, I'm still a girl, and most girls wouldn't dare show their bare chests to boys, right? Even when it's still flat?
I was starting to get worried, but I didn't show it. I kept giving Gil a questioning look (pretending that I really didn't know what his problem was) and, finally, after a while he stopped sending weird looks and just focused on swimming and splashing waters. Phew! I'm safe!
The fun continued for a while until both Gil and I felt too tired to swim. Dragging our tired bodies, we sat on the grass while watching the afternoon sun glistening on the waters.
"Hey, Eli, aren't you bothered by your shirt?" Gil asked after a minute.
I froze. I thought I was on the safe side! I imagined scenarios after scenarios on how I'd explain to Gil that I didn't want to take off my clothes in front of him because it's very improper for a girl to do so, and every scene would surely give me incomparable embarrassment. Just thinking about it makes my face flush!
I probably thought too long since Gil shrugged and continued staring at the horizon. Oops. I'm sorry, Gil. Really, I am. But there are a lot of things girls can't do in front of boys. Stripping definitely belongs there.
A few minutes passed. I was actually starting to get comfortable again. But, as usual, Gilbert didn't want me to feel like so.
"Hey Eli...wanna compare dicks?"
It was like the world stopped. Exploded. A meteor crashed unto Earth. All those crazy schemes about the end of the world that people invented were happening. No? Well, it's just me, I guess.
I was so shocked I can barely form words though my mouth tried very hard to utter a word. But, just to make sure that I really did hear the right thing, I asked: "What?"
Gil was pissed. I could tell. His pale albino skin was becoming red with irritation. He repeated his words, only this time it was mixed with something about what best-friends do. I'm not sure. I was too shocked and too confused and...I really don't understand what I'm feeling. All I know was that I could barely register what he said.
Finally, Gil got up. It was like my brain finally got a hold of my body once again. It was due to panic, I guess. I didn't want Gil to storm off and possibly put an end to our friendship. I may not know everything he's said, but I do understand that if I let him go, he won't comeback.
So it was, without a doubt, my voice telling him firmly to wait.
He looked at me with his piercing ruby red eyes, which now looked slightly purplish thanks to the glare of the afternoon sun. As I crossed the distance, my brain, the brain that was said to be too smart for kids my age, finally put two and two together.
He thought I was a boy.
It was the only conclusion I could come up with. And finally, everything clicked. The reason why he kept treating me roughly. Why he never hesitated to coax me to brawl with him. Why he kept asking for opinion when it came to his clothes. Why he always questions my long hair. And finally, the reason why he kept calling me 'Eli' rather than 'Liz' which the other kids call me.
I didn't know what to think of that; and honestly? I'm scared. Gil has always expressed his opinion about girls and how they're not as awesome as he is. I don't have a retort to that, but I do know is that I'll have to be completely honest with him regarding this matter.
"Gil." I said quietly when we were finally at arm's length from each other.
He didn't say anything, but his jaw did tighten.
"I'm sorry, I can't compare dicks with you because I...I...because I'm a girl, you see."
His jaw slackened. I was right. And now, I don't know how things will happen from this day onwards.
I was pissed. No, I was beyond pissed.
How could I be so stupid? Eli's a girl. A friggin' girl! And here I was, asking her to compare dicks with me. I gave a shudder. What would've happened if I showed her my awesome five meters first? I'll die from embarrassment. I'm sure.
Oh. My. God. Eli's a girl! The opposite of boys! How did I miss that? Now everything makes sense: why her hair is longer, why she refused to strip awhile back when we dived in the water, why my mom would always look at me with disapproval whenever we come inside the house from brawling!
And now that I think about it, the one who the neighboring kids call 'Liz' is her! I always thought they were talking about another girl...Argh! This is just so confusing!
"Wh-What's your name then?" I asked her shakily.
"Elizaveta Hedervary. I told you that the first time we met, right? Didn't you hear me? Is that why you thought I was a girl?" She asked.
"There was a passing honking car when you introduced yourself! How was I supposed to know your full name?!" I said, a bit irritated both at myself and at her.
"But...but..." She stuttered. It was a bit of consolation knowing that I'm not the only one confused about the whole situation.
I sighed. I honestly don't know what to do now. Half of me wants to just go on with it and accept the fact that she's a girl. The other part, that stubborn annoying part of me, refused to act like everything's okay again when its not.
She lied to me. Though, technically she didn't directly lie, still, she should've confirmed her gender a long time ago. Then I wouldn't be as confused as to my feelings. Ugh. I hate this.
I shook my head. "I'm going."
I refused to look back despite her infinite pleads to not go. I couldn't help it. The stubborn part of me prevailed. As I walked off, I felt that our friendship's off too.
End of Chapter 3.
A/N: Hurrah! I finally made a new cover that satisfied me. That's all I wanted to say. Hahaha!
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