Writer's Block Ch.4 A/N- Thank you so much for all of the reviews. Each is really special to me and I appreciate the kind words. Every chapter I ask if I should keep it going and not once has anyone said no. -Also,I put a request in for the new people on the characters list and now we have Eli and Adam! YAY!:) Btw, Eli is really hard to write in character so this took FOREVER :(
Eli walked into his room and sat down at the computer.
He had tons of homework to catch up on due to his constant slacking, but he just couldn't seem to focus long enough to actually start on it.
He was too anxious. What was happening with Clare? Had it gone well? Did her dad hit her again! Too many thoughts swarmed around within his head, not many of them ending well. Eli's hand twitched towards the silver cell phone in his pocket but he resisted. She would tell him at school. He had to be patient.
For another thirty minutes or so Eli attempted to distract himself with pointless Trigonometric functions but his mind always wandered back to something Clare related. Eli shut the large blue book, giving up. He already had detention for ditching lastweek, what more could they give him for blowing off some homework?
Instead Eli logged onto his computer; checking emails was a much more interesting passtime.
The first few were just junk mail. He went through the hundred or so he had backed up, clicking the delete button before moving onto the next message. Most were just advertisements from random websites he'd signed up for in the past. When Eli had finally weeded through all of the mail a new one popped up on the screen. It was red and had URGENT flashing off and on as the topic. Curious, he clicked on it, instantly regretting the decision.
Dear Elijah,
How are you? I hope you're happy with your grandparents. I know it
must be better there than here. I just wanted to remind you of our
agreement.
Remember, if you don't keep up your grades and stay out of trouble you
have to come back to live with your father and I. And you know how
well that worked out last time.
I have a buisness meeting in the the area next week so I think your
father and I may drop by and see how everyone is doing.
P.S- Please try to wear a color other than black while we're around.
Sincerely,
Patricia Goldsworthy
He deleted the message. Maybe if he didn't respond back they would take the hint and leave him alone. Eli internally scoffed. Like not talking ever got them to back off! If anything it made them more forceful on a way he did not need either of his parents to stop by and ruin his life. Yes. They worked quickly. It was as if screwing with his life was some sort of sick passtime for decided to just not think about it. Instead he shuffled down the large twin staircase to the kitchen. Like everything else about his house, it was huge.
His grandparents, Mortimer and Sue, inherited hundreds of acres of land when his grandpa's father died. They decided to turn it into a funeral home and a cemetary. It was their type of place; quiet, peaceful, and unusual. The rest of the family hated it there but Eli loved it. Mortimer and Sue didn't want to live far from work so they built a mansion a mile or so away. When Eli was young he used to get lost, but he'd been living with them for almost two years now, so he knew his way a welcoming present the old couple bought Eli an shiny new Hearse. His Grandpa was very persistant but it still took over two months for his mom to give in and let him drive it around. Eli was so excited(which was a rarity in itself) that he named it in his grandpa's honor, hense the name Morty.
Eli took out a bottle of water and shut the fridge. He stuck the Asprin in his mouth and chugged the water, sighing as he set it back had been a long day. All the Clare family drama, then telling her how he felt and finally his mother. A normal person would feel tired but Eli just felt... wound up. Going to sleep wasn't even an option. It was as if he'd drunk three cups of coffee on an empty stomach and then had some cake. He needed to settle down, unwind; and from experience Eli knew that the best way to do so was to go for a walk. Clear your mind.
His grandparents wouldn't care. They were just his guardians. Eli did all the work; signing papers, buying food, even helping out at the funeral home. They just provided money and a place to live, which was fine by Eli since prying eyes had never been his thing. He was nothing if not independent.
Eli walked towards the front door, grabbing a jacket on the way air outside was bitingly cold. Not exactly unexpected for a late December night. The moon was luminescent, almost eerily so, but it helped Eli to navigate the tombstones that littered the grounds.
He wandered aimlessly, no specific destination in mind. Eli just felt the need to go. He had to get out and do something or he'd never get to sleep. Finally Eli stopped and sat down.
There were tens of hundreds of acres and though he knew every inch of them by heart, there was no way to walk the whole premisis by foot in one night. He layed back, totally at ease. This was his type of place. It was just...peaceful. He could just lie back and admire the moon without prying eyes judging his looks or distractions. His gaze drifted over to the headstone closest to him. the name inscribed was hardly legible in the now dull moonlight but he'd know it even if the night were dark as pitch.
Abigail Goldsworthy
His older sister. She'd committed suicide when she was sixteen. Exactly four years from that day. He was thirteen then but Eli still remembered the last thing she ever said to him.
"Don't be weak like me. Don't be afraid to be your own person, Eli."
And then Abby was gone. His older sister, his support, his best friend was gone. And he was left alone. To deal with the cutting, and the bullies, his parents, and everything else life threw at him. On the anniversary of her death he always visited her grave, but even after four years still hadn't forgiven Abby for leaving him so completely alone.
Eli felt a vibration in his pocket. "So much for no distractions." He muttered, annoyed. His mood changed when he found out who'd texted him.
I have really good news and I can't wait until tomorrow! Meet me in front of the Dot?~ClarE. He smiled. Good news meant she was okay.
Sure. C u in five?-
Kay:)~ClarE
Eli shut his phone and stuck it back in his pocket. Time to go. He looked back at the grave sadly before walking away. "See you next year."
"So you left?" Eli conluded hopefully. Clare smiled.
"Yes. We're going back tomorrow to get the rest of our stuff, but after that I'm never going back."
She was so happy and Eli was the first person she wanted to tell about everything. It just seemed right. He'd been there for Clare every step of the way. Then Eli told her that he liked her...as more than an English partner or good friend and she was shocked. He was just so everything she wasn't. A junior, mysterious, sarcastic, dreamy, caring, daring. The list went on and on but somewhere along the way, in between all of the flirting and teasing, she started to like him. He was meddling and seemed to live for annoying her, but he was so...him. Clare had always liked a bad boy.
Eli was looking at her, curious. She'd stopped talking and then got this faraway look on her face.
Then Clare looked back at him, eyes practically twinkling in the light, with the brightest smile he'd ever seen on a person. She liked Elijah Goldsworthy. That was all there was to it, and she wanted to tell him. Had to tell him. "Thank you!" Clare wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer to him. Eli awkwardly patted her back, not sure what was appropriate for that sort of situation.
"I told you that I'm here for you and I am. Anytime. Remember?" Her eyes began to water a bit. He really was a good guy, and he liked her.
"Eli, do you remember earlier when you said that you...liked me?" He quirked an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing a bit in suspicion.
"Yeah..."
She cleared her throat nervously. "Well I wanted to say that," Clare looked at Eli. Taking him in. From the greenness of his eyes to the black Sharpie on his fingernails. She allowed herself one last breath before spitting it out, "I like you too. Ever since I found you asleep on the bench, I think. I was really skeptic about dating again after what happened last year with K.C. but you just make me...happy. You helped me to do something I never could have done on my own and get me to be a little less perfect all of the time. So...I just wanted to tell you." She trailed off towards the end. Not really sure what came next.
Eli didn't either. He wasn't the most experienced person when it came to dating. He wasn't sure how happy to be or what to do, but he just settled for doing what came naturally.
Eli brushed a stray hair from Clare's face and leaned in a bit. She was staring at her hands in her lap. He pulled one of her hands up and carefully twined his with hers. She brought her eyes to his and he smiled. It was crooked and smirky but sweet all the same. And in that moment, if only for a second, he thought that finally, things may be looking up.
Clare pulled Alli behind the tree, motioning for her to be quiet. Alli stared at Clare, giving her the "Are you crazy" look. When Eli was out of earshot Clare started talking.
"Okay, Alli I have good news and bad news." Alli put on her game face, ready to recieve the new gossip.
"Shoot."
"Well Eli and I are sort of dating now." She started. Alli squealed.
"Details, Clare! Where and when!" Alli gushed excitedly. Clare blushed, embarrassed before continuing.
"and my mom and I left my dad," more squeals, "but that leaves one small complication." Clare said nervously. Alli was still hooked on the first set of news. Clare had a boyfriend!
"I'm moving. I haven't even told Eli yet. How do I tell him I'm moving? Now I feel guilty for not telling him so I'm avoiding him. It's never a good thing to avoid your boyfriend right? Right." Alli listened attentively. This was one area she was experienced in.
"You've got to tell him soon. The longer you wait the worse the reaction will be. How far are you moving exactly? Are you still going to Degrassi?" After her words of wisdom Alli jumped right into the sea of questions that she had for Clare.
"When are you leaving? Have you two kissed?" Clare didn't even bother with attempting to answer her questions. Once Alli settled down they'd talk again. For right now she had to focus on not being a total spazz in English next to Eli.
K.C. walked down the hall, hand in hand with Jenna. She was going on about some Power Squad fundraiser. He didn't care at all about what it was but as long as he nodded and grunted appropriately she'd never know. His mind was three lockers down on Clare, who was currently laughing and walking awfully cozily from under the arm of Eli. The happy couple passed by them without a second glance.
Jenna picked that moment to notice K.C.'s obvious lack of response. "Hello! K.C.?" She had that annoyed tone in her voice like always and she waved a hand in front of his face. "Anyone home?" He grabbed her wrist; the movement was giving him a headache.
"What do you want Jenna?" She glanced in the direction K.C. was staring, spotting Clare and Eli immediately.
"You were looking at her! You know what K.C? We're through! All you ever do is look at Clare, well newsflash! She has a boyfriend and it's not you!" Then Jenna stomped away, practically breathing fire at everyone who crossed her path.
K.C. just leaned against his locker. Great. Now he had no girlfriend, no friends, and no Clare. He just felt like he had no control over anything anymore. He needed to do something other than lean against his locker, alone. Bianca, the worst possible person who could come along, noticed him there. They had met before. He had beer, she wanted a drink, and they both had massive headaches in the morning. He was a decent guy with a bad past and she knew exactly how to use that to her advantage. K.C. was practically putty in her hands.
"Hey! Wanna have some fun?"
Eli shut his locker. Off to the worst class of the day, Trigonometry. It sucked because he didn't have that class with Clare, even if she had been acting wierd all morning. Eli stuck the thousand pound book in his bag before slinging it over his shoulder. Just as he was turning to leave he heard a person clear their turned around. It was a guy, though he looked a little girly, and he wore baggy clothes and a hat. The kid looked innocent enough so he waited for him to speak.
"U-um do you know where the Media Immersions classroom is? I'm sorta new here and I can't uh find it..." Clare had that class so Eli sort of remembered where it was, so he nodded, excluding his signature derisiveness.
"If you keep going down this hall, make a left and you're there." He smiled.
"Thank you so much! Um..." Eli's mouth twitched upward.
"Eli, you?" He fidgeted.
"Adam. Um, bye then." Eli watched as the younger teen walked down the instructed hall until he couldn't see him anymore, then turned towards his own class. He was beyond tardy but better late than never right?
"Wait! Stop! Please!" Eli's head snapped around. That sounded a lot like the kid he just talked to. Either way something bad was happening. He ran down the hall, following the loud pleas.
"Adam!" He called, breathlessly.
"Eli? Eli!" He followed the sound and froze as he turned the corner. Three people, only one of whom he recognized, were holding Adam up in the air. They were approaching the glass windows that made up the front walls of Degrassi until they saw Eli.
There was a tallish Spanish girl that he'd seen in a few of his classes. He'd known she was bad news since forever ago though. The guy next to her was exactly the same. Every drug, drink, and plant they probably did together, but the last person was the most surprising. K.C. held up Adam's legs, looking guilty. There were a lot of things on his RAP sheet but bullying had never been one of them. Not anymore.
"Eli?" Adam questioned when he didn't move from his spot.
Eli was too wrapped up in his own head to notice Adam talking. The memories were flooding in. The bullies punching him, pushing him further and further towards the edge until he had to do something to stop it. Anything to make them go away. He didn't want to see anyone else go through that. He snapped back to reality. Adam was calling for help. Calling for Eli's help and all he did was stand there and watch. He watched, frozen as they threw him into the glass wall, shattering it instantly. He watched as Bianca, Fitz, and K.C. ran away and he watched as red tinged shards of glass rained down, falling at his feet.
Finally, much much too late, Eli's heart restarted and he sped into action, checking Adam's pulse. It was somewhat weak, but he was alive, just unconcious. Adam's jacket had saved him from being too badly injured but some blood still seeped through it onto the floor. Eli's heart was beating a million times a second and his mind was going in too many directions at once. Eli rubbed his head and pulled out his phone, dialing 9-1-1.
A/N- This took ages to write! There was so much going on and I didn't know exactly how I wanted everything to play out. Not writer's block but close enough. this was a more informational chapter about Eli and his past so I hope it wasn't boring... - Next chapter: The drama ensues! Eli's mom stops by, Clare IS moving, and Eli has some trauma from the past to deal with! Review!