Chapter 4

That's What You Get

…..

Alli didn't know why she bothered coming. Their relationship was over and she knew it. She made a complete fool of herself. The unanswered phone calls and text messages were a red flag. It wasn't like she loved him or anything. She did like him, but it was a mere crush. Eli was a rebel and a romantic. What girl wouldn't want that?

Eli felt bad she was here. He made her waste a ride for something he should have said before the summer break began. If he would have told her a week ago, she would have been over him by now. Instead, she was sitting here…on a couch….. trying to form conversation with a person who was not willing to do so. He wasn't being harsh. They didn't have anything in common. They never did.

"Well…at least I have closure." Alli laughed softly. She knew it was mutual between her and him. They would forever be friends. They were just not meant to be.

….

"Don't worry Clare. Remember, everything happens for a reason. Now go with Eli and Adam to get my groceries." Amelia dismissed her in a hurry.

"Thanks for the sentimental pep talk." Clare stated in a sarcastic manner underneath her breath.

…..

Dave walked in the house noticing the unfamiliar green mustang in the front lawn. To top it off, the owner was going to be pissed because the front right tire had a flat. Adam took the horses back to the stall. Dave just had to go to sleep, sleep deprivation was catching up to him.

"Not to be a bearer of bad news, but the owner of the mustang has a flat tire." Overhearing the announcement from the bathroom, Alli washed her hands and ran outside.

"I am taking a nap." Dave walked upstairs. Eli went outside to check Alli's flat.

"Don't worry. It can be fixed. After Dave wakes up, he'll fix it for you." Eli headed to his car, as Clare and Adam followed.

"In the meantime, dear, help me prepare some dessert." Amelia grabbed her hand and led her in the house.

…

Clare was quiet as she buckled herself in the hearse. She was upset at herself but she knew deep down she always liked Eli. She was just fighting against the feelings she felt. The harder she pushed away, the harder they came back…tenfold. All she could do is live with them and soon they would die.

Eli had to get his mind off of just what happened. He just broke up with one girl and found himself wanting to be with another girl one second later. All these feelings created a riot within himself. He had to distract his mind because Adam wasn't talking either. Turning up his radio, he was glad to hear "The Dead Hand."

Eli just had to make things worse by blasting his music in her ear. She reached over to lower it. He then reached over to turn it up. To Adam's amusement, they did this for another 5 minutes. Soon Eli reached his hand over Clare's. She soon found herself lacing her fingers with him, then moving her hand away.

"Back at square one I see." Eli commented.

…..

" I don't really know how to cook, Mrs. Amelia." Alli stated as she put on the apron the old woman gave her.

"That's why I'm here. So, tell me about yourself." Amelia started to look for the cake recipe as Alli pulled up her sleeves and put her hair in a ponytail.

"I am just your average teen girl who loves to shop and have fun." Alli helped crack the eggs for her.

"Let us not forget you are also one who likes to disobey her parents too." She put her head down at this comment. How did Amelia know she took her mom's car without permission?

"I believe the flat tire is repairable. Just hope Dave can fix it." Alli smiled as she heard his snore from upstairs.

"He has been tired lately. See his mother died a few of weeks ago. He hasn't been able to talk about it or sleep at all."

"Poor baby." Alli said as she grabbed the measuring cup on the other side of the cabinet for the woman.

….

As they entered the store, they decided to split the list. Clare got the drinks, cooking necessities, and vegetables while Eli and Adam got the medicines, cereals, and bread.

"Cut the bull Eli. What's going on between you and Clare? One minute you are both hating each other, the next you guys are acting like you want to be…..I don't know…can you give me a play by play." Eli lifted his head from the list.

"Honestly Adam. I wish I could say. Every time I'm around, it's like I want to stay away but I can't. Something just keeps me near her." He put the Corn Flakes in the basket. Does every old person love corn flakes?

"What about you and Alli."

"We broke up….finally. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest."

"Was she that bad?" Adam grabbed the bread.

"No she was just not my style."

….

As she placed the pan in the oven. She guided Amelia to sit down. She set the timer for 30 minutes. Ali decided to go check up on Dave. As much as she argued with her mother, she would never want to replace her. She could not begin to picture life without her. As she opened the door, she saw him tossing and turning in the bed.

"Don't leave me" Tears fell from his eyes.

"It's ok." Alli rocked him. He held onto her tightly. When he started to relax, she let him go stepping out of the room. Before she walked out completely, she took one last look at him.

…

As they packed their groceries in the car, Adam decided to break the ice…more like thin ice.

"So Eli, now that Alli is not your girlfriend, will you turn your affections toward someone else?" Eli wanted to jump over the seat and kick his ass. He didn't know what he wanted. Correction, he didn't know what Clare wanted. Even now, her face showed no emotion. Could she for once just show him the real her?

…..

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at home. Ali and Adam unpacked the groceries, leaving Clare to finish frying the fish. Dave then woke up to fix the flat tire. Alli followed him to the garage, putting her car in neutral. Thank God Earl was a renowned mechanic. They had everything they needed at their disposal. As Dave used the jack, Alli asked him:

"Do you always have nightmares like those?" Dave was trying to hardest to ignore the question. He began working diligently. Soon he patched up the tire putting air in it.

"You're good to go." Dave began to walk off as she grabbed his arm.

"I'm ok. Will everyone stop treating me as if I'm a child? You've just met me today and you're treating me like a puppy. Stop. I don't need any special treatment." He screamed walking in the house he said:

"I'm not eating. I lost my appetite." It was needless to say they all heard the argument outside but pretended otherwise.

Ali walked back inside. She was just being nice. She didn't mean to offend him. Now he was angry at her for showing him compassion and care. Feeling as if she over exceeded her welcome, she began to grab her things.

"Thank you so much Amelia, but I'm going to go too. I'll come back and visit you."

"Ok Ali, come back in two days." Amelia handed her a plate to take home, hugging the girl.

"Bye Clare. Nice meeting. Bye Eli." Clare escorted her out.

"I can't wait to see you. Be safe." Clare closed her car door.

…..

Super was quiet that night. Amelia was concerned for all her children. Clare's broken heart and her inability to show affection towards Eli, Dave's inability to come to grips with his mother, Adam's inability to feel comfortable in his own skin, and Eli's inability to understand Clare. What was an old woman to do? As they cleaned the dishes, Amelia made a plate for Dave to eat later. Adam walked her to her bedroom.

"Remember Adam. You said you were going to help me at the church bake sale tomorrow." He grimaced. He hated going to church. He loved the Lord, but at times he felt as if Christians were the most judgmental ever.

…..

Ring, Ring

Clare picked up the phone. She instantly regretted it. It was her mother. She needed to get her granny a caller id. Why did she have to call? Why couldn't she leave her alone? Eli noticed how was shutting down. She was starting to breathe and shake. He instantly grabbed the phone from her hand.

"Hello." Eli answered.

"Is Clare there?" Her mother dismissed him.

"Well hello to you to" Eli thought. After Clare calmed herself down, she grabbed the receiver.

"Yeah I'm here." Clare said as Eli started rubbing her back.

"Remember not to eat much fried food. You have to start getting ready for….."

"Mom, I thought I was taking a break. I need a…"

"Clare Diane Edwards, stop whining. It shows weakness." Eli could hear the whole conversation. This was her life at home. She had no freedom. She was shown no love. No wonder she acted like this.

"Ok." Clare reluctantly said. "Did you want to speak to granny?"

"No, just tell not to base everything with grease. Bye." Clare hung-up and got out of Eli's hold.

"I'm going to go to bed." She looked into his eyes. She wanted to do something but she didn't know what.

…..

"That was some scene with Alli today." Eli said as sat on the bed. Adam and Dave were blowing up their air mattresses. Dave knew he wrong for yelling at her. He didn't know why he did. She was only worried about him.

"I know man. I was just mad at everyone. I took it out on her." He remembered how her dark eyes glowed with concern.

"Accidents happen." Adam understood. At this point, he wished he could just run away for tomorrow. Sensing his mind was someplace else, Eli said:

"Why did you volunteer to go with her?"

"I didn't actually think she would take me up on the offer. You would think she would have taken Clare."

"You know how Milly is, she has a sixth sense or something. Usually when she does something, it's for a good reason." Dave said. Five minutes later, they heard Clare scream. Eli volunteered himself to check on her. As he was about to enter her room, she quieted down. He was happy she was resting but he was sad. He wanted to hold her once more.