Eli was leaning against his car, dressed in his old brown leather jacket, rusty denim jeans, and his favourite 'rolling stones' t-shirt.
His hair was in a ruffled mess, and there were bags' forming under his eyes from hours of practicing on his guitar, instead of sleeping- truth was, he hadn't tried hard to impress anyone in particular when he got dressed.
He just threw on what ever he could scrounge off the floor- but no matter how un-hard he tried, he still looked handsome.
Deep, dark, mysterious handsome- the kind of handsome that attracts all girls……..he couldn't help it………the boy was hot.
And the fact that he was leaning against his beaten up, red, 1989 commodore probably only added to his appeal- especially to the freshmen girls!
But Eli didn't notice as the many girls who walked past him, heading towards their buses, or walking home- smiled at him, winked and looked back, in hope that he would catch a glimpse of them.
He didn't notice, he didn't care- which only added to his enticing appeal………
He only looked out for one girl- his step sister- and current number one enemy- Grace Manning.
"Come on" he muttered to himself, as he dug his hands deeper into his pockets- school had gotten out 20 minutes ago, and Grace was usually one of the first out.
He guessed she was being deliberately late, just to annoy him.
Or maybe she'd organized to go to a friends house, like Jessie and Zoe had done, in order to avoid him- - - and by not telling him, piss him off big time, by making him stand in front of his old high school for god knows how long, looking like some sort of pervert, Uni drop out trying to pick up cheerleaders……….."dammit" he cursed to himself, as Grace's plan began to unravel in his mind!
"Sammler!"
Eli turned to look down the sidewalk, and saw Ayden walking towards him.
"Great" Eli mumbled, but half smiled none the less as Ayden approached him.
"Hey man" Eli greeted him.
Ayden smiled faintly, "waiting for Grace?" he asked- and Eli was sure his smile grew a fraction as he spoke her name……….
"Yeah, waiting" Eli murmured, looking behind Ayden at the school doors- still no sign of her.
"So am I" Ayden explained, digging his hands into the pockets of his black jacket, "haven't seen her all day" he muttered, turning around to look at the same school doors Eli was staring at.
ELI I hope she wasn't in the toilets crying or anything……….
Eli looked down at Ayden for a moment.
He had the same dark and mysterious quality as Eli- maybe more so because of his darkened brown eyes, which were almost, black, and deep raven hair.
His olive complexion only added to his unique, yet handsome look.
And he was tall, almost as tall as Eli- and built, not too 'tanky', but toned enough to be impressive………
Eli sighed, knowing he had to ask the question………..
"So, you and Grace?" Eli implied.
Ayden turned around, his faint smile replaced with a quizzical look.
"Me and Grace?" he asked.
Eli let out a small laugh, "I know you two are 'study buddies'………." He smiled, searching Ayden's curious look for answers.
"Yeah-?" Ayden urged him to go on.
"Your not, 'into' her or anything, are you?" Eli asked, a slight laughter in his voice.
Ayden didn't say anything for a long time, long enough for Eli to drop his laughing tone.
"You are?" Eli asked, suddenly becoming a little anxious to know Ayden's direct answer.
He looked away, staring at the school doors again- still no Grace.
"Dunno," he mumbled, simply.
Eli stared at the back of his raven hair for a moment; not sure whether he should play the big brother role and ask Ayden for his intentions……..or simply stick his nose out of it.
"Well………" Eli began, but he silenced himself when Ayden turned around to look at him again.
"Don't worry Sammler- she'd never go for me, so you can forget giving me the protective older brother speech" he smiled, which put Eli at ease- but only a little.
Eli became a little nervous, "Yeah, of course, your right……….Err………I mean" he mumbled, not sure if he'd insulted Ayden, or if he should feel relief………
Ayden smiled, "I mean, Grace is really great." Ayden's smile only grew wider, that much was obvious- "-and she is so beautiful" he looked down at the ground, and Eli saw a tinge of red fill his cheeks.
"And smart, friendly, confident………..she's practically perfect"
ELI am I hearing right?"
"Umm……." Eli murmured- the sudden flash of Grace's curvy body entering his mind again.
Ayden looked up, and let out a small laugh at Eli's horrified face- "but you are her step brother, and you probably don't see those things".
ELI (looking distant) No…….I'm not supposed to see those things.
Eli looked at Ayden- he was a good-looking guy, who'd had his fair share of girlfriends.
Ayden had become really good friends with a few of Eli's basketball team mates, after they asked him to join their basement band, Ayden played the drums.
And ever since then, he'd always hung out with seniors- even though he was only in the eleventh grade.
His popularity only increased when he got a spot on the hockey team- and now was the captain.
But on top of all that, he was smart- really smart.
And Eli had always been sort of jealous of him because of it- he could be the jock and the geek at the same time, and still be cool.
Eli was only ever a jock.
He seemed to be an all round great guy- he really was- so why wouldn't Grace go for him?
"How do you know your not Grace's type?" Eli asked.
Ayden looked down at the ground again, "well, I think I am" he said quietly. Which only sparked Eli's interest to know more.
"But, why would she go for me, when she could have her pick of any guy?" Ayden asked, looking up at Eli.
ELI I'm lost here……….
"What do you mean, 'any guy'?" He asked, trying hard to keep the amused laughter from his tone.
Ayden laughed aswell, though not for the same reason as Eli.
"You really haven't noticed, have you?" Ayden asked.
Eli shook his head, "what?"
"Grace is beautiful!" Ayden exclaimed, "and ever since that whole thing with the teacher-"
"Dimitri" Eli supplemented.
"Yeah, Dimitri- well she's been getting noticed by all the guys. Maybe cause of the older man thing………or the 'girl next door' look……there are a lot of reasons why practically every guy wants to date her!" Ayden smiled at Eli's astonished face.
ELI yeah………not supposed to notice………..
"Really?" Eli asked, standing up straight, and taking his hands out of his pockets.
"Yeah- really!" Ayden replied, turning round quickly for one last look at the school doors.
"I better get going," he said, realizing Grace wouldn't be coming.
"Yeah, see ya" Eli said, a little dazed.
Ayden started walking away, and then turned, "tell Grace I'll call her!" he shouted over his shoulder.
Eli half nodded.
ELI isn't it weird, when somebody explains something seemingly ordinary and un-important to you- in a really passionate way, and suddenly something you probably never really took notice of before- becomes beautiful.
I mean………..beautiful!
Eli was in such a daze, he didn't even notice as Grace came walking towards him.
"Sorry I kept you waiting," She said, sarcastically, knowing perfectly well she'd kept him waiting- even though she'd only been sitting in the library for 20 minutes.
Eli looked at her- and suddenly noticed how soulful her dark eyes were.
"It's fine," he muttered, walking around to the driver's side of the car.
When he hoped in, he couldn't help but look over at Grace- and he noticed how rosy pink her cheeks were………..
Grace felt his eyes on her, and turned to look at him, angrily- "what?" she spat.
"Nothing" Eli half smiled, as he turned the key in the ignition.
ELI not supposed to notice……………
"Fine" Grace said, looking out the window.
Eli couldn't help but laugh at her stubbornness.
ELI but I do.
