Two years later,
You're still on my mind

Eli was in the garage where the parents still had everything he'd left after he moved out. He was trying rather unsuccessfully to take a nap. It was quiet out there and if he needed anything it was quiet. He had caught up with everyone already so there was nothing left to do but sleep. Which he couldn't do. He'd get to sleep, see her face in his dreams and would wake up. He would lie down, try to close his eyes, and would see Grace. He would lie with his eyes wide open, stare up at the ceiling, and would still see Grace. She was everywhere and yet a million miles away. Impossible. He had tried since the day he left town to forget her and it was impossible. He couldn't no matter how hard he tried. He never figured out what it was about her that kept him so stuck. Stuck is what I am. Stuck in a neverending nightmare that I'll never escape. There is only one way to escape it. Tell Grace the truth. And ruin this weekend and the rest of her life and have the family never forgive me. I can't do that to her. Or them. I'll just let it continue to slowly eat me alive.

Eli got up and took his familiar path to the kitchen. "Food. Food will help. Its just got to."

"Eli? Are you talking to yourself? That's the first sign of getting old you know." Zoe appeared out of nowhere. She always had a way with words.

"Thanks Zoe. I am not old but yes, I was talking to myself. I guess that comes from having a stepsister like you who's a little insane herself. You've rubbed off on me Zoe." Eli smiled, put his arm around her, and said, "So, what is there to eat? Still got those hidden cookies? No? Chips? Anything?" Zoe never said a word, she just shook her head.

The two found themselves standing in front of the open refrigerator staring. "Nothing. Not a thing. Did Lily get rid of all the junk once Grace and I left?" Zoe replied with a smile, "Yes, she did. Mom said all of it was bad and we needed to cleanse our systems and eat healthy and I hate it Eli. Want me to go get us something good? And can I borrow your car?"

Eli chuckled. "No, you're not borrowing my car but yes, I would love it if you wanted to get us some junk food! Here's some money, and get the good stuff. Remember what I like?"

"It hasn't been that long Eli." And with that, Zoe went in search of her mother to borrow a car.

"She misses you." And so do I "She didn't like you much when you were here all the time but she misses you now that you're gone." Grace cringed as she realized what she said. Zoe isn't the only one she could say that about. Grace has had Eli on her mind almost constantly the last 2 years. It may have only been a kiss on the cheek Eli Sammler, but that was one powerful kiss you gave me when you left.

"Why did you and I hate each other in the beginning?" Oh god, I said that aloud didn't I? It was now Eli's turn to cringe. "You know, I mean back when Dad and your mom started dating and everything. I dunno what I mean. I'm tired and hungry and obviously delirious. I'll just go sit on the couch, watch some TV, stay out of your mom's way and wait for Zoe to get back with the good stuff." Eli walked as quickly to the couch as he could without making it look as though he were running. I have to run from her because I can't be near her without wanting her...needing her. I can't.

Grace stared at the empty space in front of her as her brain wrapped itself around Eli's question. Why did they hate each other? Maybe it's always been a love/hate thing with us. Yeah Grace, he hates you and you love him. The phone rang and brought her out of her thoughts. She heard Eli say hello and waited. "Yeah, hang on. May I ask who's speaking? Sure. Grace. Phone. It's Geoff." Eli tried to sound happy for her. What he wanted to do was jump through the phone and punch him. Punching him would be wrong Eli. You cannot punch the man about to marry Grace. How many times do I have to tell myself that? "Thanks E." Eli smiled as Grace took the phone from his hand. She called me E. I really like that.

"Hi Geoff. Dinner? I'm not sure what we're doing. That was Eli. Yes. Yes. No. He's here for the wedding and then I suppose he will go back home." Grace's heart dropped as those words tumbled out of her mouth. Geoff didn't know Eli, and Grace never volunteered any extra information. He asked her once if anything had ever happened between the two and Grace was stunned and speechless. She told Geoff it was because the idea was absurd but in her heart, she knew she had been speechless because she wished something had happened and couldn't tell him that. They had just started dating and it was a mere three weeks after Eli left. Her heart was broken, her mind was spinning, and Geoff was there. He was a new man who oddly enough had dark hair and hazel eyes that changed colors if you looked closely enough. So what if he looks like Eli? He's completely opposite in every other way. He's never smoked pot, he's never jumped into bed with anyone, he thinks things through, and why does it sound like I'm trying to make myself fall in love with my fiance? Grace found herself back in the conversation with Geoff as she heard the back door shut. She walked to the kitchen and he was gone. Eli walked out into the backyard and was staring into nowhere. Somewhere she heard Geoff say goodbye and that he would see her a little later and she thought she said goodbye but she wasn't certain. Eli left so long ago. Why can't I forget everything and get over him? We never had anything to get over.

Eli sighed. Geoff. What kind of name is Geoff? It's not even spelled right. Why am I here? Why can't I forget how I felt for Grace? Why haven't I found someone else? She did. She found Geoff. She's getting married. I left and never looked back so why would I expect her to wait? Why would I expect her to know she was supposed to wait? All this time and I still get the butterflies in my stomach and I still ache for her. All this time and I should have forgotten her. I've forgotten everyone else. Eli had to get out of the house. He walked out of the kitchen and just stood in the backyard staring into nothingness. The same nothing he has in his heart.