Chapter Three
A few days later I walk into the school to see Logan Echolls being escorted out by deputy Sacks. He looks at me and points.
" I'll get your sister for this! I will. "
Oh god, what has she done now? Knowing I don't have time to do an interrogation I put my stuff in my locker and head to calculus. I have other things to worry about.
After school, I go for a run on the dog beach to clear my mind.
I set my iPod to my guitar playlist and let the rifts set my pace. When I left for Australia I thought it was because I needed a change of scenery, but now I see that wasn't the case. I ran.
I'm no better than my mom. If I'm really honest with myself I didn't run because of my dad. I didn't run because I was being bullied. I ran because my heart was broken. By who? You guessed it, Eli. Not that we were ever " together "... But there were feelings there.
The first time I met him was when my dad first picked him up for vandalism in seventh grade. I remember him being so angry at the time that I smiled at him from the passenger seat to cheer him up. He rolled his eyes and then looked out of the window.
In ninth grade, we were paired together to dissect a frog. I freaked out when he cut the poor thing open and water came squirting out. He grabbed my hand and rubbed my knuckles with the pad on his thumb. I looked into his deep chocolate eyes and felt instantly better. After that, I knew I wanted to be his friend.
I saw something in him that was just under the surface. Something he didn't show around other people. When I got home that day I told my dad that he helped me and got a long lecture about how Eli was trouble and to stay away from him.
Of course, I didn't listen and we became really good friends that year... Halfway through tenth grade, I felt things change. When he'd take me joyriding on Angel's bike my palms would drip sweat. Then he'd help me off of the bike leaving me to wonder all night if he noticed. If he did he never said anything.
We continued on like that. At times I'd catch him looking at me when he thought I wasn't paying attention. There were definite signs that what I was feeling was mutual... Except it clearly wasn't.
One day out of the blue he stops calling and texting me back. I'd see him in school but he'd avoid me like the freaking plague. I didn't know what I did to deserve being treated like that until I learned that he met someone else. I didn't do anything he did. And with Lily Kane no less!
How did I find out? Well not knowing what to do about the Eli situation I decided to bite the bullet and ask Veronica for advice. I mean, she did have a serious boyfriend at the time so I thought it was a good idea. When I couldn't find her at home I went to the Kane's looking for her thinking she'd be by the pool with Lily as usual.
The only person at the pool with her was him. Lily was on top of Eli. They were both naked, writhing, and breathing heavily. I turned around and ran before they could see me. I went to the bus stop and waited for the next one. I didn't cry then. I just went home and helped my mom with dinner. Veronica got home just before we ate in a great mood and never even asked me what was clearly wrong. I never told her about what I saw. She probably already knew anyway.
I cut off all communication with Eli after that day. A few months later Lily was gone but I couldn't bring myself to attempt to comfort him. Another month later I was on a plane to Australia. The pain didn't let up but at least I wouldn't have to see his face.
By the time I'm done with my walk down memory lane sweat is coming from every pore, but my soul feels cleansed. Bending over I brush my hair to the top of my head with my fingers and tie it up into a messy bun.
I walk the rest of the way to the public part of the beach and see Veronica and Wallace flying his plane. Walking up I smile at him.
" Hey, Wallace. " I say.
He smiles back. " Hey, Tori. "
Veronica looks at the sweaty mess I am and shakes her head. " Have fun? " She asks.
Well, at least she isn't glaring or trying to explode my head with the power of her stare anymore.
" Veronica... Your car. " Wallace says all of a sudden.
They look to the parking lot and see Logan and his minions surrounding her Le Baron. Wallace lands his plane as we walk over to them. When we get close Logan grins his douche bag grin.
" Hey! The Mars sisters. " He says sarcastically looking at Veronica only. " You know what your little joke cost me? "
Veronica smirks. " Well, I'm pretty sure you won't be getting your bong back. "
Logan doesn't like that answer. Taking the tire iron he has he busts out one of her headlights.
" Wrong answer. Would you care to guess again? " He asks.
" Clearly your sense of humor. " She says still not fazed.
He then bashes her other headlight. " Nope. You're usually so good at pop quizzes. No, the correct answer is my car. My daddy took my T-Bird away. And you know what I won't be having? Fun, fun, fun. " He says in a very douche bag manor.
Motorcycle engines roar in the distance. " Hey, Logan... " One of his minions warns.
Eli's whole crew pulls into the parking lot and block them all in. Eli gets off of his bike and hangs his helmet off of one of the handlebars.
" Well, what do we have here? Vandalism? No, no, no. The only vandalism that happens in this town goes through me. " He says walking up to Logan.
Logan isn't expecting a knight in leather coming to their rescue. " Listen, man, I don't have a problem with you. "
Eli shakes his head. " That's where you're wrong. " He said taking another step closer.
" Hey yo! Is this O-Town any good? I mean my little sister likes it, but she likes ponies and juice boxes too. " Felix yells from the driver's side of Logan friends SUV making the PCHers laugh.
" Suddenly I'm in a scene from the outsiders. " Wallace says lowly.
Veronica folds her arms. " Be cool soda pop. "
I just stand there and keep my eyes on Eli. He looks so intimidating. Grabbing the tire iron from Logan he goes over to the SUV.
" Hey man, this is my mom's car. " One of Logan's friends tells him.
Eli gets in his face. " She can bill me. " He says proceeding to beat a few large dents in the hood and smashing a headlight.
He holds the tire iron out and smirks. " That's it, head for the hills. " He tells them. " I'm not gonna say it twice! " He yelled pointing at Logan. " Except for you. You say you're sorry. " He demands.
Logan laughs. " Rub a lamp. "
Eli lands a punch in his stomach. He falls to the ground and gets right back up. " I said say you're sorry. "
Logan catches his breath. " Kiss my ass! "
The next punch hits him in the face. Eli laughed. " Now- "
" Let him go. " Veronica pipes up.
He looks at her. " Are you sure? I could do this for a while. "
" I don't want his apology. " She assures him.
Lagan walks to the SUV and he and his douche friends leave.
Eli looks at Veronica " So that whole surveillance tape just, poof? " He asks.
Surveillance tape? What the hell is he going on about?
" Well, that's convenient. " Veronica says.
Looking at the damage Logan did to her car he says " My uncle has a body shop on the high way. If you come in we can give your body the full-service treatment. " He says looking her up and down.
Heat fills my face and I couldn't deny that I'm jealous of him flirting with my sister right in front of my face. I hate that after all of this time I still feel this way.
" Okay, now you apologize. " Veronica says.
Eli looks away. " I'm sorry was that too dirty? "
" Not to me dork, to him. " She motions to Wallace.
He looks like he'd rather shoot himself. " Yeah... No. "
" Fine. He has the only copy of the Sac-n-Pac video. Wallace lets go decided what to do with it. " She says walking to her car.
" Okay wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry okay for the whole taping you to the flagpole I'm sorry. " He says uncomfortably.
Wallace looks skeptical. " All right. " He says.
" Can I have the tape back now? " Eli asks nicely.
Wallace thinks about it for a minute. " Nope. " He says walking away.
He and Veronica leave and here I am alone with the whole PCH bike club. Looking from the sand to him I feel very uncomfortable. His eyes are raking all over me.
" Y'all clear out. I have some business to take care of. " He tells his boys.
Once they're gone he turns back to me. His chocolate eyes catch mine and stick them there. After what feels like an eternity, I break contact and go head walk to my car.
" I should get going. " I say before a tattooed arm shoots out and pushes me back in front of him.
" No, no, no. You're not leaving until we have a little chat. " He says pulling me further down the beach.
