Too Equal For My Taste

Chapter 7: The Questionable Truth

Since a few games were scheduled to take place between the Bakers and Murtaugh's, Kate and Serina decided to talk to Tom and Jimmy. They decided to use the usual tactic, and come down firm and hard. If they went easy, things might go out of control again. While the two men were having dinner, Serina and Kate approached them firmly.

"We're aware that few games are scheduled for competition," Kate began.

As Jimmy nodded, his wife added, "We're here to make sure it does not go astray like last time, so we are going to make a few agreements. Firstly, and we're all going to abide by this- is"-

"No fights, we got it," Jimmy said in a bored voice.

"No fights," Kate said firmly. "If anything happens, we're going to put a stop to this"-

"We know honey," Tom said in a tone not unlike Jimmy's.

Kate and Serina were both taken-aback, and so they left with one thing in their minds; if it went too far, they would raise hell. Jimmy and Tom nodded at them, and then at each other when the two woman left. They agreed a long time ago to keep it cool and not to make it too harsh and conflicting. After all, relationships between kids were at stake too. Last time, they knew not their kids were seeing each other, and acting friends. Now, they knew very well that if they didn't keep it cool, they would face fire from their wives and kids.

Speaking of kids, they were slowly getting to be really good friends. Elliot and Jake had developed a close friendship, and Jake swore to him that when the school started, he'd introduce Elliot to his pals. Sarah finally decided to talk to Elliot after the talk she had with Kate, and Mark and Ken were only warming their mischief up.

Ken was in complete control of Mark by this time. Mark ran back to where Kenneth was, feeling mighty proud of himself. For the first time in ages, he did something right, and he felt good that Ken was gonna praise him. He sat beside him, and explained everything once Ken got the lemonade out.

As for Sarah, she finally decided to sit with Elliot outside, but she also decided not to say anything. If Elliot was interested, he'll start the talking. Elliot was sitting outside with Jake and Mike, skateboards beside them. Sarah appeared outside soon after they put their skateboards away. She smiled uncertainly, and walked towards the spot where Elliot was sitting with Jake and Mike.

Jake and Mike didn't say anything as Sarah greeted them. The two were still in a bad mood with Sarah for making trouble with them before. Mike had so wanted to go physical and be done with it, but Jake told him not to hit girls, so he guessed it was fair enough.

Elliot raised his head in hello, and patted her back as she sat beside him. "Wassup?" he asked happily and casually.

Sarah shrugged. Jake looked over at them, and nodded to himself. He touched Mike on the back, and motioned his head toward the house. Mike got the message, and the two got up. "We're gonna get some sandwiches. Anything anyone wants?" Jake asked.

"Ham?" Elliot proposed.

-"and cheese," Sarah added. Elliot nodded, agreeing.

Jake and Mike nodded, and the two ran away, leaving Sarah and Elliot alone again. Sarah had a feeling Jake was trying to show her he had nothing against her and Elliot. She looked down guiltily. She felt guilty making a fight with them, but had little regrets. At least she got Elliot beside him again. With a bit of luck, maybe everything could start again. She looked over at Elliot, and asked, "So, what made you come back?"

Elliot looked down quietly. Sarah just stared at his side face. His tan skin looked lighted in the bright sun. He finally looked up at Sarah, "I dunno," he lied. Elliot didn't know why he was lying. All he knew was that he was sitting next to Sarah. Was she even still interested? Why did she ignore him for so long? Well, perhaps she was no longer interested, and this casual conversation was meant to show that they should just be friends. Elliot took the message that way and concluded that he should just stay quiet and wait for Sarah to make a move.

"So, you just ended up coming here and you have no idea why?" Sarah asked, trying to get it straight.

"Yes, I mean no- I"- Elliot stuttered. "Ok, Calvin got an apartment near here, and Daniel was accepted into the University of Chicago."

"So you did know?"

Elliot sniffed a laugh. He then felt stupider than ever. Why did he lie? Why did he make that stupid mistake, and then give it away just like that? He knew why, didn't he? So, why didn't he tell the truth and make himself look obvious. "I dunno. Seriously. I'm just- lost- no- tired is all."

Elliot shrugged, staring determinedly at his sneakers. Why did he make that stupid mistake? Why? Why? Why? Sarah was saved responding by Jake and Mike coming back out with the sandwiches. Sarah took her sandwich speechlessly, and said no more words to Elliot, her former boyfriend as it now seemed.

Elliot did know. Why did he not tell her? Well, one thing for sure, there some something on his mind. Was it that he was waiting for her, or he wanted to dump her and didn't know what to say and what nervous about it. She decided the latter was more likely, since if he was nervous about getting back with her, it wouldn't fit. They were going out for a week before. Why be nervous?

Sarah and Elliot did not speak for the rest of the day, and it ended with them only saying a simple and casual goodbye. Sarah walked back in, feeling very down and still did not speak to Jake and Mike. Jake would've been happy with a simple apology, because he knew Sarah knew she was wrong. Why didn't she say anything?

Elliot went in feeling the same way, and unaware that Sarah was feeling the exact same thing he was feeling. Elliot didn't have any siblings to apologize to, so he just ate dinner quietly, and retired to bed, staring up at the ceiling, wide awake, thinking of Sarah: Why didn't she say anything? Was this her way of saying it was over? Should he flirt with other girls? Elliot knew not what Sarah was thinking or why.