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A/N: I made up the league for story purposes.
Ch. 5 I Hear Voices & I See Colors
(ADAM)
"Oops, sorry," Eli apologizes after running into me in the hall.
School just let out and everyone is in a hurry to get out. K.C. and I were waiting on Clare, she needed to put something in her locker. Then the three of us were going to walk to The Dot. K.C. had a shift and Clare and I were going to talk about scheduling with Spinner. Mom was picking us up in an hour, and we'd go to the headquarters of the helpline where Clare was volunteering over the summer to drop off her paperwork.
"I gotta get Julia, it's our anniversary and I'm taking her to her favorite places, and back to my place," Eli grins and waggles his eyebrows. Before K.C. or I can say anything, Eli runs off.
"Isn't Julia dead?" K.C. questions.
"Yeah," I reply slowly, "maybe he meant another one?"
"I really hope so," K.C. comments but we both go quiet as Clare approaches. I'm sure Eli couldn't have meant another Julia because he said it was their anniversary. I want to think he was joking, but something tells me he's not.
"So, K.C. when do you and your mom move?" Clare asks as we start walking to The Dot.
"Not until next month, but we've started to pack up. We'll do it little by little so we're not rushing to do it all over a weekend."
"Smart, moving is hard, it took us weeks to get our house packed up before we moved here," I comment.
"Didn't take me that long to move into your house, not that I had that much to move. It was really just my room," Clare remarks.
"Yeah, and we still had a lot of help to get it all boxed up and moved out. Though most everything in the house went to storage or got sold," I reply.
"Yeah," she says sadly. I'm sure she's thinking about her mom.
K.C. puts his arm around her shoulders and she smiles at him. Spinner greets us when we come in and tells the girl that's working he'll be in back for a while, but if things get too busy to let him know. K.C. follows us back to the employee lounge where he puts his backpack in a locker and changes into a Dot T-shirt. Clare and I follow Spin into his little office back here, Spin sits at the desk and gives us some paperwork to fill out. We then give him availability and hours over the summer. Spin makes sure to get us in and gives us our schedule for our first week. He also gets our cell numbers and gives us his in case anything changes.
With twenty minutes before Mom picks us up still Clare and I follow Spinner out front and order drinks. When Mom pulls up, we wave to K.C. and Spin going out to get into Mom's car. When we get to the building with the helpline I stay in the car while they go in, but they're back in the car after a few minutes. Mom then takes us home and starts on dinner while Clare and I go down to the basement. Drew is staring at his homework so we help him and start on our own homework.
I never tell anyone about Eli's behavior at school, I don't want them to worry. The next day Eli seems to be fine; he doesn't talk about Julia anyway. Of course, I only see him in the halls between classes. He doesn't even come into The Dot. Actually, for the next couple of weeks he seems pretty solitary and withdrawn. I never see him talking to anyone, he leaves right after school, but does seem to be watching Clare a lot. I don't mention it to her or Drew, I don't want to scare Clare, and I don't want Drew to get angry. I do see Eli talking to himself a lot though, kind of mumbling to himself.
Worried about what's happening with Eli I do call Cece and tell her about Eli's behavior. She says they'll talk to his therapist, and the next day I find out his medication was changed. For a couple of days Eli seems better, and it seems like changing the medication did the trick. Then the following Monday Clare and I are at our lockers when Eli strolls over.
"Morning Adam," Eli grins at me and then turns his attention to Clare. "Morning Blue Eyes," he smirks and leans in for a kiss.
Clare leans back and steps away, so Eli ends up kissing the locker. I'm shocked, Clare looks shocked and bewildered. Eli looks confused.
"Did I do something wrong? Why won't you kiss me?" Eli questions.
"Because we broke up Eli," Clare says.
Eli's confusion turns to ire very quickly. His face goes red, his jaw clenches making his neck muscles bulge, his eyes narrow. He's laser focused onto Clare now and worried he's going to release his anger I move her behind me.
"What do you mean we broke up?!" Eli growls. "WE DIDN'T BREAK UP," he yells and raises his fist before punching the locker.
"Dude chill," Owen says running over and getting between all of us, "nice going Dr. Doom I think you broke your hand."
"We didn't break up," Eli seethes again but is cradling his hand.
"Alright, let's go see the nurse Norman Bates," Owen remarks, dragging Eli off. Eli either didn't notice or didn't care about Owen's dig at referring to him as the star character in "Psycho".
"Are you okay?" I ask Clare.
"Yeah, just worried, he genuinely seemed to not remember we had broken up."
"Yeah, I'm sure his parents will be called because of his hand. Let's go to class," I say, putting my arm around her shoulders.
"Why was Owen leading Eli away by the shirt?" K.C. questions when he joins us in math.
"Eli got angry and punched a locker, Owen was taking him to the nurse," I respond.
"Oh, why'd Eli get angry?" K.C. inquires.
"Because we broke up, rather he was angry because the fact that we broke up seemed to be news to him," Clare adds.
"That's odd," K.C. remarks shooting me a look. I'm sure thinking, like I am, of a couple weeks ago when Eli said he was taking Julia out for their anniversary. Neither one of us mentions the incident though. Elli's behavior is not brought up again until Drew finds us at lunch.
"Owen tells me Eli went nuts and punched a locker this morning?" Drew comments putting an arm around both our shoulders.
"Yeah, sort of," I remark.
"If he was trying to punch one of you, I'm going to kill him," Drew says.
"No, he meant to punch the locker. He tried to kiss me and when I told him we broke up his mood flipped to anger. He punched the locker without thinking," Clare informs him.
"Eli has lost it, you both stay away from him, and if he comes near you start screaming," Drew asserts. He then pats our shoulders and walks off to lunch.
"He's joking right?" Clare asks.
"Probably not, don't worry about it, let's go to lunch and hope Eli is out for a couple of days because of his hand."
My hopes are dashed when Eli is not only at school the next morning but waiting at our lockers. He's seen us so we can't turn and go the other way, at least he looks calm, actually he looks kind of blank. Drew left us for his locker as soon as we were in the building so he's not with us. Which is good because I'm sure Drew would shove him into the lockers and then ask what Eli wanted. His hand is wrapped, a splint on his wrist, but he may have escaped without a broken hand.
"Hey Eli, how's your hand?" I ask calmly. I intentionally put myself between him and Clare, just to be on the safe side. The way his mood flipped yesterday even I'm being cautious.
"Sprained my wrist and dislocated a finger joint, could have been worse. I'm really sorry about yesterday, I don't…I never meant to scare you, either of you. I got my meds switched again; I was given mood stabilizers so I'm kind of numb. Anyway, I just wanted to apologize, I should get to class," Eli tells us and walks off.
"I don't know if I'm more worried about his mood swing yesterday or that he seemed to truly believe we were still dating," Clare comments.
"Yeah, I know it's odd, hopefully his therapist figures out what's going on instead of just switching his meds any time something happens."
(CLARE)
I leave the washroom nearly bumping into a group of chittering cheerleaders on their way in. It's been two weeks since Eli tired to kiss me and then punched the locker. His wrist was still in a brace but that was coming off next week. I didn't see much of him in the hall, Drew told us Eli seemed withdrawn and quiet in class. Adam wouldn't talk about Eli, I couldn't decide if that was so he wouldn't scare me, or so he wouldn't make Drew angry. With only a couple minutes before the bell I start walking quickly to my second period art class when suddenly my hand is grabbed. I turn around to see Eli holding my hand, his eyes are wild, far off and yet intense.
"I'm all packed, we'll take the bus to Niagara and be back tomorrow morning before anyone knows we're gone. Where's your bag we need to get to the bus," Eli says. His voice is excited and full of energy.
"Eli, I don't know what you're talking about, and I'm not going with you," I respond. I'm perplexed not only by his behavior but that he seems to think I have any idea what he's talking about. I try to pull my hand away, but he grips it firmly.
"What do you mean you don't know what I'm talking about? We talked about this last night Clare. You told me you loved me and couldn't live without me. I said we should run away to Niagara and elope, so we'd never be apart again. You agreed, you said we'd leave today, that we should be gone before lunch."
"Eli, we're sixteen and seventeen years old, we can't get married without parental consent. Even if we could, I never said any of that."
"YOU DID!" Eli bellows, turning red with rage. I shrink back and rip my hand away, but he grabs my arm and grips tightly. "You told me last night that you love me and can't live without me. I heard you; I was there. We're going to Niagara like we planned."
"Eli I was home last night, I wasn't with you, now let me go," I plead. I'm getting more frightened.
"NO, we're getting married, you promised," he hisses, holding tight to my arm. He turns and starts walking for the front doors. I try to plant my feet, but he has a firm grip on my arm and he's dragging me with him.
"Eli please let me go," I beg, and my voice shakes because I'm so scared.
"Get away from her Eli, right now," Drew growls as he and Owen suddenly appear from around the corner. They must have heard us and come running.
"No, I won't let you keep us apart, you're all trying to keep us apart. You're all against us, everyone's against us," Eli raves. He's standing between me, Drew and Owen. Eli's grip on my arm tightens as he sees the threat of me being taken from him. The confrontation seems to have finally brought more people to the hall, including Mr. Simpson and Miss Sauvé.
"Eli," Miss Sauvé says in a calming voice, "no one is against you. Why don't you let Clare go and come to my office so we can talk."
"No, no, she loves me, I won't let you keep us apart," Eli growls.
"Eli," Mr. Simpson barks, bringing Eli's attention to him.
As soon as Eli's attention is on Mr. Simpson, Drew and Owen move fast, getting between us. Drew grabs me while Owen shoves Eli away. Owen's shove is hard enough to force Eli to let me go. Drew keeps his arm firmly around my waist while Owen stands between us. Eli makes an angry snarl and turns around clenching his fist, but Owen is a wall and ready to block Eli's punch.
"Come on Eli, let's go call your parents," Mr. Simpson comments, putting his hand firmly on Eli's shoulder. Eli huffs angrily but doesn't argue or fight. When Eli and Mr. Simpson go to his office Miss Sauvé comes over and asks if I'm okay, when I nod she follows Simpson and Eli to Simpson's office.
"Are you really, okay?" Drew questions releasing my waist.
"I'm fine, I don't really know what happened. Eli came rushing over, excited and hyper sort of, he said he was packed and started talking about us running off to Niagara to elope. He was convinced we were together and talking about it last night. I tried telling him I wasn't with him last night, but he just wouldn't listen and that's when he tried dragging me away."
"Eli is dangerous, I don't want you anywhere near him," Drew says with a protective finality in his voice. I refrain from rolling my eyes, because I know he wouldn't be doing this if he didn't care, I still hate being told what to do.
"Come on, we'll walk you to class," Owen remarks. When we appear in the doorway to art together Adam cocks an eyebrow at us.
"Why the escort?" Dave asks as I walk to the table where he and Adam sit.
"What did Eli do?" Adam inquires.
I can't tell them right now as Miss Dawes begins class. As soon as she has the video going, I tell them what happened in the hall. Dave's only comment is that Eli is nuts, Adam doesn't say anything, but he does look worried. At lunch Mr. Simpson finds me to tell me Eli was sent home and his parents are talking to his therapist. That evening Adam finds out from Eli that after an emergency session with his therapist his medications were changed, again. I'm starting to think Eli's therapist needs to be changed.
Adam shows me the text, there's nothing from Eli about being confused this morning. I'm afraid to ask, so I still don't know if Eli really thinks we planned to elope together or if it was a dream or some hallucination. I wonder if his mix of meds could make him hallucinate. I have no idea what he takes, so I can't even look it up. As much as I hate to admit Drew is right, I think the best thing I can do is stay away from Eli for the time being.
(K.C.)
"You'll get used to the early morning weekend shifts," Spinner tells me after I yawn. It's Saturday morning and it was my first opening shift. Spinner was training me on opening because I would have to do it at least a few times over the summer. "Remember you can help yourself to coffee. Go ahead and take your break, we tend to get a rush of students between eleven and one," Spin says.
"Thanks," I nod.
I make myself some coffee and grab a muffin. I didn't eat breakfast this morning because I was too tired. I take it back to the break room, pulling my phone from my jeans. No texts or emails from my friends because it's too early, so I look at some of my favorite sites and watch the time. After fifteen minutes I go out front again and Spinner takes his break.
There are only two customers in the café right now, things are slow and I'm idly wiping the counters when something catches my eye across the street. It's Eli, he's walking with his head down, kind of glancing side to side like he's up to something. I know he was sent home early yesterday after accosting Clare in the hall.
At first, it looks like Eli is going to the school, but then I see him go into the fence to get to the ravine. I don't think Eli would have any reason to be in the ravine. It seems very odd that he would be going to the ravine, and I expect him to come out a few minutes later, but he doesn't.
Spinner returns and soon after he returns, we get busy. Dave is one of the first to come in, and Alli follows a few minutes later. They order and sit together, talking and sipping coffee. Adam and Clare come in together, after ordering they join Dave and Alli at their table. I help several other customers and then Katie and Marisol come in.
"Hey Kirk," Katie grins when she approaches the counter. Recently, and I'm not entirely sure how, Katie found out that K.C. stand for Kirk Cameron. Now she is highly amused by calling me Kirk instead of K.C. and does it with an insulting inflection in her voice. You would think having brought Degrassi to victory in the soccer finals Wednesday afternoon she'd be in a better mood.
"It's K.C., what can I get you?"
"Do I get your discount since we're practically family?"
"No, and if you aren't going to order then get out of the way so other people can order."
"Gosh, so pushy, well, I'll take a medium double caramel latte," Katie says. I ring her up and she pays then steps to the side so Marisol can order.
"Hi K.C.," Marisol grins, batting her eyelashes.
"Hi Marisol, what'll it be?"
"A small hazelnut mocha and a croissant please," she replies with a smile. I ring her up, she pays and even tips a dollar. "You grab us a table Katie, I'll get our stuff when it's ready," Marisol tells her after stepping to the side so I can help the next customer.
Katie shrugs and gets a table, there's a long line of people still. Thankfully, Abby just got here, and she comes out to the front. She takes over ringing people up and taking their orders while I help Spinner fulfill the orders.
"Here Marisol, your order and Katie's coffee," I tell her, placing it on the counter.
"Thanks K.C.," she smiles, brushing her fingers over mine as she takes the coffee from my hand.
I think it's a little weird that she was so flirty with me. Then again Marisol does have a reputation for being flirty with just about every boy. I don't have time to think about it as we remain busy all day. After taking my lunch I find that Dave, Alli, Adam and Clare have all left. So have Katie and Marisol, but the café is still full. Since I got here so early, I'm off at one, and tired. I go to the employee lounge and clock out; grab the coat I wore when Mom dropped me off at five-thirty this morning and leave through the back.
We were so busy I never saw if Eli came out of the ravine. I go over now, curiosity taking me across the street and to the ravine. Not only do I see Eli at the ravine but he's clearly high. I don't know him well enough to say anything, although I do think drug abuse could explain some of his recent behavior. I catch the bus home, and after a shower I lie in bed. I'm so beat after getting up early and working hard that I fall asleep.
Mom is with Richard all day and I order a pizza for dinner when I wake up at seven in the evening. Sunday, Maya and Richard come over to help us pack and clean. We officially move in with them next weekend. Katie was supposed to help, but it's no surprise when she doesn't show up with Richard and Maya. Richard takes us all out to dinner, but we take two cars since Mom, and I are returning to the apartment. I really am looking forward to moving into their house, soon to be our house, next weekend.
Monday when Mom drops me off, I go to the ravine to see if Eli is there. He isn't and when I do see him in school later that morning, he doesn't seem high. He does seem to be acting a little odd, withdrawn and talking to himself, but at this point odd seems to be normal for him.
"Is it me or does it seem like Bettenkamp is giving us the hardest things right before finals?" Dave questions when we're paired together in science.
"I don't think finals will be that hard, we can make a study group and help each other remember the important stuff," I respond.
"Good idea, my parents will be thrilled if I'm in a study group. You've got dinner at the Matlin's tonight, right?" Dave questions.
"Yeah, to finalize some things before we move in on Saturday. The layout of my room, when the movers are coming, and Richard wants to make sure we have everything we need. It used to bug me when Katie didn't come to these dinners, but it's usually better when she doesn't. She's always a bitch to us and in a bad mood."
"She seemed pretty excited at lunch, maybe whatever she was excited about at lunch will carry to the dinner tonight. Eli on the other hand, he was acting weird," Dave comments.
"Yeah, weird seems to be normal for him, but…" I remark and look over to Clare and Adam. They're busy working and have their backs to me, still I'm not sure they should hear this.
"But?" Dave prompts when I don't say something.
"I saw him Saturday at the ravine, he was high," I tell him keeping my voice low.
"If he's been abusing drugs for a while, especially depending on the drug, it would explain a lot," Dave remarks.
"Yeah, I agree, but I don't know that he has, and I don't know if I should tell Adam or Clare. If Clare finds out she's bound to just worry about him, maybe try and follow him."
"Yeah, that's for sure," Dave nods in agreement. "I wouldn't mention it to either of them just yet. Let's talk to the others after class about a study group."
I nod and we return to our current assignment. When class is out, we gather Adam, Clare, Alli, Wes, Connor, Hannah and Liam and bring up a study group for finals. Everyone thinks it's a good idea, Clare and Alli say if they get everyone's schedules, they'll put together a schedule for the group.
"Come on K.C.," Katie calls when school is over as she passes me in the hall, "you're coming to our house might as well ride with me."
"Uh, thanks," I reply a little wary of her sudden geniality.
"We have to pick up Maya," she says when we're in her car.
"No problem," I respond. I'm still a bit worried and part of me expects this attitude to flip at any minute or for her to drive me somewhere very far from the house and leave me there. Dave did say she was in a good mood at lunch however, so I decide to test the waters. "You seem to be in a good mood today," I comment cautiously.
"I am, I got contacted by the coach for a nationally ranked soccer team. They want me on the team starting with practices in July," Katie beams.
"That's amazing Katie, congratulations," I smile. If she can be in a good mood, then I can be happy for and proud of my soon-to-be stepsister.
"Thanks, I'm really excited," she smiles.
"You should be, that's huge."
She gives me the first genuine smile I've seen from her and asks me how school was. As she's being open, I do the same and tell her about the study group, but not about Eli. We pick Maya up and Katie tells her about the soccer team. Maya is very excited and proud of her sister. Dinner isn't for a couple of hours, but we all sit in the living room doing homework.
"Well, this is a nice picture," Mom remarks when she comes in with Richard.
"It already feels like we're a family, and the house feels warmer, happier. We're going to start on dinner, could you kids set the table in about half an hour?" Richard requests.
"Sure Dad," Katie nods. We return to our homework and when Katie says we should set the table the three of us get up and do so.
"I got a call from a coach for the Toronto Trilliums, they saw me play in the championship game and want me on the team. They're a nationally ranked team and compete internationally," Katie announces as soon as we're sitting down to dinner.
"That's wonderful Katie, I'm very proud of you. Doesn't the new season start in September? What would that mean for school?" Richard questions.
"Practices start in July and all the girls have school or jobs. This could be the start of me going to the Olympics or playing for a professional team Dad."
"I'm sure the team has tutors and makes school a priority. Katie is a smart girl, I don't think she'll have any trouble keeping up with her classes," Mom speaks up for her.
"No, I won't. Thank you, Lisa," Katie smiles.
"You never have, when do we meet with your coach?" Richard asks. I can see that he's still concerned but he doesn't press. I'm glad because Katie's been in such a good mood all day, I hate for anything to ruin it.
"I have to do a physical and sign some papers, there's a team meet and greet in June after school is out. I don't know if parents are welcome at that, but I'll ask," Katie replies.
"Good, let me know what you need, I am very proud of you Honey," Richard says.
Katie smiles proudly, and shockingly the smile doesn't leave her all night. Not through dinner, cleaning or even when we're talking about Mom and I moving in. In fact, Katie remains in a good mood all week. I don't see her much in school but when I do, she's still smiling.
With everyone's busy schedules our study group only meets twice this week. Katie, Marisol, Fiona, Drew and Owen have their own study group and they meet three times. Katie's even around Saturday when Mom and I move in, and she doesn't complain once. She actually seems happy about it all. I really hope she is, that she realizes it's a good thing Mom and Richard are getting married, and that she's truly happy about it. I truly hope this good attitude and new Katie continues all summer.