Disclaimer: I spent all my money on Harry Potter stuff. The song "Cannonball" was written and performed by Damien Rice and belongs to it's respectful owners.
"Baby boy, you look so handsome…" Cece gushed as she adjusted the collar on Eli's jacket. Eli rolled his eyes but cracked a small smile nonetheless. He had opted for black skinny jeans, a black dress shirt, his red jacket from Vegas Night and a black tie draped around the collar, hoping to make some better memories for the outfit. "Is Holly J going to be at this party?" she asked with a knowing tone.
"Maybe."
"Are you picking her up?"
"No," he responded, averting his eyes, "She wanted to find her own way to the party. Something about people talking and assuming things…"
"Ah," Cece said, nodding slightly, "Well, if she's as smart as you say she is, and she better be if she got into Yale, she'll realize what's in front of her."
"Cece, we're just friends…" Eli tried.
"Uh-huh. That's why you're always with her when you're not at the station with your father?" Eli could only smirk as he played with his rings. Their meetings had been getting more and more frequent, the subjects of conversations expanding beyond their shared grief. Every time they parted or Holly J left his room, he couldn't help but wish she would stay. It wasn't even a physical need driving him, although he would be lying if he said that he hadn't thought of her in that way. To him, his bed just seemed far too big without her, his room too dark.
"Don't be stupid. No drinking and driving. If you get laid, use protection. And if you get arrested, we're not bailing your ass out," Bullfrog said as he messed up Eli's hair, much to his dismay. He ran into the nearest bathroom to perfect the swoop again, cursing under his breath.
"Have a good time tonight," Cece called from the hallway. Eli sighed and exited the bathroom, taking his keys out of his pocket and walking out the front door, getting into Morty.
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Eli pulled up the long driveway, looking around at the perfectly manicured lawn, the enormous clubhouse looming. So, this is what a country club looked like. The front steps were flanked by four tall columns, the ornate French doors in the middle of the front two, blending perfectly in with the light grey slate exterior. Even outside, everything looked very clean, his hearse being thrown into sharp contrast with its surroundings. A young man in a suit approached as Eli pulled the car around the front.
"Can I help you?" the man asked with a snotty air to his voice that Eli didn't appreciate at all.
"I don't think you can, but you can try," Eli threw back, "I'm here for the Sav Bhandari party." The man blinked pointedly, obviously being bothered that Eli was a guest.
"Ah, yes, of course," and the guy snapped twice to a person over by a podium, "You can leave your… car here and the valet will park it." Eli gave the valet a once over and got out of Morty, keeping an eye on him.
"Not a dent on him…" Eli warned.
"Of course, sir," the valet agreed and got in, gingerly stepping on the gas and pulling the hearse around the back of the clubhouse.
"Right through these doors and it's the second door on your right. Follow the music," the first suited guy sneered and Eli just rolled his eyes, following his instructions. The second room on the right was already blasting Dead Hand. Eli pushed open the door and entered.
The ballroom itself was massive, it being big enough to fit his house in it, twice. It had been decorated with rich reds and purples with gold accents and they had attached red and purple fabric to the ceiling, coming out from the middle chandelier that hung over the dance floor, almost like a circus tent. One entire wall was a bar with actual bartenders working and there were waiters walking around with hors d'oeuvre trays. There were tables littered around the outside perimeter of the dance floor and the DJ was set up at the far end in front of a little stage the led to a balcony outside that overlooked a lake. This was quite possibly the fanciest party that Eli would ever attend, and it was only a high school graduation party.
"Eli, man, you made it!" Sav said as he walked over, the two shaking hands.
"Yeah. Dude, this place is insane," Eli responded.
"Yeah, my parents went a little over the top, but they say that you only turn 18 and graduate high school once, so I'm not complaining," Eli laughed, "So, uh, where's Holly J?"
"She's not here yet?" Eli asked. She was usually the prompt one, always waiting for him to get around to picking her up.
"No, man. I thought you were giving her a ride."
"She said she wanted to find her own way here when I offered." Eli was trying to not sound concerned, after all, it was still early and girls took too long to get ready. There weren't that many people here yet anyway.
"Well, whatever. We'll still have a pandemic night," Sav tried. Eli swallowed and smiled.
"Yeah, of course," and he followed Sav over to the bar.
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Eli spun his glass around in his hands, trying to resist the urge to text Holly J. It had been over an hour and she still hadn't shown. The sun was starting to set over the lake, making the water look like liquid gold. It was gorgeous but he just couldn't enjoy it. Alli had managed to get a few of her friends in, KC and Jenna showing up just after he did. He recognized Jenna from Clare's house before Vegas Night and apparently, she had heard the news about the break up, he overhearing her talking to Alli about it. Sav's other friends seemed pretty cool. He had talked with Peter for a bit about music and Drew and Bianca were making their rounds. But, if Holly J didn't show up soon, Eli was just going to call it a night and go home.
"Hey, sorry. I had to wait until my mom got home from work so she could give me a ride," Holly J's voice came. Eli turned to face her as she walked towards him. She had chosen a tight, white, one shoulder dress with white glitter heels, the shoulder having silver glitter accents to match her rhinestone accessories. She had left her hair down, just giving the ends a bit of curl and ruby red lips to complete the look. Eli could only stare, his mind going completely blank for the first time in years. "You look handsome," she said with a smile as she joined him at the railing. He looked handsome? Eli felt like a bum compared to her.
"You look…" he started, his voicing coming out higher than normal. He cleared his through and swallowed, Holly J giggling a little. It was embarrassing, being this flustered in front of a girl.
"Wow, speechless. I guess I did pretty good then," she laughed. Eli didn't even know what to say. Holly J simply looked gorgeous. He had always thought that she was pretty, but combined with their growing connection and Eli couldn't help himself. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. "Come on, let's go in and be social." Eli nodded and offered his arm, Holly J linking her own with his.
Holly J smiled to herself as they walked back into the ballroom, satisfied with his reaction. All day she had been worried that the outfit was going to be too much, not being sure how fancy this party was supposed to be. Eli cleaned up amazingly well, not that she didn't think he could. For dressing almost exclusively in black and skinny jeans, he always had a bit of a flare for style. It was nice to see him in some color, the red jacket being a nice touch when the rest of the guys went for black.
"Holly J, you made it!" Sav called, making his way over to them, "Good thing too. I've never seen the guy so worried," and he gestured to Eli, who only threw a sarcastic smirk his way.
"Yeah, of course I was still coming. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Thanks again for letting me come," Holly J responded, letting her arm drop to her side.
"Hey, it's no problem… We're cool," Sav said with a little smile. Holly J only smiled back, nodding a little. It felt good that they could just let the past be the past and be mature about it all, "Hey, did you see who's here?"
"No, who?"
"Jane." Holly J's eyes got wide, the excitement immediately building up in her.
"Jane's here? Where?" Sav turned his head a bit and pointed.
"Over there, talking to Peter." Holly J took Eli by the hand and waved to Sav, weaving her way through the tables.
"So, who's Jane?" Eli couldn't help but ask.
"She was my best friend last year. I think you'll really like her. She was the lead singer in Sav's band until her and Spinner broke up and she went off to University at Stanford with a full ride," Holly J answered with excitement. Eli could only nod as he tried to keep up. "Jane Vaughn?" The girl turned to Holly J's voice and her eyes got equally as big, her mouth opening in surprise.
"Holly J Sinclair!" and the two girls squealed and hugged, leaving Peter and Eli to stand back and witness. The two guys could only look at each other, fearful for their lives if they came in between the girls.
"How have you been? How's school? Are you home for the summer or what?" Holly J spilled out as they separated.
"I've been good, you know, going to class, working and I'm in a new band that's pretty big around campus. It's been really fantastic. I'm only home for the week and then I have to go back, but you seriously need to come visit. Maybe over your fall break from Yale, I hear," Jane recounted.
"Yeah, I'm going to Yale in the fall. I'm pretty excited. A little nervous, but you know…"
"Sorry to interrupt, but we're going to go get some drinks. You ladies want anything?" Eli asked.
"Oh! Sorry, Jane, this is Eli. Eli, Jane. Um, and sure, I'll take a coke or something," Holly J introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Eli," Jane said as she flashed him a smile. Eli nodded and smiled back, turning from the girls and disappearing with Peter, "So, Declan…" she said softly. Holly J's smiled slipped slightly. This was the part she was dreading. She had been hoping that since most everybody already knew at this point that those who didn't would just let it go, "You look like you're dealing well."
"It's been an odd month. Eli's been helping a bit."
"Oh, really?" and Jane raised and eyebrow suggestively, "Some… sexual healing, perhaps?"
"What? No, not at all," Holly J threw back in defense, "We've been… talking. He knows what I'm going through. It's been nice."
"So you're telling me that Holly J Sinclair hasn't hooked up with that yet? I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. He works that guyliner well," and she gestured towards Eli, "He obviously likes you."
"Shut up."
"No, he does. I saw you guys come in from the balcony. He didn't take his eyes off of you and when you were talking to Sav, he didn't look too thrilled."
"Jane, we're just friends."
"What about you? When you got here, did you find Sav first to wish him a happy birthday or did you go and look for Eli?" Holly J steadied herself and took a breath; obviously not liking the turn the conversation had taken.
"So, we're mildly attracted to each other. So what? He's a guy, I'm a girl, and it's human nature. The rest of it… it's complicated." To Holly J, there were so many factors standing in the way of anything for them. It was hard to say what exactly was going on and she didn't want to scare him off by trying to define it. She didn't want to admit it, but she couldn't lose him.
"A jack and coke for Jane," Peter said as he walked over and handed the drink to her.
"And just a coke for you," and Eli followed suit, "You ladies find something interesting to talk about?" Holly J immediately took a long sip from her drink, trying to avoid his question.
"Always," Jane said.
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As the night went on, the party came alive, Sav being unable to resist telling the DJ how to do his job and playing all the songs to get the dance floor going. Holly J and Eli mingled, talking a bit with old friends and meeting new ones. Every so often, Bianca would drag Drew out onto the floor and Eli could only laugh, being sure to send pictures to Adam for blackmail purposes.
The DJ finally kicked Sav out of his booth and mixed into a slow song. People began to pair off and the couples made their way onto the floor. The light reflected off the disco ball, scattering dots everywhere as the lights got dim. Holly J made a face, a little confused at the choice.
"Why play something slow? This is a birthday party, not prom…" she said to no one in particular, although Eli nodded. He watched as Jenna and KC swayed to the beat, enjoying their time together. "It's not like it's even a good song," Holly J continued. Last time she had slow danced was at Adam's secret party with Sav, and she really didn't want him getting any ideas that that was going to happen again. "Um, I'm going to get a drink. Do you want something?" Eli just shook his head and Holly J smiled weakly, excusing herself to go to the bar.
Eli sat down at a nearby table and sighed, running a hand through his hair. He wanted to ask her to dance but, given her comments, she wouldn't be up for it. It shouldn't be this hard. Holly J was only a girl and it was only a dance. But, things between them were…delicate. It was still a little hard to say what was going on. They were too close to be just friends but they also weren't together. One wrong move and everything could fall apart, and Eli couldn't risk it on a bad song. He watched her at the bar; being the only thing he could see in the dim light. She was gorgeous, in every sense of the word. She was effortless with everyone tonight, being as social and welcoming as ever. She was in her element, talking and making connections, introducing people and keeping conversations going. Eli looked down at his hands, spinning a ring nervously. He could never be like that, be so open to everyone. Holly J deserved someone like that, someone who could keep up with her, an equal.
Holly J came back and sat at the table, the pair falling silent once again. She nervously took sips from her drink just to do something. The first song ended and a soft guitar melody came over the dance floor, Holly J visibly perking up. Eli turned and watched her as a small smile made it's way onto her lips.
"Do you… want to dance?" he asked slowly, taking a chance that her opinion had changed. Holly J met his gaze, a little taken back by his suggestion, but flattered all the same. He didn't seem like the type to want to dance, giving absolutely zero indication that he was enjoying the music.
"Yeah, sure," she answered lightly and he smiled, standing up and offering his hand to her. She took it and stood from her seat, the pair walking hand in hand to the dance floor. He brought her around to face him and placed his other hand on the small of her back, bringing her closer to him. Holly J swallowed and rested her hand on his shoulder, the pair finding the beat pretty easily.
Still a little bit of your taste in my mouth
Still a little bit of you laced with my doubt
Still a little hard to say what's going on
Still a little bit of your ghost you witness
Still a little bit of your face I haven't kissed
You step a little closer each day
That I can't say what's going on
Holly J met his gaze and sighed lightly, letting a small smile through. This felt right. This felt like the only place in the world she was supposed to be, in his arms.
"Thank you for inviting me," she softly whispered, "I'm having a really good time." Eli looked down and smiled to himself.
"So am I."
Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to lie
Life taught me to die
So it's not hard to fall
When you float like a cannonball
Holly J pulled him a little closer to her, resting her head on his shoulder and letting her eyes close. Eli could only smirk. In this moment, he was happier than he had been in a long time.
Still a little bit of your song in my ear
Still a little bit of your words I long to hear
You step a little closer to me
So close that I can't see what's going on
He swallowed hard and took a breath, leaning down close to her ear, the words finally coming that wouldn't before.
"You're beautiful, Holly J."
Not 'That dress looks beautiful on you' or any other lines about her appearance. 'You're beautiful,' an all-encompassing statement. She was. Everything about her, everything that Eli had learned and discovered about her was beautiful, even her little flaws. His lips at her ear, whispering those words sent a spark up her spine and her heart started to beat faster. It had been so long since anyone had told her that and didn't want something from her in return. She knew that with Eli though, it was genuine.
Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to lie
Life taught me to die
So it's not hard to fall
When you float like a cannon
Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to cry
So come on courage!
Teach me to be shy
And she lifted her head from his shoulder, meeting his gaze once again.
'Cause it's not hard to fall
And I don't wanna scare her
Eli stopped their swaying but didn't remove his hands from her body, hesitating, fighting with himself.
It's not hard to fall
And I don't wanna lose
Holly J let her eyes linger on his lips, the moment trying to get the best of her.
It's not hard to grow
When you know that you just don't know
Eli gripped her a little tighter and she leaned her head in as the guitar faded out. He broke their gaze only to flick down to her own lips, wanting so badly to close the gap between them and kiss her. He swallowed and leaned in, brushing his lips softly against hers, her shallow breaths tickling them. They were millimeters away from each other and Holly J softly closed her eyes, feeling the heat from his skin and smelling his cologne. Eli took a breath and tilted his head slightly, wanting to give into temptation.
The lights came back up and the bass kicked in, the dance floor flooding with guests again. Eli and Holly J separated, letting the cool air in between them, goosebumps forming along her chest. Holly J took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself and Eli's eyes immediately went for the floor, not daring to take a look at her. They just got caught up in the moment, that was it. They were just friends.
A/N: See you next week...