After being scolded by Mr. Simpson for breaking the rules, Eli and I headed to lunch to meet up with Adam. I didn't talk much while attempting to eat my lunch, and Adam didn't question it while talking to Eli about some comic book I had never heard of before. Eli was my knight in shining armor… wait I take that back. He's my knight in shining gothic boots.
I heard Eli mention something about a family dinner, and I popped my head up. I hadn't had one of those in a while. Eli looked at me with his green eyes staring me down.
Eli said, "What's up, Edwards?" I couldn't help but smile when he smirked. He sent shivers down my spine whenever he did that. I was probably red as can be, and he knew what that smirk did to me.
I shyly said, "Oh… umm.. You just mentioned a family dinner. I was just thinking about the last time I had one of those. It didn't go exactly as planned. I kind of messed up." I looked into his eyes hoping he would realize how sorry I was for making a fool of him.
"So, what you're saying is that you want to come to a Goldsworthy family dinner? Clare, I don't think you know what you're getting yourself into." He was serious. There was no smirk, and I was slightly worried.
"But… I guess it would be a good time for you to meet my parents. If they won't scare you off, then nothing will." He smirked. I started to think of something clever to say to his comment, but I was at a loss for words.
"What makes you think that I can't handle it? I'm an Edwards, Eli. I can handle anything. I doubt your parents could scare me off." Adam popped into the conversation when I mentioned Eli's parents.
He said, "Clare, just wait 'til they tell stories of Eli's childhood and their love life. That was an awkward dinner for me." Adam started laughing. Love life? Maybe I wasn't ready for this. Eli shut Adam up, thankfully. He caught hold of my hand under the lunch table, and he squeezed it.
"Hey, it won't be that bad. I'll make sure they're on their best behavior. They're not bad; they're just different from other parents." Eli smiled at me. He actually smiled which meant he was excited for me to meet them. I knew I couldn't let him down, and I didn't want to let him down. Anyways, it was a good way of getting away from all the boxes in our house.
"I can't wait, Eli. I guess I better get going to math class, but I'll meet you at your locker after school?" He nodded squeezing my hand one last time before releasing it. I didn't want him to let go, but I couldn't have another detention. I lifted up my head and walked towards my math classroom. I smiled at Adam when I sat down next to him in class.
He said, "Hey, I wasn't trying to scare you before. It won't be too awkward. His parents are actually pretty down to earth. It'll be fine. They'll love you." I couldn't help but smile when Adam said that. Adam wasn't a mean person, so when he apologized, he meant it.
I said, "Thanks, Adam. You're being a great friend right now." He laughed when I said that.
He said, "Oh, Clare. Where would you be without me?" I knew that he was making a joke, but inside I silently wondered where I would be without him and Eli.