You lost me

Christina Aguilera

Chapter 7

….

"I'm fine sweetie…" Katie assured Maya and Marisol. The funny thing about lying is that when your good at it….you cant stop. And the more you lie…the more you have to tell a lie to cover up the last lie.

"Are you sure…you didn't want to answer your phone." Marisol stated.

"That's because I left it at home. I was in a rush….I tried to tell mom to turn around but of course…she didn't." She smiled.

"Ok."Maya said relieved. "I don't know what I would do if you started again."

"Me either…" Marisol said as she cried. Walking up to them she hugged them…hoping she could hold back the tears.

….

"Prince Adam, are you sure this will work?" Fiona asked. She was glad that they were friends. She thought how cute it was that he was playing matchmaker.

"Yes…..I want my friends to be together again. I am tired of being the go between." Adam said.

"I would be too…this is off subject…but what do you think about Imogen?"

"She's the girl version of Eli…." Adam said quickly. "….but less tragic and fatal."

"She is trying to make amends…" Fiona said.

"Well then…let her. I mean…if Eli can forgive her…so can you." He smiled hugging her as he left the school.

….

Though Katie was in her whirlwind called a life, she noticed things about Julian. He never talked about his family. Drew didn't know too much to about him. Not that she cared…

"How about today we try listening to my ideas…." He said calmly as they walked in her house. He didn't want to argue with her…he just wanted to show her some kindness. He knew what it was like to lose something that you needed. He knew what it was like to want to have another life.

"I think your ideas have been heard enough…." She said remembering the announcement this afternoon.

"Why, upset because you didn't get the last word. You have a complex or something…you know that?"

"Excuse me?" Katie said as she angrily as she grabbed some chips and dip from the pantry….trying the hide the pain.

"What not use to someone putting you in your place? You know what…..I tried to be nice to you…..I heard about your knee…"

"I don't want your sympathy…."she said wincing loudly.

….

Clare was glad to be with Adam today. You don't realize how much you miss a friend until they are gone. You don't realize how much you have changed until you remember how the silliest things make you laugh.

"O Clare….could you go get the drinks from the fridge."

"Yeah…." She walked off as the door bell rang.

"Eli….hey…can you go do me a favor and get some ice. I got to find the game." Adam whispered so Clare couldn't hear.

"Hello to you too….and why are you whispering" Eli shook his head smiling as he walked into the kitchen. It was so routine for Adam to open the door without saying a word to him.

…..

"You need to sit down." Julian said. "…Stop being so damn stubborn." He walked over to her.

"I don't need your help ok…I don't need anyone's help."She began to cry as he helped her sit down on the couch. Julian didn't know Katie could cry. She graced the halls so elegantly.

"If you tell anyone else this…you're dead." She swallowed her tears.

"You are so…sometimes I just wish I could shake some sense into you." Julian said. "You couldn't even say thank you…..its like you have this one way of thinking and anyone who doesn't agree with you…you get mad at…..sorry we can't be perfect….." He packed his bags and walked out.

….

Clare didn't know where the drinks were. This was one of Adam's tricks again. She hated how he would always hide things to get a good laugh. Hearing the door open she asked without looking…..

"Adam where did you….." She stopped in mid sentence as she turned around seeing Eli…..

Eli…he looked healthier. She loved how he was wearing more colors…..

Seeing her here too was a shock. The way the light touched her skin. She was beautiful.

It was as if everything was rewinding back to before they ended…correction…she ended it. He looked healthier now. His green eyes glowed as he walked up to her. Her hair was growing.

He smirked. "How about I help you find the drinks….and ice"

"Yeah…I'd like that."

…..

As Julian walked out the house, he checked his pockets….he left his phone. Great he would have to suffer walking back in and seeing her again.

Katie was left alone…with good reason. Why did his words hurt her so? Why didn't she thank him?

Walking back inside, he saw her crying. He didn't mean to hurt her feelings but was she so hard to get along with. She didn't even let Drew see her vulnerable.

Hearing footsteps, she uncovered her face. "Come to yell at me again?" Katie tried to wipe her tears away.

"Stop doing that…why won't you let people see this side of you?" Julian sat beside her.

"…" she couldn't tell him but she wanted to. She wanted to tell him…but why? She had Drew. But something about Julian made her believe he wouldn't think she was weak.

"I know I'm not the person you want to tell. I can call Drew…"

"No!" she shook her head. "Please don't. He could barely believe that I was Bulimic…he described it as being weak…I can't cry. I'm not allowed to. I have to be perfect. I have to succeed. I have to. It's been instilled in me…you saw my mom." Katie played with her fingers as he listened.

"…and I try to succeed…but I am never good enough. It's like when I look in the mirror…I hate myself…..I…just get overwhelmed. Drew thinks everything is about him…we are growing apart…but the worst part is that I don't find myself caring. I don't know what to do. Everyone looks at me to be strong…"

"I know the feeling." He said thinking about his grandfather…but this wasn't about him…this was about her.

…

Alli didn't know why Adam was forcing her to look for his X-Box 360. He claimed Drew had moved it. He was lying obviously. It was like he was sending her on a wild goose chase….his usual praks.

Adam's plan was working perfectly so far…..Clare and Eli were reconnecting downstairs. They didn't hear the doorbell ring as he let Alli inside. Dave was on his way as he looked at his phone.

"Are you sure he moved it here?" Alli asked checking under his pillow.

"Yeah I'm sure." Adam put his phone back in his pocket.

Alli knew something was going on. Adam was hiding something from her. As he left the room, she went downstairs quietly….seeing Clare and Eli sitting on the couch. How did she not hear them?

"Alli." Clare asked seeing the petite Muslim walk down the stairs.

"Clare…." Alli asked hearing the doorbell ring as Clare opened it. She couldn't process this all at once. This situation could not get any worse.

"Dave…" Clare said opening the door. Looking at her expression, did he ruin a moment? Was he not supposed to be there?

"Clare." Dave looked puzzled walking inside. "Alli…" She only turned her head folding her arms.

"This town is too small." Alli puffed.

"Surprise…." Adam said aloud as the whole room looked angrily at him.

"…Not a surprise." Alli said trying to walk out the room before Adam stopped her.

All he wanted to do was help them. They were all miserable with their lives. He couldn't watch it any longer.

"I'm trying to help….." Adam said. Eli huffed. He knew he meant well.

"We know that." Dave said. "But what did you think we would do when we got around each other?"

"…sing Kume-bye-yah." Alli finished.

"See there's a start. You are finishing each other's sentences." Adam stated.

"Eli…Clare…you guys can actually now be in a room…and look each other in the eye….please…all I ask is just three hours.

….

Julian took in everything Katie was saying to him. It was as if she had no parents either. They didn't give her the love and support he needed.

Though his grandfather was getting old, he had so many good memories to cherish….basket ball games….boy scouts…..football practiced.

"Please don't tell Drew….." Katie asked.

"I won't. I promise."

"Thank you….."she said calmly as he got up.

"By the way…tomorrow, nothing changes. I hate you. You hate me." Katie stated. Julian had to admit she had balls.

"Wouldn't have it any other way….."