Chapter 4: let's seal it with a muffin.
Elias POV.
I hated driving in the mornings. I walk to school, hitch a ride with anyone, and sometimes, I don't go to school because I fucking hate driving in the morning.
I don't know why, don't know if there was a reason, I just did.
So as I parked my car outside the address I've never been to before, I almost couldn't peal my fisted knuckles from the wheel. They were white and they were numb and not for the first time I wondered what that hell was I doing.
She was Erielle.
Sure a girl that hated my guts for no actual reason. A girl who thought the worst of me _ again_ for no actual reason. But she was one of the few who didn't list under my 'people who I would rather read the name of in the messing news', one of the few who didn't have too many fucking layers.
And here I was just about to give her an actual reason to hate me more.
I closed my eyes and let out a heavy breath, not for the first time wondering if it was actually worth it. Erielle was a girl I could actually see myself becoming friends with. If she stopped hating me that is. She was the type of person who burned with fire. She didn't take shit from anyone. A bit awekward sometimes, but only around the people she likes. Hurt anyone she cares about and she will make you regret it. No fucks given on her end. Something that earned her my respect a long time ago.
Her only flaw is that maybe she gives her trust a Little too blindly. Life has been too kind to her, and it was a lesson yet to be learned by her.
And that works just fine for me.
I opened the car door, slamming it shut, and walked the small steps from the drive way to her door steps, the side of my mouth tipped up as I imagined what her reaction would be to seeing me infront of her front door. I rang the bell. This should be fun.
Not even half a second later I hear a thud and then someone racing to the door. Another thud, a curse, and then the door swung open.
She looked like she had just gotten out of bed. Her dark brown hair was shaggy and a Little rumbled, her bangs fell on her eyes, which was framed by dark lashes and were a shade of blue I Have never seen, ringed with a smoky grey and just a hint of gold. She wore a soft flannel pajama shorts that framed her long, tanned legs, and a top that had an avenger quote that made me smile.
It was really hard keeping my eyes on her face.
She had been expecting someone else. It was kind of obvious by how her shoulders sagged in disappointement, and a very amusing mix of anger and shyness. She knew where my eyes has been.
I smiled. Her eyes narrowed a bit and with a sleepy voice that made it hard for me to take her seriously said, " Are you lost?"
It was very flattering how she didn't slam the door on my face. " See I knew you were going to be rude." I told her honestly, raising my hand that held a brown bag from a near bakery store, that Leah used to be in love with, and offered it to her. " So I brought food."
It was even more flattering how she inspected the bag suspiciously for an exact three minutes before she was satisfied enough with the sight of harmless chocolate muffin, and lowered it down. Then she gave a very dramatic sigh, opening the door wider for me to step in. " Alright I guess you could come in."
I stepped inside, taking a quick look at the inside of her house.
It was actually surprising. It wasn't what I expected from a multi millionaire who bought a ferrari for his daughter as a sixteen birthday present. It wasn't flashy. Or squeaky clean. Or expensive. It was warm, it was cozy and messy and.. A home. Something that completely took me off guard.
I cleared my thoughts, Looking back at Erielle who was glancing at me curiously. I had to do this right. I had to pick my words very carefully if I wanted this to work. " I need your help." I said, rather uncomfortably because saying those words hurt. I didn't, and even if I did, I wouldn't normaly put it so openly out there. The amusement growing on her face wasn't really helping my ego either. " and I need you not to be a jerk about it because I Have no one else to ask." I finished.
Something in my expression must have gotten to her because her amusement turned Into contemplation and I watched silently as she battled with her self over weither she should hear what I Have to say or not. I didn't blame her. In fact I wished she would have been a bit more rude so I wouldn't feel like such an asshole.
She apparently wasn't in such a generous mood. " Alright. But I am having break fast. You can join I guess." she said, shrugging. And walked a head and through french door that lead to a kitchen. Her barefoot barely made a sound on the hardwood floor where as my boots made me wish I had actually taken it off at the door. But somehow they didn't strike me as the shoes off kind of family.
" Hey dad, we have a guest." she announced taking a seat at one of the stools, digging in the bag for the muffin, and took a bite.
The guy who was making scrampled eggs, looked anything but a 'dad', Especially not to a seventeen years old. The guy didn't look a year over twenty six, and for god's sake I would have thought he was a brother or a friend, if she hadn't said it.
He turned around with a plate of scrampled eggs sliding it over to her. Then pointed a finger at her. " I raised you better than not sharing your muffin with your oldman." just that sentence was all I needed. I instantly knew they were the close. The closest a father can get to a teenage girl. A small smile tugged at my lips when she actually offered him half of her muffin silently. He took it, gesturing at me with his head. " is he who you knocked your stool down for?"
" No, I thought he was Austin."
So I was right. She was waiting for someone. The douchebag.
Her dad stared at me, until recognition flashed on his face and his eyes widened just for a Little. " You're Elias. Aren't you? "
MY eyebrows Rose in surprise. Not that much though. There was more than one way he could have figured that out. " yes, sir. I am Erielle's lap partner." I said cautiously, not really sure if I should call him sir.
He smiled, a smile that looked very much like his daughter's and reached his hand. " nice to finally meet my daughter's worst Nightmare."
I grinned, Looking at Erielle who hid her face behind her hands with a groan. " she talks about me, doesn't she?"
He laughed. " more like complain and groan and cuss but yeah."
" I am right here, folks. " Erielle raised her hand in a wave, Looking at both of us in irritation.
" just having a conversation, little one. Elias, set down and help your self. " He said sliding a plate of scrampled eggs my way and picked up his keys from the counter." I really think that this break fast would be fun, but I Have to head out."
" what? I thought you were sticking around for breakfast! " Erielle's shoulder slumped and she gave him a look that can only be described as the best fucking puppy eyes I Have ever seen. I was surprised the man didn't stick around for the whole week. He didn't, but he groaned though looking torn that it was actually funny. They were both a Little too dramatic. " don't give me that look, little one. I swear I am sticking around whole day sunday, but I really have to go. There's a software problem and even Ovilia is not there." He explained gently. " I promise I will make it up to you, though. I call kitchen duty for two weeks, how does that sound? "
She didn't even hesitate, a huge grin grew on her lips and she nodded eagerly." Deal! You can go. "
I almost snickered when I looked at her father and saw the look on his face." That's it? No, 'dad not even a year of kitchen duty is going to make up for your absence?'"
She laughed then, a really nice laugh that I never heard around me, before. Which was pretty understandable. " Dad, you let me go with Ovilia to Newyork for a month after I bought you fries from Mcdonalds. "
A smile. A sigh. He looked like he was remebering said fries. No jokes. " Yeah, okay. Point made." He said leaning down to give her a Kiss on the forhead " I really gotta go, kiddo, but don't worry, I know I am worth more than any lack of kitchen duty. "
She laughed again, shoving him off of her when he started suffocating her in a hug." Dad! Go to work!"
He straightened with a big smile on his face and mock saluted," Yes, ma'am. " then looking at me he grew more serious." I trust you will behave? "
Hearing that weird conversation, and seeing how much they care for each other first hand, I had no trouble Hearing his concealed threat, nor would I ever dream of hurting his precious princess. Not in the way he was thinking.
I gave him a nod and he nodded back, pleased. " Good. I will see you later kiddo." He said ruffling Erielle's hair and walked out of the kitchen to the front door, and with out even turning around he shouted. " And no sex under my roof, kids!"
MY eyebrows Rose and I looked at Erielle who just shook her head with a smile that said. I knew he was going to say that.
I took a seat at the stool right next to hers, catching her attention, " he's really Young." I couldn't help the emphasis on really. It just seemed like a huge error, him being her father.
She didn't seem bothered though, and I imagined it was the normal reaction from anyone meeting the both of them for the first time. " Yeah, he had me when he was sixteen."
So he was Thirty three.
Still looked younger though. Made since they were tight, atleast.
I said nothing else picking up a fork and digging in, and actually liking the scrambled egg.
I could practically feel her gaze drilling Into the side of my face, and held in my smile as I waited.
Three..
Two...
" So. What do you need help for?"
I let myself smile, Turning around to face her. My knees touching the side of her Bare leg. " okay. You're a hacker, right? " I started, testing the water. I needed to know if she knows.
Her eyebrows Rose up in surprise, probably not the approach she was expecting. " how do you know that?"
MY own eyebrows Rose too. Not in surprise though. "you breached my house's security system and played that stupid song for a whole day, remember?" it was sometimes during freshman year, when I made fun of her music list. I certainly learned my lesson then when I had to listen to bad blood by taylor swift for a whole 8 hours until they figured out what was wrong.
Never make fun of a girl's music taste.
She snorted. Actually fucking snorted. " yeah, that was funny."
" that is.. subjective." I deadpanned. " but not our point, I need to get Into a laptop."
She looked interested for the first time since I knocked on her door. Again, very flattering. " someone is logging in regularly?" she asked, leaning in and lowering her voice. She really was a dramatic being. Gotta love her for it.
" No. " which was the whole damn reason I was here. Not the fucking laptop. I know that..
" Hacking Into a server is damn near impossible. I dont think I can help you. Password tries limited?"
I shook my head.
She shrugged. " then just guess it until you get it." just as she said that her phone vibrated on the counter and it was almost fascinating how fast she checked it, and even more fascinating how her whole face morphed Into disappointement when it was not the asshole she's waiting for.
I stared at her, not able to help myself, and when she met my eyes I said. " real wisdom right there, Stevens, Why the hell did I not think of that. " I swear I tried not being sarcastic. She just brings it out of me.
To my surprise she looked sheepish. No insult came out. Was she okay. " okay, so stupid suggestion, moving on." diffinetly not okay. " So who's she? "
She. Impressive. She didn't even hesitate to assume she was a girl. Well, I bet my answer will be a surprise. " My sister."
She blinked. And I let her piece it together. It was no secret. Everyone knew my sister. One year older she was a legend in our school. It's no great discovery that people love Gossip. Our school loved gossiping about my sister. She was wild. Unapologitic. Popular. And it certainly didn't help when rumors had it that she ran away right in the middle of her last year of highschool six months ago.
Sometimes though, on the really off chance, rumors are true.
Erielle didn't take long to figure it out. " you're trying to find her." it wasn't a question. It was a statement.
Her surprise though was real. She wasn't faking it. She truly didn't know. " yeah."
Her eyes widened and her tounge darted out toying with her lip ring as she thought about what she was suppose to say. My eyes followed the action for a second before finding her eyes again. " wow. um.. I hope you find her but I really can't hake Into servers, I am sorry." and surprisingly, she sounded sincere. " umm.. Have you like, searched her room yet? You can find anything there that can lead you to her whereabouts?" she asked, finishing off her food and giving me her full attention.
" No. " I Have thought about it but I was saving it as a last resort. Walking in her room while she's not there to tell me in her affectionate big sisterly tone to 'get the fuck out, mother fucker.' is going to be weird. Painful, too. But mostly weird.
Erielle raised her eyebrows, the word could be practicaly read off of her face. Why not?
I appreciated that she didn't ask. Letting out a sigh, I said " but I guess there's no way around it." unless she actually decided to come back. Or atleast text. I just want to know she's okay. That's all.
" Hey, it's not going to be that bad." Erielle said nudging me a bit too hard with her shoulders. " So go back smirking or whatever you call that weird smile of yours, Because you look really ugly when you're all serious and broody."
A chuckle escaped my mouth and I gave her that weird smile of mine," Such a bad liar, Stevens." I told her, Because she didn't look ugly when she was angry, or teased. Not In the least.
Just then her phone vibrated once more and she picked it up even faster than she did before, and threw it harder on the counter when she was done seeing whatever notification had popped up. I barely held my tounge. About time, I actually stopped teasing her about her crush or whatever it is she has for the douche.
When she looked back at me she looked frustrated, a bit hurt too, and I couldn't help but admire how everything she felt is always painted on every detail of her face. " So, Nice chat. If you're done with your break fast, you can go and let me have my morning in peace."
Such a charming one, Erielle.
I made a move to leave. But then She stood up picking our empty plates and heading to the sink, and I found myself still there, starting at her as she washed my dish too. And no I wasn't even cheking her ass or her long toned legs. I just stared at her.
I should HAVE left it at that. I already knew her dad won't be here. She wouldn't be here either because I know she heads to their beach house every saturday. I could have simply waited until she left sneaked in, got Leah's number then high tail it out of their. I should HAVE just left, and she obviously wasn't too keen on us spending anymore time together.
None of that happened. I didn't move.
She had defied every single one of my expectations when I first knocked on her front door. She actually let me in. Heard me out. Tried to fucking help me when she didn't owe me shit.
It confused the hell out of me.
When she finished washing the plates she turned around cocking her in confusion. Her wide blue eyes, feiry, curious, but so fucking innocent. That. That did me in. And it happened. My lips opened up on their own accord I swear. " what if you helped me?" fucking word vomit.
She looked even more confused as she wiped her hand on a cloth turning around to face me. Unsure. " umm.. Didn't we just go through the whole thing? I can't really hack in-"
" No. No." fuck. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up." I meant with the whole thing. It would be nice. To HAVE someone with me for the whole quest." fuck me.
She blinked. Once. Twice. Then took the stool opposite of me slowly as if approaching an I known speicmen. I couldn't blame her really, I was shocked
At what just came out of my own mouth." Okay. " she started quietly." first of all, no one says the word quest anymore. Secondly, are you on crack or something?! You know that would actually require more time to spend in each other's company?"
Maybe That's why I actually opened my mouth. " and?"
There was a moment where she sat there looking at my face like it would give her an answer to a life altering question." because we hate each other? "
I smiled at that. Leaning my elbows on the counter I leaned forward. "No, We don't. You do. And only because I know about you and loner boy."
She glared at me, " Do not call him that! And if by 'I know about you and loner boy' you mean I tease you about it and rub it in your face everyday, then damn right you do."
I couldn't help it, I smiled. She was glaring at me but her answer came too quick for me to not think she was considering it. It was less feisty, no heat, and it was not a 'get the hell out'. It was all I needed to know. Erielle stevens did not completely hate my guts, and the idea made me smile wider than I thought it would.
" So you're not conspiring against me?" She asked when I didn't say anything to her remark.
" Cross my heart and hope to die." I told her.
Her eyes narrow and she fell Into a thoughtful silence, doing this thing where she moves her lips with no sound coming out, which was her version of thinking out loud. It was So fucking cute, but I refrained from mentioning it out loud.
" and.. You don't actually hate me?" she asked, incredulously.
" Erielle." I started, leaning even farther across the counter since she seems to have a thing for theatrics. " if I hated you, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I would have been long gone by now. "
She considered my words leaning back in a 'huh' kind of moment. " okay." she said slowly, resting both elbows on top of the counter. Then her lips moved again and I could swear they formed the words 'stupid Mailbox.', but then again I never mastered the art of reading lips. " Okay, I am In. What do I Have to do? "
I grinned, surprised. The girl was really something else. No one has ever managed to surprise me so many times in so little time. " You know you don't actually get anything out of it right?" I couldn't help but ask.
" if you're trying to convince me, you're doing a very lousy job, buddy. You want me in, or not?"
" wouldn't HAVE asked if I didn't."
" then you got your self the coolest most awesome partner you could ever wish for. " then she offered me her hand in a sarcastic hand shake.
I chuckled covering her small hand with mine." I sure did. " and I was only being fifty percent sarcastic.
Just as I was about to stand up, she spoke. Her voice uncertain, and her hands were in her bangs ruffling them up nervously. " you know, you annoy the shit out of me."
I cocked my head in question. Waiting for the thing that was making her nervous.
" and you hog my seet, and mention my crush on Austin way too many times. And you're just too.." she paused. " Okay. Not the point. Point is. I don't think I actually hates you too."
There. That flustered profession of non-hatery is what made up my mind. I was not going to sneak up in that girl's house behind her back. I didn't wanna screw her over anymore.
I place a hand on my heart, and made a very dramatic wipe of a fake tear." that must have been the nicest thing you ever said to me."
The side of her lips twitched but she quickly bit her lips. " get out of my house, Dunbirk."
Ah, I could feel a very nice friendship forming.
I picked my car keys from the table and gave her the best smile I could muster." I will be in touch, Stevens."
Then I was out of the door. Going as far with this peace treaty as not to tease her about the text she's been waiting for.