Unexpected Connection

CHAPTER 9

    "What was that about?" I ask Ian when he puts me back on my feet.

    "Well, isn't it obvious?" he says his finger on my chin, he tilts my head up, "I like you Lily" he says and kisses me.

    "Ian.." I say looking away from him.

    "I know what you are going to say but I need a bit of time. I promise to open up to you and let you see the whole me but till then, I just want you to know how I feel about you" he kisses me again, "We are not just friends" he adds and I laugh.

    "Alright, I'd be patient" I tell him looking at him, my hand on his cheek. "For the record, I think I like you too" I tease.

    "Oh, you definitely like me" He says proudly. I roll my eyes at him. 

    "The rain has stopped, I should get back home" he says and walks towards the balcony.

    "What about your clothes, they are dry" I tell him.

    "Keep them" he says winking at me. I bit my lip and shake my head at him. What am I going to do with him. I walk him out to the balcony.

    "Don't come out in the rain again" I tell him.

    "I'd do it again if it is to see you" he says getting on the slide.

    "You are so cheesy" I tell him laughing.

    "Only for you" he says and kisses me before going down the slide.

Okay fine, I definitely like him. 

I walk back to my room and get his clothes out the dryer sniffing them, smells of vanilla, rose and peppermint extract, there's a trick I use to get that scent in my clothes but above all that, I can still smell Ian. I put on the shirt and go to bed. 

I don't know what we are right now but that doesn't matter, he likes me and I like him. I am happy.

I drift off to sleep.

    "Lils" I hear Ash call and I groan.

    "Lily" he calls again.

    "What?" I question.

    "We are off to school" he says and I actually laugh. I just went to bed, how can it be time for school.

    "Stop joking" I tell him and turn around covering myself with my blanket. 

I hear him walking and the next thing, he opens the blinds and the sun pours in. How can it be morning, Ian was just here.

    "Leave me" I tell him groaning. 

    "Get your behind in the shower" Ash says dragging me off of the bed and onto the cold bathroom floor, he leaves me there and a while later he put my toothbrush in my mouth with way too much paste. I hate him right now. I grumble before getting on my feet.

    "Better" he says and leaves my room.

I have a quick, maybe long shower. I am sure I slept while standing in the shower, I could have drowned. Any ways, I match my butt to the closet to pick today's outfit.

I need to look good today, I want to dress to impress.... Ian.

I wear a short wrap skirt with a beige high neck sleeveless top, pair it with my boots and jewelries. I wear my make up, let my straightened hair fall to my waist, pick up my shoulder bag and left the room. I slide down the stairs banister and walk into the kitchen. I immediate sense Ian and my eyes are drawn to him when I walk into the kitchen, he is looking at me. I smile at him and he winks at me. 

    "Morning" I say greeting Ian with a smile.

    "Morning" he greets back and winks causing me to smile brighter.

    "What about me?" Ash asks.

    "You dragged me out of bed, there is no greeting for you" I tell him and he pouts.

    "Do I get a greeting?" Eli asks and I smile at him.

   "Morning" I greet and hug him. Eli kisses my head. I look at Ian and can see the anger in his eyes. I smile at him and he returns it but he is still upset. I walk up to him and sit beside him placing my hand on his leg under the table. He looks at me and smiles genuinely, he places his hands on mine. I look away and see Eli glaring at Ian, Ian glares back.

    "Mum and Dad?" I ask Ash trying to distract everyone.

    "Mum and Dad left earlier, emergency meeting" Ash says. I take a bite of my breakfast. 

    "Coming for our basketball game today?" Eli asks.

    "You don't even have to ask" I say smiling.

    "Ian is playing too" Ash says. Wait what?

    "You on the team?" I ask Ian who nods, "Since when?" I ask.

    "Since the first week at school" he says. How did I not know that?

    "I'd be sure to cheer you on" I tell him smiling, "And sorry for not knowing you were on the team" I add. He smiles at me in understanding.

    "Your girl coming to the game?" Ash asks Eli after noticing how Eli is looking at Ian and I.

    "Eli doesn't have a girlfriend" I answer Ash.

    "He sure does. I have seen him kissing face with the same girl three times" Ash tells me.

    "Oh really?" I say looking at Eli smiling. "So you finally told the girl you like that you like her?" I ask. 

Eli looks at Ian, "Well, she seems to like someone else" he says.

    "Oh, I am sorry to hear that" I tell him with a sad pout.

    "It's fine" he says still looking at Ian. I turn and see a small smile on Ian's face. 

    "Maybe you should have told her you liked her before the new guy came around" Ash says. Eli looks at Ash with a bit of anger in his eyes. "What, you should have said something earlier" Ash repeats.

    "Ash is right. If you had spoken up earlier, maybe she wouldn't have fallen for the new guy" Ian says and Ash nods his head.

    "What is happening, am I missing something?" I ask and they all deny it at once. "Now I know something is up" I say and they all look away. "If I didn't know better, I'd think that the girl Eli likes is someone we all know and her close too" I add and they all look at me. Looks like I am right.

    "There are not that many girls around us and by the looks of it, Ian also knows this said girl" I say looking at each of them, "There are only two girls that Ian knows and we all know and that is Heather.... and me" I say looking at Eli and he looks away. Oh no. I get up from my seat and walk to the door. 

    "Lily wait" Eli calls holding my shoulder.

    "No, tell me I am wrong and it is not me" I tell him.

    "Lily...."

    "Tell me!" I shout.

    "I can't" he says and I take a step back.

    "No" I said and walk away driving to school.

***

I have avoided Eli all day at school. He likes me now, what the heck. The whole issue with Brad, dating and getting betrayed all started because Eli rejected me and now he likes me. No. I like Ian now and I like him way more than I liked Eli, it is settled then. I would have to talk to Eli and set this straight besides he has a girlfriend now again.

I excuse myself from class and walk to Eli's class door and knock.

    "Come in" the lecturer says. "What is it" she asks when I walk in.

    "There is an emergency, Eli is needed" I tell her looking at Eli.

    "What kind of emergency?" she asks skeptical. 

     "The kind where someone's life is at stake, I don't know why are you questioning me" I tell her shrugging.

    "Eli is not leaving class until you have your facts straight" she says and starts lecturing.

    "Screw this" I say and walk up to Eli and dragging him out the class.

    "What are you doing, I told you he can't leave the class. If you want to see him, wait till the class is over" Lecturer says. Just then the clock chimes announcing the end of her class. I poke my tongue at her and take Eli out the class.

    "What is it?" Eli asks.

    "We need to talk" I tell him and drag him into a big supply closet at the back of school. 

    "What now?"

    "You have a girlfriend" I say.

    "Lily". I raise my hand to stop him.

    "You like me now?" I question.

    "I have always liked you" he says.

    "No, you didn't like me when I told you I liked you" I tell him and he scratches his neck. "You probably started liking me when I was dating Brad. Oh my gosh, that's it" I say when realization dawns.

    "What is, Lily?" he asks.

    "You only like me when there is some one else in my life" I tell him.

    "What are you talking about?" Eli asks.

    "I am getting there, stay with me" I say, "When I told you I liked you, you said you were dating someone. When I started dating Brad, you were different with Brad, you picked on him and even injured him by accident, spilling hot coffee on him. When Brad and I broke up, you never said anything, in fact you started dating again, you had so many different girlfriends then and now you say you like me when Ian is in my life, you even injured him with the dodge ball" I add pacing the closet.

    "Lily" he says and looks down.

    "What is different about Ian that you are actually saying you like me?" I ask confused.

    "The way you look at him and how he looks at you" Eli answers looking at me.

    "What are you talking about?" I stop pacing.

    "I see the way you look at Ian, you like him a lot" he explains.

    "What are-" 

    "No need to deny it" he interrupts, "He likes you back"

    "Isn't that a good thing?" I ask and Eli looks away. "I like him, Eli, you said so yourself" I add.

    "Do you know anything about him, his old school, his old life, his family, friends, do you know anything?" he asks.

    "It doesn't matter" I say brushing my hand through my hair.

    "It does, Lily. How can you like someone you know nothing about?"

    "He is a good person and you know that" I tell him.

    "You don't know for sure" he says.

    "I can't do this with you Eli" I say and walk away.

    "Lily" he calls holding my wrist.

    "Let go, Eli" I tell him. 

    "I love you, Lily" he says and I just look at him. 

    "You can't claim to love me after parading so many girls in front of me. You just like the idea of me being around without any body. That's not love, Eli" I say. "I want you to accept that I am and just be the amazing friend that I know you are and love. I really like Ian please accept that and let me know if we are still friends" I add and walk out the closet and bump into someone. I look up and see Ian. 

    "Ian" I say and look back closing the door behind me, "What are you doing here?" I ask. He ignores me and opens the door behind me revealing Eli. I grab Ian's arm and lead him to my favorite spot on campus. 

    "What were you doing there?" I ask sitting on the grass.

    "I saw you walking with Eli and was wondering what was up" he answers.

    "Did you hear us?" I ask, he nods. "Is it because Eli says he like me that you didn't like him?" I ask and he nods. "How long have you known?" I ask.

    "The day I met him" he explains.

    "I guess I noticed it but did not want to accept it" I tell him.

    "You didn't know" Ian says and I rest my head on his shoulder.

    "So you really like me" Ian says and I nudge him. "What, you said so yourself that you really really like me" he says and I laugh.

    "I did not say that"

    "That's what I heard"

    "Maybe the thick door blocked your hearing" I tell him.

    "So you don't like me?" he asks.

    "Maybe a little" I say kissing him.

I am on my way back to school, it's after school and the game would soon start. I look at the grocery back on the passenger seat, the reason I am going back to school early. I know you are curious as to what I want to do. Well, you will see.

I walk into school and towards the cheerleaders lockers, I notice the security camera by the entrance but I am not worried because I already deactivated them. I walk into the locker room and knowing Hailey's locker, I walk to it and break the locker open, it's easy. I see her cheerleading uniform and smile my evil smile. I take the uniform out the locker and bring out my can of spray paint from the grocery bag. I spray her pink uniform in black, purple, yellow and red. Its's prettier now. I return the uniform, lock the locker and walk back out like nothing happened. I throw away the cans, bag and the gloves I have on in the trunk of my car. 

I am walking to the basketball court for the game when I see Eli, we make eye contact but I keep walking,

    "Lily" he calls stopping me.

    "What Eli?" I ask looking uninterested.

    "You were right and I am sorry" 

    "What?" I ask surprised. Was not expecting that.

    "I like you but maybe just as a friend and I do not want to lose that. I am sorry I behaved like a jackass" he says and I smile at him. "I am happy for Ian, he is a lucky guy" he adds. "Friends?"

    "Friends" I reply and hug him. I am happy that got resolved quick. I walk to the auditorium while he goes to the locker to meet his team mates. The whole place is full with people. I look for where to sit.

    "Lily" I hear someone call, I look around and see Nate, my cousin waving. I smile at him and walk to him. He is with my other cousins.

    "Hey guys" I greet and seat where they reserved for me. "Thanks for the seat"

    "No problemo" Chris says. My cousins always come for all games, we are supportive like that. I see Hailey sitting in front of me with Brad, why? 

    "Hey, Hailes" I say taping her and she looks back. "Why aren't you with your team?" I ask pointing at the cheerleaders.

    "My uniform got ruined" she says 

    "Did someone spray paint it, it's common lately. There is this creep going around spray painting people's clothes. I am sure your uniform got painted purple, red, black and yellow. that is the memo of what the police are calling, 'The Spray Paint Maniac'" I say and my cousins laugh causing me to laugh.

Tilting her head at me, she asks,  "Did you ruin my uniform?"

    "What, no" I say looking insulted.

    "Didn't you hear her, the spray paint maniac did" Brad says totally believing what I said.

    "I swear if you ruined my uniform" Hailey says.

    "You'd do what, report me?" I ask and she nods. "There is no proof or evidence" I say smiling. She just stares at me, "Watch the game Hailey".

The game starts and everyone cheers. In a short while, the whole place is noisy, the shouts from the audience, the ball hitting the floor, the score board chiming when someone scores. It's amazing. The cheerleaders start cheering for the guys and I bring out the mini megaphone in my bag and start cheering on my own.

    "Go IAN!!!" I get up and scream and he looks at me and blows a kiss, I catch it and blow one back with a wink. He does this whole elaborate thing and then catches it. He catches the ball thrown at him and sends it to the basket scoring.

    "Whoo!!" I scream. Heather looks at me angry and she and her girls start cheering louder, she looks at me and smiles thinking she won. So cute. I bring our my bigger megaphone and start cheering louder. 

    "You kick their butts, Ian" I shout and the other teams stop and stare at me. "What?" I ask them shrugging. They return to the game and I scream, "Ian, Asher, Eli make sure you destroy them!!". My cousins get up and start cheering and shouting taking over from Heather. She and her team makes seat down, all folding their arms and pouting. Ian throws the ball and it enters just as the whistle rings calling the end of the game.

    "That's my Man!!" I shout and wink at Ian who is laughing. Asher and Eli look at me and shake their heads.

The teams leave the auditorium and before long, the whole place was cleared out. My cousins and I stay where we are until everyone cleared out before leaving. There are still some people outside when we get there. I see Eli kissing someone I suppose is his girlfriend, Asher is talking to a cheerleader and I look around searching for Ian. I see his back in the distance, he is talking to... Heather. I am about to leave but decide against it and instead run to him jumping on his back. He holds unto me immediately.

    "Hey" I greet pecking his cheek.

    "Hey bunny" he greets.

    "Bunny?" I ask smiling. He shrugs. I guess that's it with the nickname. 

    "I'd see you Saturday" Heather says and walks away.

    "What's happening Saturday?" I ask. Ian brings me to his front, my legs still wrapped around me. I put my hands round his neck and he kisses me.

    "Let's go" he says putting me down. He puts his arm around me and leads me to his car.  

    "Saturday?" I ask looking at him.

    "Huh?"

    "What's happening Saturday, why are you seeing Heather on Saturday?" I ask.

    "I'd tell you later" he says and I walk away. He doesn't call me back and I drive home.

I come out the shower at home and see Ian on my bed, I jump back holding on to my towel for dear life. What the?

    "Don't scare me like that?" I tell Ian who gets off my bed walking to me. I raise a hand and walk to my closet to dress up. I wear my silk pajamas; spaghetti strap top and short. I walk back to my room. 

    "Why are you in my room?" I ask.

    "Are you free Saturday?" he asks.

    "What's happening Saturday?".

    "I want you to meet them on Saturday" he says.

    "Who?".

    "My family".