A Moment with Her

I'm Choosing me

    Ripley did think about what Sarah said and despite wanting to give Elias the chance to tell her his side of the story she couldn't help but have his image change slightly in her eyes.  

Ripley rested back onto the couch, watching Yadiel play video games.

"Puedo preguntarte algo" (Can I ask you something?) She asked.

"Seguro". (Sure)

"Si Alguien te Dijo que tu amigo hizo algo Realmente malo, ¿les crees? (If someone told you that your friend did something really bad, do you believe them?)

"It depends on the situation. Like how bad are we talking?"

"It's pretty bad".

"Well, if the subject is already hard to talk about for the friend in question, then best to leave them alone until they tell you that they're ready. People tend to tell you more when they're not pushed."

Ripley nodded her head and agreed. Elias wasn't the type to be pushed, he's the type to shut down when he feels overwhelmed.

Ripley just didn't want to expect the worst from him when she's already seen all the good that he's capable of.

____

After getting psychoanalyzed by his guidance counselor and pushed into a locker, Elias felt as though he had enough excitement for one day.

He sat down on his bed while drying out his hair with one hand and reached for the remote to his tv with the other.

As he got dressed, he heard a ding from his phone and when he reached out to grab it he saw the notification glow across his screen and he could help but smile.

Ripley:

Hey Grumpy butt were still on for tomorrow, right?

Ripley was on the computer typing away at her essay when she received a notification on her phone.

Elias:

Duh! Unless you've tricked someone else into taking you drawing to the creek.

Ripley:

Nope! You're the only one who's fallen for my trap… btw you asked me 0__0

Elias:

Mmm, that's not how I remember it. So what's your strategy? Lewer me out so that you can kill me?

Ripley:

Darn! You've foiled my plans, I was planning on taking your elbows for a snack.

Elias:

My elbows! Why not just eat my whole arms?

Ripley:

Well, I don't want to be selfish.

Elias couldn't help but laugh at her response; he blushed and laid back down on his bed as he figured out something clever to write back.

When his mom passed by his room, she couldn't help but take a quick peek through his door. This would be the first time in a long time that she's been able to see her son so relaxed; she smiled to herself before closing the door all before he even noticed that she was there.

Ripley had pushed her laptop aside as her attention remained on her phone. No matter what the truth held, she wanted to believe that Elias was the sweet guy that she was starting to get to know. A part of her warned her to not trust the first "nice guy" that came her way, but another part of her wanted to believe that some people could evolve from there mistakes. She didn't know but for now, she was just taking her brother's advice and waiting.

Elias:

So, what are you up to now?"

Elias chewed on the tip of his thumb and placed his phone on his comforter. As he waited for a response. Self-doubt crept in through his thoughts what if she was just being nice to him? What if he was reading into everything? She was friendly after all he's seen the way she's tolerated, Jason. Maybe she was doing the same to him? Has she also gone out with Jason out of politeness? What if she just felt sorry for him? 

Frustrated he got up from the bed and proceeded to get dress. He shouldn't feel jealous they were just friends. Besides he's only known her for a few months. So what if she's gone out with Jason or anyone else she's just some girl... yet even as he said that he knew that wasn't true... or maybe he just felt this way because no girl has given him the time of day since the begging of freshman year.

Ripley:

Well, I'm trying to write an essay, but some big ole grump keeps on distracting me... What do you think I should tell him?

Ripley waited for her phone to buzz as giddy excitement flowed through her.

"Why are you smiling like that?" asked Yadiel.

"Smiling like how?" she said fighting her grin.

Yadiel then rolled his eyes and told her; "Stop texting and get to work, Mija! Boys come and go, but GPA's are forever."

Ripley glared at him and then her phone buzzed when she looked down Elias responded with.

Elias:

Alright, I'll take the hint so get back to work and well talk tomorrow.

Ripley:

Okay, I'll pick you up after school.

Elias:

What about your dog?

Ripley smiled because he remembered something so simple.

Ripley:

My brother doesn't have work tomorrow so we should be good. Night!

Elias laid on his bed, finally closing his phone with a click… He began to realize that his feelings for Ripley were strong and he was in deep s**t.

__________________

Elias POV:

I was just putting my lunch into my locker when I heard;

"Hey Elias!"

When I turned around Lily was standing right beside me with a wide smile on her face.

"Hey, Lily what's up?"

I loved Lily she was one of the first people who was nice to me after the accident and she's become one of my closes friends.

"Nothing much but I wanted to talk to you about something," she said a bit excitedly.

"Oh? like what? "I said interested.

Lily looked around and then said; "It's kind of private can we talk somewhere else?"

"Um, sure" I was a bit confused by the mystery of her words but I followed.

We both ended up walking towards the outside benches near the football field. As we made our way there she seemed nervous and I started to get concerned. 

We decided to sit on the lower benches and then I turned to her. She seemed nervous and I reassured her that She could tell me she fiddled with her fingers a bit and then leaned in to kiss me.

It all happened so fast my first instinct was to push her away.

"What are you doing!?" I said panicked.

Lily's eyes dropped and she looked so sad.

"Please, please just give me a chance" and then she leaned in again.

I got up and created some distance between us.

"I'm so sorry Lily if I made you think that I liked you, but I don't".

"But why?" she pouted "Is it because of my weight?"

"What? No, Lily," I said sympathetically "it has nothing to do with that. Listen, Lily, I like you and I do care about our relationship but I've never seen you that way".

I started to feel bad and so I sat back down but then she grabbed my shirt and pulled me towards her. I moved my face just enough so that she only managed to kiss the side of my chin.

I honestly don't know where any of this came from and I don't like how she's being so aggressive. 

"Lily, stop! You're making me uncomfortable. I thought we were friends?" I said sternly gripping my cane as I started to walk away.

"Don't leave! Please, I'm so sorry" she rushed up to me.

Frustrated I stopped.

"Lily, what is your deal? I thought something serious happened if I would have known that I was going to be assaulted-"

"Assaulted?!" she screeched.

"What do you think grabbing me and forcing me to kiss you when I tried to pull away was!" I couldn't help but get mad.

"If you would have just told me how you felt we could have talked about it. But honestly, I feel cornered and I'm not comfortable around you".

Lily started to cry but Elias just kept on walking.

First Sarah then Lily. I don't get it? Why is it that the women that I'm closest to want to hurt me so much?

"Elias wait!" she rushed up to me I tried to get away but she was so fast.

"I'm sorry! I panicked and then I got desperate! I hate seeing you with her"

she said with tears in her eyes.

"Her? Please, Lily, you made me feel like I was some creep when in reality you were gaslighting me the whole time. It has nothing to do with Ripley and honestly, I'm not some object that you can just claim!" So just do me a favor and leave me alone".

I'm so f*****g done with all these people I just need a break!