Chapter 11
1035 Words
ELENA'S POV
AUSTIN'S MOTHER was beautiful. It was all I could think of as I stared at her. She had the same 'cool' dark hair and eyes as he did. They even had the same gorgeous features, except hers was more soothing not aggravating to look at.
After Austin had gone back inside to get the water, his Mum rolled up the sleeves of my sweater until it was exposing my bruised and bleeding skin. She reached for a cotton bud and dipped into a small plastic bottle. 'This will sting a bit.'
A muffled groan escaped my mouth as I bit down my lips as she rubbed the wet bud on my skin. Pain running through my entire arm like hot fire. When she was done, she opened the bandage tape and carefully wrapped it around my forearm. All the while the boys continued to watch.
'What's your name, sweetie?'
Even her voice was gorgeous. 'Elena Pierce.'
Her head glanced up at my name. 'Lay's sister?' I nodded. 'You live across.'
'Yes.' I put up a sheepish grin.
'It's finally nice to meet you in person. I've been so busy I've never really had the chance to say hi.' She inspected my arm like a doctor would a patient and then let go. 'All done.'
'Thank you.' I said, rolling my shoulder. It hurt a bit but at least I had done first aid on it.
'Are you perhaps dating him?'
'W-what? No!' I blurted out. Why was everyone thinking that? 'We're not even friends to begin with.'
She blinked, paused, and then sighed. 'You're not?' Was she hurt by that?
'Um,' I averted my gaze, looking at the guys for help. None of them moved forward. Traitors.
Austin's mother laughed. 'You don't have to say anything. I get you.'
I relaxed, my relief temporary. I felt like I had hurt her feelings somehow.
Austin was back a minute later holding onto a bowl of water. His Mum got up. 'How long does it take one to get water? Were you waiting for her to bleed away?' She swiped the bowl from his hand. 'My work here is done.'
'So you didn't need it after all?'
'No.' She looked satisfied.
I wanted to laugh at Austin's expression. The way he and his Mom interacted almost felt like art; like she was already used to him and so she knew how to counter. It was kind of funny.
She turned to the others. 'You guys have fun and no more injuries.'
'We will, Mrs Garcia.'
'Thank you once again.' I told her.
'It's the least I could do for my son's girlfriend.'
'She's not my girlfriend.' Austin denied.
She smiled again and then she walked inside.
'Your mom is really nice.' I patted my bandaged arm. I wondered how long it would take for the wound to heal off. Knowing my mom, if she saw it she would most likely scold me and then rant about how a girl was meant to keep her skin flawless at all times.
I caught him staring down at me and for a split second his eyes softened with concern and worry. Only for a split second and then it was gone like it had never been there to be replaced with something else. Frustration, maybe.
‘What?’ I asked him.
‘Tch, what else did I expect from a pathetic rider.’
And we were back to square one again. To think for a second, I thought he was worried about me.
I didn’t answer him. Not feeling the need to. I got up from where I sat and rejoined the guys. Upon my arrival, they stopped talking. Ethan walked up to me, my skateboard in his arms. ‘You okay?’
‘Yeah,’ I took the board from him.
Despite what I said, they seemed to be unconvinced; Ethan mostly. ‘You sure?’
‘Seriously, I’m fine. It was just a small scratch.’ Luckily, the sound of my phone ringing stopped them from asking me any further questions. Never thought the expression ‘saved by the bell’ could actually be a reality. Picking up my phone, I flipped it open and held it close to my ear. ‘Hello?’
‘Young lady, where are you?’
Oh s**t! Mom! I forgot she wanted me home early today. I glanced at Lay. ‘It’s Mom.’ I whispered.
‘I am not with you,’ he mouthed to me, making motions with his hands.
I nodded. ‘Um, out.’
‘Do you know what time it is? It’s almost close to curfew’
Was it? I hadn’t realised. I was having so much fun that I- Wait, having so much fun? With these guys? Who would have ever thought that day would come?
‘I’m not too far from home, Mom.’’ Which was technically true. I was literally across the street but she didn’t need to know that, did she?
‘Where exactly?’
‘At Maria’s.’
‘Lies. I just called her and she said you weren’t with her.’
Damn it!
Lie, Elena, Lie. Think of something.
Almost immediately, a shadow leaned down to my shoulder and whispered a word I unconsciously blurted out. ‘I’m with my boyfriend?’
‘You have a boyfriend?’ Mom asked almost immediately, sounding confused. Even I was surprised. The heck did I just say?
‘Oh really? What’s his name?’
The lie was already in motion. I shut my eyes, thinking of names to say, probably someone who didn't even exist in the first place. Samuel, David, Mavreon, Ace…..they were unlimited names to say.
‘Austin.’ Came the whispering voice again. I almost had the urge to jab the speaker with my elbow but I found myself repeating the name anyways.
‘Austin?' She sounded jeering. 'That kid who lives across us?’ She hummed thoughtfully for a second. ‘I see. Have fun then.’ The call ended as swift as it had started. The first thing I did after putting my phone back into my pocket was whipping around and then jabbing my elbow into Martins’ stomach. He stumbled backwards, clutching onto his sides in pain.
‘What the hell was that?’ I asked in a harsh tone.
- Writer
