I Spy With My Little Eye

Chapter 17

Eli:

Amber seemed intent on following me as I made my way to the food court. I needed food, her presents was tiring and stressful. She had given me more information on the main suspects. I had flipped through the file and noticed some stuff didn’t add up with what Izzi had told me, I would have to have Iz confirm this stuff when we got back to the hotel. That is if I didn’t hang myself or get shot before then. I didn’t fully understand why she wouldn’t just go away. Her persistence to get to the point we were at before she shot me was annoying and I refused to budge. She kept trying to touch me. I didn’t want her in my buddle I liked it free of Amber. I wanted just me in my bubble.

She linked her arm in mine kind of like Grace had done earlier. I didn’t mind it when it was Grace because she was sweet, innocent, and didn’t shoot people for money! Maybe I’m being a hypocrite because I shoot people for money on occasion but there was a big difference between shooting a drug lord and shooting the guy who thought he was your boyfriend! The nervous ball in the pit of my stomach was starting to get bigger the longer she stayed around. I tried to shake her off, but she had a grip like a vice.

“Eli, come on don’t be that way.” she pouted. I used to think it was cute and give in but now I realized it was manipulative and I did not appreciate it.

“Go away and I won’t be.” I said scanning the food court and not seeing any sign of any of the people I had come with. Not that I minded, it gave me longer to get rid of Amber before she came face to face with Izzi which was probably a bad idea. I had given Iz and Cam both extensive lessons on self-defense, not to mention paid for three years of Karate classes. Cammi was a black belt… Izzi had quit for lacrosse when she was tree tests away from being a black belt. I didn’t care she could kick butt, that’s all I wanted. Even though Cammi was the black belt, Izzi had a bigger temper and would hear the name Amber and start pounding her face in. Amber could fight pretty well too-- of course she could-- and I really didn’t want my sister to have a black eye.

“Eli, we can talk about this.” she said pulling us both to a stop as we exited the food court. I ran through a list of stores that they could be at. Abercrombie, American Eagle, Claire’s, J C Penny’s, the pet store… ugh the list was too long, this could take all day!

“There is nothing to talk about.” I said pulling my arm out of hers, “I said I love you, and then you shot me and ruined the mission. End of story.”

“Feelings like that just don’t go away.” she said pulling at my shirt to pull me closer to her, “I love you Eli, you know you love me back.”

“I think your exact words when you pulled the trigger where, ‘God Eli, you’re pathetic if you believed I loved you.’” I said swatting her hands away.

“If I didn’t love you, I would have killed you.” she stepped closer to me, I stepped back. I didn’t trust myself around her. Did I still have feeling for her? Yes, I did. Would I ever let her get close enough to act on said feelings? No, she was dead to me.

“That’s freaking comforting.” I scoffed throwing back my head. Her face got hard as she glared up at me.

“Is it about that midget?” He accent showed it’s self as she spoke. She was jealous of Grace?

“Who? Grace?” I asked my face composed in a mask of disbelief, “No. This is because you took a gun, aimed it at my ummmm…. Guy parts and pulled the trigger. Thank goodness you are a crappy shot!” I turned but she caught my arm.

“It is about her.” she pouted turning me around with a lot of force. How did she get so strong?

“For the last time this is not about Grace!” I shouted looking up at the ceiling.

“I’m better than her, I can prove it too you just let me.” she wrapped her arms around. She felt like a leech sucking out my patients.

“You don’t get to touch me.” I tried loosening her grip without hurting her. I may hate her, but I wasn’t about to hurt her, my mom would kill me. My mom knew everything.

She was looking over her shoulder with an evil grin on her face. She pulled back suddenly and grabbed my face as I turned to see what she was smiling at. She crashed her lips to mine, and I stood there completely frozen, my arms out to my side and my eyes wide.

“Oh… I didn’t mean to interrupt.” I heard Grace’s voice behind me and the reason behind the one sided make out session was clear. I pulled away quickly and turned to Grace who was blushing and looking down at the ground. She turned quickly and walked off. I followed her with Amber on my heals.

“Grace, Gracie, hold up.” I said catching up to her outside of Jo-Anne’s. she walked fast! I grabbed her arm and spun her around. I could see automatically she was fighting tears for some reason.

“This is not what you think.” I said flicking my hand at Amber as I tried to get Grace’s attention.

“It’s none of my business who you do and do not kiss.” she mumbled still looking at the floor.

“You hear that Eli?” Amber chimed in annoyingly. I let out a low growl. “The midget doesn’t care.”

Grace’s eyes flashed up as she glared at Amber with pure hatred, “Don’t call me that slut.” she hissed. I was surprised Grace could put such malice in her words.

“What are you going to do about it?” she asked smirking and crossing her arms over her chest, “You can’t hurt me.”

“Amber go away.” I said trying to stay calm. Insulting Grace was completely uncalled for.

“Come on you don’t have to act anymore.” she said sliding up to me. I slapped her hand away and turned to her angrily. I wasn’t acting!

“Go away!” I yelled in your face, “I don’t like you! No one likes you!” I get really moody without food. I threw my hands up in the air and turned back to Grace who was looking at me with wide eyes.

“whatever.” Amber hissed, “I’ll get him back midget.” and with that she waltzed off swinging her hips as she went. I grabbed Grace’s arms as she went to take off after Amber mumbling something about the fiery pits of hell and a family reunion.

“Not worth it Grace.” I whispered in what I hopped to be a soothing voice as I held her against my chest, “She’s not worth it.”

“Let me go Eli.” she said in a low voice her line of vision still in Amber’s direction.

“Are you calm?” I asked trying to sound reasonable.

Grace sighed but her body was still tense against mine, “Yes.” she said through clenched teeth. I suddenly became very aware of how she was pressed up against me. We were attracting strange looks from passerby’s.

“No, you’re not.” I said, “Now take a deep breath.” she complied sucking in a large amount of air and holding it, “Now let it out slowly.” once again she did as she was told her body relaxing against me as she did.

“Okay I’m calm.” she said after a few second. I let her go and took a small step back. She turned to face.

“Why the he--heck would you kiss her!” she yelled smacking me repeatedly on the shoulder. I flinched back hopping she would stop her attack and stop attracting attention. “I can’t believe you would do something so incredibly stupid!” with each word I received another smack on my shoulder from her tiny little fists. It didn’t really hurt; it was just the fact that she was smacking me. I really needed to teach herself defense and how to punch harder. But then she might use it on me.

“I didn’t kiss her!” I said attempting to blocker her repeated attacks, “I thought you were calm!”

“stupid! i***t! Boy!” she yelled and then stopped. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and let it out. “I am calm.” and with that she turned and walked down the hallway. I stared at her in disbelief and then realized there was something very wrong. I didn’t see d**k, or Izzi, or Cammi. Had she been walking around all alone? Oh, now I was mad. I quickly reached out a grabbed her.

“Where’s d**k?” I asked my voice low. She looked around and shrugged. I grabbed both of her shoulders and forced her to face me, “Where. Is. Dick.”

“Levi too the girls back home so Izzi could practice for her game.” she shrugged and watched me closely.

“You’ve been walking around her alone?” I asked my voice suddenly worried. Was she hurt? Had someone bumped into her and put a tracking device in her purse? My eyes raked over her trying to find anything wrong with her. She nodded her eyes still wide.

“Stupid. Idiotic. Girl.” I breathed as I pulled her into a hug. I wasn’t sure why I was suddenly hugging her. Suddenly I let her go and grabbed her upper arm. “We’re leaving.” I said as I started to drag her in the direction of the exit.

“What! No!” she squeaked planting her feet on the ground. I was furious! How could he do something like that? He knew we were supposed to stay with her at all times. Sure, I broke that rule when I talked to Amber to get information, but I didn’t leave her to wonder around by herself.

“We’re leaving.” I repeated giving her arm a quick jerk. She stumbled a little but quickly regained her balance. Next time we went on an outing I was putting one of those kid harnesses on her and never letting go of the leash.

“No, Eli, it’s fine.” she said trying to stop again, “Really would you rather he stuck your sisters on a bus by themselves and sent them on their way?” that made me stop. Okay so she had a point, but he could have made sure Grace was safely with me before he left.

“we’re still leaving.” I said pulling her along with me. With that she sat down on the ground and forced me to stop. I looked down at her. She did remember that I could pick her up right? I had done so multiple times already. She wasn’t that heavy.

“I promised Izzi and Cam I would get them something.” she whined looking up at me with pleading eyes, “I also promised them I would get you and Levi some cloths.” I sighed and reached down. I pulled her to her feet and she promptly sat down again. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I really hated shopping.

“I don’t want to disappoint them….” she cooed, “can you just imagine Cammi’s face when she doesn’t get the thing she wants?” okay she knew my weaknesses. I needed to find who was after her so I could get away from her. She was now going to exploit me as bad my sister. Cammi’s sad look swam before my eyes and I sighed.

“Fine.” I growled not wanting to see that.

“Great!” Grace jumped up and clapped her hands, “After this we’re also going grocery shopping, you and Levi eat a lot!” I still planned on yelling their ears off when we got back to the hotel.