𝐀𝐞𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲

1.4 Some Things Never Change

After dinner, I offered to help clean up. 

"No, I've got it, sweetie. Thank you. You too have fun though." she responds starting to wash dishes. Eli had already gone upstairs. I was trying to delay my trip upstairs for as long as I could, not wanting things to be awkward.

"Are you sure? It's no problem." I ask once more. She gives me a reassuring look. "Yes, I'm fine. Go." she nods towards the stairs. Giving up, I make my way upstairs and to Eli's bedroom door. I stop in front of it and take a deep breath before walking in.

Eli wasn't in the room and I breathe in relief. I look around and am surprised to see that his room was really neat. I sit on his bed and grab one of the pillows, wrapping my arms tightly around it. I inhale deeply and take in his scent. I lay down on my side still holding the pillow. I open my eyes and something on his desk grabs my attention. I place the pillow down and walk over to sit in the chair. 

"I look up at the line of photos that were tapped above the desk. I start at the beginning, seeing photos of him and his mom when he was a baby, then a photo of him and Demetri dressed up, probably for the middle school dance. I examine the rest of the photos but my eyes fall on one photo that was framed and placed on the desk.

I pick it up and see a photo of Eli, Demetri, and me on our first day of middle school. We looked so young, so pure, so innocent. I smile at the memory when I hear a door open.

Eli walks out in a blue long sleeve and grey sweatpants with a towel around his neck. He looks up at me and smiles.

"Hey sorry I went to take a shower." he says before going back to drying his hair.

I put the picture down and walk over to his bed. I jump onto it landing on my knees. He puts his towel down and turns to me. He blushes at the sight of me on his bed and looks away.

"So what are we watching?" I ask him. He joins me on the bed and turns on the tv.

"We could binge the Avengers movies." he suggests excitedly. I smile at his boyish behavior.

"Yeah let's do that." I say leaning back against his headboard, getting comfortable. He sets up the first movie and leans back with me.

We got through our third movie when I felt my eyes get heavy. Before I know it I've fallen asleep.

*

I wake up and I don't hear the tv anymore. I sit up and notice that Eli wasn't next to me. I look around the room and see the window open. I walk over and climb through the window. I'm hit with a cold breeze. I cross my arms to try and find some warmth. I look around and see Eli sitting at the edge of the roof. I make my way over to him.

I take a seat next to him. He turns to me in surprise.

"Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt." I say about to get up. He grabs my hand.

"No, you weren't. Sit." he gently pulls me back down. 

"So, what are you doing out here?" I ask. He looks up to the sky.

"The only time you can see them clearly." I look up wondering what he was talking about. Then, I see it.

The stars were plastered across the sky. With no moon in sight, they lit up the night. They were placed perfectly imperfect and it made me smile. 

I look over to the boy next to me, watching him admire something as simple as the stars. I don't know what came over me, but I move closer to him without him noticing. I place my hand on his, getting his attention. He takes a glance at our hands before meeting my eyes.