tragedy

chapter fourteen

word count: 1239

When Iris woke up the next morning, she smiled as the scenes of last night replayed in her mind. Her night with Eli was spent with shy kisses and suppressed laughs. It was 3:30 when Eli left and that was only after the two of them grudgingly agreed that they needed some sleep, and Iris agreed to let him drive her and Adam to school the next day. She tried to argue against it saying that he really didn't have to, but he insisted that she needed to meet Morty. Iris already knew that she wasn't going to hear the end of it from Adam.

After throwing on a red collared shirt with a black crew neck under it, along with a fitted black and white striped skirt with tights underneath, Iris hurried down the stairs. She felt like she was running late even though she still had twenty minutes until Eli said he was going to be there. Iris wanted to look good that day after her interaction with Eli the day before and she made a point to wear his favorite colors; red and black. She didn't know what they were, they hadn't really talked about it, but there was definite confirmation that there was something there. Still, she didn't know exactly how she was supposed to act now.

When she saw Adam sitting in the living room, she mentally groaned. Iris knew that she owed him information after last night and he wasn't going to let it go. She also knew that she had to tell him that they had a ride in a hearse to school and she was probably dreading that part more. "You look nice today. Does this have anything to do with Mr. Goldsworthy?" Adam questioned her, giving her a quick glance before returning his attention back to his phone. "Maybe," Iris stated simply, a small blush on her face. "He's taking us to school today. He'll be here in 20." She continued, figuring she could get that out of the way. She'd leave the part about Eli's car being a hearse as a surprise. "So you guys are together?" Adam's attention was fully on Iris now, a bit surprised at his sister's words. "No. Not really. I don't know, okay?" Iris shrugged. She tried to convince herself that she didn't care that she didn't know what they were, but deep down it kind of bothered her. It would be easier if he told her what he really wanted rather than being worried about what could happen. "Mhm. Okay." Adam laughed, shaking his head at Iris. "Whatever you say." He said, turning his attention back to his phone.

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"Is that a fucking hearse?" Adam asked Iris as they walked out of the house towards Eli's car. Iris chuckled at her brother's face, feeling awkward now that she was in Eli's presence again. Eli hopped out of the car as they approached. "Morty has been excited to meet you." He said, a huge smile on his face as he gestured towards the hearse. "The pleasure is mine, Morty," Iris replied, tapping the hood of the car before opening the passenger side to get in. "Eli." He nodded towards Adam, who was getting in the backseat. "Adam." He nodded back, his voice deeper than usual. Okay, chill out on the testosterone boys. Iris chuckled to herself as she settled into the car. Eli shot her a smile, pulling out of the driveway.

"So Eli, where are you from?" Adam questioned, breaking the silence that had settled over the trio. "I grew up in Sherbrooke," Eli replied, keeping his eyes on the road. Adam nodded like he knew where that was. "You ever been arrested?" Adam continued to question Eli. "Adam!" Iris scolded, rolling her eyes and bringing her hands to her face. "What? He looks like he could get arrested." Adam shrugged. Eli cleared his throat and awkwardly shifted in his seat. "No. I haven't been arrested before." He stated. "What are your intentions with my sister?" Adam asked while trying to glare at Eli through the rearview mirror. "Adam! Seriously?" This time Iris reached behind her and tried to slap him while she scolded him. "I just want to make her happy," Eli assured him. Iris couldn't help but blush a bit at his statement. She caught his eye as he quickly glanced over at her and they exchanged a soft smile. "Gross." Adam gagged, turning both of their faces red.

When the trio entered the parking lot of the school, they all climbed out of the car and started towards the building. Iris noticed the number of stares and looks that they got and she already knew that people were going to start talking. As they reached the front doors, Adam went off to find Drew, and Iris and Eli were left alone; or as alone as they could be in a hallway full of students. "Thanks for the ride," Iris said, sending Eli a smile. "Any time." Eli smiled back. "Morty likes you." He whispered this time, leaning down a bit to Iris's level as they walked down the hall. Iris let out a laugh, blood rising to her cheeks. Eli was good at making her blush. "He's okay." She shrugged, teasing Eli. He nudged her shoulder with his slightly in response, a chuckle escaping his mouth.

As Iris approached her locker, Eli was still by her side. "Don't you have to go to your locker?" She questioned him, mindlessly putting things inside of her own. "Nah." He simply just shook his head. Iris didn't mind his company so she didn't complain. Just as she closed her locker she heard a familiar voice calling her name. "Iris!" Alli called out, running up to her. "I apologize for the amount of Alli Bhandari you're about to experience," Iris mumbled to Eli before turning to her best friend with a smile on her face. "Let me guess, something Earth-shattering happened?" She chuckled, starting to walk towards her first class. Alli and Eli found themselves on either side of Iris as they walked. "Johnny just asked me to homecoming!" Alli practically squealed, jumping up and down slightly. "Who's Johnny?" Eli whispered in Iris's other ear. "Boyfriend," Iris replied quietly before turning her attention back to Alli. "Cute!" She said, drawing out the word. "How'd he do it?" Iris questioned, knowing that Alli probably made him do a whole "prom-posal" thing. "So I walk up to my locker right? And when I opened it, it was filled with balloons." Alli explained, a schoolgirl-like giddiness in her voice. "And there was a sticky not on the inside of the door that said 'homecoming?'" She finished. "That's so sweet." Iris complimented Johnny's effort. She was happy that her best friend had someone that made her happy. "If he's your boyfriend, isn't it already implied that you go together?" Eli chimes in, a look of genuine confusion on his face. Poor guy. Clearly, he knows nothing about girls. Iris tried to stifle her laugh. "Uhh... No." Alli responded with a disgusted look on her face as she waved Eli off. "Alli's a hopeless romantic," Iris informed Eli, letting out a chuckle. "Hey!" Alli shouted, slapping Iris's arm. "I'm not hopeless. Just romantic." She defended herself, crossing her arms. Iris and Eli shared a look and a chuckle, Alli groaning at their teasing.