Forgotten Fates

Chapter Eleven

Alice

The boys announce that they are famished from the drive, so we decide to take them to Dot's. Cole rides with Paige in Wanda, and Tyler and I ride with Eli in his car following behind them.

"Don't think I'm not thrilled that you are here, but what about school? You already missed last week, Elijah. I don't want you to get in trouble," I tell him.

He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. "Don't worry. Cole and I have taken a leave of absence from school."

"Well, I am worried. What does that even mean, a leave of absence?" I asks him.

"It means that we explained to our professors and the dean that we've had a family emergency come up. He told us that when things settle down we can return. We will have a few incompletes to make up, but it's not that big of a deal. Worse case scenario we take some summer courses," he assures me.

"I just want you to know that I am actually very upset

with you about this. However, my excitement for being able to see you is currently outweighing it at the moment."

He laughs out loud, "I was hoping it would."
"But now that I am thinking about it, I probably should have discussed it with you first," he says. "I mean, isn't big life altering decisions the kind of thing partners should talk about together?"

I want to ask him to clarify what he means by partners. Is it because we are working together to fight a big bad? Or is it more of a relationship type thing?

Unfortunately, my questions are forced to wait, because we have already arrived at the restaurant, and Cole is banging on the window wanting us to hurry up.

When we get inside, Paige and I lead the guys to our usual booth and I remind Eli to leave room for Tyler. They both reach for the menus and Paige and I both stop them and tell them in unison, "Get the burger." Then share a laugh at the memory of my first time here. Then while we wait for our food, I take the opportunity to fill everyone in on what Tristan said to me the hall. About keeping my pet on a leash.

"Maybe he was talking about Finn." Tyler suggests.

"I don't think so. There was something about the way he said it. Plus the timing of it, when you had been following him. I really think he somehow knew," I say.

"What does ghost boy think?" Paige asks.

"Just that Tristan could have meant somebody else," I tell her while trying to communicate the real answer with my eyes. Of course, she understands immediately. No way I am bringing up Finn's name in present company.

However, the universe seems to have a dark sense of humor. Because at the moment the door chimes, and in walks Finn and Zoey.

I try to sink in the seat and will myself to disappear, but it's too late and they both spot me. To my surprise though, Zoey looks thrilled to see me. I hadn't spoken to her since before I left, but I was sure she hated me for breaking up with her brother. I didn't expect to see her smiling and waving.

I smile and wave back, and sensing my confusion, Tyler fills me in. "She blames Callie for the reason you guys broke up. She's mad at Finn, not you," he explains.

"And how do you know that," I asks him through my teeth.

"I might have checked in on her a couple of times and heard them arguing about it," he shrugs.

"What's going on?" Eli asks me. "Who is that?"

"That's my friend Zoey."

"And is that the guy from the parking lot?" He gesturing towards Finn.