The Boy From Everywhere

Ch. 7: The Surprise

At this point, I'm guessing Eli loved to talk with people.

Though, I probably could have guessed that earlier if he just didn't repeatedly express that he was scared of me. But on the other hand, I don't think I'd have to worry aboyt how to keep the conversation going if I was talking with him.

"... Pokemon?" I furrowed my brows as I looked at him, and that reaction clearly surprised him, as shown in his next set of words.

"W-wait, you don't... You don't know Pokemon? Do yOU LIVE UNDER A ROCK?!"

"You know, sometimes, you really make me wonder how you don't have a bunch of people going after you to kill you," I replied almost immediately with a frown, and Eli flinched before grimacing and then looking away guiltily.

"Right. Sorry."

I kept glaring at him for one more second, but eventually, I sighed, and the leaned back until my back touched the edge of the table behind me. "And of course, I know about Pokemon. I just thought it was such a random choice for a topic."

"W-well, what exactly do you wanna talk about then?" Eli asked awkwardly as he slowly looked back at me.

Those eyes again. I can't really be sure if he's doing it on purpose or not, but he sure does have a definite advantage in arguments with those eyes of his.

"... I mean, we can talk about Pokemon if you really want to," I mumbled, but loud enough for him to hear in all that silence between us.

His face lit up again, and then he started talking as the light on his face spread from his face across his entire being and the entire room, reaching me even. Nevertheless, he seemed so passionate, though, and without realizing it at first, I found myself smiling as I watched and listened. His stories were actually really entertaining, too.

This should be enough of an adventure for today.

~•~

The weekend came faster than I hoped it would.

That meant I can't just leave the house unless I have a good enough reason to do so. I'm stuck here with my aunt, and I can't exactly do anything much other than do chores and read books and be on my phone.

Well, most chores, at least.

I almost got scolded again for using the stove. She just really doesn't trust me around fire since that incident. Not that I'd ever let it happen again. And why does she keep throwing it in my face that it was my fault?

How it usually goes, if my aunt fails to cook a meal or she can't cook at the moment, we usually go for delivery. At least, that she trusts that I can handle.

Lunchtime might end up coming a little later today, though. Whoever was doing delivery sure was taking their time, and I was starting to get antsy, waiting at the door, since my aunt had already asked me four time if it had arrived.

For perhaps the hundredth time, I checked the delivery progress on my aunt's phone, and then the time: Two more minutes away and it's already 11:59.

That person better not be getting me in trouble for their mistake, I swear!

And then, I heard the doorbell.

My eyes widened at the sound of it, and then I opened the door and ran to the gate, only to be taken aback by the person I found standing in front of me.

Dressed in a green vest, his hair messy perhaps from wearing a helmet, and a paper bag in his hands, Eli looked back at me with his eyes just as wide. But it only took a second before his expression quickly brightened into a smile. "Han-"

I stopped him right then and there, placing my hand over his mouth and pushing him back a bit before closing the gate behind me. His eyes widened even more, but I can definitely say that's not comparable to the shock and confusion I felt at the moment of meeting him again.

I mean, what the heck? Just how many jobs does this guy have?!

No matter what I do, he really does keep showing up, huh? Even when I'm just staying at home??

A frown formed on my face before I could even realize it, looking back at Eli while my shock refused to die down. But a second later, I froze, and all because of the realization of how close I had gotten to him, just inches between our faces while our eyes looked at each other. I felt my heart skip a beat before I quickly stepped back as heat rose up to my face. "I-I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to–"

"It's you." Eli interrupted me, surprising me all over again before I looked back at him and the next thing I saw was a smile lighting up his whole face and his innocent eyes sparkling. You'd think he had the universe in his entire being with how he looked, but other than that...

How come he seemed so happy to see me?

Pfft! Yeah, right! I shouldn't get ahead of myself. If anything, I should be taking my aunt's order from him already before I actually do get in trouble for our late lunch. Like I said, I'm not letting the delivery person's own mistake get me into trouble!

"Uh, c-can I get my order now?" I asked, still feeling flustered and feeling even worse when I stuttered, and Eli seemed to snap out of it as he blinked a few times before finally handing out the paper bag towards me. I paid him the exact amount right after, and I watched as he kept it in his bag before turning back to me. But I no longer wasted any more time this time as I spoke before he did. "I should probably get inside now because my aunt is waiting. See you around!"

And then I dashed inside, closing the gate behind me.

Well, I'm sure I'm gonna be owing Eli an explanation about this once I see him again. Thing is, I'm not even sure when that'll be anyway. Could be tomorrow even, considering how I keep running into him... Could be never again.

Nevertheless, I'm sure I heard him call my name outside the gate one last time after I closed it, but I guiltily ignored it as I waited to hear him go away on his bike before getting back inside the house.

Ah, but seriously, that smile of his a while ago...

Was he really actually happy to see me?