Crossed Lines

Mina

I was already at The Study Nook when Eli walked in, his backpack slung over one shoulder, his Timberwolves hoodie stretched comfortably across his broad shoulders. He ran a hand through his light brown hair, shaking it out from the brisk November air outside. When his eyes scanned the café and landed on me, a faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. My heart gave a tiny, stupid flutter that I immediately ignored.

The way he moved, casual but with purpose, always caught me off guard. He had this air about him, like he belonged anywhere he stepped into, and somehow, he always made it look effortless. His basketball practice joggers hung just right, and I noticed how his sneakers barely made a sound on the hardwood floor. God he looks good. 

He had one of those faces that seemed like it belonged on a movie poster—sharp jawline, slightly crooked smile, and these light hazel eyes that always seemed like they knew exactly what you were thinking. His hair, which he never put much effort into, somehow always looked like he just stepped out of a photo shoot—messy, but perfectly so, with strands falling over his forehead.

And then there was the rest of him. Years of basketball had sculpted his body in a way that was hard not to notice, no matter how much I tried. Broad shoulders, strong arms that looked like they could carry anything—or anyone—without breaking a sweat, and the way his hoodie hung just loosely enough to hint at the muscle beneath it.

He made his way over, dropping his bag onto the seat next to me and sitting across from me.

"You good, or should I give you a minute to finish checking me out?" Eli's voice broke through my thoughts, and I realized too late that I'd been staring.

My cheeks flushed as I shot him a glare, trying to cover up my embarrassment. "Please, as if. I was just trying to decide if you've actually washed that hoodie since the semester started."

Eli feigned a look of offense, tugging at the fabric. "Hey, this is vintage Timberwolves gear. It's got character."

"It's got a smell," I shot back, smirking.

He shook his head, reaching for my coffee. "I'm taking this as payment for that insult."

"Go ahead. You need it more than I do."

Eli took a sip and raised an eyebrow. "Extra shot of espresso? You really do know me."

The truth was, I didn't ask Eli to meet up for coffee just because I missed hanging out. Well, okay, I did miss hanging out, but that wasn't the main reason.

Sitting across from him now, with his easy smile and warm energy that somehow always made everything feel a little less overwhelming, I was reminded why he was the first person I thought of when things got heavy.

I needed advice. Honest advice.

Life had been throwing me curveballs lately, and while I usually prided myself on being able to handle things on my own, the weight of everything was starting to wear me down. Work at The Den had been piling on more hours, and while I was grateful for the paycheck, it was cutting into my study time—time I couldn't afford to lose if I wanted to keep my grades up. And then there was the house. The bills. The mortgage. All these things my mom had carried without ever showing how heavy they were, now falling on me.

I'd been trying to figure out how to balance it all, but every solution felt temporary, like putting duct tape on a leaking pipe. I didn't want to admit I was overwhelmed, but if there was one person who could read between the lines and call me out, it was Eli.

"So..." I started, fidgeting with the edge of my coffee cup.

"So..." he echoed, raising a brow, his tone light but curious.

"I kind of need your opinion on something," I admitted, glancing up at him.

"Sure. Hit me," he said, leaning forward, giving me his full attention.

I hesitated for a second, suddenly feeling vulnerable under his steady gaze. But this was Eli. My best friend. If I couldn't talk to him, who could I talk to?

"I've been thinking about getting another job," I said carefully, watching his reaction.

He tilted his head slightly, a small frown forming. "Another job? Mina, do you even have time for that?"

"Uh..maybe?" I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I just... I need to make sure I can keep up with the bills. The house, you know? I'm making it work, but barely. And then there's school. I just—I feel like I'm juggling too much, and I don't know what else to do."

Eli was quiet for a moment, his brows furrowed in thought. I could tell he was trying to piece together the right thing to say without making me feel worse.

Mina," he said finally, his voice softer now. "I get that you're trying to handle everything on your own, and I respect that. But..." He paused, his hazel eyes meeting mine with a seriousness that made my chest tighten. "You can't keep stretching yourself so thin. You're already doing so much. Maybe there's another way."

"Like what?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended. "I can't just wish the bills away, Eli."

"I know," he said calmly, holding up his hands. "But you don't have to do it alone. You've got me. And I know you hate asking for help, but..." He gave me a small, lopsided smile. "Sometimes even the strongest people need a hand."

I let out a small sigh, tracing the rim of my coffee cup with my finger. "I know you're right. I do. But it's just...hard. You know me—I hate being a burden to anyone."

Eli leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "Mina, you're not a burden. Not to me. Not to anyone. My parents have been asking about you, by the way. They keep telling me you should come visit. Stay with us for a while if things get too overwhelming."

That familiar warmth I always felt whenever Eli mentioned his family bloomed in my chest. His parents were some of the kindest people I'd ever met, always treating me like one of their own. His little brother, Lucas, used to follow me around whenever I visited, like an enthusiastic puppy who thought I hung the moon.

"I know," I said quietly. "Your mom even texted me last week, just to check in. And Lucas—he sent me some random meme about basketball, then said I should come over and 'bring snacks.'"

Eli chuckled, shaking his head. "Sounds like Lucas. That little shit head.."

I slap his arm.

"The kid loves you, you know. Probably more than he loves me."

I smiled despite myself, imagining Lucas's earnest face and the way he'd light up whenever I praised his jump shot. "Your family is amazing. They've always been so...welcoming. But it feels weird, you know? Like, I don't want to intrude."

You wouldn't be intruding," Eli said firmly. "They love you, Mina. Honestly, they probably see you as more of a Moore than I am half the time."

I rolled my eyes, but his words hit me harder than I expected. A part of me wanted to take them up on the offer. To have a break, even if just for a little while. But the other part—the part that was stubborn and independent to a fault—couldn't let go of the idea that I had to do this on my own. Why would I want to drag people into my mess?

"It's not that simple," I said finally, my voice softer now. "I can't just run to your family every time things get hard. I have to figure this out myself."

"I get that," Eli said, his tone patient but unwavering. "But figuring it out doesn't mean you have to do it alone. That's all I'm saying. You've got people who care about you, Mina. People who want to help. And you don't have to be too proud to let them."

I looked up at him then, his hazel eyes steady and full of something I couldn't quite name. It wasn't pity—Eli would never pity me. It was more like...understanding. And maybe a little bit of stubbornness, because he wasn't going to let me push him away.

"Thanks," I said after a moment, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Always."