Until I Found You

Chapter 17

Eventually dinner rolls around after around 3 hours of me and Eli chatting, watching a show on Netflix that we have now claimed as our show, and goofing off so much we have to rewind it because we have no clue what's happening. 

We all get seated around the table and let me say, it was kind of awkward. Like what do we even talk about.

"Thank you so much for having me over, the food is amazing" Eli speaks up and my mom smiles "well aren't you sweet, I'm glad you like it" she says, I can tell she appreciates the gratitude. Usually, it's only Ashers friends over for dinner and they can be, well, a bit chaotic and forget manners.

"So how did you get the bruise" my dad asks Eli pointing to his own nose. 

Eli, Asher, and I all exchange glances. "Oh, it was nothing, just a football injury" Eli says taking another bite of his dinner. Seriously what is It with this guy and fake football injuries. 

"Oh, you're on the football team? So, you must know Asher quite well then?" my dad asks in which my mom nudges him as she knows how Asher feels about Eli. "Yeah, he's uh a great player" Eli says awkwardly in which Asher rolls his eyes to.

"So, have you met Callie and Oliver? They are such sweet kids, Miles you still have never invited them over for dinner, how many times do I have to ask" she rambles. "they're busy" I lie, in all honesty I've never mentioned the idea to them.

"I have met them; they are very nice" he answers and my mom smiles. "Do you live with your parents; do you have any siblings?" my dad asks curiously. "God what is this an interview?" I joke, trying to bring the attention away from Eli. 

"I'm just trying to learn more about him, he has been here quite a few times now" my dad says defensively.

 "It's alright, yeah I live with my parents, and I have a brother, but he's away at college" Eli tells them with a half-forced smile.

"Really? I always heard you only lived with your mom and your dad was like missing or something" Asher speaks up in which I notice Eli tenses. 

"Missing? Who told you that?" Eli asks in which my parents exchange looks of confusion. "No one in particular, more a football team speculation" Asher shrugs. 

"Is this what you guys talk about?" he laughs in which Asher nods "sometimes.....for a captain we don't really know you that well, you've spent more time bonding with a guy you don't really have any association with" Asher admits pointing over to me.

"Hey!" I say defensively in which my mom gives Asher a look to be quiet. "I'm sorry but it's true" Asher says crossing his arms. 

"You know I kind of was wondering that same thing, what exactly is your intent with Miles" my dad says clearing his throat. 

"Ouch, God dad this isn't an interrogation, "intent" we're friends, why is that so hard to believe? Plus, I thought you liked him" I tell him defensively. 

"I do! I didn't mean it like that, I just want to make sure he isn't setting you up for something. I know how mean the football team can be" he says apologetically.

"No dads right, what exactly is making you stay around? You think my brother is an easy target or something?" Asher questions in which I throw my hands up in disbelief. "Asher! Enough" my mom speaks loudly. 

"I am so sorry Elijah. You are a very sweet kid, we know you wouldn't do that" my mom says, and my brother rolls his eyes "do we?" Asher says under his breath.

"I don't think I'd consider your brother an easy target" Eli says finally speaking up. "Miles really wasn't interested in befriending me at all" he tells Asher "And as far as bad intent, I don't have any. We just get along well, and I enjoy spending time with him" Eli tells my dad in which he nods in approval. 

My mom and father get up from the table and head to the kitchen to clean up. "You know Asher, I would be less worried about me being mean to your brother and more worried about your own friends" Eli tells him. 

"What?" Asher asks looking at me. "he's joking" I lie. Eli gives me a confused look but turns and gives Asher a reassuring nod anyway.

"I'm going to go help with dishes" Eli says getting up from the table and heading into the kitchen with my parents. "He was joking right? My friends haven't been giving you a hard time or anything yeah?" Asher asks in a more serious tone. I nod "no they've been fine" I tell him getting up from the table and heading into the kitchen.

Once Eli and I finish helping my parent's clean-up which they insisted wasn't necessary we headed back up to my room. "Why would you say that!" I practically whisper scream at him.

 "Say what?" he asks confused. "Telling Asher to be worried about his own friends, you know how he gets" I argue. "I'm sorry I just thought it was crazy that Asher's own friends were picking on you at that party the other week" Eli says sitting down on the bed. 

"They were drunk" I sigh sitting down next to him. "Miles they weren't that drunk, they knew what they were doing" he tells me in which I groan. 

"Still, I don't need him obsessing over who talks to me. He acts like he doesn't care but he does" I say and Eli nods "ok ok I'm sorry I didn't think it was an issue" he says looking back to me.

"That dinner was awful" I groan and Eli chuckles "it wasn't that bad" he says honestly in which I roll my eyes. "I've had much worse family dinners than this" he laughs. "Yeah?" I ask and he nods.

After a while we start watching our show on the bed leaning against the headboard. Soon I feel something hit my shoulder and its Elis shoulder leaning against mine. I look up at him and he smiles. 

"Is this, ok?" he asks, and I nod and look back to the show, mostly to hide the blush I can feel creeping up. It's very ok and that's the problem, how does he make me feel this way? 

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Oh? Happy Wednesday!