Just Jump

Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven 

          "Where were you last night?"  Colton asked, stepping out of the bathroom while Kale slowly opened his bedroom door.  Sighing, Kale stopped and turned towards him.  Their eyes connected for a moment and Colton smirked an all too knowing smile. 

          "I crashed at El's last night," he shrugged, not really caring what Colton thought. 

          "Oh, did you, now?"  He asked, still smirking. 

          "Stop harassing your brother, Colton," their mother called up the steps, causing Colton to shake his head and walk to his room, still smiling.  While he did that, Kale headed into his bedroom and grabbed a change of clothes. 

          He headed to the bathroom to shower before taking extra long getting dressed after drying off.  He didn't really want to go back to Elliot's after work today, for some reason, but he knew he had to.  He still felt guilty for breaking her wrist and he knew that feeling probably wasn't going to go away. 

          Sighing, he headed out of the bathroom and down to the first floor.  His mother had breakfast on the table for him and he scarfed it down, suddenly hungrier than he originally thought he was.  It didn't take long for the front doorbell to ring, causing Colton to quickly bolt toward the door. 

          Kale just shook his head, not really in the mood for his games. 

          "Well, hello, Elliot," he said, exasperating his greeting. 

          Kale stood quickly and put the dishes in the sink before heading toward the front door.  He greeted Elliot before explaining about work.  She took his excuse and said she would just talk with Colton for a little while before going back home.

          With that, he left the house . . .  Elliot still standing in the doorway with Colton. 

          "Oh," she said, covering her mouth for a moment.  "I didn't say hello, back . . .  I'm sorry."

          He smirked, "It's alright.  You can say it, now, if you'd like."

          "Hello," she said, smiling a little while blushing. 

          "How're you doing this morning?"  He asked, inviting her inside.  She just shrugged as she made her way to the couch, which was offered to her to sit down at.  She did so and Colton sat down with her, smiling at her all the while. 

          "I guess I'm alright . . .  How about you?"  She asked him, genuinely curious. 

          "I'm doing good," he nodded, still smiling at her.

          They stayed silent for awhile, just sitting together and enjoying the peacefulness of the moment.  Elliot was still smiling, as she always was when he saw her, and he returned it each and every time she looked over at him.

          When she looked over at him this last time, she let her eyes linger on him for a moment . . .  His eyes searched her for the meaning before he finally sighed. 

          "Elliot," he spoke softly, causing her to look back over at him. 

          "Yeah?"  She asked. 

          "I like you," he said, smiling a little wider at the expression on her face.  "Well . . .  I think I like you like that.  I'm not really sure, yet." 

          It took her a moment to let the words process in her head.  She quickly thought over what Kale said to her, which caused her to shake her head mentally.  Then, she looked back at him and saw the pondering look on his face.