The Crazy American

Chapter 6

Elliot opens the car door for me, holding my hand to steady me. His grip tightens as I turn to walk away.

"I'm sorry, Rose." His voice shakes which makes me turn and look at him.

"Sorry about what?"

"I wasn't there to help you. I'm sorry," he hangs his head. I reach up and touch his cheek softly. His skin feels just as I dreamt.

"Don't worry, I can take care of myself." I coo. Allie pulls up behind us. I drop my hand from his face. She eyed us with a suspicious smile.

"I'll see you both tomorrow." Her voice is suggestive. I blush and bite my lip. Allie bounces into the dorm.

"What is that about?" He asks. I look up at him and tilt my head.

"What's what?" I smile innocently at him. He shrugs.

"I think we should get to bed." I state. He nods but doesn't let go of my hand. His free hand reaches up and touches the small cut gently.

"I should have helped. I should have put him in his place." He shakes his head.

"Elliot. Stop. Please, I'm not worth you getting into a fight over." I turn away from his touch.

"I always protect my friends," Friend. That's all we are. My stomach drops. We aren't possible lovers. We are buddies. I want to tell him that I don't want to be friends, I want more. So much more than friends.

"Well this friend is going to bed. Goodnight." I stress the word friend and take my hand back. Without another word I walk into the dorm.

The morning light fills my room waking me from a restless night sleep. My head throbs from the night before. I hop in the shower to clear my mind. The warm water runs down my back, relaxing my tense muscles. About twenty minutes pass before the hot water runs out. I pout and get out. I glance at the clock. Seven thirty. Sighing, I slip into a short dress and get ready for the day.

I quietly walk downstairs. A few voices are coming from the great room so I sneak into the courtyard for some piece. The morning was calm. A few birds chirp in the trees. I walk to the gazebo and watch the birds fly around each other. Calling to one another. Taking a deep breath, I take in the smell of damp dirt and flowers. The house stirs. Muffled voices ring out from inside. I lay down on the floor and close my eyes. Sunlight peeks through the railing, it warms my face.

"Rose? Are you alright?" Elliot's voice calls from about ten feet away. I hold a thumbs up. He laughs and walks closer.

"I'm-"he starts

"If you apologize again I will punch you in the face." I interject.

"Isn't that a tad rash?" His voice is light. "I was going to say that I was coming to tell you that I'm heading to London to pick up stuff for our beach trip in a few weeks. I was wondering if you'd like to go."

"To London or the beach?" I ask, opening my eyes.

"Both."

"Well I don't have a bathing suit."

"that's why we are going to London."

"Okay. I guess I'll go." I stand and walk to the dorm.

Allie, John, the boys and the girls all come to London with us. I feel the girls staring a hole in the back of my head. I touch Elliot's arm gently when I point to different things. I know it is driving them crazy.

We all stop in a department store the size of half the mall at home. The bathing suit section is huge. I sigh and stare shuffling through the assorted bikinis. Allie comes up to me and whispers in my ear.

"I have an idea. Follow me." She walks out of the store. Elliot and the girls follow.

"Those girls are like Elliot's fan club. The EFC." I whisper to Allie. She laughs and glances back at them.

"I'm pretty sure they hate you. That's why I'm doing this," she opens the doors to a high end store. Inside is all assortments of lingerie and bathing suits for women. She goes to the bathing suits and picks up a black strappy push up bikini. I bite my lip and march to the dressing room. The other girls are pretending to look through the garments.

Slipping into the bikini, I admire myself in the mirror. Smiling, I walk out.

"Hey Allie, what do you think?" I ask turning. The girls look up and snicker. Elliot is turned, talking to John and the boys as they enter. The bottoms are sexy, it's sides are straps and the butt has a red bow. The top has a little red bow between the cups, the rest of the top is all straps.

"Damn!" John shouts at me. I look over to them. Elliot turns and looks at me.

"What do you think?" I ask turning slowly.

"It's... Nice." Elliot responds and turns back to the conversation. I look at Allie. She smiles and nudges me to Elliot.

"Just nice?" I ask him jokingly. He shrugs and looks at me.

"Just because we are friends doesn't mean you can't compliment me you know." I stick my tongue out at him.

"I know." He says plainly.

"You are no fun," I pout and go into the dressing room to get dressed.

I drive with Allie back to the dorm. We gossip for the whole way there. We officially name the girls the EFCs. She tells me about all of them and how she uses to be friends with them. Crazy girls.

Elliot remains quite through dinner which makes me wonder what's eating him. He eats half his food and excuses himself. I follow him into the kitchen.

"What's wrong?" I demand. He shrugs.

"Nothing." The tone of his voice says so much more.

"That's complete bullshit. What's wrong? You can tell me. We are friends remember?" I say friends again to remind him of his choice.

"It's about yesterday. I can't help feeling somehow responsible for the altercation." I put my face in my hands and sigh.

"What will make you realize that it was out of your hands?" I ask.

"I don't know. If I would have been able to hit him. That would be nice."

"Elliot, it wasn't your place to hit him. It's not like we are dating or anything. Even if we are friends, you have to realize that I don't need protection from anyone. I've never had anyone to help me before and I don't need anyone now." I say sternly.

"Before?" He looks at me.

"Yeah. There's a reason why I left the country." I sigh and walk away from him into the courtyard. His footsteps echo behind me. I wander into the gazebo.

"Rose, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to -" he starts walking up behind me. A tear escapes my eyes.

"Don't. Don't apologize." I cut him off. He touches my shoulder gently.

"Rose what happened in the states?" He asks.

"Bad memories. And a bad future." I sigh and sit down, looking away from him. "Let's just say that I realized a restraining order is just a piece of paper and no matter where you go, if they really want to find you they can. It's in the past now."