Not Your Typical Bet [Ongoing]

Chapter 14: Deal

DAWSON'S POV

"So," Derek started. "I heard she's been skipping school for you?" he smirked.

"Looks like Dawson's got farther than we think huh?" Emily teased. I just snorted at both of their remarks. What could I say against Eli? She's been good to me. "Anyways, see you guys later." Emily waved us goodbye.

"Well, gotta get going too." Derek grabbed his bag. "Girls in my class awaits me." he winked. He just never learns does he? Some girls just get too crazy assuming that Derek actually likes them. Well, it's not gonna be my problem though. I walked towards my second class, Physics. 

"Mr. Richards welcome back." Mr. Ransom greeted as soon as I entered the classroom.

"Thanks." I greeted back. 

"Have you, by any chance, happen to see Ms. Watson?" he asked. 

"Sorry no." I replied. That's unusual, Eli's not here yet? Don't tell me she got sick? The bell rang which means that classes are suppose to start. Thirty minutes have passed, and Mr. Ransom decided to give us a worksheet to work on for the rest of the block. Eli didn't come, maybe she did get sick. 

"Hey." a familiar voice greeted me, Eli. She sat on the chair beside mine.

"Oh hey." I looked at her, she was stooping down. "I thought you weren't gonna-" I stopped when she lifted her head up and smiled. Did she... cry? Her eyes were swollen. "Everything alright?" I asked.

"Yeah." she chuckled. "Just had a little argument." I was about to ask her why but she suddenly changed the topic. "So, what are we working on today?"

"Oh here, I grabbed one for you." I handed her the worksheet. I took another worksheet secretly before Eli arrived, because Emily, who is sitting about two desks away, would be suspicious about why I'm trying to help Eli. I don't know either, but let's just say I'm trying to compensate for what she's done for me. I continued to work on the worksheet, I glanced at Eli which she didn't notice, and saw her wiping tears from time to time. I leaned my face closer to hers and looked at her straight in the eyes. "Look at me." I whispered.

"Huh?" she didn't take her eyes away.

"Your eyes..." I started. "They're beautiful."

"H-huh?" she stuttered and blushed.

"Well," I added. "You also look very tired-" 

Her eyes widened, then she pushed my face away. "Jerk!" she yelled which made the rest of the class look at us, she apologized and I chuckled. She was so embarrassed, I poked her waist but she just ignored me. At least that thought's gonna distract her for the rest of the class. For some reason, I hate seeing her cry. It's always been that way ever since we were young.

ELI'S POV

It's lunch time, I stood up from my chair and packed up my things. "Uh Dawson," I started. "Can I eat lunch with you guys for now?"

"Of course." he smiled, then he grabbed my hand and started walking.

"Uh, you don't have to hold my hand." I told him. What is wrong with me? The moment he held my hand, I felt my face heat up.

"Of course I have to." he charmingly smiled, and for a moment I thought I forgot how to breath.

"Stop doing that." I rolled my eyes, he just chuckled. But deep inside, my heart was racing for some reason. There's something about him, especially after that little conversation we had on the balcony. I know and felt his concern for me when he brought up the topic about him 'using' me. Knowing that he has a conscience is enough to wipe all the anger I had for him. "Where are we going?" I asked, we were heading to the schools' parking lot.