Initials

Initials {15}

We got off the bus at Eli’s house. I had lied and told him that my parents weren’t home. I hadn’t paid that much attention to his house last time I was here but I was planning to this time.

Eli opened the door and led me inside. His dad came out. “Hello Sam!” he said with a friendly smile. “Hi Mr. O’Dell,” I said shyly. “Come on in and have a snack,” he said and led us towards the kitchen.

As we passed through his living room, I glanced around at the pictures. Above the fireplace was a large family portrait. Mr. O’Dell and a woman were smiling with an adorable little boy in between them.

I nudged Eli and nodded at the portrait. He rolled his eyes. “Yes, that’s me.” Wow. He looked so different now! In the portrait, he had short, bright blond hair. His face was that of an innocent little boy, excited to experience the world. A happy little boy. 

Mr. O’Dell smiled fondly at the portrait. “Yep, little Eli with his blond hair.” He ruffled Eli’s hair and I could’ve sworn Eli flinched. No, I must have been imagining it.

I shrugged it off and stood there with Eli and his dad as they looked at the portrait. Mr. O’Dell smiled before leading us into the kitchen and handing us some snacks. “Now, why don’t you two go in the living room?” he suggested. Eli nodded and we went back out to the living room.

We sat on the couch and he grinned at me. “Nazi zombies?” “Again?” I groaned and he nodded and set the game up.

“Wait Eli! I forgot what to do!” I cried. He quickly explained everything again and we played through to round 6 this time before dying. He laughed. “Not bad at all!”

I smiled and looked around at the many pictures on the wall again. There were a lot of pictures of Eli. “You were so cute as a kid,” I said and then blushed a deep red. He put on a look of fake hurt. “Are you saying that I’m not cute now?”

“No, I didn’t say that!” I giggled. “Yes you did!” he whined. “No, you’re cute now too!” I said and stopped laughing as I realized what I’d just said. Eli started laughing. “Well, thank you!”

“Never mind, I take it back,” I said jokingly and stuck my tongue out at him. He clutched at his heart. “The pain!” he cried. I laughed and shrugged. “Truth hurts.”

His dad came in with a laptop and smiled at us. “What are you two laughing about?” “How cute Eli used to be,” I said, giggling as he pouted again. Mr. O’Dell laughed and sat down next to Eli.

“He was the most adorable thing,” he said and pat Eli on the back. “Still is!” Eli stuck his tongue out at me. “Told you I’m still cute!” His dad laughed and stood back up. “Eli, I’ve got some people from work coming around 6. Please have your game picked up by then.” Eli nodded and we watched his dad go upstairs.

“Your dad is so nice,” I said with a smile. “Yea,” Eli said after a second. “Hey Eli…can I ask you something?” “Sure,” he said curiously. “Where’s your mom?” He tensed up for a second before laughing. “Random question much?” He was trying to change the subject on me.

“Not really. I was just kind of curious,” I admitted. He shrugged. “She’s not here right now.” His tone was a forced casualness. He was hiding something.

“Where is she?” I pressed. He opened his mouth but his dad came downstairs and walked in, ruining the moment. Darn.

He came over to Eli with a deep frown. “I just got a call on my cell phone.” Eli looked kind of worried. “About what?” “Mrs. Davis says that you’ve been attacking her son in school again,” he said, accusation in his eyes.

Eli got nervous. His dad had seen Eli and Brad fighting at the movies. “Brad taunts him,” I said quickly. Why was I sticking up for Eli? Mr. O’Dell glanced at me before looking back at Eli.

“Is that true?” Eli nodded. “Yes. He always tries to start fights.” Mr. O’Dell pointed an angry finger at Eli. “I better not find out you’re fighting that boy, or anyone, again!” Eli nodded. “I won’t.”

His father nodded slowly before going back upstairs. Eli sighed and shook his head in annoyance. “Stupid Brad,” he grumbled. I bit my lip as my phone vibrated. “My brother is here. My family is going out to eat early tonight. Bye Eli,” I said, standing up.

He offered me a small smile and walked me to the door. “Bye Sam. Where are we working tomorrow?” I shrugged. “My house?” He nodded. “Sounds good!” I waved and left the house, jumping into Mickey’s car.

***Eli’s POV***

I sat in my “room” as dad entertained his guests downstairs. They would no doubt want to meet me since I would probably end up taking over my dad’s business when I got older.

Dad had taken it easy on my tonight. Stupid Brad and his stupid mom. Dad had merely punched me in the face and given me a bloody nose. It was like heaven compared to what usually happened.

I could hear him heading up the stairs and I sighed. Dad made me put on an act for these bastards. I was wearing an expensive shirt and jeans and my hair was completely straightened, lacking the spikes I liked to throw in the back a lot.

There was a knock and I opened the door. “Be polite or I’ll break your fucking arm,” dad growled. I nodded shakily and followed him downstairs.

“And this is my son Eli,” dad presented proudly. I smiled politely and said hello. Damn people. That’s why dad had all the family pictures up. Bastard liked to drown himself in a loving family man image.

Everyone introduced themselves to me and asked questions I had heard a million times. What did I think of my dad’s business? How were my grades? What did I plan to do in the future? One of them asked what had happened to my ankle.

Finally, they left the house and dad turned to me. He shoved me against the wall and grabbed my hair tightly. “That was better,” he hissed. He dragged me to my room and shoved me to the floor. He threw the crutches on me and glared. “Not a sound you little shit. Got it?” I nodded. “Yes sir.”

He glared at me for a few minutes. I was terrified. Was he going to do something? He walked into my room and pulled me to my feet. I winced as my ankle exploded into pain again. “You were cute as a little kid. Looked just like your mom. Then you grew up. Now you’re an ugly little shit,” he said at last.

He grabbed my hair and hesitated before letting it go. “You just had to dye it. You couldn’t have kept it blond. You dumb shit,” he growled before shoving me back to the floor. “No one will ever love you!”

He slammed my door and I crawled over to my bed. I laid on the floor for a moment before sighing and reaching under my bed. My hand touched dust and dead spiders before finding the loose floorboard. I pulled it up and took of the picture carefully wrapped in cloth.

I unwrapped it and smiled lightly. I sat down on my bed and stared at the picture. “Hi mom,” I said softly. It was a picture of me and her together on my 10th birthday. Why had Sam asked about my mom? Why did she care? Why did I care anymore? She was never coming back. Never coming to save me from my dad. 

I looked at the picture for a while longer before putting it back in the hidden spot where dad wouldn’t find it and take it away from me like he had with the rest of my pictures of mom. He said I didn’t deserve them.

I sighed. Sam had called me cute today. Did that mean something? Anything at all? I didn’t even know. I had no experience with relationships. Just one night stands. But I really liked Sam for some reason. My plan to get her to help me had worked. Although Brad had made my chest hurt like a bitch.

Suddenly, my eyes widened in excitement. I whipped out my phone and began to text Sonny. Perfect. It was absolutely perfect. I get Sonny to find out if she likes me. Get him to be her friend and keep on eye on her.

Satisfied, I let myself go to sleep.