Borderline

Chapter 2

He hadn't.

I came to a stop right outside the entrance to the alley I called home when I noticed he was still following me.

"What the fuck, kid?! Go home!"

He shook his head. "No. I need to tell your parents what happened."

I shot him that crazy look again. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Well, my father always told me that if you hurt someone, you should go with them to tell their family about the incident. Then apologize again. He said it was polite."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, that's not going to happen."

He cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

I motioned toward the alley. Inside was a rather large box with some blankets inside to keep me warm. I had found all of it in random trash cans.

"What about it?" He asked, obviously not understanding.

"That's my house. We're here. Do you see any parents to apologize to?" I snapped.

He just stared at my makeshift house, not making any noise.

"Just go away and leave me alone. If I ever see you again, I'm going to drop kick you into next week." I coldly turned and marched toward my box, ready to crawl inside and sleep.

I laid down on top of my blankets, not bothering to take off my jacket. I didn't close my eyes. I wanted nothing more than to sleep, but I knew that wouldn't happen. My back was to the opening of my box.

After a few minutes, I felt someone standing behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw a pair of legs. They belonged to the boy who had been following me.

"Go away," I said again, turning back around.

I heard him move, then he tapped me on the shoulder. "I can't do that."

"Sure you can. Just stand back up, turn to your left, and walk forward."

He laughed. "I have a question to ask you."

"My answer is no."

"But you haven't even heard the question yet!"

I shrugged. "Don't care."

"Ok. I'll just call you 'No' then."

I turned around. "What?"

He was smiling. "I was going to ask you what your name was. You said no, so that's what I'll call you."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You're an idiot."

He shrugged. "You can call me that if you want, but most people just call me Eli."

Ok... "Alright, Eli, if that is your actual name." I sat up as much as I could while staying in my box. "Why do you care what my name is?"

"Because..." He looked away. "Well, because you look like a lonely boy, and I wanted to be your friend."

This was the second time this kid, Eli, had called me a boy. I didn't bother to correct him because I didn't care.

"Fine." I agreed grumpily, holding out my hand. "Call me Ryder. But just because you know my name doesn't mean we're friends."

Eli smiled and shook my hand eagerly. "Hey, maybe instead of sleeping in that box you could crash at-"

"No thanks." I immediately declined, not caring how nice of an offer it might have been.

"But-"

"Look," I explained. "You seem like an alright kid and everything, but seriously. Leave me alone. You know my name. You know where I live. I have a feeling that, even though I told you not to, you're going to be back. Go home. You're parents are probably wondering where you are or something, right?"

Eli looked at his watch. "It's only 2 in the afternoon."

"So?"

Eli sighed and sat down in font of me.

"Uh, what part of 'go home' did you not understand?"

He smiled. "The part about leaving, I guess."

"Obviously," I muttered, rolling my eyes and looking away.

I had the sinking feeling that I was now stuck with this kid.