Borderline

Chapter 3

I didn't remember falling asleep, but when I woke up Eli was still there.

Dear God, will this kid ever leave?

I stretched and climbed out of my box, stepping over Eli, who had passed out on the ground. I kicked him lightly to wake him up.

"Get up, loser, or you're going to ruin your nice clothes."

He groaned and stirred a little, but didn't open his eyes.

I sighed. Grabbing him by his shirt collar, I hoisted him up into a sitting position. I picked him up bridal style and carried him out to the entrance of the alley. It was dark out now, so his parents should definitely have been getting worried.

Eli felt surprisingly light. I don't know if it was actually Eli, or if I was just stronger than I thought.

As I was about to set him down, I saw his eyes open. He looked up at me with a questioning look. "What are you doing?"

"Kicking you out," I deadpanned, dropping him onto the sidewalk. His feet manage to hit the ground first, but he still almost fell over. I cracked a smile and waved. "Bye!"

I turned to go back to my box when Eli grabbed my wrist. I looked back and stared at his hand.

"Please? Come with me?"

Before I could answer, I was being dragged down the sidewalk.

"Hey! Wait!" I dug my heels into the ground and stopped myself from moving. Eli pulled at me, but I refused to move. "You can't just drag me around like that, man!"

"So? I'm not letting you sleep in that box all night."

I tore my arm away from his grasp. "I'm used to it. It's fine." I started heading back to the alley.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. "Hey! What the-" Eli threw me over his shoulder and proceeded to carry me in the opposite direction.

I smacked his back and kicked my legs. "Put me down!" I had to admit, Eli was stronger than he looked, but that didn't change my opinion on being carried.

"Stop fighting it, Ry."

I froze. "Don't call me that," I said, my voice icy.

The rest of the walk was done in silence.

***

After what felt like an eternity, Eli stopped walking. He placed me down and smiled. "We're here!"

I stare at the house in front of me. It was huge.

I looked back at Eli. "You live here?"

He nodded. "Yup. Just me, my parents, and a few servants. We have a few rooms to spare, so you can sleep in one of those."

Eli started to walk up the stairs leading to the front door, but I couldn't move.

Once Eli realized I wasn't following him, he turned back and grabbed my wrist to pull me along behind him.

He turned the knob and pushed the door open. I was greeted with the sight of a massive foyer with hardwood flooring and light brown walls. There was a staircase to my right that lead up to what I assumed were the bedrooms.

I couldn't speak. I was stunned.

Eli was still smiling like an idiot. "Do you like it?"

"...How..."

He laughed. "This used to belong to my grandparents, but my parents got it after they died." Eli dragged me into a large sitting room. I saw two people sitting there, and I assumed they were his parents.

"Mom! Dad!"

The two looked over at their son. I stood completely still, almost not daring to breathe.

Eli's dad spoke first. "Sit down you two." He motioned to the couch across from them. Eli pulled me over and flopped down onto the couch. He smiled up at me and let go of my hand to pat the seat next to him.

I hesitated before sitting down. I hadn't realized how dirty I was until I entered this house. I couldn't remember the last time I had taken a bath or washed my clothes, both of which were usually done in the river about a half mile away from my alley.

"So," Eli's mom started. "Who's your guest, Eli?"

Eli opened his mouth to answer, but I spoke up first. "My name is Ryder." I kept my answers short, trying to imply that I didn't want to be here.

"Do you have a last name, Ryder?" Eli's mom was smiling, but I could tell it was forced.

Not one that you need to know. "Yeah."

I saw Eli covering his mouth, attempting to hide his laughter at my answer. For some reason, I felt the ghost of a smile threaten to seep into my face.

Eli's mom dropped her smile a little and looked over to her husband, as if asking for help. He shook his head slightly, indicating the conversation should end. I smiled.

His father looked at the two of us. "Eli, where did you find this young man?"

I raised an eyebrow. Was it really that difficult to tell that I was a girl?

"Well, I was walking down the street when-"

"He knocked me over, then followed me even after I told him not to. Then we fell asleep and when we woke up, I tried to make him leave but that plan backfired miserably and now we're here. Any other questions? Or can I leave now?" I kept my story short to avoid further questioning. I just wanted to go back to my box.

Eli stared at me like I had committed a terrible crime. Ah, yes. The crime of talking over someone. Punishable by death.

I pulled the extra apple from earlier out of my pocket and took a bite.