Borderline

Chapter 4

Nobody spoke while I ate my apple. It was a little awkward, but at least I didn't have to talk.

When I was finished, I asked where the trash can was. Eli offered to show me, and I followed him.

Once we made it to the kitchen, which was just as big as every other room in this house, Eli burst out laughing.

I stare at him. "What's so funny?"

He didn't answer me. I saw tears leak out of his eyes from laughing so hard. I awkwardly stood there with my apple core in my hand while he laughed.

Eventually, he calmed down and slapped his hand onto my shoulder for support. I grimaced.

"Sorry," he said in between breaths. "It's just...oh, God, that was great!"

"So...can I throw this away now, or..."

Eli realized that he had left me with my trash and proceeded to walk over and open a cupboard door. "Just throw it in here." I obeyed.

"Listen," I said, facing him. "Can I just go home now?"

The boy stared at me with a questioning look. "Why would you want to do that?"

"Because I have work tomorrow. And I don't know where I am right now. So can you just take me back to my box?" I paused. "Please?"

Eli sighed. "I can't do that. I would feel like such a terrible person if I let a nice boy like you sit and rot in the-"

"Woah, hold up!" I put my hands and pushed him back a little. "One, I want to go back. Two, I'm not 'rotting in the street', thank you very much. And three-"

"Eli!" His father called from the other room. "How long does it take to throw something away?"

I sighed as Eli spoke. "Guess that's our cue to go back." He grabbed my wrist and I immediately pulled away.

"I don't need you to fucking guide me."

He held his hands up in surrender and walked in the direction of the sitting room, myself following close behind.

***

"Sure, Ryder can stay, sweetie! I'm so glad you found him!" Eli's mom was acting too happy for my liking.

When we returned to the sitting room, Eli had proceeded to give an in-depth description of the events that happened earlier that day. I sat there, arms crossed, silently cursing the ground he walked on.

"Ryder, you must be so happy that Eli brought you here," his mother continued. "I bet you were so lonely in that alleyway!"

"Actually," I seethed. "It was lovely. I enjoyed the quiet."

Eli's mother ignore my harsh tone and continued gushing over her son's "good deed". I rolled my eyes.

"I really don't want to be here. Can I leave now?" I asked, hoping they said yes.

"Oh, my dear boy, you must be delirious from that time on the street! You probably don't even remember what a real bed feels like!" His mother was standing in front of me now, her hands cupping my face.

I swiped her hands off. "Actually, I do remember what a bed feels like. I would just feel better in my box, thanks."

"Eli," his father finally spoke. "Why don't you show Ryder where the bathroom is? I'm sure he'd like to wash up before bed."

I was about to protest, but Eli jumped up before I got a chance. "On it!" He grabbed my hand and sprinted up the stairs, leaving me clumsily following in his wake.

Does anyone in this family understand the word no?!

"Eli, slow down!" I pulled back in an attempt to make him stop running, but it was fruitless. I sighed and submitted to the fact that I was stuck here, at least for now.

Once we had gotten up the stairs, we went about halfway down the hall before Eli finally stopped. "Here's the bathroom. Do you need any help?"

Hell no. "Uh, no. Just..." I raised my hands in a motion that indicated he needed to back off and silently slipped through the bathroom door.

I sighed and slid down the door, deciding to sit there for a few minutes and sort out the day's events.

So far, I had gotten 350 dollars for a pocket watch that I had stolen, eaten two apples, basically been kidnapped by an annoying rich kid who's forcing me to stay the night at his house, and now I'm sitting in his bathroom wondering what the hell is going on.

It had only been a few minutes when I heard someone knock on the door. "What?" I snapped.

"I haven't heard any water yet. Did you figure out how to work the faucet?"

I stood up and opened the door, coming face to face with Eli. "Yes, I know how to work the damn faucet. I'm not stupid. Just because I'm used to bathing in a river doesn't mean I don't know how to use modern technology." I slammed the door, not bothering to lock it, and made my way over to the bathtub.

It was a large bathroom, but every room in this house was huge, so it didn't faze me anymore. I turned the hot water knob and put the plug in the drain so it would stay.

I shrugged my jacket off and placed it on the vanity before pulling my shirt over my head and dropping to my knees. Might as well wash my clothes while I'm here.

I looked in the vanity's drawers until I found a washcloth to clean my clothes with. I put some body wash on the cloth, most likely Eli's, and began scrubbing my shirt under the running faucet.

I had almost finished my shirt when I heard the door open behind me.

"Hey, Ryder, your room is-"

I whipped my head around. "What the hell?! Get out!"

Eli quickly shut the door. "S-Sorry!"

I sighed. Guess I had some explaining to do.