Loving Eli

chapter 19

Portland,Oregan 1990

Gabby felt an uneasy feeling as she forced a smile. She greeted all her friends and said goodbye. She had finally graduated. She was happy for the next chepter in her life but Kai wasn't so happy himself. She got accepted into NYU and from then on things had been rocky between them.

He had excuses saying he had to stay for the merge but Gabby stood her ground. She was going to do what was best for her. It wasn't easy for her to decide that but after some guidance she knew it.

Kai was avoidable for the weeks leading up to graduation but when she noticed him walking over to her... she was conflicted.

She started moving her fijgers trying to not show the eighteen year-old Kai any sense of nervousness. "Hi, Gabby."Kai looked around before tiltling his head to meet her nervous eyes. They were still in their cap and gown but Kai could see how hard her chest moved under the black exterior.

"Hey, Eli."She replies sensing something bad by how he said her name. "So, you're really going to leave town for school, still?"He asks quite nervous himself. "Yes, it's one of the top. Eli, we can still be together. I know that's what you're worried about."She smiles to him.

He bits his lip looking away. "Gabby, I've never been in a long distance relationship but I'm positive it won't work out."He reasons. "We've practically known each other our whole life. It's different. I will always visit when I can. You could come visit me too."She suggests.

"We don't have money like that. Whitmore is a better chance. We could be together until we graduate then I marry you after I win the merge. That's more better than you going off to meet new guys."He pulls her close.

"If I don't go, I'll regret it. Stayimg here is a dead end. I don't want to watch you have shit loads of parties and mess around with girls."She crossed her arms. "High school was dumb in all. I regret all of that. It will be different. We will be adults, Gabs."He replies.

"I'm sorry, Eli but I'm not giving up NYU."She looks away. "No, it's fine. I see how much I really mean to you."Kai sighed before walking off into the crowd of people. Gabby bit her lip holding back her tears as she left to the parking lot. She didn't want this to be the end for them as he was everything to her.

Letting him go seemed different almost foreign. She loved him but how could she give up NYU for him? And the merge. It was too close away that she frowned at the idea of being with him until then.

That whole merge thing seemed too dangerous but Gabby had to accept it. She didn't want Jo to die nor did she want Kai to die. She loved him alot but it seemed impossible to stay with him without being hurt.
-
Puerto Rico

"Stefan, what is that?"Gabby caught her breathe after being teased into a full out workout in the middle of the street. "It's a restur... fine meal on me."Stefan caught on before chuckling.

"You did make me run here basically. I was hoping running five blocks from a "snake" would earn me food."She rolled her eyes flicking his neck. He laughed opening the door for her.

The AC immediately hit the couple as they made their way to the cashier. Gabby internally screamed at the buffet that was set before them. "You know, I'm enjoying Steffy alot more than I enjoy Mystic Gang day."Gabby takes a seat with a plate full of food.

"I'm flattered. How are you liking Puerto Rico?"He asked picking up his fork and eating. "I love it out here. I've did a little traveling in college but I've never been here."She smiles.

"Me either. I've moved to Costa Rica once but I've only spent time in America. You visited Costa Rica right?"He asked. "Yeah, Costa Rica and Guatemala."She replies.

"Where do you plan on living when you guys move to Mystic Falls?"Gabby shrugs thinking for a moment. "I'm sure there's a house we could move into."She replies. "Or you could move into the Salvatore Boarding house."He suggests earning a pair of squint eyes.

"I actually enjoy the feels of having privacy. I'm sure it's like crowded in there with Kai and them living in."She chuckles. "No, we kicked Kai out after he started them killings again."Stefan clarifies.

Gabby wore a confused look. "Killings?"She asked quite unaware. "He's been pre-merge Kai every since he started dating Carrie. He's not big heartbroken psycho with emotional issues now. He's been doing some serious bad stuff."Stefan explains.

"Oh, so he kills people still? He just feeds off them right?"She asks curiously. Stefan looks around before moving closer to Gabby. "The dude is a pain-giving addict. They rip every limb apart while the victim is alive. Suck the blood out of them dry. They have looks of horror on their face. Kai was drunk and they got creative tearing out their flesh and choking the vic-"Stefan stopped at the look of terror on her face.

"L-Let's go please. I-I have to pack ahead of time since we leave today."She sat up quickly loosing her appetite. "Wait."Stefan tries to calm her but she just shakes her head with teary eyes.

"Let's get back before I run out of time please."She forces a smile before walking out. Stefan sighed walking out and catching up with Gabby who was almost onto the next block. "I didn't mean to scare you."Stefan frowns.

"No, it's not you. It's just growing up with Kai he was this completely different person. It may be hard to believe but he had a heart. He was bullied by his father and stupid kids from school."She sighs as tears raced down her cheeks.

"I can't go on with this. The same guy w-who showed so much care and affection towards me become such a heartless....monster."She sobbed not even able to get the word out.

"Gab-"Stefan pulls her into a hug feeling quite upset with himself for telling her based off jealousy. "I'm fine."Gabby pulled away walking into the drive way. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she walked inside.

Kai immediately stepped off the couch walking up to her attacking her into a hug. "Gabs, you okay?"He asks earning a shove. "D-Don't touch me! Just let me be."Her voice cracks as her cap falls to the ground.

Kai looks at her in confusion. "Babe, yo-"Jake stops as she puts her hand up. "I-I need a nap. Let me be."She finishes not even looking his way. She hated more than ever how he looked exactly like Kai. It was so annoying at the moment.

"What the hell happened?"Kai asks Stefan who was silent after she slammed her door. "She's crying."Jake mentions walking down the steps. "I-I...we were having a good time then."Stefan sighs sitting onto the couch.

"I answered her in full detail what you have been up too and she just poured out how growing up was a different version of you and how she thinks of you as a monster...I'm sorry."He stops feeling really guilty.

"Fuck."Kai curses as he paces. "And what does that have to do with me?"Jake asks not sure why he got the exile. "You look exactly like me. If she doesn't want to see me I'm sure you're the same as well."Kai responds in a duh tone.

"What do we do?"He asks very confused. "Nothing. I know her better than I know myself."Kai replies before whoshing infront of her door. Gabby sat behind the door with her knees to her chest. Her face was in her knees as she cried endlessly.

"Gabriella."Kai sits down at the door in the hall. She stops crying and places her head on the door. "I'm so sorry."He apologizes as she sniffs.

"I don't want to speak to you, Kai."She replies ignoring his apology. "You don't wish to speak with me because of something I did that had nothing to do with you."He corrects her earning an eye roll.

"I felt that. I feel your eyes roll everytime I say something dumb. "He smiles. "And now your eyebrow is raised right before there...the slight wiggle of that little nose of yours."Kai adds worrying Gabby.

"How did you know?"Gabby asks wiping her tears. "Because I know you. I know just as much about me as you know me....everything."He responses. Gabby closes her eyes and let's out of a breath.

"You're not crying because of what I've done. You're crying because deep down you wish I wouldn't of changed because I have and it's scarying you how easy it is for you to not fall in love me when I'm like this. You're scared that I will stop and you will go right back into my arms because we both know how much I meant to you."Kai adds.

He closes his eyes and lets out a chant almost inaudiable before a frightened Gabby was knocked cold.