Loving Eli

chapter 23

Portland, Oregan 1982

"I've brought PB&J."Gabby walked up to the boy who was silently watching the river. "Thank you."He replies grabbing a sandwich. "How long are you going to be out here? Aren't your parent's worried sick?"Gabby asks the silent boy.

"My parents probably hasn't even noticed. My mom is too busy having other babies to care for me and my dad is the reason I'm out here."Kai answers. Gabby looks at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"She asks.

"You ask alot of questions."He mentions. "Does he kick you out?"She asks. "And quite stubborn."He adds ignoring her question. "Does he hit you?"She asks using her magic to move around the leaves in the air.

"Why? Why does it matter?"He asks. She noticed she hit a sensitive spot. "I don't want you to be hurt is all. You're just a boy."She replies. Kai scoffs and rolls his eyes. "I'm older than you are!"He argues.

"By, what? Two months."She yells back. "I don't need your help. You're just a girl. What can you do that I can't do myself?"He asks. Gabby stood up offended.

"Fine! I don't want to be your friend anymore you big meanie!"She yells before running away. Kai sighs breathing out anger as she runs away.
-
Three days later...

"I need you to get the blueberries from the garden out back. I want to make blueberry pie."Beth told Gabby as she sat at her mirror brushing her hair.

"Okay, I will be down in a bit."Gabby smiles before getting her shoes. Gabby walked down the stairs collecting her basket. She walked through the back door and to outside. She went to the end near the woods and sat down at the bushes full of blue berries.

"Gabriella."Kai called out from behind her. Gabby only ignored and kept grabbing berries. "Gabriella, I came to apologize about the other day."He adds. She doesn't say a word which only makes him sigh.

"I don't know how to control my anger sometimes. No one's ever been nice to me before."He admits getting nothing in return. "Gabriella lis-"Kai stops as she whines in pain.

"That stupid thorn pricked me."Gabby stopped sucking her finger. Kai sits down next to her helping her fill the basket. "You're hands have cuts all over them."She mentions not looking up to him.

"I'm outside alot."He answers hoping she would just look up. "I'm sorry. I really am, you're my only friend, Gabriella."He apologizes. "Cindy seems to enjoy your company."Gabby replies.

"Ew, she's into boys. She wants me to be her boyfriend. She asked me to kiss her but I said no. I didn't want to be a dad."Kai shivers at what happened at recess.

"Maybe you should. Then you wouldn't have to be so mean to me!"Gabby yells moving away from him. "That's gross. Don't wish that on me. You know girls have cooties."Kai frowns upset by her comment.

"Whatever. You can leave now. I don't wish to make your life worse."Gabby stands up with a basket full of berries. "Can you please me forgive, Gabriella?"He asks desperately.

"Fine but on one condition."She smirks. "What? I'll do anything."He answers. "You have to say that girls are better than boys and believe it for the rest of your life."She laughs. Kai cringles in disgust.

"Fine, girls are better than boys."Kai sighs in defeat crossing his arms. "Good, now come on. Aunt Beth is making blueberry pie."She smiles running home. Kai runs with her but stops her at the door.

"Will she let me come in?"He asks nervously. "Aunt Beth, can Eli stay over for pie?"Gabby asks as she walked into the kitchen. "Oh, yes. Mr. Parker's son. Where is he?"She asks preparing the pie.