Endeavor

Chapter 5: Learning the Truth

A.N.: Hi again, it's Distant! Here's the next chapter. Please vote, or at least review. Thank you in advance.

I was determined not to cry as I pulled the phone to my ear. I let the phone ring, hanging by my fingernails to my last hope.

"Rachel?" Eddie's voice said on the other line.

"Eddie...I..." How did I put the events of the last twelve hours into words? "I need you to come pick me up."

I expected him to ask questions. He only asked one. "Where are you?"

"Jimmy's."

"Give me five minutes."

The line went dead.

The Hampton was at least ten minutes away, and yet he aimed to arrive in five. I was so desparate, though, that I counted the time that it took him. After four and a half minutes, a silver car sped into the parking lot like a bullet.

Eddie jumped out of the driver's door. He ran around the car to the passenger door, where I was, and opened it. I slid in, and he shut the door behind me. I was dripping wet, but the heat of the car warmed me slightly. Eddie got in.

"I want to know what happened." I heard the anger in his voice. I had a premonition that it wasn't directed at me, though.

I'd never cried in front of Eddie. I always tried to be that perpetually happy girl whom he was best friends with. I remembered what he had said during our first outing. I can't imagine you being sad.

But the tears spilled. I doubled over, salty water streaming down my face. I babbled incoherently.

"Shh," he whispered as he wiped my eyes with his thumb. "Stop crying. Take your time."

"Amelia...set me up...on a date...with a frat boy."

"And did you have any say in this?"

I shook my head. "Believe me, I didn't want to go."

"I know. Why did you leave?"

"He kept dropping rude hints."

"I understand. Let's take you home. How about we watch Les Misérables?"

I looked up, shocked that he wanted to watch his own movie. "But you said-"

"I know what I said. But that was under different circumstances. You're upset."

He drove us home. I shivered from cold. When we arrived at the house, Eddie looked around for Amelia.

"She's with Gideon. That's why I couldn't call her," I explained, trying to be indifferent about it.

His mouth pinched into a line. I could tell he was trying to hold his tongue. "Why don't you get in the shower while I cook you some dinner?"

I smiled and turned towards my room. In the hot falling water, I only felt relief. I was safe, I was warm, I was with Eddie. When I got out of the shower, I put on some warm pajamas and walked into the living room. Eddie hugged me.

"You okay?" he asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I nodded. "I cooked you some fettuccine."

I smiled. He knew it was my favorite. He gestured to the couch, and I sat. He wrapped a blanket around me and handed me the bowl.

He sat down beside me. "Do you have any idea why she made you do this?"

"That Endeavor of hers, to get me a boyfriend."

"Has it ever crossed her mind that the Endeavor is selfish? Here you are, sitting on the couch, crying because of it."

I shook my head unknowingly. "She was so selfless...until..."