Dancing in the Rain | ✓

Chapter 9: Back to Square One

Throughout the weekend Eli kept checking his cell phone every five minutes in hopes of receiving any kind of message from Avery. Unfortunately each time there was no word from her. Eli tried to remain calm about this but some kind of nervous energy mixed with excitement was buzzing through his vines and making it impossible to think straight. It was not only about the competition anymore. It was about his possible friendship with Avery. Eli found himself wincing at the thought of losing her completely.

"Stop checking your phone. It's getting annoying." Sophia said from her place on the sofa. The TV was on but her eyes weren't focused on the movie that was playing. Instead she didn't seem to be looking at anything at all. And somehow she still was able to see what Eli was doing with his cell phone.

"I just keep thinking about her." Eli admitted. "How about you? You're not even watching the film. What are you thinking about?"

Sophia blinked her eyes a few times and finally fixed her gaze on Eli who was sitting right beside her. "Ugh, about Brad." She said shrugging. "And about all the dates I've had during the last two weeks."

Eli smirked. "How many?"

"Four." She said.

"That's quite a lot."

"I guess." The girl said playing with her loose hair. "But I just can't find anybody...good enough. It's not working out and I think it might be time to call it quits."

Eli raised his eyebrows. "You said you already quitted Brad. Do you want to quit dating completely then?"

"Ugh, that's not really what I meant...I mean that I want to find someone with whom I could talk for hours about shit and not feel tired at all." She said, clearly sad about not having a boyfriend. "It's stupid. I know."

"It's not stupid at all." Eli said and smiled thinking about the promise he had given to Finn. "You know what? I may actually have a date for you."

At that Sophia's face lit up a bit. "Really? And who would that be?" She asked, hope evident in her voice.

"Finn Murrell." Eli said. "I share some classes with him. He's really awesome. He's fun and easygoing."

Sophia smirked. "If he's so amazing why don't you go out with him yourself?"

Eli punched her shoulder playfully. "No, seriously. He's cool...and well...I know for a fact that he would love to go out somewhere with you."

Sophia quirked her eyebrows but a smirk was still on her face. "And how would you know that?"

Eli looked away. "I might have promised him to set you two up."

"You're horrible." Sophia said crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm not a toy that you can just pass around your friends, you know?"

Eli rolled his eyes moving a little closer to his best friend. "Don't be like that. Just be thankful that I care about you enough to hook you up with a nice guy."

"Ugh, fine. If he's so perfect I might give it a shot but no promises."

"Thanks." Eli said. "You won't regret it."

"I better not." She said resting her head on Eli's shoulder. "And you should stop moping because of Avery. That bitch won't even look me in the eye now in class. That's probably good since I would most likely beat the living shit out of her for leaving you like that."

"Sophia." Eli said, frustrated with his best friend for still being so against Avery. "Don't talk about her like that."

"But I am your best friend in the whole entire multiverse." Sophia exclaimed, suddenly full of energy and vigor. "And as your best friend my responsibility is to protect you and beat up everyone who dares to harm you."