Purple Pedals

Chapter Eleven

I woke up with a stuffy nose, but I was still capable of breathing. Luckily, while getting ready, it cleared up after a few kleenexes. Elijah will never have to know. My cheeks heat and I pat it to get a grip. Elijah hadn't said anything about my bruises last night, maybe he didn't notice. He didn't see my collar bone, I kept my hands over it the entire time. My cheek, on the other hand... surely he saw it. Maybe he figured it out and decided to leave it alone.

"Echo, come down for breakfast!" Dad calls, and at the same time, Elijah texts.

Elijah: I'm here. Are you ready? I can wait.

Me: uhh, ten minutes?

Locking my phone and shoving it in my pocket, I race down to my seat at the table. Charles sits at the table and eats peacefully. He looks healthier, and I think dad is forcing him to go to school today. I gobble up my meal like its my last, and dad watches me with a surprised expression.

"Ar-are you okay?" He questions me curiously, and my cheeks heat. Charles looks up from his plate to mine and his eyes go wide. His gaze switches between me and my plate.

"There's no way you are faster than me." His voice drips with astonishment and he glances at dad. He only shurgs, the same wondering look on his face.

"I-I did, an-and I have to go." I stutter as heat rushes through my face again. Racing to shovel my school supplies into my bag, I do my best to keep my back towards my brother and dad. "Goodbye!" I wave over my shoulder, rushing out the door. Bounding over to Elijahs truck, I tug on the handle and the door swings open. He glances over at me and grins.

"Drive, please." I say with a huff. He doesn't ask questions as he steps on the gas and turns the corner off of my street. Relieved, I sag into my seat and close my eyes. Peace. Complete and utter peace. Homely.

"Soo, why did you want me to leave so fast?" Elijah quizzes with a glance, his features drenched with curiosity.

"Two -no- three words. Brother and father." Elijah nods and chuckles to himself. I frown. Noticing the change in my expression, Elijah sobers.

"Hey, hey, I get it." My smile returns and the tune from last night plays through my head again. We stop at a red light.

"What was the song from last night?"
"Which one?"
"The one that goes darling, can't you see something, something, something."
Elijah laughs at me again, saying, "that song is called Tribulation by Matt Maeson." As he speaks, I type the title and artist into my phones notes. Elijah parks his truck in the schools parking lot and jumps out. I unbuckle my seatbelt and before I can open my door, Elijah does it for me; a smile on his face. Taking his hand, he helps me out.

"Thanks." I mumble under my breath, heat rising to my cheeks.
He nudges me, "any time, Little-Miss-Shyness." My heart leaps and my head snaps so I can see Elijah. A grin shines at me, and I give him a mocking face. He barks out a laugh as we enter the school, and the receptionist looks at us through the windows for the office. Elijah nudges me again, leading me down the hallways.

We end up at my locker, and Elijah waits patiently as I sort my belongings. Few students roam the hallways, the ones that are here stay in centre court. Locking my locker, I turn to face Elijah. His face is twisted, and worry rips through me.

I poke his arm, "you okay?" He grins widely, nodding. His smile drops a little, and he looks me in the eye in seriousness.

"Listen, I have something to tell you." He stuffs his hands into his pockets and glances around.
"O-okay..." My voice trails with nervousness.
"We've become quite close these past few days," he pauses, and I nod, "and well, I think I'm starting to li-."

"Echo!" Someone yells from down the hall, making me jump and spin. Chris bounds down the hallway with a grin of his own, completely oblivious. I hear Elijah huff from behind me and fear claws at me. Please don't mention taking me out again. Chris stops in front of me, ignoring Elijah entirely.

"Have you come up with a day you're free yet?" Sugar! I shake my head violently, taking a step back. I only realize how close I am to Elijah when the tension radiating off of him traps me, but it doesn't last long. He takes a step back. Chris' smile drops, but he taps my nose with his finger.

"Pick a day and let me know." He turns, but not before winking at me. Anger bubbles, but I pop each one before they can get into my eyes and blind me. Turning on my heel, I look Elijah in the eyes. His expression is blank, maybe angry.

"Are you two a thing?" His tone has teeth, and they bite at my conscious. Sugar! I shake my head even more violently, making my neck hurt. I hold back the whimper of pain and look him in the eyes.

"No!" I protest, and he continues to look at me with that emotionless stare.
"What was he talking about?" Elijahs tone still bites, shaking to make it hurt more. Tears fight to spill over my cheeks, but I resist. Guilt embeds itself.

"He kinda cornered me yesterday to make up for last time by trying again, I only said okay beca-." Elijah didn't let me finish before storming off. I stare at his back in shock, tears dropping down my cheeks. Because I got scared.

My first two classes passed by in a daze, my mind elsewhere. During lunch I caught Elijah off guard and tugged him somewhere private to talk.

"You didn't let me finish." I huffed, saddened. Elijahs blank expression returned the moment I grabbed his wrist.
"Chris didn't let me finish, either."
"Then finish what you were going to say." I plead, hoping our friendship won't end because of Chris.
Elijah sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks around before leaning down to my ear. People pass us a few feet away.

"And well, I'm starting to like you." My heart stops and leaps, my cheeks heat and I freeze in place. He lifts his head, his cheeks tinted and his eyes on a wall. Students pass us, laughing, talking, playing with items. Time blurs, and sound buzzes. Like me? How? The question swirls around in my skull like water in a whirlpool. Elijah waves his hand in front of my face, and I blink.

"Well?" He prompts.
"I- wha- hu-." Words won't form and frustration pricks at me deep within. Say something! Elijah slugs, clearly irritated, and pats my head.

"Come talk to me when you can form words." Without a glance back, Elijah left me in the hallway.
The bell rang shortly after, and I had to stuff the sadness down deep until I could deal with it in private.

Unlocking the front door, I fling my shoes off my feet and race to my room. Tears ram against the dam I've been doing my best to maintain throughout the day. Now, I have no more energy or reason to hold it back. I lock my door and fling myself onto my bed. Frustration, annoyance, and sadness bombard me. Tears overflow and I sob uncontrollably. Snot clogs my nose, and I force myself to take slow breaths. I hiccup, and grab my phone with a trembling hand. I tap Elijah's texts.

Me: Elijah... Please talk to me.

I know I'm bordering on begging, but I've grown to care about him. I want him in my life, and he's ran out of it in a blink... a breath... a moment.
I wait ten, fifteen, twenty minutes before my phone buzzes.

Elijah: Don't start, Echo.

Just like that, my heart breaks in two, and my head whirls.