The Girl he Wants

49- Not This Again.

RECAP: Sam sorts out his thoughts about Natalie. Asher uncovers something about Sebastian before they go downstairs for breakfast. Elizabeth is coming down with a cold. Hanes gets angry with Ruth for blackmailing Mr. Gaz.

***ELIZABETH'S P.O.V***

    Knock. Knock. Knock.

   "Mmm..." Elizabeth mutters into her pillow, half-awake and half-asleep. She'd rather remain like the part that's asleep, but she knows she cannot when a second round of echos ring throughout the room.

   "Coming. Hold on." Elizabeth yells, opening her tired eyes. As she swings her legs over the side of the bed, she spies the hotel clock that reads: 8 AM.

   Great. She was only asleep for fifteen minutes.

   Add that to the five hours she got before that, and it still doesn't equal a number Elizabeth is happy about.

    Elizabeth trudges over to the door and doesn't even glance through the peephole. Once Hanes is revealed, she closes her eyes and sucks in a breath. "I was taking a nap."

   "Oh... Sorry." Hanes replies. Yet, he moves past Elizabeth without hesitating. She shuts the door and follows him, only staying close behind because he grips the water her dry throat is burning for.

   "Thanks for the water." Elizabeth extends her arm for the water but her brother raises it out of her reach.

   Elizabeth's eyebrows yank together. For a second she wonders if her brother is trying to mess with her, but there is no humor glinting in his caramel eyes.

   "What are you doing?" Elizabeth questions. She steps on her tip-toes, attempting to grasp the drink. She fails miserably and steps back in order to keep her anger in check. "I'm thirsty, Hanes."

   "Then tell me something." Hanes looks her in the eyes. Elizabeth's heart skips a beat when she catches the gaze he throws her from behind his dark curls. "Did you know about Ruth blackmailing Mr. Gaz?"

   When Elizabeth says nothing, Hanes tilts his head and takes a step back. "What the hell, Elizabeth? You know that's illegal, right? You know that blackmailing is wrong?"

   Elizabeth tries to swallow but her throat hurts too much. "Hanes, I know. It's the solution Ruth thought of and once she started it, she had to go through with it. She's risking herself to make sure none of us get in trouble."

   "Elizabeth. No." Hanes shakes his head, his eyebrows narrowed and his eyes glinting with anger. "What kind of people are we if we think blackmailing our own teacher is okay?"

   "What else are we supposed to do?" Elizabeth says, shrugging while struggling to balance her frustration. "Huh? Because I can't think of another solution."

   "Whatever." Hanes treads his hand through his hair. "I'm not cool with this at all."

   "I can't believe you're mad. You should be grateful your girlfriend is protecting your ass." Elizabeth coughs, blinking. She turns away from Hanes, breathing heavily as she has a series of unrelenting itches at her throat.

   "Here." Hanes surges forward, handing over the water.

   Elizabeth turns and meets his softening eyes, muttering, "Thanks" underneath her breath.