Mr. Mendes

chapter 8 - fraud

When reluctantly sat down at Jack's dinner table, I felt uneasy. The thought of having to pretend to be Jack's girlfriend sickened me and the thought of telling Mr. Mendes about this sickened me even more. I had completely forgotten about the intrusive questions that his parents were surely going to ask me, when they would prick and prod into our personal lives.

"So how did you two meet?" Mr Gilinsky asked me, his eyes boring into mine.

"Um, through school." I meekly answered. My hands were shaking so I made them dive under the table.

"Yeah, she's in my form and we just got talking. I'm so glad we did. I took into account what you two said, 'look for the nice ones'. Turns out she was right under my nose the whole time." He explained "Isn't it great Elle!"

Only Shawn calls me that, I didn't answer to it.

"Are you okay sweetie? You seem a little nervous." Mrs Gilinsky said sincerely, like she actually cared.

Would you be if you had just been physically assaulted and told to lie straight to someone's face?

"No, I'm fine thank you Mrs Gilinsky," I lied, "your cooking is amazing."

"Aww thank you, no one ever seems to appreciate the work I do around here." She jokes while looking at the two boys.

After an awkward exchange of laughs from the family, Jack's dad decided that it was time to pry further.

"Tell me, how long have you two been dating?" He asked me exclusively.

"I think it's been about three weeks now." I told him, trying my hardest to sound genuine.

"That's funny," he paused, "I could have sworn Jack said a month."

Jack's hand gripped my thigh and squeezed it. I could feel his fingernails digging into my skin, all while I was trying to come up with an answer to Mr. Gilinsky.

"He likes to say a month because that's when he first asked me." It had become more natural to lie. "I'd rejected him a couple of times before I finally said yes, I guess he said it because he doesn't want his ego being bruised." I even managed to fake a laugh at the end.

"Ah, that makes sense, ever since he was a little kid he's always been too proud for his own good."

Jack's grip loosened and I took my opportunity.

"Sorry to ask, but please may I use you bathroom?" I asked Mrs Gilinsky.

"Yes of course you can honey. It's down the hallway to the right."

I practically leapt out of my seat and hurled myself down the hall just slow enough so that it seemed like I was bursting for the toilet.

Once in the room, I locked the door and put my back on it. My knees felt weak and I sunk down to the ground. Shakily, I took my phone out of my pocket and began to dial the number of the only person who could get me out of this mess. Shawn.

"Hello?" He answered just after the third ring.

I couldn't get any words out so I just remained silent.

"Eleanor? Is that you?" He now sounded concerned, "are you okay?"

"I-I, can't stay here." I choked on my tears; the words came out meekly and disjointed.

"What happened?" He questioned worriedly

"No time, just get me out, I'll be a few blocks down waiting for you."

I hung up the phone.

Drying my tears and trying to console myself, I headed back towards the dining room. When I entered again, all of their stares pounced upon me, I began to feel even more nervous.

"I'm so sorry, but I'm going to have to go," I said apologetically, "your meal was lovely Mrs. Gilinsky."

"Why so soon Eleanor? We haven't even had dessert yet."

"Yeah Eleanor, why so soon?" Jack echoed while he turned around to face me, his stare burned my already hot cheeks.

"I don't feel well." I said, hoping the excuse was good enough.

"Well, let jack drive you home honey, that's what boyfriends are there for."

"No no it's fine, honestly. I'd rather walk, it might make me feel better," I dodged and began walking towards the door. "Thanks again everyone."

Jack got up.

"I'll see her out." He said, a malevolent look washing over his features.

Once we were both on the other side of the door's chunky wooden frame, I realised it was pouring down with rain. Jack forcefully placed his hands on either side of my arms.

"You tell anyone about our little agreement and I'll make your life a living hell, okay?" He said, his words stinging my ears as they flung themselves out of his mouth.

I just nodded.

He let go, my hoodie not yet revealing the red marks that were sure to manifest themselves on my arms sooner or later.

I walked away slowly, putting my hood up to shield myself from the torrential rain. I waited until I was out of sight of Jack and his parents, when I began to run at full pace down the pavement. I couldn't stay there. My legs began to burn and my breath became heavy, my eyes scan the perimeter of the street looking for Shawn's car; I see it.

Pushing even harder, my hair which was previously in a loosely tied bun, began to fall down as it caught the wind and got weighted down by the rain. I tried as hard as I could to push Jack's scathing words out of my brain but it wasn't working. Tears started to roll down my cheeks once again and I started to feel light headed. My pace lessened as my knees felt weaker. I didn't feel in control of my own body. My legs buckle from underneath me and I come crashing down, hitting my head on the cold hard pavement. The last thing I could remember was hearing a car door closing, footsteps running towards me and someone's strong, warm arms lifting my weak and cold self off the ground, before I drifted out of consciousness.