*ANNA'S POV*
I woke to the sound of my phone alarm: birds chirping. I turned it off and checked the date. Sunday. That meant back to school tomorrow, but a lazy day today. I rolled over in my bed in an attempt to fall back asleep. It almost worked... until I heard colorful language coming from my kitchen. Reluctantly, I got up to see what was going on and instantly regretted my decision. Eli was standing in front of the stove, cussing at a fire, and holding his arm under the cold sink water. I walked over. "What happened?"
"I got in a fight with the fire."
"Let me guess-" I eyed the burn on his arm. "-the fire won?" He glared at me.
"No!" His eyes flicked back to his slowly reddening arm. "Yes..." I laughed and opened the freezer, pulling out an ice pack. Then, I went to a cabinet and got a first aid kit, causing Eli to look confused. "Why do you have those so easily accessible?"
"Abusive boyfriend for a few years, remember? I had to keep some form of medical treatment nearby." My tone was light, my words anything but. Eli's face darkened at the mention of Alex. I put my hand on his shoulder. "Hey, he's gone now. He won't hurt any of us." Eli nodded slowly. As he zoned out, I took the ice pack, placed it on his arm, and wound medical tape around it. "There. It's not pretty, but it will hold. At least for now." Eli smiled.
"Thank you sweetheart." Before I could fully register him calling me sweetheart, he turned off the stove and headed for the door. "I'm going to go wake my mom up. Be right back." He passed and kissed me on the cheek, causing me to freeze. He kissed me. And it's the first display of affection I haven't flinched away from.
YOU ARE READING
When Worlds Collide
Teen FictionThe bad boy of the school, Eli Bradbury, has always been seen as a player and a delinquent. He juggles girls like clowns juggle pins. Enter Anna Murphy, the transfer student from Ireland. She suffers from depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, an...
