Until You're Cured

Eight Days

Eight Days

When I wake up, it takes a few seconds before I remember yesterday. I remember the adorable conversation that lasted hours. I remember Scott singing to me and, holy shit, he is really good. And then, I remember Eli. The way he just opened the door, breaking Scott’s number one rule. The way he stared and then ran away. I remember the look on his face. The odd thing was it wasn’t the angry, defiant expression I’m used to. Well, it was, but there was a lot more; something else. Still angry, but something slightly softer around his eyes.

I scramble dressed and sprint up the stairs. When there’s still no one on the main floor, I go up the next the next flight of stairs, much quieter. I pad down the hall to Eli and Jacob’s door.

“Eli, I gotta talk to you,” I call quietly through the door, knocking

“What?”Eli calls back before opening it. He’s only half dressed. His black skinny jeans are slung low on his hips and his chest is bare. “What do you want?”

“First, put your shirt on,” I insist, glancing at him.

“Why? Am I distracting you?” I just look at him, unamused. “What? Didn’t realize that I knew about you, did you?” I stare, wide-eyed at his smirking face until it’s covered as he pulls a dark grey shirt over his head.

“What did you say?” I say when his shirt is fully on.

“I saw the way you were looking at Scott yesterday. I know you wish he was into you, but thank God, he’s normal. He’s never going to fall for you and there’s nothing you can do about that.”

“Why are you smirking like that?” I ask, staring at Eli’s wicked grin. He reminds me of a cat who’s caught a mouse and is teasing it before killing it.

“Because, you have no idea how happy it makes me to know it; it’s satisfying,” he chuckles evilly.

“What are you going to do? Turn me in?” I ask, honestly terrified. I had never thought that Eli could ever have this much power over me. I am shaking in fear as Eli stands there, a look of feigned consideration painted on his features that are a near copy of Scott’s. It’s clear that he’s already got his answer, he just want’s to torture me a bit longer.

“That depends on if you give me reason to. You being Cured early doesn’t benefit me in any way at the moment. Besides, Scott would beat the shit out of me for stealing his best friend from him.  I’d kind of like to keep my face intact” Eli finally answers.

“You have no idea what Scott could or would do to you,” I mutter under my breath.

“What did you say?” he snapped.

“Nothing. I didn’t say anything,” I say quickly.

There’s a pause, during which neither of us moves or makes a noise. But just moments later, Eli breaks it, “Okay, I’m sure that Scott is wondering  why you just ran up the stairs. Does he know you’re a freak?” Eli spits.

“He knows about me,” I answer.

“If he asks, then you came because you wanted me. That’s all you will say. Go ahead.”

I leave, knowing that, for now at least, Eli has something over me that no one else does. Not even Jake Christianson, who also knows. Eli has the power to tell Scott that I’ve found a replacement for him; that I don’t need him anymore. Eli holds the time that means everything to me in his hands and I can’t do much about that.

At the bottom of the basement stairs, stands Scott. He reaches out and grips my shoulders. Holding me at arms length, he searches my face, What does he see there? Is he seeing the anger? The worry? The fear?