Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 47- You Make It Too Easy

Athena's POV

January 7th. The first day we have to go back to school since...well everything. ELi and I haven't been to school since before Thanksgiving break. Well, not real school at least. Last week Charlie spoke to Principal Valdez and he let us come in and take our midterms that we missed. He was very understanding of everything we had been through the last months or so. 

We both managed to pass each of our finals even with our lack of focus on anything educational lately. Eli was the most worried about his math final, but he actually did really well. His face lit up when he saw the 89% on the top of his paper. 

"We have to get up Eli." I whispered to him, hoping to not giving him a harsh wake up call.

"No no. We are just gonna stay here, in bed for the rest of our lives, kay?" He mumbled pulling me tight against him and not bothering to open his eyes.

"While that sounds perfect Eli, we have to go back to the real world now. We have been in our own world for a long time. We gotta go back to school today." I told him while instinctively snuggling into his embrace.

"Ugh. Do we really have to? I have all I really need right here." He said cheekily.

"Such a charmer." I chuckled. "I don't want to go either. Everyone knows now." I whispered the last part.

Eli instantly opened and reached up to stroke my cheek "Don't worry baby girl. If anyone does or says anything I'll just kick their ass." He said with a smile. He's trying to lighten the mood, and i appreciate it. "Really though, you shouldn't have anything to worry about." He pulled me into a kiss.

"Morning breath!" I shrieked leaning away.

"Eh, who cares." He chuckled and pressed his lips to mine for a quick kiss. "Totally worth it." He winked and I laughed.

"Let's get ready you dork." I said finally rolling out of bed. I showered last night, so I don't have to worry about that.

"Okay I guess I'll get up too, I'll go get dress and then get some breakfast made for us okay?" 

I quickly ran my straightener through my hair just to tame some of the kinks and such from falling asleep with wet hair. When I was satisfied I quickly applied some mascara and chapstick. I pulled on a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and an oversized sweater over my camisole. I slipped my feet into my pair of bearpaw boots after pulling on a pair of fuzzy socks. I just wanted to be warm.

"Ready?" Eli asked when I joined him in the kitchen.

"Yeah, what's you make?" I asked referring to breakfast.

"Breakfast burritos." He smiled.

"Yummy." He plated the two burritos and we ate quickly so we wouldn't be late.

We drove to school in comfortable silence. I could still feel some of my tiredness lingering. I made sure to take my pill this morning, I didn't want to risk having a panic attack. I've been okay lately, but I feel like today maybe triggering. I feel like I don't even know what to anticipate when it comes to today. 

I reached over and squeezed Eli's hand that was resting on the center console.I know he could feel my nervousness because he shot me a quick reassuring smile and squeezed my hand back too. I took in a deep breath and let go of as much of the tension as I could. It seemed to work because the next breath I took came a lot easier to me. 

When we pulled into a parking spot at school I took another deep breath before grabbing my backpack and getting out of the car. Eli quickly made his way over to me "You've got this baby girl." He winked and intertwined his fingers with mine.