Now We're Even

Now We're Even Chapter Five

Chapter Five

THREE HOURS TIL PROM.

Eliza received a text from Wilbert a little later that day, telling her that he'd pick her up at 6:00.

She rolled her eyes and quickly wrote back,

DON'T KNOCK! I'LL JUST MEET YOU OUTSIDE!

Eliza didn't get a response.

Her phone rang a few seconds later.

She picked it up, assuming that it was Wilbert.

But it wasn't Wilbert at all.

It was Carl!

Eliza took a deep breath and answered the phone.

"Hello?" She croaked.

"Are you freaking kidding me right now? I have to hear from Mariah that you've dumped me to go to prom with your ex and all you can say is hi?" Carl roared.

"I'm not dumping you!" Eliza shouted back, more frustrated than ever now.

After all he wasn't the one going to the prom with a freak.

"Then what is everyone talking about? And why'd you leave school?"

Eliza sighed. "L-look I really don't want to. But I have to go to prom with Wilbert."
The line was silent for a few seconds.

"Carl?" Eliza mumbled.

"WHAT THE HECK DO YOU MEAN, 'I HAVE TO GO TO PROM WITH WILBERT?'" Carl finally exploded.

"Would you calm down?" Eliza yelled.

"No. I will not calm down until you answer me."

Eliza rolled her eyes. "I can't right now, okay? But later I promise."

"You mean after you go to prom with Wilbert?" Carl asked, his voice eerily low.

"Listen, I just"-

"Goodbye Eliza."

Eliza spent the next Fifteen minutes redialing Carl's number, but he wouldn't pick up.

Finally, she gave up and threw her phone down on the bed.

"God!" Eliza groaned, slamming her head into her pillow.

She soon fell asleep.

ONE HOUR TIL PROM.

It took Eliza half an hour to shower, dress, throw on her makeup and put on the short curly wig that Beth'd bought for her.

She debated on whether or not to put on any jewelry, but finally decided against it.

This was no longer a reason to celebrate.

In fact, it felt more like a death sentence.

After putting on a little more lip-gloss, Eliza ran into the living room to wait for Wilbert.

But her parents had other plans.

"Just a little pasta Eliza," Will prodded, waving her over to the dining room table.

Eliza who was planted on the couch, shook her head.

"I'm good dad."

"Eliza come sit," Beth ordered, entering the dining room, "you need to eat before you leave."

Eliza sighed and walked over to the table, where she forced herself to take a bite of rotini pasta.

Eliza had almost finished her dinner when her phone began to vibrate.

She swiped it off the table and read the text from Wilbert.

Outside Sweetheart.

Feeling her anger began to boil over, Eliza quickly texted back,

Don't call me that FREAK!

Slipping her phone into her clutch, Eliza jumped up and bolted to the door.

Halfway there, Beth called out, "where are you going baby?"

"Uh Carl just texted that's he's here. So, I'm just gonna meet him outside," Eliza replied, facing the door.

"No, you won't," Will announced firmly. "He's gonna come inside and me and your mom are going to take pictures,"

"B-but we'll be late!" Eliza whined, knowing that she'd already lost the fight.

"Nonsense. We've got plenty of time," Will added, getting up and heading towards the window.

Eliza blew out her cheeks. "Dad"-

"Hey, what's Wilbert's car doing outside?" Will asked, looking back at Eliza.

"We're going to the prom dad."

"What?" Beth exclaimed, running up beside her husband. "But you guys broke up two years ago."

"Well we got back together a few day ago," Eliza lied, irritation filling her voice.

"Really?" Carl asked, clearly confused.

Eliza nodded.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Beth wanted to know.

Eliza shrugged a little. "Cause I know how much you guys like Carl."

Beth and Will exchanged a strange look.

Beth turned to face her daughter and said, as if asking a question, "well invite him in, I guess."

"Took you long enough," Wilbert said, as soon as Eliza walked up to his dingy blue Toyota. "Hop in babe."

Eliza rolled her eyes and leaned in through the passenger window. "Shut-up and come inside idiot."