The Perfect Wave (On Hold)

Chapter 8: Piano Keys?

I laughed, "Are you kidding me? Of course not!" His face dropped, and he looked about ready to get up and leave. "I'm kidding! I'm totally kidding! Of course I will!" I leaned forward, grabbing his face, "I would gladly be your girlfriend." Then I kissed him.

"Erica, dinner's-Oh. I'll just... Dinner's ready whenever you two are." Luke said, quickly leaving the room with his head ducked.

"Great." I sighed, "Just what I needed." Elliot glanced at the door, "Didn't you talk?"

"Who told you that?" I asked, although I knew he read the texts. "Jaimee told me." He claimed. "Don't lie." I sighed. "I saw your texts."

"Did you feel forced to ask me?" I asked. "I've been wanting to ask you. I was just too scared of being rejected to ask. But when I saw you thought it was my shyness, I figured I'd show you that it wasn't; that it was fear."

"And that's how I know you actually like me. 'Cause you were scared of being rejected by me." I smiled, "Come on. Let's go eat."

So, I dragged him downstairs where the others were sat at the table. We grabbed a plate and sat down. Of course, I'd be the one sat across from Luke.

I tried to ignore his stares, but it got harder as dinner went on.

"I guess Elliot's still Elliot to some of us." Mrs. King laughed. He had his head ducked, not speaking a word. I laughed, grabbing his hand under the table. He glanced at me from under his curls and smiled. 

I smiled back then continued on with my meal.

• • •

He had stayed that night. He refused to let me sleep on the couch so he did. He stayed in my room until Mr. and Mrs. King went to bed, then he went downstairs to the living room.

When I woke up, I smelled coffee. I just hoped he wasn't awake yet. I ran downstairs to see him asleep on the couch. I smiled, snapping a picture of him.

I moved the curls out of his face, making him stir. I kissed his nose, walking to the kitchen where Luke and Jenna stood, each with a mug of coffee. "Is that mine?" I asked, stealing a sip of Luke's. "Ew! You drink it black?"

He laughed, "Don't drink my coffee next time." I tried to steal Jenna's, but all I got was a loud, "Get it yourself!"

"Shh!" I hushed, "Elliot's still asleep." 

"Not anymore." Luke mumbled under his breath, taking a sip of his coffee. I turned around to see a sleepy Elliot in the doorway.

Aww! "Good morning." I smiled instead of telling him how cute he looked in front of Luke. He smiled, refusing to talk in front Luke and Jenna. 

I heard running down the stairs and had Suzy appear a moment later. "Suzy!" I laughed. "Good morning!" She chirped.

I picked up the little girl, "What do we want for breakfast, Suzy?" I sang. "Fruit Loops!" She exclaimed. "What? No way! That's my favorite cereal!" I laughed. "No, it's my favorite cereal!" She exclaimed. 

"Okay, okay. You win." I sat her in a chair at the table, "Wait here. I'll get your cereal."

"Okay!" She smiled. I walked off to get her a bowl of cereal. I tried ignoring Elliot's stare, but I ended up blushing anyways.

Jenna walked out of the room, claiming she needed to do something. I set the bowl in front of Suzy. "Thank you, Rica." Now you know why Nick wasn't allowed to call me that. "You're very welcome."

"Lucas! Come here!" Jenna called from her room. "Why?" He called back. "I need your help!" She yelled. "With?"

"Things! Now, get your butt in here!" Luke sighed before abandoning his coffee. "I'm taking your coffee and fixing it!"