chapter twenty,
glory of love

    Roller skating. Something that Mackenzie could quite easily do. Even if she were to take lessons on how to skate, she'd still suck at it.

    But, she knew she would have a good time if she had friends to go with. No, she wasn't with her friends, she was third-wheeling.

    After Sam had found out that Kenzie was planning on staying home while everyone was out at the 80s themed roller rink, she was not happy.

    So, she invited Kenzie and believed that they would all – alongside Robby, would have a fantastic night.

    But there Kenzie was. Sitting on a bench with roller skates next her. Her 80s outfit was inspired by Sloan from Ferris Buller's day off.

    Which she looked so iconic in.

    Mackenzie sat on the bench with her elbows rested on her knees and her chin in her hands, watching as everyone else was skating around.

    She couldn't help feeling a bit left out. She didn't have anyone to skate with, and she felt like she was just sitting there awkwardly, watching everyone else have fun.

    She looked around the rink and saw Sam and Robby skating together, laughing and having a good time. They looked so happy together, and it only made Kenzie feel even more alone.

     Mackenzie let out a deep sigh and looked down at her roller skates. Maybe she shouldn't have come, she thought to herself. She didn't even know how to skate properly, and now she was just sitting there like a loser.

    She was about to get up and leave when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she looked up and saw Eli standing next to her.

    "What do you want?" she snapped, recognizing his presence.

    Eli chuckled and held his hands up in defense. "Whoa, chill. I just wanted to make sure you're okay. You look pretty miserable just sitting here by yourself."

    Mackenzie huffed and crossed her arms. "Yeah, well, I am miserable. I don't know how to skate and everyone else is out there having fun, while I'm just sitting here like an idiot."

    Eli chuckled. "You know, I could teach you how to skate."

    Mackenzie raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And why would you do that?"

   "Because I'm a kind and generous person?" He shrugged.

    Mackenzie rolled her eyes. "I'm not forgetting everything you've done, Eli."

    "It's just one lesson, Kenzie. One lesson and then I'll leave you alone." Eli said, sitting on the bench next to her.

    Mackenzie hesitated for a moment before sighing in resignation. "Fine, one lesson. But that's it."

🥋 ⋆⭒˚｡⋆

Mackenzie and Eli were skating around the rink together, with Eli holding onto Mackenzie's hands to steady her.

She was actually having a really good time. Eli was being surprisingly nice, and she was starting to feel more confident on the wheels.

The two finish up with skating, as they reach the exit they watch as Sam skates into Tory – making her fall down and drop the food tray she held.

Mackenzie's expression changes into one of surprise and annoyance, while Eli just chuckles. "Looks like Sam can't go five minutes without causing drama.." he joked.

"Shut up," Mackenzie hissed as she took off her roller skates. "I'm going to go check on Tory."

Even though Mackenzie didn't like Tory one single bit, she did feel bad. She didn't know the whole story but she knew that she should be the bigger person and help.

Mackenzie hurried over to where Tory was sitting on the ground, surrounded by the mess of food. "Hey, you okay? I saw what happened.." she asked worriedly.

    Tory looked up at Mackenzie with a grimace on her face, clearly annoyed at the whole situation. "Yeah, I'm just great. Couldn't be better." she said sarcastically.

     Mackenzie tried to reach out to help Tory up, but she slapped her hand away. "I can get up by myself. I don't need your help." Tory snapped, standing up on her own.

    Miguel, who had witnessed the whole thing, walked over to Mackenzie and held her shoulder. "Hey, maybe you should just leave her alone for now." he said gently, trying to diffuse the situation.

    The girl sighed, frustrated, and nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right.." she mumbled, looking over at Tory who was picking up the food from the ground.

Mackenzie watched as Miguel went over to help Tory clean up the mess.

She felt bad for trying to help when it clearly wasn't wanted, but she couldn't help but feel frustrated by the whole situation.

Eli came up behind her and crossed his arms. "Always trying to play the hero, huh Kenzie?"

Mackenzie really tried to forget who Eli was tonight but of course he just had to be the usual asshole he is. "I was trying to be a decent person, something you would know nothing about."

"Oh, come on. You always have to be the bigger person, don't you?" Hawk rolled his eyes. "It must get really tiring being so perfect all the time."

Mackenzie's eyes narrowed at Eli's sarcastic tone. "You know what, I don't have time for your stupid games, Eli."

She started to walk away, but Eli grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Wait. Don't go."

Mackenzie turned back to look at him, her expression still annoyed. "Why not? You've been nothing but a jerk to me this whole night."

"C'mon, I wouldn't say the whole night."

She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms again. "Oh really? So you weren't laughing at me when I was struggling on the skating rink?"

Eli rolled his eyes. "I was just joking around. Lighten up, Kenzie." he said with a smirk.

Mackenzie let out a frustrated sigh. "Ugh, you're impossible. I don't know why I bother with you..."

Mackenzie wanted to smile at him but she knew it would only make his ego higher.

"Goodbye, Eli Moskowitz."

Kenzie called out as she walked away from, back turned to face him. Eli watched as Mackenzie walked away, a smile still on his face. "Bye, Kenzie." he muttered.

— leila's notes !

i kinda like this interaction between them..