"Hey, I saw you the other day with that new guy," Sandra said as we walked around, trying to decide where to eat. It was hot today and we wanted to duck in to any shop just to stay away from the heat.

"What?" I asked absentmindedly. I was busy looking at the shops we were passing by and the various signs hanging outside the restaurants.

"When our History class was suspended last Wednesday. I was about to walk over and tap you on your shoulder then I realized you had company."

"Oh. Yeah. I was looking for you the whole time!"

"I thought you needed some...time," Sandra said suggestively. I laughed. "He's cute," she tried again. I didn't say anything. "Well? He's new, right? Transferred from another school?" she prodded, nudging me at the sides.

"Yeah he's new. I went up to our room at an earlier time because it was so hot outside. I wanted to take a nap. He was already there when I arrived though. Said he didn't want to be late in case he got lost looking for his room assignments. His name's Kris," I explained and then I frowned. "I don't know what his last name is actually."

"Girlfriend?"

"No idea."

"He's really tall."

"Really tall," I agreed. "Like I'm Jerry and he's Tom."

"Of course you're Jerry. He's Tom, chasing you." Sandra laughed. Probably enjoying teasing me.

"Oh shut up. Not that. I just meant he's like a giant beside me," I said, putting my hand up as far as I could reach to indicate Kris' giant stature.

"So...," Sandra started.

"So...what?"

"You know what I mean. Can't you be a teenage girl for just, like, a minute?" she said exasperatedly. "I saw how he was looking at you."

I shook my head. Sandra, of course. "And how did I look at him?"

"Uhh..."

I laughed. "Of course you stared at him."

"What? He's cute!" she said defensively.

I laughed again. "I really don't know anything else about him. Eli and I did bump into him at the ice cream house."

"Bumped into him?" Sandra asked, her tone clearly indicating her suspicion.

"Yes. Bumped into him," I emphasized. "By coincidence. It was Eli's birthday, remember? And he wanted to go have ice cream. I don't know, he was just suddenly there." I shrugged. "We got a free ride home." Sandra eyed me teasingly. "Oh shut up you," I retorted when I caught her eye.

"I wasn't saying anything," she said innocently. I rolled my eyes at her. "You have to admit, that's too...weird of a "coincidence," she said, using air quotation marks.

"It was a coincidence," I repeated. "He said his friend works there at the ice cream store. He also bought Eli a gift then offered a ride home and wouldn't take no for an answer. Couldn't refuse him. Oh yeah," I said, suddenly remembering. "He's doing that retarded 100 Happy Days Campaign you're making me do."

"He is?" Sandra said, sounding both surprised and delighted. "Maybe I should like, bump into him accidentally and maybe he'll spend one of his 100 things on me." Sandra looked up at the store we passed. "He's cute," she said again.

"He's cute," I agreed.

"Omg Eli! You have a thing for him!"

"What? No!" I exclaimed, trying to backtrack. "Where'd that come from? I'm just being a girl like you asked me to. Besides...," I sighed heavily. She wanted me to be a girl so might as well. "Remember when you slept over last time, and we read about those theories in a magazine about why guys don't like certain girls back?"

"Yeah...," she said thoughtfully. "Either he's taken - ", Sandra began, about to rattle the reasons off.

"Skip to the last part," I said.

She looked at me for a few moments, frowning. "You don't exist in the same circle. Therefore, he doesn't know you exist. AKA Don't even think about it." She turned to me. "Wait, what? That doesn't sound right."

"Of course it doesn't. We don't exist in the same universe. He's from another planet."

"So you are saying you like him?

"No. He's a bit...I don't know. Intimidating? He's interesting but intimidating." I shook my head, suddenly remembering what Kris said about me being interesting. "It's like he's out to cause trouble."

"Ah, that type of boy, huh? Extremely good looking but a troublemaker. Why am I not surprised?" Sandra exhaled loudly.

"Maybe we should stop reading too much magazines," I replied.

"Maybe you should try and get to know him better. Might not be that much of a troublemaker."

"Sandra..."

"Eli, it's about time. It's been what, one, two, years?"

I sighed. "I doubt I'll see him again apart from History though. Sushi?" I asked, stopping in front of a Japanese restaurant.

"Yep."

*************************

Mum was on the phone when I got back from school so I didn't bother her. Probably one of her friends from her single mothers group. She told me last time that they were planning their next activity and they wanted to bring their kids for a small get together. I ran up before she could ask me for my "opinion". I went up to Elijah's room where I found him busy setting up his Lego city.

"Hey, how was school?"

"You sound like Mum."

That pulled me up short. "Huh. Guess I do. Sorry," I said as I sat down on his bed.

"Eli, do you ever miss Dad?"

I turned to face him, all my nerves freezing up. He wasn't looking at me and instead still focused on building his lego.

"Why'd you ask suddenly? You miss him? You're going to see him tomorrow, aren't you?"

"You're not coming?" he asked as he placed a yellow lego block on top of a tower.

I shook my head. "Isn't it your birthday lunch with him?"

"Yeah, but you can come. And you didn't have any birthday lunch with him."

"Nah, it's fine."

"You don't miss him?" he asked again.

I turned that over in my head. "Sometimes." I glanced at him and he was looking back at me finally. I wondered what made him think of these things suddenly. Then I got it. It was so obvious; I didn't know how I could have missed it.

Elijah used to build his Lego city with Dad. Of course, Dad would still gladly do it with him (or so he says), only Mum won't let him inside the house anymore. Only until the porch. Or the occasional dining room. Couldn't really blame Mum for that. Eli has been building his Lego city by himself for about two years now.

"Why don't you bring some of your Lego when Dad comes to pick you up? Then you can build them together," I suggested.

"Maybe."

"Are you excited?"

Eli smiled. "Yeah." He turned away, then, "I haven't seen Kris around," he said suddenly.

"What?"

"Kris from my birthday at the fort."

"Oh. Yeah. We're not really...you know. He's new here. I just met him in class. We haven't seen each other much."

Which wasn't true, technically. I saw him Monday and Wednesday in History. True to her word, Sandra accidentally on purpose dropped her books when she passed by him. Kris picked them up for her of course. Sandra raised her eyebrows at me and I looked away to hide my face. Kris didn't give any indication that we knew each other and following his lead, I did the same. When we got out of class, he came over and asked if he could give me a ride home - again - which I refused because Sandra and I had plans. The other day, he found me on one of the school's shaded tables outside, finishing a paper.

"Hey."

"Oh. Hi," I said, tugging my earphones out of my ear.

"Is it okay if..." Kris gestured to the bench across me.

"Oh it's fine. I was just about to go," I said, standing up.

"What?" Kris asked, mirroring my movements. "Where are you going?"

I looked up at him in surprise.

"I mean, are you leaving because I'm here? Cause if you are, and I'm bothering you, I can go and you can have the table to yourself," Kris said, looking worried.

I couldn't help laughing. "No, it's fine. I'm going because I need to," I replied. Kris laughed awkwardly. He looked embarrassed for some reason.

"Going home?" he asked.

"Yes...no." I mentally slapped myself. "I need to pick up a few things," I lied. No other reason for refusing except that - I found it kind of creepy. Ok, so he knows where I live but I didn't have to complicate things more, right? "So...ok. Bye," I said, turning away.

"You always say no to me. You know, you have to say yes sometime," I heard Kris say. I ignored that and walked away. How many more happy days thing did he need to spend on me to make up for the (failed) first one?

"Eli!" Kris called out. I pretended I didn't hear and proceeded to put my earphones back on. "Hey Eli!...Elizabeth!"

I turned around, feeling annoyed and frustrated at him. I was doing my best to avoid him but he made it difficult.

"What?"

Kris didn't say anything. He crossed his arms and just looked straight at me. I wanted to be immature and storm off but that was too dramatic. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"What do you want, Kris?"

"What's wrong with you?"

He spoke the same time as I did. I stepped back in surprise, momentarily forgetting my annoyance. He was scowling as he spoke but when he heard me speak, he smiled. I could feel my cheeks heating up in frustration. I knew I'd embarrass myself further if I stayed any longer so I clenched my teeth and turned away.

"That's the first time you said my name." Kris beamed. "I like it."

I rolled my eyes in exasperation. He was proving my perception of him right. He was charming but also cocky and annoying. A dangerous combination.

"Sorry," he said. "About...saying that...I just...You're probably thinking now how creepy I am, don't you? I swear Eli, I don't - I mean - I don't mean you any harm or anything. Look, I'm sorry if I made you feel creeped out or...something."

I stared at him as he stuttered and flustered about, wondering how on earth this person and the person earlier and the person with Eli and me could be the same person. He was perfectly friendly and nice when with Eli and me, shy one minute then strange the next. Now he was awkward and clumsy. It really is kind of creepy.

"Sorry," Kris said again.

"You don't have to keep on being nice to me, Kris. You already spent one, - two of your happy days thing on me, thank you. I really have to go though so maybe I'll see you in class."

Yeah. He creeped me out in the right and wrong places. He wasn't in class earlier though so I didn't see him. I'm kind of relieved though since it was nerve wracking thinking of what he was going to say or do the next time we see each other. Saturday couldn't come fast enough. No school, no classes, no Kris. I was meeting Sandra at the mall but she cancelled so after breakfast, I came out to the porch to wait with Eli for my Dad.

"Excited?"

"Yeah," Eli replied, fidgeting with his bag's zipper. I suddenly remembered what he said last night.

"Listen, Eli. Dad is still Dad." Great. I sounded like my Mum. "That didn't and doesn't change." Oh look I even quoted her perfectly. "I know it's weird that he's not in the house with us anymore but if you want to see him, you can. You can call him anytime."

"You don't though," Eli answered. I stared at him, taken aback. Eli was truly older than his age. I didn't know how to explain.

"Yeah it's...it's different with me. There's me and Dad and there's you and Dad."

"Are you still mad at him? Honestly?"

"Honestly?" I bit my lip as I thought through his question. I knew the answer but I didn't know if I should say it or not. "A bit, maybe? But it got better now, didn't it? I mean I talk to Dad now and stuff."

"But not like before. It wouldn't be like before?"

"Not now, I think," I replied.

"But maybe?" Eli prodded.

"Does that make you sad?" I asked. I turned to look at him and he was frowning at me. "Sorry. I'll try my best, I promise."

"Won't you come?"

"Hey, I thought you were excited to build your stuff with Dad. I bet he's bringing you more Lego sets."

He shrugged. "It will be more fun if you're there."

I ruffled his hair. "Boys day out."

I decided to do my third happy day thing by cleaning my room and Eli's. If I could manage it, then maybe the rest of the house too. For Mum. I ticked them off in my head - first happy day thing was originally for no show Italian restaurant boy so that became helping Mum in the kitchen, second was being nice to stranger boy new classmate Kris (Counting that since I normally would have run off cause he's a strange stranger - well ok, now I am trying to avoid him but hey, I was nice to him on his first day so that should count), and then there's today. I should really work harder on them. Maybe I'll buy Sandra a cake or do her homework or something.

I started with my room, throwing unnecessary things into a box. There was a lot of embarrassing stuff written by a younger me. Diaries and letters (which made me cringe), quotes and stuff in stack and stack of notebooks. I wanted but not wanted to throw them away. I sighed. It was useless cleaning my room. I stored memories in things instead of just storing the things themselves. I had a hard time letting things go. Literally and figuratively. Which of course explains the stuff I still had on my shelf which were given to me by Dad since I was a kid. Exhibit A: An unlined journal containing songs. Specifically lyrics to songs I wrote when I was younger. I would write the words, Dad would write the music. It contained everything from senseless rhymes, silly verses to honest lines. Dad would tinker with the piano to supply melodies to my lyrics. Now that I think of it, it was a little silly and embarrassing. Still, I used to like doing it. Writing.

When we went out, I usually went with Dad instead of Mum so while Mum did girly things like shopping for clothes and shoes (mine included), I would be in the hardware or bookstore with Dad. Even when Elijah came, the routine didn't change for me. I don't remember when it started, or why I was closer to Dad but it just happened that way. I guess I wasn't as feminine as my Mum wanted me to be. I love her of course and after the separation, now more than ever, I appreciate and understand her better. It must have been hell for her keeping my Dad's affair a secret from me (and Eli) and living as if everything was normal for all of us. She didn't wasn't us to be affected by it, she said - and that it was between her and Dad, that Eli was too young to know about those stuff. Since the separation, I did try to be more cordial to Mum and helped her as much as I could especially with Eli.

I think things could have been settled or saved maybe if only I didn't make things worse. I just had to confirm things myself. I felt completely betrayed and, well, devastated...maybe too mad that I couldn't think straight. I confronted Dad and things went bad from there. It's been about two years now since Dad left the house. He sends us money - mostly Eli - and comes to visit sometimes. By visit I mean we - Dad, Eli, and me - go out since Mum doesn't like him in the house. We don't need reminders, I guess. Since the separation, we've only been together in the dining table twice. Both at the request of Eli. And allll of us can't refuse him.

When I finished my room, I went to Eli's room. This was somewhat easier and more difficult than my room. Easier since I can clearly distinguish litter from his toys and I just needed to replace those back to his cabinets. More difficult since Eli had a habit of hiding his "important" things in secret places all over his room. I was afraid I was going to accidentally throw some of it away. In the end, I just replaced his school books and toys back to his shelves and the trunk at the foot of his bed. He also had clothes lying on the floor - both clean and dirty. I guess I couldn't put off doing the laundry then.

While the wash was running, I took a shower then made myself a sandwich. It wasn't even time for lunch yet but the cleaning made me hungry. Right when I was finishing my iced tea, my phone rang. It was the number at my Dad's place. I frowned. It hadn't even been half the day since Eli left the house.

"Hello?"

"Eli, can you come and get me please?"

Elijah's tone was subdued, like he just finished crying. I immediately worried about him. My heart was already racing.

"What's up? You still have the whole day with Dad."

"Come and get me please."

"What's wrong?"

"..."

"Eli?" The line crackled and I tapped my foot impatiently. "Are you hurt?"

"No. Someone's here," Eli said. "I don't want to stay here anymore, Eli."

"I'll be there as soon as I can." I hung up, already running to get my bag from my room. Someone could only mean one thing.

It was a rule. A rule. A simple request. How could Dad have her over when he knew Eli would be there? We agreed not until Eli was old enough. And it's not like Eli had days together with Dad often. It was an easy request. How could he have failed again this time?

It was during these times that I wished I learned how to drive. Mum's car was just there and I could take it if I only knew how to.

"Mum! I'm just going out to buy something! I'll be back in a bit!" I shouted as I passed by the bathroom. Nope, I don't need to tell her about this. One of us worried is enough.

Kate, Dad's...well, I suppose she's his girlfriend, was only a couple of years older than me. I've only seen her once and I really didn't want to have anything to do with her. Of course I hated her on principle alone, but she wasn't that likeable in the first place. I wondered how Dad could have possibly...involved himself with her. My mind was already working, imagining possible scenarios that got worse and worse. What if Kate says or do something to Eli? How could Dad let this happen? I felt angry, worried, and frustrated all at the same time, it's a miracle I wasn't blundering around. I barely noticed where I was going though until I heard a car honk behind me and I jumped in shock.

"Eli?"

I turned, vaguely registering the voice calling my name. And the dark green jeep. Kris had the passenger side window rolled down as he pulled over in the middle of the road. He got down, leaving his door open and the engine running. He stopped a few steps away from me and looked at me with concern.

Crap. Did I look that bad?

I had nothing to say so I think I kind of just gave him a curt nod. I wasn't even able to wonder what he was doing there near my house.

"You look like you're going somewhere. I'll take you," he said simply, already opening the passenger side door.

I nodded, relief surging through me. I climbed in and strapped the seatbelt on. Kris ran to his seat and I told him the directions. He nodded and drove. He didn't ask anything. I didn't say anything either so the whole drive was quiet. I was too busy thinking to feel awkward with him. I looked outside the window, worry eating me from the inside. I told myself over and over that Eli was fine, that he wasn't hurt. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on the seat. Even with closed eyes, I could feel Kris' gaze on me. I tried to calm myself down by breathing deeply.

"Can I do anything? What can make it better?" I heard Kris ask. I turned to look at him. His question somewhat surprised me. He didn't ask if I was okay or if anything was wrong, just that if he can do anything to make me feel better.

"Just drive," I replied. "Faster, if you can please." I felt the car accelerate a bit. He was a pretty good driver. Coming from me, that doesn't sound reliable as I'm not a driver but he reminded me of my Dad actually. I usually get dizzy - carsick - when someone other than my Dad or Mum drove but surprisingly, I wasn't in Kris' car. Or maybe I'm just too preoccupied with worry to feel anything else.

I saw Eli outside the house, sitting near the road. I jumped out of the car as soon as Kris pulled over. From the corner of my eye, I could see Dad hurrying outside to meet us. I held Eli's hand and led him inside Kris' car. Kris strapped his seatbelt in and closed the door. He stood just behind me.

"Eli, wait - it isn't what you think it is," Dad started as he walked over.

"I'm just here to pick Elijah up," I said. My anger was threatening to bubble out again and I exhaled loudly. "It's his birthday, Dad."

"I know that. You could have just talked to me on the phone. I called you five times and you didn't answer. Let me explain," Dad said. I crossed my arms and waited for him to speak. I was afraid I'd start shouting if I opened my mouth.

"Look, Kate just came back to pick up something. She knew about today, I told her but she said she -" He was cut off by the sound of the front door opening then closing.

A boy of two or three came out running towards Dad. He was clutching a bright yellow toy. I couldn't tell what it was. Dad's gaze flickered from the kid to me and back and forth again. I was either going to shout or cry if we didn't leave soon so I forced myself to nod at Dad.

"Eli," Dad tried again. I glanced at the kid then at the door where I could see Kate's silhouette on the front screen. Dad looked sorry or worried and I didn't want to look at him any longer so I turned away.

Elijah was at the back seat, looking the other way from me. Kris stared at me for a few seconds, searching my face. He opened the door to the backseat and I got in. Kris drove away, leaving Dad and his new family standing there.

*********

A/N: Sorry, Elizabeth. Had to do it.

Thank you for taking the time to read! I hope you liked this chapter! (Or not because nothing good really happened. I made everyone upset. Except maybe Kris.)

Dedicated to jade_says , who's one of my first readers(and friend!)! Thanks for the warm welcome here♡ Your comments keep me going!x