Chapter Eighteen

Marcus dropped his tray on the table and sat down next to Elowen. She was face first in a book she had to read for english class. When it came to homework, the three were usually quiet and focused but today was a different day. Elowen wasn't reading her book for class. She was reading it to avoid questions.

"Four months," Kellie commented to Marcus who nodded. "To me it felt like they were together for a lifetime but its only been four months."

He smiled. "Yeah. It's a big day for them. She's meeting his parents and everything. His racist... white.... parents. That's got to be a lot of pressure."

"Oh yeah. I wish she was here so we can go over a few heads up. But I just can't..." Kellie looked over Elowen's head then to the right where Philip laughed with his friends. That's where all their attention went to eventually. "There he is. Not a care in the world. I wonder if he told them she's coming over."

Elowen closed her book and peeked at Philip just as he looked over at her. She smiled but he quickly returned to Joey who was threatening to put mash potatoes on his head.

She reopened her book and sighed. Kellie motioned for Marcus not to say anything else and he agreed. The table remained quiet and it only made Elowen nervous. She gathered her things and left the cafeteria. Neither of her friends thought she wanted them to follow.

With tears in her eyes, she wandered down the hall in search for a restroom to cry in. Just before she could get far, she heard someone running up behind her. When she turned around, it was Philip. He took her into a hug and she didn't hesitate to hug him back. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that to you."

She pushed away from him to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "I am so humiliated. I told myself I would never sleep with you again and the one time I change my mind you just reject me like that." Philip rolled his eyes at her. "What are you upset about?"

"That you want to sit here and make a scene about it, Elowen. You didn't put out for months and I didn't make a huge deal about it. I say no once and suddenly you're in the halls crying and acting out. Like get real! Not everything is going to go your way."

She scowled at him as he told her off in the middle of the empty hall. Elowen didn't know what to say to him and she didn't want to argue especially since she was going to meet his parents. Instead she pouted which made Philip's shoulders relax.

"I love you, Elo. It was one time and I just wanted to enjoy the lake. It wasn't personal." She nodded slowly. "After talking about... kids, it just felt weird. Like I wasn't even wanting to... you know."

She grabbed his hand and locked their fingers together. He pulled her closer slightly until their foreheads were touching. "It's okay Philip. It's also that everyone knows now so when you avoid me in the halls and public places then my feelings start to hurt."

"I don't ignore you. Where'd you get that from?" She remembered how he didn't even give her the time of day in the cafeteria just two minutes ago but once again, she didn't want to argue. "Oh, I got you something."

"I got you something too."

They smiled at each other when Philip pulled out a long rectangle box. Elowen left her gift in her locker but this seemed too interesting to walk away from. She squirmed when he opened the box and revealed a shining diamond necklace.

"Philip... I can't accept this. My mama would kill me!" He locked the necklace around her neck regardless of how much she begged for him not to. "I'm serious, Philip. Take this back!" Her hand fumbled with the diamond incrusted cross and they both could tell she didn't want to let it go.

"My grandma gave it to my mom and she gave it to me since she never liked grandma." He kissed her lips softly then tucked it in the collar of her shirt. "I don't want a present from you, Elowen. You're all I want for the rest of my life and you getting upset with me will never change that."

The necklace was cold against her chest but that didn't stop her from using her hand to press it against her. "Why do you love me?"

"I told you why. You're everything I've never had. You're exactly what I asked for."

"Where are you two supposed to be?" The teacher appeared from nowhere and caused the couple to jump away from each other. "Either in a class or at lunch. So get there."

Philip looked at Elowen who was confused as to if they were going to go to lunch or sneak off. He nodded to the restroom and she went. Philip then waved the teacher goodbye before following right after Elowen.

The second he closed the door, she was pushed into a stall. "I'm going to throw up!" She held her hand out to block him from locking them in.

He groaned. "What? Why?"

"That's gross. I'm not going to kiss you in the restroom." She deadpanned and he eventually gave in. "Let's just go back to lunch. What were you thinking?"

"I was trying to be adventurous. You know. Live a little."

"When you catch something you won't be living long."