autopilot

Ellie knew she had a lot of making up to do. She felt like she'd practically kissed every-one's ass since Thanksgiving. First it was the whole thing of getting it settled with her Dad's new marriage. Which went off without a problem. Kyle wasn't there. He was with Amanda. But it was done. Over. Neighbors had a potluck. It was really quite giddy as could be. And no honeymoon. They had not left them alone.

She was not alone. They couldn't be left alone. Again. Never. She decided after her big fight with Kyle. It was. It was just so unexpected. What was wrong with him? Really? She didn't really want to know.

All the things she said to Eric were true. He didn't really know what was going on. It had nothing to do with Elliot.

"Just don't worry. Please. All right? Tell me you won't?" She'd said.

"What is wrong?" He could tell something had happened so she just showed up instead and let him have what he wanted all along. He just didn't want to be alone.

It was cold outside. His bed was warm. He was warm though Eric looked kind of pale. Sick too, but she made him feel better. He was better now if she was there. And they were quiet. The kissing. The touching. It went on like clockwork. No questions asked. It just took longer. She stayed longer. Then sleep sunk in.

Finally she flopped open her cell in the dark. It was 4 in the morning. How was she going to get home without anyone knowing? She didn't wake up Eric, dressed with her clothes inside out and hoped for the best as she ran out in the cold. It was just a few blocks. Not that far, but still it was scary. But she couldn't look back. Just move forward. Just go. Halfway home under the streetlights she remembered she hadn't eaten. Not since lunch. Her stomach groaned. It was hungry. And when she got to the house she saw the kitchen light was already on.

But somehow she forged on. Through the livingroom. Leaping quiet up the stairs until she could make it to the bathroom. Finally some peace of mind as she took a pee and noticed she reeked more than just sex. Eric was sick. Wasn't he? He was really sick. That's was this was about. Kyle didn't know what he was even going on about.

She pulled a face as she started a shower. Shucked her clothes and let the heat cover her before the goosebumps had a chance to spread. She wanted to stand under the water for the longest time. But it hit her who was really on her mind. Kyle. It was Kyle. She didn't want to think of him. She didn't want to remember. How they'd pushed and shoved. Did their best to be so mean to each other, but it didn't help. Nothing seemed to help.

She shut off the water, wrapped in a towel. Scurried to her room and got dress. She went down for breakfast then. Blueberry muffins were in the oven. Ellie poured herself a cup of coffee added some Coffee-mate.

"You're up, early?" Joan was shocked to see her.

"Couldn't sleep." Her hair still wet. She'd certainly have a sore throat. She deserved it. No doubt. "I think Eric is coming down with something. Doubt he's at school today." Ellie took a sip of coffee.

"So you're sister is leaving with the twins this week for Texas, isn't she?" Joan remembered. Ellie hadn't.

"Yeah, I guess so." She was supposed to do something with them. Sometime. She guessed. "My Mom will call me. She always does." Ellie felt down right on autopilot at the moment.