Kaylen helped Eli get all his homework finished. It wasn’t one to one, and he was sitting with a girl he recognised from his art class. Jillian. She was failing Chemistry and Physics. Eli was only doing Chemistry, and he hadn’t done a test here yet, but he was certain his grade would be worse than hers. There was a sense of comradery when they were both equally terrible at the homework.
Kaylen had made Eli do a small maths worksheet. “This is beyond being behind because of moving school.”
“I was never a great student.” Eli admitted. He spent most of school days messing around with his friends, or getting dragged into trouble, or behaving like a zombie. The teachers never bothered with him and that suited him fine. His mom never cared about his school reports, and there’s no way Jackson gave a damn about poor grades.
Kaylen just gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’ll see you on Thursday, and if you need any help during the week, just let me know.”
“Thanks.” Eli finished packing up his books. They were the last ones to leave the classroom.
“I’ll catch you later.” Kaylen waved him off and trotted over to the other seniors heading down the hall. They had to write up a report of how the tutoring went after it finished.
Eli made his way outside, spotting Sinclair’s SUV sitting in the handicapped parking spot next to the door. “You know you‘re parked in—
She cut him off as he climbed into the passenger seat. “I saw you coming out the door as I was pulling up. Anyway, my parents own a diner and they’re looking for wash-up staff. You ever do that kind of work before?”
“I haven’t had a part-time job before.” Eli answered honestly. Lying wouldn’t really do him any good.
“That’s fine, it’s washing dishes not rocket science.” Sinclair waved off his worries, “I’ll introduce you to them, and they’ll sort you out.”
Eli couldn’t help but
“It’s fine.” Sinclair cast a glance over him. “I’ve taken a liking to you.”
“Oh,” Eli tried not to smile. “I’ve taken quite a liking to you too.”
“Don’t be so gay.” Sinclair muttered.
Eli could only blink at her. “I think me liking you is the literal opposite of being gay. Unless there’s something you’re not telling me?”
She gave him a deadpan look. “Answer the question.”
“There was a question?”
“Are you gay?”
Eli, again,
“Okay, good.” Sinclair nodded to herself. “I didn’t want to say anything in case you weren’t. I mean I think the whole school assumes your gay because of the Cameron thing, but I didn’t want to pass remarks if it wasn’t true.”
“Oh, so you
“Have you gone out with a guy before?”
“No.” Eli leaned back in the passenger seat, “Anyone I ever liked were
“Not interested?” Sinclair raised an eyebrow, “You’re cute though.”
“That’s a
“Cameron doesn’t seem to have a problem with it.”
Eli snorted. “I can’t really picture him being with someone bigger than him, he’s too…” he trailed off, not able to find the word for it.
“I know what you mean.” Sinclair continued on, “I
“Exactly.”
“I’m surprised you know that after two days.”
“It’s fairly obvious” Eli looked around as Sinclair pulled the car into a small parking lot. The building had a large neon sign above the door saying
“Original, I know.” Sinclair got out of the car. “My mom and dad drove around to every diner they knew and then copied the design. It’s been thirty years, and the place hasn’t changed one bit.” She sounded annoyed as she spoke.
“You think it should change?” Eli questioned as they approached the entrance.
“There’s nothing wrong with the food or the service, but yes.” Sinclair gave the place a disapproving glance as she walked through it. “It’s too old. It needs a modern design, something lively something—
“Here we go again” The woman behind the counter groaned. She was older, and
“It’s not grey it’s blue.” Sinclair shot back, “And not that horrible gaudy blue you were looking at either.” She sat at the booth in the corner with a huff and snatched a menu off the table.
Eli slid the other one out with a cautious glance at her. “You don’t know what food your family’s diner serves?”
“
Eli nodded to himself and looked over contents. It was the standard food for a diner, though the desert menu held a lot more choice than he’d seen before. “Banoffee pie?”
“Biscuit base, banana and toffee middle and cream top.” Sinclair explained shortly.
“Sounds good.” Eli hummed.
Sinclair raised her hand to her mom. Eli’s jolted from his relaxed attitude, and a shot of embarrassment made his cheeks heat
Sinclair looked at him like he was an idiot. “It’s my diner, we’re not paying.”
“Hi there,” Sinclair’s mom extended her hand, “I’m Charlotte, you must be Eli.”
He shook her hand, and she sat down next to them. Sinclair scoffed and immediately stood up. “I’ll just help myself then.”
Charlotte ignored her. “Sinclair tells me you’re looking for a job.”
“I was hoping to find a place I could work weekends.” Eli lapsed into conversation with her. It didn’t feel like an interview. Especially when she talked about why she opened the place and then showed baby pictures of Sinclair. “She was so cute back then.”
Sinclair loudly placed two plates on the table. “I’m much cuter now.” She stated boldly.
Charlotte just smiled at the display before standing up. “How does ten on Saturday sound?”
“That’s perfect.” Eli answered quickly.
“Good, we can train you this weekend and then go from there.” She nodded to herself before returning to the counter where there was a small group of teenagers waiting to order.
“My dad works in the kitchen, usually there’s two people on the counter and then a third in washup.” Sinclair nibbled at her cake.
Eli tasted it, then devoured the
“That rare an occurrence?” Sinclair raised an eyebrow, “You should ask Noah to bake for you.”
Eli snorted, letting out a small laugh. “I’ll do that.”
Sinclair only let a flicker of a smile show. “I have a thing on Friday, want to join me?”
“A thing?” Eli raised an eyebrow.
“You owe me.” She pointed out, “And I will be very nice and help you out even more if you say yes.”
“I feel
“Great.” Sinclair beamed at him. “Tomorrow I have a little study session arranged.”
“Study session?” Eli’s eyes brightened.
“I sit beside you in most classes,” Sinclair finished
“Thanks.” Eli said dryly. He still meant it.
Sinclair smiled at him again. “You’re welcome”
*
“You already found a place?” Noah sounded surprised.
“Sinclair helped me out.” Eli relayed what happened, “hopefully it will go okay.”
“Are you sure about wanting to work though?” Jenny frowned, “Oh, we haven’t been giving you an allowance, have we?”
“That’s okay.” Eli
“Just remember what I told you about your grades.” His father finished the last bite of his meal.
Eli
“A group?” Jenny asked with a smile.
“I’m not sure who will be there, but Sinclair’s a straight-a student so she’ll be able to help me out at least.” Eli told her happily.
Noah’s phone buzzed.
Eli’s phone beeped after.
Eli ignored it and continued talking with Jenny. When he
“Nothing.” She turned to her own food, “You’re in a good mood is all.”
Eli blinked. He glanced at his plate, and couldn’t help
Jenny’s gaze flicked to Noah, and the smile faltered. “Is something wrong?”
Noah was staring down at his phone with a clenched jaw. “Nothing.” He glanced at Eli
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