Little Battles Read Free Page B

stupider people might have missed it, but I saw it in his eyes when he studied me. The constant studying wasn’t new, but something in his gaze was. I heard the even softer tone his voice held when he talked to me now. I wasn’t glass, and I wasn’t going to break. I sure as hell didn’t need people thinking of me as “fragile.”
    “Do you want some coffee?” I asked as he followed me into Tom’s little kitchen. It was my father’s day off from the firehouse, but he was working a shift as a paramedic, so Elliott and I were alone. I knew he liked coffee, and it would give me something to do. I didn’t understand why I felt so nervous around him. I was usually so confident in just about everything I did.
    Tom’s house was kind of dumpy compared to the Dalton Palace, but I wasn’t really worried about Elliott seeing it. He didn’t strike me as one of those jerks who would look down on someone just because their house wasn’t on the “Tour of Homes” every holiday season.
    “S-S-SSStephen doesn’t l-like me drinking it ssssso l-late.”
    I whipped around and glared at him. Before I could hold it back, I snapped at him. “That’s not what I asked, Elliott.”
    Damn, there was that stupid kicked-puppy look. I took a deep breath and tried again. “That’s not what I meant to say. I’m sorry.” I wrung my hands and closed my eyes. “Dr. Dalton isn’t here, so do you want some coffee?”
    “Y-yes.”
    Great. I was the perfect host, making my one and only guest feel like shit over stupid beans and water. I started making the coffee and tried to figure out something to say to him that wasn’t a total reveal of how messed up I was, or how stupid I felt now that I’d decided I wanted to go all gooey and share dumb shit with him.
    With freshly made coffee in hand, I mentally tried to prepare myself for showing Elliott my room. It was nothing like his, and I was pretty sure he’d think it was stupid. I wasn’t used to having people in my room. In fact, the only other person I’d allowed to enter was Jason, and I’d only let him in there long enough for both of us to get off.
    My hand rested on the doorknob and I turned around. “My room isn’t cool or anything, so don’t get your hopes up for some kind of interesting experience or whatever.” Before he could answer, I opened the door and walked inside. “See?” I said as he followed me in. I sat on my bed and watched him as he checked out my meager possessions, finally settling on my computer. “Yeah, it’s like fifteen years old or something. Plus, it’s a dial-up connection, so it pretty much sucks.”
    He threw me a smile and it made me soften just a little. Even though it was strange having him, or anyone really, in my room, it surprised me to realize that I wanted him here. As I studied him, he took a seat in the old rocking chair in the corner, and I realized that he fit in my room. I didn’t know what that meant; if I was the one who made him fit, or if he just naturally did.
    “D-did you ch-check your e-mail?”
    I shook my head, glancing back at the computer. “No.” I felt like apologizing, but I didn’t.
    Elliott said nothing, but just sat there, looking at my things. Turning around, he glanced at the books on the top of my dresser; the same dresser Jason did me on a few weeks ago. It was a natural progression of my thoughts to imagine being banged on that dresser by Elliott.
    My thoughts not only made me nervous, they made me blush. I didn’t understand that at all. Most other males on the planet were fair game. I had no problem thinking sexual thoughts about almost anyone, but thinking about Elliott like that turned me into some kind of virginal girl that giggled every time I said the word “dick” in my head.
    “Um, so, how’s Jane?” Talking about Elliott’s adopted sister, who’d cut herself before Homecoming, seemed better than being embarrassed about wanting to have sex with him.
    “Sh-she’s good. L-like I w-wrote