There's A Mystery Inside My Head; (Anna&Eli)

[ANNABEL DANIELLE REICH]

"You don't believe me, huh?" She asked, staring at him in disbelief. She didn't sleep around, no, but, some guys she would soooo take advantage of anytime. He was one of them. Lately, she felt the need to go ahead and make that known, too. Shrugging at his statement, she smiled. "Hey, just thought it was weird you wanted to eat burning hot macaroni. But if it turns ya on, that's cool." Grinning, she raised an eyebrow.

"Just alright? I like absinthe, too. But it's illegal here I guess." Anna shrugged, "You're silly, you know that?" Falling silent, she focused on the TV. Hoping Eli wasn't in the same state of mind that she was. Anna was starting to wonder if Eli was "the one". Everyone always talked about "the one", Anna just never believed it, really. Her parents weren't technically happy together...but they stayed together.

She just assumed that was how life, relationships, and dating were. You aren't truly happy, but you pretend. Eli made her happy, but she wasn't gonna say anything. Playing around with him, being suggestive was one thing. Sincerely meaning it was another. Something was telling her to tell him, but she didn't wanna. She really didn't wanna....the internal struggle sucked. And was really screwing her game up.

After a moment, she let the controller fall to her lap, and she looked over to Eli. "....I think we gotta talk."

[/center]

[elijahsummer]

Uh oh, was Elijah's first thought.

"We need to talk," was not a sentence he was particularly fond of. With most girls that had spoken that same sentence, the words 'I'm pregnant,' usually followed. Unless it was said with disdain, then it was more of a 'I met someone else' deal. Both ways Eli ended up with the short end of the stick, and while he couldn't imagine Annabel having a reason to say either one, he still felt his heart flutter. He knew he'd remember going farther than playful kisses and hugs, and they weren't dating, so his mind worked on overdrive, trying to find a reason for her to say that god-awful sentence.

His second clear thought was something along the lines of:
Shit, she finally realized I'm a lazy ass and has moved on to better things.

Which, in his mind, wasn't too bad. Anna deserved better than what he gave her. A beautiful girl, but that beauty didn't define her. She was also smart, funny, an /amazing/ cook, and patient to no end, it seemed. She had been there for him when he needed it, and never expected much back. If he lost her, for whatever reason, Eli knew he'd never find another girl like her, ever.

He also knew she was waiting for a response, which he'd stalled by silently 'checking his phone', which really meant pretending to text and not really seeing anything on the screen he held in his hand. He swallowed when he knew his time was running out, and turned to her.

"W-what about?" He said, uncertainly, his eyes flickering from the television and back to Annabel. The controller in his hand was subjected to his uneasy fidgeting.

[/justify][/blockquote]TAG: Miss Annabel
NOTES: Nada
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0

[ANNABEL DANIELLE REICH]

Okay, not a good way to start the conversation off. "We need to talk" never seemed to end well. For anyone. The fact Eli was so silent kinda scared her. Maybe she shouldn't of said anything. Her eyes stayed focused on him, trying to read him. Was he mad? Upset? What was going on in that head of his? When he finally spoke, her eyebrow raised. That nervous? Wow.

"...Eli, it's nothing bad, I promise. Well, maybe...depends how you view it, I guess." Looking down at her lap for a moment, she moved so she was sitting indian style, facing Eli. "Look, we've been friends for awhile. I mean, I guess I don't really know how you feel, but I really like you. I always have, and I really don't wanna see you get hurt anymore...by anyone. I can't promise you much, but I can promise to not hurt you......" Anna paused, biting her lip for a moment.

Ugh, shit. "I dunno, I guess I'm just saying I really like you, and I kinda wanna be more than friends..I know we kinda talked about just staying friends...but, we've never argued, or, gotten pissed at each other. It's not like I'll ever hate you, no matter what you do." Falling silent, she made a face, rubbing her eyes. Did she really just say all that? Fuuuucckkk.

"Sorry...I guess I should've kept that all to myself. I...just don't wanna see you with other girls anymore...I don't wanna see you get hurt anymore. Kinda silly and selfish, I know...but..." Letting her sentence trail off, she bit her lip, finally looking back to Eli, just waiting for his reaction. She was scared he was gonna get up and leave. In her eyes, Eli was just perfect for her. He wasn't gonna always be around her, and be annoying or over-protective.

But if she needed him, he was generally just a phone call away. He had his own life, she had hers, but when they were together, everything just seemed right to Annabel. Though, Eli could see it in a totally different way. And that was what she was scared of.

[elijahsummer]

Elijah felt his mouth go dry. He struggled for words, but found none, perhaps because he wasn't sure what he would say if he were able to speak. Annabel...liked him? What? Eli felt like he was on a roller coaster of emotions, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, none of which were coherent.

Did he like her back? That was a dumb question, of course he did. She was practically an angel in his eyes. A goddess. Untouchable. But this confession caught him off guard, he had been expecting something terrible. Cancer, maybe, but certainly not a crush. No, that word made it seem childish, and nothing in her tone had implied that she was just another female with a schoolgirl crush on him.

She seemed sincere. Oh jeez. What the hell do I say to that? I don't want-well, maybe I do, but any guy would. Damn it! Stay on track! She just confessed her love for you, at least act like a fucking gentleman!

"There's no chance you're joking, right?" Eli finally said aloud after a moment of silence and a few deep breaths. At least she's not dying or having some jerk-off's kid. Think positively, Eli. Positive.

"I mean, not because I don't, you know, like you...cause I do, but you know..." He finished weakly. Maybe this was all just a joke. Maybe he didn't have to confront his real feelings for her just yet.

[/justify][/blockquote] TAG: Miss Annabel
NOTES: Nada
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0

[ANNABEL DANIELLE REICH]

Everything seemed overwhelming. Eli was silent, and Anna had no idea how to interpret that. Good, bad, indifferent? So many things were racing through her head. Why had she even said anything? What if he was to just get up and walk out...and never speak to her again? Oh, God. She wouldn't know what to do. Eli was the one bright spot in her life amongst the dark.

Eyes widened as he asked if it were a joke. Why would it be a joke? She wondered, staring blankly at him for a moment. "No, it's not." She finally got out, shaking her head. "Absolutely not a joke." The fact he asked that kind of hurt, why would she play a joke on him? She would never do that. Anna could sometimes be a player, but not towards this kid. No, not towards the man of her dreams. Even if the feeling wasn't reciprocated, that was okay. At least she finally said it, instead of crying in her bed at night after seeing him with other girls.

Staying quiet for a moment, diverting her eyes back down to her lap, she looked back to him after a few moments, and smiled. "I've been wanting to tell you that for so long, Eli. The first time I met you, I knew you were different..like, maybe, just maybe, I'd be lucky enough to get you. You know? Not saying like marriage wise, but...just...have you. Maybe I'm just crazy.." Anna mumbled, sighing heavily. Not that Anna would be upset to be Mrs. Moore, but that wasn't anywhere in the near future, or maybe at all. That was up to Eli.

"...sorry for bringing it up, I hope...I didn't piss you off, errr, whatever..."

[elijahsummer]

He let out his breath he hadn't known he'd been holding as Anna replied with a 'No, it's not'. For some reason, that was comforting. He still wasn't sure where he stood in this whole situation, and that was the complete opposite of comforting.

"No, it's not you, it's definitely not you," He reassured her quietly. "I just, I don't really know what to think-like, I've thought about it before, but you were always....just out of reach..." He ventured a glance at the girl, trying to clarify his feelings without coming across as a total tool.

"I've always loved you, but I thought-you know, like, you wanted to stay friends. We have a great relationship as is, and I understood not wanting to risk loosing that. I didn't want to loose you." Eli's eyes fell back to the controller, almost shamefully. He spoke the truth, but it wasn't like him to spread his emotions out on his sleeve like he was doing right now. He preferred to take it like a man and bottle it all up.

"I never knew you even cared about me like that, it never even crossed my mind," He trailed off and began fiddling with the controller again.

[/justify][/blockquote] TAG: Miss Annabel
NOTES: Nada
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0

[ANNABEL DANIELLE REICH]

Out of reach? Was he crazy? She would do about anything for him, and to be with him. Though, she knew not to take anything too seriously just yet. Both of them were in shock. Rubbing the back of her neck for a moment, she made a face. "Just out of reach, what do you mean?" Anna asked finally. Hearing his next sentence almost stopped her heart. Rejected...

"Oh." Was all Anna could mutter out, looking back down to her lap. "You'll never lose me, Eli. I don't care what you do to me, I'm not gonna leave you. Ever." Anna reassured him after a moment. Silly Eli! She couldn't leave him. She wouldn't. Ever. There would always be a place for Elijah Moore in her heart. /Always/. "I-I guess I understand if you, uhmm, don't ... wanna be anymore than friends."

Finally, she looked back up to him. I mean, really, what was she thinking? He basically had every girl he could ever want just drooling for him. "I did my best to pretend I didn't, and I tried lying to myself about it to make it easier. But I can't anymore. I always said you were like my brother, I guess. And you are, but you mean so much more to me than just that. I would do anything for you, Eli."

Anna kept her eyes on him. Really, she was expecting him to really, really reject her. And in the end, she was used to that. She wasn't sure why she was always turned down, or rejected, but she certainly was. She really would understand. Most people just wanna be friends anymore. Nothing too serious. Anna wasn't so sure she could just be friends with him, though.

She could feel tears starting to well up in her eyes. Anna quickly looked down and did her best to blink them away. That was the last thing she wanted to do - was cry in front of him in this situation. What had she gotten herself, and Eli, into?

[elijahsummer]

Eli closed his eyes for a brief moment, before responding.

Do I really want to do this? I love her, but I'm not right for her. His thoughts were short and simple, and he knew where his heart was now. If only his brain would follow lead.

"Well, you're different than most of the girls I'm with-You aren't just a one night stand, and that's something I respect you for. But, I'm not..you deserve better. Much better," It wasn't that he didn't want to be with her, he did. And now that he knew how she felt about him, his wildest dreams were within grasp.

"I know, I just, I worry. I'm such a loser and you're-god. Why have you put up with me for so long?" He laughed quietly, shrugging as he did. The room was getting warmer, though he knew it was just him. His cheeks were probably bright pink, which was not a look he favored. He blushed at the wrong times, in the wrong situations, and when he couldn't speak, his flushed cheeks spoke for him.

"It's not that I don't want to..." He paused to reconsider his phrasing. "It's that I'm scared I'll hurt you." He looked at Anna for the first time, without glancing away. She was blinking away tears, which made Eli's heart pang with guilt. He reached over and tilted her head up with gentle hands, and froze for half a second, hesitating his next move.

What's the worst that could happen?
With soft smile, he leaned in and kissed her.

[/justify][/blockquote] TAG: Miss Annabel
NOTES: Nada
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0

[ANNABEL DANIELLE REICH]

Anna listened. What else was there to do. "Eli, don't say that. You're..my everything, I don't want anyone else but you. Why do you think I deserve different?" Anna asked. Yeah, sure, one night stands, drugs, drinking..whatever. That didn't matter to her. Dating wouldn't change how things were now....he could do whatever he wanted. Though, the one night stands may get to her a little more than usual...

Hearing him laugh was almost a relief. Though, the question confused her. "Are you kidding? I have the same question." Anna decided to just dis-regard the fact he called her God. Why would he even think that? He was so silly, sometimes...and he was definitely not a loser. Oh my God, is he blushing? How flippin' cute is THAT!? She just wanted to go cuddle with him!

"Oh, Eli. You won't hurt me. What could you possibly do to ever hurt me?" Anna asked, eyes widening. "Oh my God" was the only thing running through her head. Anna kissed him back, scooting closer to him as she did so. Considering this was something she had been...well, dreaming of for a long time. Pulling back after a moment, she stared him in the eyes, a smile on her face. Was he just being nice?

"You cannot do anything to hurt me." She repeated quietly, wrapping her arms around him in a hug, she rested her head on his chest. "Please don't leave me."

[/center]

[elijahsummer]

"You're so perfect, I feel like I'd never be able to rise to your level and give you what you deserve," Eli said quietly. "But I'm willing to try," His voice rose slightly, with his gaining confidence. Things would have to change, Eli realized that, but it wasn't like it wouldn't be a healthy change anyway. The way he treated himself wasn't the best, and this was just a turning point.

"I-I'm not boyfriend material. I can't handle commitment very well, and I don't want that to hurt you," He said, thinking of all the girls he had just left in the middle of the night, fearing the morning sentiments that might happen if he stayed.

As Anna pulled back and looked at him, he knew he had made the right decision. The look in her eyes was like nothing he'd seen before, it was a look with such strong emotions that Eli found himself looking at her lips instead, not being able to handle the gaze she was broadcasting.

"I'll never leave you," A bare whisper, almost lost to either pair of ears as Eli wrapped his arms around Anna in return and kissed her forehead once again.

[/justify][/blockquote] TAG: Miss Annabel
NOTES: Nada
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0

[ANNABEL DANIELLE REICH]

"Perfect?" Anna asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. Okay, now he was just being silly. There was no way she was perfect. All the instances where she had messed up, or gotten herself screwed over ran through her mind like a horror movie. She felt a chill go down her spine. "You are already there, Eli. I don't get why you say you aren't good enough - you are more than good enough." Anna assured him, a timid smile on her face. It was true, he definitely was good enough.

The fact he was willing to try was good enough for her; she didn't care much about anything else. Anna shrugged. "You are to me. You won't hurt me, Eli. I'm not going to bed mad at you. I know commitment isn't your thing. I'm not asking you to marry me, Eli." Anna giggled softly. People took dating too seriously. "I'm willing to try if you are, Eli.. I'm not asking for a whole lot."

Anna let out a sigh, glad it all turned out well. She wasn't sure how it would turn out in the end. She was well aware of his commitment "issues", and whatever else. But that never stopped her from loving him. The fact he was still here made her happy. Let alone the fact he was now, sorta, her boyfriend. A dream come true to her. "Promise?" She asked, looking up to him for a moment, then closing her eyes. He just made her happy, no matter what happened.

But really, she was scared to truly say 'I love you'. That scared so many boys, and men, off. The one thing she didn't want was to him to leave and never come back. Anna didn't want to fix him; that was up to him whether he wanted to change or not. But she sure hoped he would - she was selfish and wanted him all to herself.

[elijahsummer]

"Yes, perfect. Don't argue that one, okay?" He smiled as he said it, knowing she was already thinking of the ways she 'wasn't perfect', but honestly-he didn't care. Even if she went and killed a hundred people she'd still be perfect. Well, that one was debatable.

"You're too sweet," Eli knew he wasn't all that and a bag of chips, but if Anna thought he was good enough for her, hell, he'd definetly try to live up to her expectations.

"I know, but you've seen how I roll...It's not very...good, for lack of better terms. Any commitment is problematic. I can barely keep a job for three months." He sighed inwardly. This was one of his best friends, and if anything went wrong, if anything happened to her, he wasn't sure if he could live with himself.

He loved her, there was no question of that fact. He wanted what was best for her. Was he the answer to that? He wouldn't hurt her, not intentionally, no, he'd care about her and respect her. Maybe this was a good idea after all.

Her comment 'I'm not asking for a whole lot,' made him backtrack.

"What do you want from me?"

[/justify][/blockquote] TAG: Miss Annabel
NOTES: Nada
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0

[ANNABEL DANIELLE REICH]

Making a face, she shrugged. Fine, she wouldn't argue it now...maybe later. She just didn't quite understand why he thought so highly of her. "I'm just telling the truth, Eli. I don't think you see yourself how others do. You are wonderful." Anna smiled, she was definitely not going to lie to him. Come to think of it, she never had and really had no intention of starting now.

"Really, Eli? I don't care. You've been friends with me longer than three months; that's a commitment...Don't make it a commitment, we're still friends...I guess, just with benefits?" Anna chuckled, sitting back and making a silly face at him. It was true, she knew how he was. She was determined to make it last. "We'll see how it goes, alright? If anything, we're still just friends, okay?" Anna said. Bound and damn determined to help him out - even if it meant them not lasting, she still wanted to try, and have as much time as she can with him.

Falling quiet at his comment, she thought about it.

A smile crossed her face, staring him in the eyes. "You." Was all she said, because it was true. That's all she wanted.

[elijahsummer]

Eli found himself highly amused by Annabel's words, for some reason.

"Well, I don't know about wonderful, but I am pretty great, aren't I?" Eli said with false cockiness. He grinned as he spoke, so that there would be no misconceptions about his words. He wasn't the worst guy in the world, but he knew he had quite a bit of room to improve.

"Friends with benefits, you say? I think I can work with that," Eli smirked with a childish playfulness sparkling in his eyes. He wouldn't feel right about it, though. Taking advantage of Anna without being in a proper relationship-that didn't seem right; but he couldn't bring himself to date steadily yet. Not after, well, it didn't matter.

"Me?" He asked, arching an eyebrow. Predictable, but still very touching. Eli smiled and kissed her again.

"I think we can work something out."

[/justify][/blockquote] TAG: Miss Annabel
NOTES: Nada
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0

[ANNABEL DANIELLE REICH]

"Yeahh! You are so are," Anna agreed, whether he was kidding or not, she thought he was pretty darn great. Rolling her eyes teasingly, she smiled. "Yeah, we'll do that for awhile. How's that? We'll work on it, okay?" Anna said with a nod. No way was she gonna push him. Eli was right, he didn't want to hurt her, and she didn't want to hurt him or make him feel like he had to change. It wasn't like she had some high expectations of him...besides snuggling. That was a must..

"Yes, just you." Anna repeated, raising an eyebrow back at him. "I sure hope so," She said, sorta glad the mood had lightened - it was pretty rough there for awhile. Something she wasn't too happy about. "So uhhmmm, now that we got that settled, wanna go back to playing Call of Duty, or...did you have something else in mind?" She asked, looking back to the tv for a moment, then back to Eli. She was expecting everything to feel different.

But really, it all felt the same. Just, with a little less anxiety about keeping a secret from her best friend...which was always the worst feeling in the world. Now she was just excited, and kinda full of energy. Hyper, maybe. "Cause I'll do about anything right now," Anna grinned playfully at Eli. She could not have asked for a more perfect 'boyfriend'. She was starting to wonder why she didn't talk to him about it sooner.