The Other Side

CHAPTER THIRTEEN | My Rock

K A T A L I N A N A I

"So who's the boy that made you call your older, best, amazing, brother?"

Elijah, Eli. My rock.

And I'm not gonna deny it, because it's true. He is my rock, my anchor. Whether I like It or not.

"I don't even know, Eli." I sigh placing my head in my hands.

Eli reaches across the table, grabbing my forearms, bringing them down. So that he can hold my hands. He weaves his fingers with mine.

Oh and don't even think about it, I too can have a close sibling.

"You know you can tell me anything right?" He adds. "And it doesn't have to be today, it can be tomorrow-"

I cut him off, "But then you'll have to drive back tomorrow."

He gives me a smile. "I do. And I'd drive six hours just to see you again."

Elijah has been there for me whenever I felt down, alone and scared. He's never left my side. Even when there were times where we hated each other, he was there.

And I am so grateful for him. Because sometimes there will be times where we want to kill each other, but can't, because we can't live without each other. He was there for the times my mom or dad couldn't.

He was the shoulder I could lean on. He was the journal I could write all my secrets in.

God. I don't deserve him.

"I love you." I blurt.

Elijah lets out a laugh. "I love you too, you goof."

I let out a sigh. "Stay in Beach Haven?"

"Always, I have nothing better to do anyways."

The waiter places down our drinks and the fries we ordered.

"Lina, after we eat I wanna take you somewhere," He pauses. "Is that gonna be alright?"

"Yeah. You don't need to ever ask." I say stuffing a fry in my mouth.

He smiles, "Great."

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"Elijah!!" I gasp covering my mouth with my hand. "Who is this?!"

I point to the baby golden retriever.

We stand in Elijah's get away home.

He runs a hand through his hair sarcastically. "This right here." He points. "Is Luca— my new dog."

My mouth hangs wide open, I slowly sit myself on the floor, in front of so called Luca. Eli walks over to the kennel unlocking it. As soon as he unlocks the gate.

Luca pushes open the gate with his paw, running straight into my arms. Causing me to giggle and fall into my back. Luca licks my face, then moving onto my hair— he bites it!

"LUCAAA." I drag the word out. "My hair!" Grabbing Luca I sit up straight and put him in my lap.

Elijah sits across from me. He pats the floor laughing. "Luca, come to dada."

I look at Eli with a disgusted face. "Dada?" And I'm only joking.

"Isn't he cute?" He says arms out as Luca runs straight to him.