ELIZABETH.
“Oh sorry—“ There’s a deep chuckle in the dark then movements before the lights come on, revealing the tall shadow to be a tall handsome boy with alluring green eyes and dark hair. I don’t know him yet he feels weirdly familiar.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. “ He smiles, revealing his perfect set of white teeth. “I saw you leave earlier and wanted to make sure you’re alright. “
“Leave?” I repeat and he nods. “The game. I was there. “
Realization finally dawns on me. “Oh sorry. I didn’t recognize you. “ I take two steps forward now and he takes three, leaving little decent space between us.
“That’s okay. I was silent throughout the game so you wouldn’t have. “ he tells and I give a small smile.
There’s a short silence between us as he seems to be thinking about his words.
“I don’t bite. “ I don’t know why I said that but this boy seems to find it funny as he lets out a short laugh. The sound is lovely to the ears.
“You’re funny too. Perfect. “ He murmurs as his eyes bore into mine. He takes one step closer and then stretches his hand, “The name is Louis. “
I place my hand in his and I’m about to open my mouth but he stops me, “Elizabeth. I know. “
“Right. “ I chuckle.
“Elizabeth is such a gorgeous name. Anyone ever told you that?” He says as his thumb gently rubs my knuckles and I tilt my head a bit. “Wouldn’t be the first. And thank you. “
He smiles and lets go of my hand. “You’re welcome. You caught my attention back there. “
“Did I? I was a mess. Barely did anything or pay attention and I ended up just running away. “
He shakes his head as he folds his hands behind him. “No. You weren’t a mess. Nobody loves playing those games. They’re boring and quite intruding if you ask me. “
“About right. “ I laugh and he joins me. It goes on for seconds before the sound dies down and we’re thrown into quietness again, just staring into each other's eyes. He fidgets and sways on his feet often. For a guy who appears intimidating and bold, he sure acts the shy type.
“Sorry. “ he starts, “If you don’t mind, do you think I could have your contact? I think it’d be rare to see you again after this. “ He holds his phone to me.
“Sure. Why—“
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” It’s that familiar sweet voice and Louis moves from the frame for me to see a slightly panting James.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as I step forward.
“What do you mean? You ran away from the game like that. I got worried. Are you okay? “ Oh yeah. Right. The game where you turned down your dare.
“Yeah. I’m good. I just needed some silence. “
“I see. “ There’s a smirk on his face as he looks behind me.
“Shut up. “ I tell him and he cracks up. “Finish up what you’re doing and meet me out. “ He nods towards Louis before he leaves the room and I let out a soft sigh as I turn back to him.
“Sorry about that. “
“It’s alright. So your contact?” He brings me back to our previous conversation and I take the phone from him to type in the numbers.
I didn’t think he could smile even wider. “Thank you. You should leave now. Don’t keep your friend waiting. “
I nod and return his phone. “It was a pleasure speaking to you, Louis. “
“I’m glad I got to have this talk. “ He replies and I send him a smile before I make my way out of the room. Just before I shut the door, I hear him say, “A true pleasure, Liz. “
“Well…” I jump at the sound and James is standing with his back to the wall.
“What are you doing here? I thought you left. Were you eavesdropping?” I scowl at him and he frowns. “Of course not. Why’d I do that? I came back to take you. “
“Take me to where?”
“Home. We’re leaving. “
“Why?” I ask as he steps to my side and his arm takes its usual place on my shoulder.
“I can tell you don’t want to stay here any longer. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. “ There he goes acting all sweet after everything that’s happened.
I bite down on my tongue and stay silent as he leads me from the hallway back into the crowd, where the party is still pretty much going on. We walk our way through them and the fresh air hits my face as we finally make it out.
“Finally. “ I mutter as James leads the way to his car.
“Penny wanted your contact. I declined. I hope you don’t mind?” James says as he entered through the driver's seat while I take the passenger’s.
“Why did you?”
“Just thought you would want me to. Plus it seems she likes you and I know how that’s gonna end. “
“Right. “ She seems like a nice girl but if that’s what she wants then James did right.
“Louis uh? A girl and a boy in one night. Seems like my best friend is finally stepping up her game. “ He ruffles my hair and I slap his hand away. “Stop that. I bet they only spoke to me cause they found me alone. “
“Nope. They took an interest in you cause you’re beautiful. “ He spurts and my head immediately snaps to his side out of surprise.
“What?” He chuckles and I say. “That’s the first time you’re calling me that. “
“That’s not true. “
“Yes, it is. “ He’s called me gorgeous, cute, and pretty but he’s never called me beautiful and I know this is just dumb but I like to think those words have different meanings.
“I don’t need to tell you that before you know you are though. “ But I kinda like it coming from you.
“Right. “ I say and he pulls my cheek this time before he starts the car. I lean against my seat as I watch him drive, only seeing half of his face but that doesn’t make him any less attractive. Too pretty for a boy. The full eyebrows. Long eyelashes. Straight nose with a bridge at its end. A skin even clearer than mine and those pink plump lips. His features are somewhat sharp but his prettiness stands out.
“Hey. Can I ask you a question?” I find myself asking and he hums.
I lick my lips as I finally let it out. “The dare. Why did you drink?”
“Uh?” He takes one glance at me before he returns his attention to the road. “Oh, the kiss? You didn’t seem like you want that. “
“Uh?” Why’d he say that?
‘Maybe because it isn’t normal to want to kiss your best friend?’
“You had your head down the entire down Lizzie. “
“Oh. “
“Yes. I have no trouble kissing you. It’s just a kiss but I know you. You’d probably make me pay after. “ He laughs and I fake one along.
If only he knew.
“You’re right. I’m your best friend. You don’t get to do what you do with others with me. “
“I know that gorgeous. That’s why you’re special. “ He sends me a wink and I chuckle as I turn away from him.
“Do you want to stay over at my place tonight? Dad isn’t coming home. “ He asks when his phone suddenly beeps by the side. I look over to see it’s a text from Vanessa.
“Who’s Vanessa? You have a text from her. “
“Oh. It’s girl from earlier. “ He replies then turns to me and continues with a proud smile. “I got her contact. Aren’t you proud? My skills never fail. “
“She was all over you the second we got there. I bet you even had to do anything. “
He nods proudly again. “You see when you have a face like mine—“
“Don’t finish that. “ I warn and he laughs. “Fine, but you still haven’t answered my question. “
I peek at his phone before I answer. “No. Thanks for the offer though. I’m sure Vanessa would appreciate it more. Have fun. “
“Only because you called it. “ He murmurs and I scoff as I lean against the window.
~
I walk into my house and after a few calls to my mom with no response, I take out my phone to text her.
TO MOM
ME: Where are you? Is everything okay?
I watch the message show delivered before I throw myself on the couch with eyes on the ceiling. I guess she’s not coming home tonight. Just me again in the big house.
One of the disadvantages of being an only child to a single mother. My dad died when I was five and I’ve been with my mom since then. She doesn’t let me feel his absence and though I’m seventeen now; on nights like this one when she isn’t around, it feels too lonely.
I manage to carry myself from the couch and leave the living room to my bedroom.
Without removing the short gown I have on, I jump onto my bed and leave my phone beside me. As I bury myself underneath my covers, I wish I had taken James's offer to stay with him tonight. At least I’d have his arms around me as I fall to sleep and not the comfort of my pillow.
ELIZABETH. What I wake up to is the loud shouts of my name from my mom. I let out a loud groan as I throw my covers shielding me away from the light and lean against my headboard then her call comes again, “Elizabeth! Are you not up yet? It’s getting late. ““I’m up. I’ll be down in a few. “ I scream back and there’s finally silence. I cover my mouth as a yawn slips through my lips and I do a stretch of my body with a few bones cracking before I begin to move out of bed. Walking out of my room, I take the path that leads me to her and as I take the last stair, Mom appears before me with a huge smile on her face. “Hey baby, “ She greets as she wraps her hands around my waist; the fact that I’m on a stair giving her easier access to it. When she pulls back, I lift a brow, “What’s with the morning affection?”She chuckles as she pulls her hands to her sides. “I’ve always been affectionate, haven’t I?”“Yes, but it feels different. You just called me baby and you rarely do that. “Sh
ELIZABETH. I was right. I, in fact, do not like whatever is happening right now. I watch as Gabriel places his hand over my mom’s and she doesn’t flinch at all. If anything; she seems completely used to it with that small smile that appears by the corner of her mouth.My mind tells me that I already know what they want to announce but my heart refuses to believe it. “We plan to get married. “Gabriel finally drops the bomb and I can’t hear anything else in the room over the loud beats of my heart. A heart that’s beating from astonishment, betrayal, and fear? Why am I feeling betrayed? I’ve got no idea. “What? Is that a joke?” I hear James's voice, drawing me back to the situation at hand and my gaze falls on my mom. She’s staring at me, anxiousness all over her face. She speaks next, “It’s true. Gabriel and I have been seeing each other for a while and we have good feelings towards each other. We want to take it to the next level but we want you kids to know first. “ She doesn’t
ELIZABETH.~WEDDING DAY~“You look really beautiful today. “ I tell Mom as I stand behind her and meet her eyes in the mirror. She’s truly looking so elegant in her blue wedding gown. Mom didn’t want it white for a reason she refused to let me know but she doesn’t look any less beautiful in this. She smiles. “Thanks, my love. You’re looking sweet yourself. “ She comments and I look down at the short flowy white gown I have on. It’s sleeveless which leaves my torso and shoulders on display. I smile and gently place my hands on her shoulders. I give the skin a soft squeeze as I ask her in a gentle tone, “Are you happy mother?”She drops her hand over mine and rubs it. “I am. Very happy, Elizabeth. “ And I know she means that. “And it makes me, even more, happier to know that. “ I say and she nods gently. She lets go of my hand and I remove my hands from her shoulders. “You’re comfortable yeah? No negative feelings?” She raises a brow and I’m quick to nod. “None. ““Good. I made sure
ELIZABETH. “Wow. This is looking huger than when I came. “ Mom says immediately we walk through the front door of our new home, each with our luggage in hand. “I helped pick this out. “ James whispers to me with a smile, obviously proud of what he’s done. “You won’t tell me what good job I’ve done?” He frowns when I don’t answer and I shake my head as I drag my luggage forward. The house is quite big. Bigger than our previous home and I can tell a considerable amount of money must have gone into this. “I’m sure you kids must be tired. You should retire to bed. “ Mom announces. She’s still in her after-party white feathery gown and she hasn’t stopped glowing; I guess that’s what being genuinely happy does to you. “Goodnight. “ I mutter before I start to drag my luggage up the stairs. “I’ll take this one. “ James appears out of nowhere, calling dibs on the right room and I look to my left before I return my gaze to him. “I got here first. “ “I said it first. “ “You can be so
ELIZABETH. “Hey. “ It’s James happy voice and I turn to him with a fake smile. “Hey. You have someone over?”He nods and walks into the kitchen with his hands behind him. “Yeah. I hope you have no problem with that?”I shouldn’t right? That doesn’t stop me from teasing him though. “I thought you’d want to get used to the house before you start bringing your flings in. “ I can’t tell if I really meant it as a tease.“Is that jealousy I hear?” He taunts me and I glare at him, earning a laugh. Then he says, “It’s just us for the day, and thought I could use myself a bit of fun. “ You don’t find staying around me for long fun then?“Right. “ I smile. “Her again. You must be having quite the fun with her. “ I nod my head towards the direction of the living room where I’m sure the girl is waiting for him and he turns in the same direction before meeting my eyes, “Better than I thought. ““You must really like her. “ I don’t know why I’m still talking. “You brought her to the wedding. Now
ELIZABETH. I scurry off the floor and make my way to the bathroom. Shame and guilt fill me as I lean against the tiled wall with my eyes shut. I can’t believe I just did that. Masturbate while eavesdropping on their private moment. “That was so low of you. “ I mutter under my breath as I get rid of the clothes I have on, my panties going first; feeling too disgusted in them. I turn on the shower and step under the cold water, rubbing and scrubbing my body in hopes of stopping the shame that crawls my skin. After spending minutes intensely washing my skin, I finally take a proper bath and drop my clothes in the sink just next to the exit before I walk back into my room with a towel wrapped around my body. “I feel like I can finally breathe again. “ I mutter as I walk to my closet to get fresh clothes. After getting dressed, I grab my phone and plug in my headphones to drown out any conversations I could potentially hear. As I lay there, gently rocking my head to the soft beats of
ELIZABETH.It’s been a long, tortuous week.A week filled with torment, awkwardness, and only a bit of awesomeness.We’re starting to open up to each other in the house. I can now stay in the room with Gabriel for more than ten minutes before having to feel like my seat is on fire and we communicate better. No one is happier about this improvement other than my mother. She seems to think I dislike Gabriel–if only she knows the truth about why I behave the way I do.And James. James tortured me on nights when there’ll be those familiar noises coming from his room and I start to wonder why they had to get a place with those thin walls. He’s being however quite sneaky about it. I remain clueless about what he does until I hear those sounds, and I wonder why he’s being so sly about it. James is never the type to sneak a girl in, and I’m pretty sure his dad knows all about his adventures.“Hey. “Louis’s voice takes me out of my thoughts and back into reality, and I smile as I greet him. “H
ELIZABETH. I stand in front of the bathroom's small mirror with my toothbrush in hand and I groan at how puffy my eyes are and the trail of dried tears on my cheeks. I couldn’t stop my tears last night and I hated that so much. I hated how pathetic I felt. How pathetic he made me feel. I’ve always hated fighting with James but this is so much different. I hate how bad I feel about it too. I sigh and apply the paste on my brush, one hand harshly rubbing on my cheeks to wipe off the dried tears, until I’m afraid I might leave a scar while I use the other hand to brush. ~After calming myself with the hot water and taking longer in the bathroom than necessary, I step back into my room with a small towel wrapped around my body. I move to my closet and open it to take out my school uniform when my phone vibrates on my bed. With the school uniform in hand, I turn to retrieve it and Louis's text is staring back at me. There’s more than one and I slowly scroll to reveal all. LOUIS: Did