Chapter 13 Elodie #2
I don't know who I think I am right now, but I'm bathing in it. Reaching for a slice of the blanco pizza, I take a bite and all but melt into the cheese on top. “It's so good,” I mutter, and Ocean hums her agreement.
“So good,” she breathes. “What did you think of the shopping?” she asks once both of us have demolished another slice of each pizza, moving on to our third.
I roll my eyes at her. “You really made me go into every shop. It's impossible not to be overwhelmed with the amount of bags propping me up right now.” I glance down at the bags in question, recalling every purchase I just made in what feels like such a short space of time.
I’ve got seven sets of lingerie, two new pajama sets, and Ocean somehow convinced me to get a cute little baby doll satin nightdress too, for when the nights get warm.
We both know it's not for that, but she was convincing in her speech, regardless.
Another bag is filled with a pair of boots, sneakers, and sandals, but the remaining bags that spill out around it are an array of everyday clothes.
I’m now the new owner of hoodies, yoga pants, jeans, t-shirts, cardigans, skirts, shorts, blouses, a coat, and too many dresses for the occasional nights out Ocean says we’re going to enjoy.
I tried to say no to everything, but then Ocean reminded me that ascension is a gift we’re unlikely to receive, so I should make the most of the life I have here while I actually have it.
We probably don't have one at all.
And with that said, I can't be as mad about the dwindling bank balance that I didn't even know existed until a few hours ago.
After finishing our shopping for clothes and shoes, we stopped by the little coffee shop, where I had my first ever hazelnut-flavored hot chocolate, which has since become my new addiction.
With my new sweet treat in hand, we carried on into the cute little gift store where we got matching stuffed Highland cow plushies.
I’m the proud owner of a fluffy little companion, something I always dreamed of, yet never owned until now.
The most expensive bag is the smallest of them all; the real treat that I splurged on.
I'm excited to listen to music with my new wireless earbuds and get lost in a world of sound.
I just have to feel safe enough to do it, which is easier said than done.
And finding the time is another obstacle I need to contend with.
Overall, I'm most excited about the bag full of snacks we bought from the grocery store. There are so many sweets, chips, and chocolates that I've never even tried. I can't wait to indulge in it, but first, I’m likely to make myself sick on the pizza, because there is way too much between us.
Taking another bite of the gooey goodness, my eyes linger on the Highland cow. I didn't even know it was a thing until I saw it in the store. I think I'm obsessed with his cute little horns and his brown smattering of fur. He's going to be my new best bed buddy.
“Do you like it?” Ocean asks, following my line of sight, and I nod.
“I do. It's just so big,” I admit, and she snorts.
“That's what she said.”
A burst of laughter ripples from my chest. “Why do we have the jokes of a pubescent child?” I mutter, and she holds her hand in the air.
“Trauma, baby,” she sings, and I grin.
“I’ll cheers to that,” I reply, clinking my glass of water against hers.
All too quickly, we demolish the pizzas.
I look down at the bags I’ve gathered in disbelief, wondering how we’re supposed to carry so much when I feel like I’m in a food coma.
As if sensing my thoughts, a shadow casts over the table, and I look up in surprise to find a vampire towering over us, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt, and Kael nods toward my friend across the table. “Ocean called in a favor,” he states, and I turn to her with narrowed eyes, but she shrugs me off quickly.
“Do you want to carry all of this back?”
My eyebrows furrow. “It won't fit on a bike,” I reply, aware of what this guy drives, and the smirk on his face tells me he's remembering the night I found out.
“I have a car as well,” he states, and I huff.
Ocean has a point, and Kael’s willing to help.
“I’m not gonna say no,” I mutter in defeat, and Ocean beams.
“Okay, we just need to pay,” she states, waving the server over, who's at our side a moment later with the card machine ready to go. Kael pulls his card out, moving toward the machine at the same time I do, but Ocean grabs his arm, quickly stopping him.
“Let her do it,” she murmurs, nodding at me.
He frowns in confusion, shaking his head. “Why does it matter?”
With him distracted, I quickly eliminate the rest of the distance and pay for the food, and my smile spreads with joy.
I actually just paid for this.
I've never felt freer in my whole entire life, even though I’m still trapped in this prison that The Sanctum assigned me to.
“What's going on?” Kael asks, eyeing me as he runs his hands through his hair.
“That's for her to tell,” Ocean states, and Kael cocks his brow at her, but she simply shakes her head, refusing to offer anything else.
He turns his prominent stare my way and I wag my finger at him. “Just because I forgive Rion doesn't mean I've forgiven you,” I grumble, standing to reach for my bags.
“You forgive Rion,” he blurts, and my spine stiffens as I take him in.
“No,” I lie, and he rolls his eyes.
“Of course. Are we leaving?” he says, reaching for my bags before I can even wrap my fingers around them.
“I can do that myself,” I insist, and he sighs.
“It's quicker for me to do it,” he states, lifting my little Highland cow, and I snatch it from his grasp quickly.
“A plushie?” he questions, and I glare at him.
“Yes,” I grumble defensively, and he smirks.
“What's his name?”
“Who says it's a he?” I retort, and he sighs.
“Fine. What's their name?”
I smile, glancing down at my new bestie. “Hamish. Hamish, the Highland Cow,” I sing, and Kael looks at me, bewildered, a glimmer of something dancing in his eyes.
“You're unpredictable, Elodie,” he muses, and I shrug as Ocean appears at my side.
“Or is she just learning to piece herself back together again?”
My eyes lock on the vampire, heat rising in my cheeks as Ocean saunters off, presumably toward Kael’s car. Yet the man before me doesn't move an inch as he looks deep into my eyes, penetrating my soul.
“You don't have to do that alone, you know,” he mutters, stealing my next breath as he pulls at my heartstrings.
“What would you know about piecing yourself back together?”