Chapter 3 #2
Elli shrugs again. “I mean, of course I will. I’ll miss my siblings, but they’re all growing up and finding themselves, so I don’t have to take care of them anymore.
Most of my friends are married and starting families so I don’t see them anyway.
My parents are… a lot. I need space from them to figure some things out.
I don’t have a partner to miss, so no worries there. ”
I’m ignoring the flutter in my chest at the revelation that she’s single.
What the fuck is that?
Before I can open my mouth to respond, a giggly voice calls out to us.
“Hey you two!” Izzy calls, her smile a mile wide, dragging Luke with their fingers firmly interlocked.
Luke’s got two matching stuffed dinosaurs in one arm, and the dopiest grin on his face.
He looks so happy my heart squeezes. As cringy as they are, he’s happy, and that makes me happy.
“Hey kids, done already?” Elli asks.
Izzy gives a confused look. “It’s been two hours, Els.”
Elli and I simultaneously look at our phones and find that it has indeed been two hours. It feels like we’ve only been here for twenty minutes.
“Anyway…We want to order pizza and then watch a movie at your apartment.” She bats her lashes at Elli.
“Iz, that’s the one thing we didn’t get today.” Elli sounds exasperated.
Izzy turns to me with a saccharine smile, “Wes, would you mind stopping by Target so we can get a TV?”
“Isabelle!” Elli chides in a stage-whisper. “You cannot just ask someone you just met for a favor that big.”
“I don’t mind.” I want to put Elli out of her misery. Though, her cheeks have turned a delightful shade of pink and I think I want to see them that color again.
I regret offering as soon as we enter Target and Izzy and Luke saunter off to god knows where. We’ve been walking around aimlessly for half an hour to find them with no luck. Elli seems just as frustrated as I am.
I will admit it hasn’t been all bad talking more with Elli.
It seems that the more we walk, the more we talk, the less closed in on herself she becomes.
I’ve learned that she has a thing for bees, butterflies, and mushrooms. Anything with those things on it draws her attention and she gives a wistful, longing sigh before she puts it back.
She graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Human Resources and got her B.S.
in just three years. She works from home as the assistant HR representative for a law firm.
I tell her that I work as a music teacher at the private school here, but that I ideally want to get out of teaching and write music and perform full time.
Usually, people are quite condescending or judgmental when I tell them I want to quit my steady income for something so unpredictable, but she is neither condescending nor judgy.
Instead, Elli asks me about how long I’ve been writing, and what inspires me.
“I haven’t had a lot of inspiration lately, I’ve kind of hit writer’s block.” I shrug. I wish I had something, but I’ve written so many songs about my dead family and my ex-girlfriend, there’s nothing else to say.
She hums in understanding. “I’m sure you’ll find some inspiration soon, and you’ll write something amazing.”
“Thank you, Elli.” She’s not the first person who’s said that to me, but she’s the first person who isn’t in my close circle of friends. She’s so genuinely good, I almost feel like I can write a song about her.
Nope. Chillax Wes. You’re way ahead of yourself, man.
Elli isn’t what I judged her to be. She’s not vain, or prissy. She’s not a know-it-all with a holier than thou attitude. She’s not judgmental. She may be a goody-two-shoes, but not in a way that I dislike.
I’m not someone who enjoys being wrong, but I’m glad I was about her.
“Elli! Wes! Where have you two been?” Luke calls from behind us.
Elli and I trade annoyed looks and she rolls her eyes, making me bite back a laugh.
“We’ve been looking for you! We were supposed to get the TV and get out of here. This was your idea.” Elli points at Izzy. Izzy, who is sporting flushed cheeks and swollen lips.
Someone’s been making out in the aisles.
“We went to look for snacks.” Izzy says innocently as she holds up a pack of gummy worms and some popcorn.
“Right, well, if you’re done, I’m ready to go.” Elli grumbles.
“Is now a bad time to ask about the pool party tomorrow at Matt’s? I know it’s Sunday but Luke wants me to meet everyone before I leave Wednesday.” Izzy rocks back on her heels anxiously.
Why would it being a Sunday matter?
“Of course we can go, Iz. I’m not going to make you go to church.” Elli says as we approach the checkout.
Oh, right.
Izzy squeals loudly, hugs Elli, then goes with Luke to pay for their snacks.
As Elli is scanning the TV, I lean down and whisper in her ear. “You know what they were doing, right?”
“Of course I know what they were doing.” She hisses. “But it’s not like much can happen beyond kissing in a public store. They haven’t seen each other in a year. I’m letting them make up for lost time.”
“You’re a terrible chaperone.” I tsk.
She gasps in offense, swatting my arm. “I am not! You take that back.”
“What kind of chaperone loses the person they're in charge of for half an hour and lets them get away with locking lips in the candy aisle?”
“The kind that wants their little sister to be happy and experience being a teenager in love. And besides, you’re just as much to blame.” She pokes my chest.
“Touche. Alright, you’re not a bad chaperone.”
“Thank you.” She lifts her chin smugly.