Chapter 20
twenty
ELLIE
“Did I just hear a Demi Lovato song?” Riley looks over to me, and I shrug in answer.
The four of us are laid in a row on tanning chairs that the boat provides. It took all eight of us to pay for this boat just for the day. It was… a lot. And I will not be telling my parents how much money August and I spent just to be on it for a day.
When I heard about the annual boat day, I knew I had to buy a brand-new swimsuit. The question was just how slutty I wanted to look. I’m usually very modest, but the little devil on my shoulder told me to go with the thong bikini, while the angel on my other shoulder told me to go with a simple one-piece.
The devil won. Kicked that angel right off my shoulder.
I’m not one to wear something like this, but since I am back home to have some fun and be happy again, I said to hell with covering my ass cheeks! Single Ellie is in town!
“So, El,” Addie says, “how’ve you been doing since you know…everything?”
That’s a great question. How have I been? I took a couple of days to myself after my meltdown. It wasn’t out of embarrassment, but ever since I came home, it’s been non-stop hang-out sessions. I finally made the time to go to the art studio and talk to Mrs. Anderson about the chocolate peanut butter squares for her art show.
She was being way too generous and wanted to pay five hundred dollars for three dozen chocolate peanut butter squares. I insisted she didn’t need to pay that much. Even fifty would have been good enough despite me already using half of my savings. When I spoke with Mrs. Anderson, I felt my anxiety hovering over me, waiting to drop. Thinking about having to work for an event again brought up memories I really don’t care to remember.
But I don’t know how to say no.
I bought a journal the next day, and over the past couple of days, I’ve been writing in it every day. I was once told that writing your feelings helps, so why not? I’m surprised I didn’t do this sooner, but I also thought I was fine and didn’t need to express my feelings because all of it was “normal.” It was normal to feel stressed, burnt out, unhappy, and lonely.
“It’s been okay.” I shrug. “I think taking time to myself kind of helped.”
“If I spend a minute alone with myself...” Riley shakes her head. “I can’t be alone with my thoughts.”
“So, what have you been doing? Baking?” Addie asks.
“Nope. I did speak with Mrs. Anderson about catering for her art show next week. But it’s super simple even though it’s work.”
“Wait, really? I heard about the art show that’s happening. How cool is that?” Addie smiles.
I nod. “Yeah, I’m just doing it for some extra cash. I wasn’t planning on doing any type of work while being home, but when you’re broke, you kind of have no choice.”
“God, I wish I was a billionaire,” Riley sighs out dreamily.
“Me too, but I’m sure it’s going to be fun. We can all go and support you and the art pieces, of course,” Addie says.
“How much did she pay you?” Hailey asks.
“Hailey, you can’t just ask people how much money they’re making,” Addie whisper-yells.
I let out a laugh and turn over on my stomach. I rest on my elbows while I look at the girls. “She’s paying me enough.”
“That means it’s a lot,” Riley mutters.
“El, you know how the town holds The Taste of Dove Point?” Addie asks.
I look over at her and nod my head. I place my hand over my eyes to get a better view of her.
“What if you sign up? You know, have your own table and sell some stuff you love? You can make a lot more money from that.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” I shake my head.
“Why not? Sounds like a great idea,” Riley responds and turns over on her stomach.
I shrug. “I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem like something I would do.”
“You ran the bake sale throughout high school, Ellie,” Hailey says.
“Well, yeah, but it was to raise money for something. You know? There was a purpose behind it,” I add.
“You can have a purpose behind this too,” Addie says.
I could probably do it for charity. Give the proceeds to an animal shelter or something. Give back to the community type thing. It does sound kind of fun, being able to bake what I love and miss and share them with festival goers.
Addie gasps and sits up straight. Her hands are held up, and a giant smile is plastered on her face.
“What, what’s wrong?” Hailey shouts.
“I just had a genius idea.”
Riley perks up, the comment pulling her attention. “Do share with the class.”
Addie looks at me. “Ellie, I know you’re only here for the summer, but...”