Chapter 16

😼 the moment we’ve all been waiting for at the end…

“I can’t wait for summer,” I sighed as I stared out at the sky. It was slightly gloomy, but still mildly warm for Mississippi, around 50 degrees. “I miss going to the beach,” I hummed.

“I’m still surprised you like summer,” Ellie said from beside me. We were sitting on her roof, enjoying the rare nice day as it approached the winter months. Oliver was still at work and John, Ellie’s dad, has been on a trip.

“Why’s that?” I laughed softly, turning to her with a smile.

“You’re pale,” She said simply. I raised a brow at her. “You’ll get sunburnt.” She added.

“Be quiet…” I murmured, hiding my smile of amusement as I turned my head.

“What? You are pale, extremely so.” She teased, poking my upper arm. I simply smiled and sighed softly as I looked around, my eyes tracking the clouds around.

“Whatever,” I murmured. “I still hope summer comes soon.” I shrugged. Just then I saw Oliver’s familiar car driving down the street and pulling into the driveway, her music blasting so loud I could hear it from here.

“Hurray, my mom,” Ellie said playfully as she sat up, her hands resting on the shingles. Oliver stepped out of the car and shut the door, her purse on her wrist. “Hi!” Ellie called. Oliver jumped and looked around cluelessly, making us cackle. Finally, she spotted us, and gave us an incredulous look.

“How did you two even get up there?” She called from below as she looked up at us, looking small from my view.

“Magic.” I said playfully, smiling at her. Oliver laughed and took down her hair from the tight bun it was in from work. She was a nurse at the hospital in town.

“Is this how you sneak out?” Oliver asked Ellie jokingly. Ellie gasped dramatically, putting a hand to her chest.

“Why, I would never!” Ellie chuckled. She glanced to me with a smirk briefly, her hazel eyes mischievous, before looking away.

“Yeah, right,” Oliver murmured sarcastically as she began to walk off, disappearing under the hangoff on the roof and to the front door. It opened with a creak and shut with a slam, our surroundings quiet once again. The bird chirped outside gleefully as we sat there and basked in the rare Mississippi sun this time of year.

“Hmmm…you think she’s on to me?” Ellie asked playfully. I burst into laughter, a smile on my face that hurt my cheeks. Ellie’s mom knew all too well about her tendency to sneak out. Honestly, Ellie was quite up front with her parents in a way I admire.

“No…never.” I said sarcastically.

     “Wanna see how I get down, though?” Ellie asked, her smirk suddenly more mischievous. I gave her a certain look, a disapproving one, and sighed, but I couldn’t help but smile a bit.

     “Show me your ways,” I laughed softly as I adjusted myself, putting my legs to the side of myself. Ellie smiled at me and crawled closer to the edge as I watched in a mix of fascination, anxiety, and confusion. She got to the edge on the right side of the house and suddenly swung her leg over the side. “Ellie-,” I gasped as I stood up a little, thinking the idiot was falling. Ellie laughed and I stumbled closer, a mix between a crouch and a walk.

     “I’m fine, I’m fine,” She chuckled. “There’s a ladder.” She laughed.

     “Oh my…ugh,” I groaned as I glanced over the edge and cringed at the drop, but I felt relief at the fact I did indeed see one of her step dad’s old ladders from the shed.

     “Come on,” She encouraged, motioning me with her hand. She held her other hand out to me, smiling.

     “I’m not climbing down that,” I murmured, my eyes fixed on the drop.

     “It’s not that bad,” She laughed as she motioned me forward again. “I do this every day, and climb up your oak tree. You’ll survive. It’s like exposure therapy.” She teased.

     “I…fine,” I grumbled. I sat down and began to scoot to the edge of the roof, looking at the intimidating height.

     “Hold my hand,” Ellie murmured softly. She took a step down to free the first one for me, our hands interlocking. I turned around carefully, my legs shaking slightly.

     “I don’t know how you always convince me to do this stupid…stuff…” I muttered while I climbed down slowly. She simply chuckled as always and kept a hand on my waist as we made our way down for no apparent reason. “This is stupid…” I repeated.

     “Stupid is a bad word, Evie,” She teased as we hopped down into the grass, referencing my mother.

     “Be quiet,” I groaned, shoving her shoulder playfully as I smiled up at her and headed to her front door. I noticed a car rolling up Ellie’s driveway and my steps stuttered for a moment. I instantly recognized it as my father’s car and as he stepped out and stared me down, I began to felt my throat tighten.

     “What in the hell…” Ellie murmured. She grasped my bicep and began to pull me along, my legs getting caught up in each other and making me stumble as I stared at him.

     “Evelyn!” He shouted rather aggressively as he slammed the car door.

     “Come on,” Ellie ushered, yanking me along. I felt frozen as she practically had to carry me just to get me to move.

     “Evelyn Opal Wells! Get in the damn car! You need to come home!” My father roared as he began to stalk up the driveway.

     “Literally what are you doing?” Ellie shouted towards my father with a scoff. “Eve, come on,” She urged impatiently.

     “Get your ass over here!” He began to hurry closer to me and Ellie yanked me with a strength I hadn’t known she possessed. She hurried me up the steps, holding my waist and fumbling with the door knob as I turned my head back and forth from her to my father, again and again.

     Just then, I heard another car door slam. As I glanced back again I saw a confused and irritated James, Ellie’s step father, coming up his driveway.

     “Dave, what are you doing out here – screaming like a fool?” James called half-heartedly. My father paused momentarily and glanced back to the man, his face a shade of red with his anger.

     “James,” My dad greeted pointedly, his voice sharp and strong as usual. “Hello…” He murmured, looking back to me with narrowed eyes. Ellie looked back and hesitated for a moment before swinging open the door.

     “Hello,” James greeted, his voice becoming muted, only a soft mumble as the screen door slammed closed behind us and Ellie closed the larger, metal one. “What are you doing at my house, Wells?” He chuckled, trying to seem friendly but it was clear he didn’t enjoy my father’s presence.

     “I’m gonna be in trouble- he’s gonna hit me-,” I panicked as Ellie pulled me into the living room.

     “No, you’re not- Mom!” Ellie assured briefly and then called through the house.

     “What!” Oliver shouted back, peeking her head out of the kitchen.

     “Eve’s dad is here and dad is home!” She said as she began to pull me closer to Oliver. My breath came in hiccuping gasps as I looked back at the door and worry and tried to peek out the curtains.

     “Eve’s dad? And James?” Oliver asked in confusion. She wiped her hand on the towel she was holding and tossed it over her shoulder. “Where?” She questioned.

     “In the driveway. Dave just started screaming and then dad came home and now they’re talking- well, screaming, kind of.” Ellie informed as she dragged me along.

     “Oh my gosh, are you okay?” Oliver asked worriedly, looking my way.

     “What? Yeah, I’m fine,” Ellie said casually.

      “Not you, idiot,” Oliver rolled her eyes. “You, honey. Eve, are you okay?” She looked towards me and walked closer, reaching her hands out and clasping them around my shoulders.

     “I don’t wanna go home,” I hiccuped, shaking my head.

     “You’re not going to, love, don’t worry about it,” She cooed, her thumb stroking my skin.

     “Ollie!” James’s voice rang out and the screen door swung open.

     “Right here!” She called as she walked quickly to the front door. “Don’t let Dave in-“

     “Why is Dave-” Their voices clashed simultaneously and they both went silent.

     “Don’t let Dave in,” Oliver repeated softly. James cocked a brow but closed and locked the door anyways.

     “Why? Why is he screaming about Eve?” He asked in confusion, sliding the second lock into place like he was guarding from a robber.

     “Eve and her father got into a fight. She came over here, she’s been over for a few days just to…calm things,” Oliver sighed heavily. “But I don’t think it calmed things, or Dave.” She murmured.

     “Well…judging by the look I saw on his face, I’d say not. He looked angry. We can’t just let another persons kid live here,” James spoke to his wife, voice hushed. I could still hear, though, and a hot tear rolled down my cheek. Ellie quickly interjected as he heard that.

     “Dad,” She spoke up, leaving my side momentarily, her hand grazing my arm. “Dave is not a nice man, not right now. You say it all the damn time. You’re really gonna send Eve home when he is acting like a maniac?” She scoffed.

     “Ellie…” James sighed heavily, running his hand over his face. “That’s not what I said. I…we aren’t gonna send her home when he’s like this but she’ll have to go home eventually. We’ll work things out,” He huffed.

     “You know what he’ll do,” Ellie said darkly. I just watched, tears in my eyes, feeling so stupid. Everyone around was talking about me but yet not addressing me directly. If I had just listened to my father, this wouldn’t have happened, this would not be happening.

     “I’m aware,” James responded lowly.

     “You can’t send her home,” Ellie repeated.

     “I know, Eliora, calm down. I will work something out,” He said, slightly louder this time, addressing Ellie by her full first name. Ellie simply muttered under her breath and rolled her eyes as she walked back to me, opening her arms. She pulled me into her chest, cradling my head as I cried.

     James turned and stepped outside again with a slam of the door. I clenched my eyes closed as I held on to Ellie, my breathing shaky. I have had this feeling before when, I just knew I was in trouble. The feeling deep in my chest, my stomach, the doom of knowing.

     “You’ll be fine, Eve,” Oliver murmured softly, rubbing my back. My lower lip trembled, tears falling down my face.

     “I’m gonna be in trouble…” I said weakly.

     “No, no you won’t Evie. It’s okay…it’s fine,” Ellie murmured, caressing my hair.

     I flinched when I heard the door open again. It hit the wall and ricocheted off. I whipped around to look as Ellie stiffened and held me even tighter than before. Oliver screamed but I was just frozen.

     “Get the fuck out!” James yelled after my father, following close on the heels of the man as I flinched. My father’s eyes were set strictly on me and I looked right back at him. I couldn’t bring myself to move.

     “James!” Oliver yelled as she began to usher Ellie, repeating – “Go downstairs, downstairs,” frantically.

Ellie grabbed me firmly by the wrist, fleeing from the room. Behind me I could hear my father’s shouts and the best I could do was ignore them futally. His voice boomed through the walls, something I was accustomed to by now. She dragged me through the living room, to the kitchen, down the stairs, and finally into the basement. She slammed the door shut and locked it, her hair scattered messily around her face. She looked up at me, her hazel eyes looking darker in the dim light.

“I hate him,” she said bluntly.

“You don’t hate-” I scolded her lightly, despite the situation.

“Right now, I do, Eve,” Ellie grumbled, looking around as if she was trying to find something. “I do…” she breathed out.

“In the bible-” I protested.

“I don’t care…” Ellie murmured, walking over to a corner of the cold basement.

“Where are you going…?” I asked softly. She ignored me for a moment, digging through a few boxes.

“Come over here,” She said simply, pulling back a few more totes and cardboard boxes. I complied, walking over, my hands gripping at my skirt.

“What are you doing?” I questioned curiously. Finally, she pulled back the last few boxes, revealing a small white door with golden hinges.

“Showing you something,” she said simply, ducking down to crawl inside. “Come on.” she urged.

I hesitated before ducking down, slipping under the doorframe. When I got inside, I was confused but pleasantly surprised by the sight. Inside were strings of fairy lights, blankets and pillows stacked up, snacks, and even a hanger with a few clothes along it.

“What is this?” I asked in great confusion.

“Where I hide when I don’t want to go to school,” Ellie said simply, crawling over to sit in a beanbag.

“Where’d you get all this stuff?” I murmured softly, glancing around.

“Places,” she shrugged. “Sit somewhere.” She urged. I sighed and sat in the chair opposite her, some oddly weaved string seat that had a weird bounce to it. Like bungy chords.

“This is cool…” I murmured softly, entranced by the lights specifically. I reached out and fiddled with the wire mindlessly.

“Thanks,” she said casually, leaning back with a sigh. “Good place to hide from your mental father.” Ellie murmured somehwat sarcastically. I actually don’t think it was very sarcastic at all.

“Yeah…it’s nice,” I murmured, glancing around the place, adjusting in the oddly bendy chair. Just then, we heard a crash followed by a shout on the floor above, and I flinched, my eyes squeezing closed momentarily.

“It’s okay…” Ellie murmured softly, her eyes flicking me up and down. “They’ll handle it. Just don’t worry about it for now.” She said softly, reaching forward to briefly pat my thigh.

“I wish my dad was just normal…” I sighed.

“I wish, too, Evie. I’m sorry,” She murmured, looking into my eyes. I stared at her for a long moment, swallowing and looking to the ground. She reached out, grabbing my jaw, slowly bringing my eyes back up to meet hers. “And I wish we could be ourselves.” She continued.

“Be ourselves?” I asked.

“Me, more so…” she murmured. “Nevermind, I think I’m projecting,” she chuckled, shaking her head to herself, inhaling sharply.

“No…what do you mean?” I asked as I scooted closer innocently.

“You make it…unbelievably hard for me to understand myself…just by being the perfect girl that you are,” she sighed, thumb grazing over my skin. A sweet caress, like a breeze of air.

“And that’s supposed to mean?” I laughed softly.

“I…hate that you just…don’t understand…you won’t, you can’t,”

“But I want to,”

“You just…can’t-”

“Just tell me,”

“It’s not something you tell, it’s…I don’t know what it-”

I gasped and her lips were on mine. And it felt good and it felt right. And even if I had urged myself, I don’t think I wanted to pull away. It felt far too delightful to be a sin but I pulled away anyway, looking at her with blinking eyes filled with wonder.

“I’m sorry,” she said as she adjusted in her chair, pulling away.

“I don’t want you to be sorry,” I urged.

“I shouldn’t have done it. I’ve suppressed my feelings for…who knows how long, I could manage longer,” Ellie scoffed with a roll of her eyes.

“I think I feel that way about you, too,” I said, almost like I was pleading. I did not want this to change us. I didn’t even know if I was being truthful at the moment. I just knew that…Ellie was my Ellie. And always would be. It was just…

“Do you or don’t you?” Ellie asked.

“I think I do-“

“You do…or you don’t.” She said.

“I do…but isn’t that wrong-?”

“I don’t think love is wrong…” Ellie murmured.

“Dad says-“

“I thought you didn’t care what your dad said…” Ellie said softly, like a reminder. I paused for a moment.

“I don’t.” I said firmly.

“Then why would it matter?” She shrugged.

“It…” I trailed off, swallowing hard. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to feel. I didn’t like feeling this way. Life always felt so secure. There was either a right or wrong way, not meant for choosing. I’d always had my choices chosen for me. I didn’t know which to choose now, or how.

“Evelyn,” I heard my fathers voice and heavy footsteps on the stairs. I froze and looked at Ellie with wide, fearful eyes. She tensed and looked to the door, almost subconsciously moving closer to me, her hand finding my clothed thigh.

“Evelyn Opal. We’re going home,” My father announced as his footsteps scuffled against the floor.

“Dave, I just don’t-” James started as Dad opened up the door to the nook. Ellie and I looked up simultaneously.

“Get up. Now. We’re leaving.” My father told me shortly and simply. I looked to Ellie, my mouth hanging open for a short moment. “Now.” He repeated. I hesitated for a second or two before eventually scrambling to my feet, exiting the small door, knowing I was in for practically hell. I held my composure and dusted off my skirt as I stood next to the tall man and kept my head down.

Ellie came soon behind me, looking at me with a sympathetic gaze. Her eyebrows were scrunched, her expression nearly pained. Dad took me by the wrist, out the basement door, and to the car without a word. Tears brewed inside my eyes the whole time. And secretly, I wasn’t really thinking too much of my punishment. I was thinking about Ellie…