NADIA
Before we left, I pulled Vicky aside, realizing I hadn't really spoken to her the entire day and didn't even get the chance to talk to her about the whole thing with Elijah. "Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?" I asked, feeling a bit guilty.
"What's up?" she said, looking at me with concern.
"I feel crap about the fact that you found out about Elijah and me through the group," I admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I should've told you sooner, and I'm so sorry it went down like that."
But to my surprise, Vicky just smiled and put a hand on my arm. "Nadia, it's okay. Really, it's no big deal. Besides, it's good that my brother has someone like you in his life. Literally, as long as you guys are happy, then I'm happy. He's my best friend, and I love seeing him this way," she said, her eyes shining with sincerity.
I felt a wave of relief wash over me, and I couldn't help but pull her into a hug. "You're such a gem, Vicky," I said, feeling grateful for her understanding.
"I know," she chuckled, hugging me back. "Now come on, let's get out of here before Eli gets impatient."
We headed back to Elijah's car, where he was already inside, typing away on his phone.
He switched it off as we approached, and Vicky got into the back seat this time, leaving me to take my usual spot in the passenger seat. I settled in, feeling comfortable and at ease, like I practically owned the seat at this point.
Elijah gave me a warm smile as he started the car, and I was just grateful for the way things were going.
□□□
"My winner,"
I took Elijah to a secluded spot by the lake, where we spent hours teasing and joking around. We were having a conversation that had no substance whatsoever but it made me smile and I guess that's all that really mattered. Even if it was just for a moment, I was at peace in the midst of all this chaos.
I appreciated him for that.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the lake, I realized how late it had gotten. "Hey, we should probably head back," I said, reluctantly standing up from our cozy spot on the grass.
Elijah nodded, and we began walking back to his car. I nudged him on his side with a playful smile on my face and right as I was about to escape him, he caught me, flipping me over his shoulder.
He shook his head saying, "What am I going to do with you?"
□□□
I unlocked the door to my house with the spare keys under the mat since I had left mine on the inside. I entered, a pin drop could be heard from how silent the house was.
"Zeke?" I called out, closing the door behind me with a soft thud, the keys in my hand. Its either he had fallen asleep or he was in his room gaming- that's the only times he wouldn't be downstairs, interrogating me about my daily life. I shrugged, a win is a win.
I headed over to the kitchen, the biggest smile on my face as I warmed up some left over pasta that was in the fridge. While I waited, a heard a ping from my phone and the screen lit up. I turned, looking down at it and picked it up when I realized who the text had been from.
Elijah
miss me yet?
Me
I actually think you're the one that's missing me more. Besides, I'm too knackered to miss you.
Elijah
Speaking of, do you know how beautiful you look while you're sleeping? I wish I could wake up next to you every morning.
My smile was so wide, my cheeks hurt. Just as I was about to respond, I heard some rustling in the backyard. The hairs at the back of my head stood up as my brows furrowed.
''What in the world?" I wondered aloud.
I placed my phone on the table, reaching over to the knife block and grabbed a bread knife.Especially now since I know what my family is involved in. You never know. I rather be safe than sorry.
The darkness seemed to swallow me whole, the only sound being the crickets chirping in the bushes. But as I ventured deeper into the garden, and I saw two figures whisper-yelling at each other.
Great. Now it was two of them. How nice.
No matter how much I squinted, it was impossible for me to see them from where I was at. I walked closer and closer being careful as to not make a sound so that I wouldn't alert them, my heart pounding in my chest with every step I took.
Although, that all came to an end when
I realized it was Vicky and... Zeke? Their faces illuminated only by the faint moonlight.
I was relieved it was just the two of them, but I couldn't help but wonder why the heck they were in our backyard, whisper-yelling because of God knows what. I let out a chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.
"What the hell are you guys doing here?" I asked, my voice laced with amusement, my hands on my hips.
"It was your brother's fault!" Vicky hissed, her eyes flashing with annoyance.
"No way, it was yours!" Zeke shot back, his voice low and defensive.
I watched this interesting exchange with a grin, enjoying every second of it. "You know what would make everyone happy? If you just left," I snorted, holding back another chuckle. "Zeke," I shot him a pointed look. "You can't say things like that,"
"Seriously I don't know how you deal with this good-for-nothing. He practically crawled his way onto Earth,"
"I try, believe me I do," I say.
"Excuse you? You're supposed to be on my side,"
"I support women's rights and wrongs," I said jokingly, holding my hands up in surrender. "In any case, let's go inside so I can finish my pasta that's inside the microwave before you guys scared me," I say, walking into the direction of the backdoor.
"It's alright, I'm leaving anyways." Vicky says upon entering the house. "Technically, you can't. Your tire is flat."
"Oh and I wonder who's to blame for all of that? And you're the same one that said your happiness depends on my absence."
"Yeah well-"
"Oh my gosh would you guys just shut up? Jeez. You're like little kids." And it was as if I was about to be killed with the death glares they were both shooting at me.
"Alright, jeez my bad. How about.. we watch a movie?"
Now they were looking at me like I had grown two heads.
"A game?"
Still nothing.
"Hmm, ok. I guess sleep it is," I said, taking my pasta out of the microwave.
I turned to them, "By the way Zeke, take her to a guest room. She can't drive this late and I'm way too tired to deal with the two of you."
Zeke chuckled bitterly. "You're kidding,"
"Nope. Now behave like adults, please. I need my beauty sleep," I said before making my way upstairs.
I closed the door with a soft thud as I sat, crossed legs on my bed and swiped out my phone, seeing a text from Elijah that had me kicking my feet like some girl in love.
Elijah
What have you done to me Nadia? I can't stop thinking about you.
Damn you Elijah Grey.