the holiday- mileven

chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT: games night

the ice-cold winter breeze pierced el's skin as she walked, the golden light from the sun shone through the gaps in the trees, emitting what felt like no warmth whatsoever. even with many layers of clothes on (so she looked twice her size) eleanor felt like she might freeze.

as they passed a quaint little tea shop, which wasn't open yet, she pulled her scarf up to cover her nose, before quickening her pace to match mike's walking speed.

it was tuesday and mike had woken el up at the crack of dawn for an early morning walk around the area where he lived. eleanor was not best pleased about this, but aside from the fact that it was zero degrees and everywhere was covered in ice so she kept almost falling over, the walk was rather enjoyable.

normally, el would've rejected the offer, but something about mike makes her more excited about things she wouldn't usually do.

although, she wasn't happy when mike took her on a detour across a field. by this point, el's teeth were chattering, and she was convinced icicles were forming on her eyelashes. she was also complaining about being starving so mike eventually agreed to take them back to his house.

once el showered and defrosted, she came downstairs to an array of breakfast options spread out on the dining table.

over breakfast, the two spoke about how they wanted to spend the rest of the day. el had once again retrieved her handbag from the guest room and whipped out her notepad with her list of ideas.

she read out a few ideas which mike turned down, claiming she was "still being too much of a tourist."

in the end they settled on the natural history museum as according to mike it was one of the least 'touristy' destinations on her list.

as the duo ate their breakfast in a comfortable silence, el planned her outfit in her head— making sure to wear warm clothes with many layers.

"what are your friends doing today? should we ask them to come with us?" el spoke up once she had finished mentally choosing her clothes for the day.

"lucas said that they would have a chill day since they had really late night." mike answered, before taking a sip of his tea.

"okay." el nodded before getting up off her chair. "i'm gonna start getting ready."

"but you're already dressed?" mike furrowed his eyebrows.

"i know that, silly. but i only threw on these joggers and hoodie for the walk, i'm not going to walk around the city like this."

"you look fine, you'll blend in with all the chavs." mike laughed.

"i do not look like a chav!" el screeched, "i know i've got no makeup on and my hair is all windswept but i'm no chav."

"i know, i'm joking. go do whatever you've gotta do, i need to book the tickets online anyway."

"i'll give you some money for that, how much is it?" el asked, reaching into her purse for some cash, but mike just silently held a hand up and el's expression dropped.

"i've got to give you some money for it, mike. you've done too much for me." el insisted.

"nope. i don't want your money, eleanor."