K I S S • L. Hughes

Chapter • Eleven

Ellerie's POV
I grabbed a small piece of chicken and a small salad. I walked outside and sat down at the big table. Tyler came and sat next to me.

"Hey." Tyler said sitting down next to me. His plate was stacked with food and I just looked away. How can he eat that much food and be in such good shape. I wish I could be like him.

"Elle what's wrong?" He asked after I hadn't answered and was just staring at my plate.

"Nothing." I said while picking at my food. I ate a small bite of my salad and just focused on eating.

"Ok Elle." He said sounding unsure.

"Hey guys." Luke said walking over to the table. He also had a mountain of food. It amazes me how skinny they both are. If I even eat a small bit of food my stomach blows up and I get fat. I've gone so far to only eat about one meal a day on a good day.

"Hey man." Tyler answered. Luke sat down on my other side and started eating his food in big mouthfuls.

"Hey." I said eating a small bite of chicken. A few minutes late I had eaten about half of my food and I felt sick to my stomach. Not like I was going to puke just disgusted.

I got up from the table and went inside. I quickly put my plate down and walked into the bathroom. I barely had time to close the door when I broke down. I don't feel good, I don't feel pretty and I certainly don't feel skinny.

I heard footsteps walking towards the door. "Ellie?" I heard Luke ask. I guess he heard me cry because soon after there was a knock on the door.

"Ellie are you ok?" He asked from the other side of the door.

"Yeah." I answered weakly.

"Can I come in?" He asked quietly.

"Sure." I said trying to compose myself. He came in and closed and locked the door behind him.

"Hey." He said coming to sit next to me. "I'm here."

He held me and softly rocked me back and forth. I broke down again in his arms. He hugged me tight and didn't force me to talk. I think he might know what's wrong, but he didn't even say anything.

"Thank you Luke." I said weakly.

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to." He said softly.

"I think you already know what's wrong Luke." I said looking at my hands.

"I think I do too Ellie." He responded. "I just wish you could see yourself from my perspective. You are so gorgeous and funny and I would not change one thing about you."

"Thank you." I said while hugging him tighter.

"Hey everyone is getting ready for a fire tonight do you want to go out there?" He asked me.

"Yeah sure." I smiled. I honestly didn't know Luke could be so kind, caring and loving. Luke stood up and leaned down to pick me up.

"Let's go get you some warmer clothes." Luke said taking me up the stairs. He's 6'2 and I like to say I'm 5'2 but I'm actually only 5'0. He could easily pick me up. This thought made me laugh.

"What's so funny Ellie." Luke laughed while holding me.

"I'm so small." I laughed again.

"Yeah well what are you? Like 4'1?" He laughed harder.

"No!" I said loudly. "I'm 5'2!"

"That's a joke!" Luke laughed back. "I know how tall you are."

"Oh really?" I responded.