inciting incident | lrh

chapter :: seven

ELLA

"Maddie, she's here." I claimed and stood up from the couch, pulling her up as well and leading here out of the living room.

Mom walked right through the front door as we appeared in front of her.

"Eleanor, hi. Who's this?" Mom asked, shrugging her coat off and hanging it on the coat rack nearby.

I pulled Maddie to my side and smiled, "Mom, this Madeline. Maddie, this is my mom." I introduced them to each other.

I slowly intertwined my fingers with Maddie and felt a boost of confidence run through my veins, "She's my girlfriend," I said with pride.

Mom's lips parted slightly, "Oh?"

I nodded and turned to face Maddie who's face reddened a little.

"How long have you two been... dating?" Mom asked, folding her arms over her chest. She didn't seem mad, so I guess she's either okay with this or would yell at me as soon as Maddie walks out through that door.

"Almost a month now," Maddie spoke up, not making eye contact with Mom.

"I was scared of how you'd react, so I waited for a while before telling you. I'm sorry," I dropped my gaze to my shoes.

"I'm glad you grew the courage to tell me, Eleanor," I looked up and saw Mom smile weakly. She ran a hand through her thinning blonde hair, "Are you staying over for dinner, Madeline?"

"No actually, we were planning on eating out tonight." I mumbled and heard Maddie stifle a laugh.

My face flushed when I realized my bad choice of words, hopefully Mom didn't get it.

"Alright," Mom nodded.

I pulled Maddie towards the coat rack and we put on our jackets, Maddie opened the door and pecked my cheek, "I'll be waiting in the car," She left me with Mom.

I turned around to face Mom, her smile still evident.

"Mom, I-"

"Go and have fun. Don't stay out for too long," Mom interrupted me and gave me a small shove out through the door. "We can talk all about it when you get back."

I turned back around and hugged her, "I love you."

Mom was startled by my sudden embrace but eased into the hug almost immediately.

"I love you too, sweatheart. I'll be supporting your decisions no matter what, don't forget that," She patted my hair down.

"I won't," I assured her, pulling away and giving her a small kiss on the cheek before jogging up to the side of Maddie's car.

-

"Luke! You can't just say stuff like that out loud!" I scoffed.

"I'm sorry! I don't know what's wrong with me." Luke whisper-yelled, seeming to be the one who remembered that we were in a library.

"Well, figure it out because I'm sort of scared for you right now," I chuckled and ran my fingers through my hair.

Luke muttered something under his breath before resting his chin on his folded arms on the table.

"How's Sam?" I asked, changing the topic.

Luke didn't reply, but I can see his lips breaking into a smile under his puffy jacket sleeves.

But his smile faded quickly, "How do you even know him?"

"I told you, I know his dad," I shrugged, not seeing how he didn't get it.