𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒆 | ✔

10 | Scarred

LOTTIE SWIRLED IT WITH A SPOON, watching as it went in circles, until she suddenly paused, glancing up. "It's hot. Are you sure you don't want a spoon, too?"

Joseph shook his head, giving a subtle smile. "No, I've always liked hot things..."

She watched him take a sip, indifferent, and chuckled. "Ah, yes, I'm sure you do."

Joseph gave her a double-take, then squirmed back against the couch. "That's not what I meant." Another sip. "I just- I think we should talk about why we're here."

Lottie stumbled over her thoughts as she stared back. "Well, it's only fair... I did promise you the truth." 

"Lottie?"

"Yeah?"

Joseph was watching her hands, each fidgeting with the bracelet. "You're anxious and clearly want to get something off your chest, so why don't I help you." Slowly, he placed his beverage at his feet, then leaned in. "Your brother - what's going on with him?"

She gave a faint chuckle. "Starting out with hard questions, huh?" 

"Well, I've been more than curious," he said, studying her. "We never talked about it; not really. When we went to the movies and the park, I could never bring myself to ask."

"And now you can?" Lottie asked, raising a brow. 

He remained silent, gesturing her on. 

She stared back with narrowed eyes, then placed her cup on the end table. After another beat, she leaned against her chair's armrest. "He's gone, Joseph. That's all he is."

"Gone?" He lowered his eyes and then his voice. "What do you mean by that?"

"He's done stalking me, so now I can finally live my life. Thankfully, too! You've seen me, Joseph, and how much I've been struggling." Lottie suddenly went quiet, quickly going for her beverage. 

"Look at me."

Coffee in hand, she looked up and huffed. "You know, I'm getting tired of you demanding things of me," she muttered. "I mean, you may be cute to look at and everything, but-"

"Lottie."

She went silent, mouth dropping. 

"There's something you're not telling me and I'm tired of it. I need the truth, Lottie, and nothing but the truth." Joseph pressed his lips, keeping eye contact. "I know that's not the full of it."

Lottie closed her mouth, then looked down at her coffee and resumed stirring. 

"How can I help you if you're not honest?"

She sighed but again met his gaze. "Well, Eliott stalked my neighbor and me for a while, as you know." Then she scoffed, mumbling incoherent words. "He's always been weird like that... Only, when he was a kid, he was the sweetest thing! Oblivious, but sweet. Now, though, he's, well, you know how he is."

"At Culver's, Lottie, I saw you two walk outside together. What did he say to you?" Joseph pressed. 

"Why didn't you ask before?" She looked him over, leaning in. "You had so many chances."

"I never asked because it was never my business, but I'm done with being left in the dark."

For a long moment, they stared at each other, lost in their own thoughts.  

"Well..." Lottie trailed, giving a dry chuckle, "he, uh, had some news." She began to shift, leaving his face. "Whether it was bad, though, is debatable." When she collected herself, glancing up, she found that he was observing her. "What's with those furrowed brows? You might as well be scribbling in a notebook, recording your findings."