Skylar and Ellian have initially built their friendship on band-aids and kisses. How foolish were they to believe that was enough to hold what they had, when ultimately-it really was not.
Four years passed and Skylar returns, forcing both to face th...
One might call it cowardly, or maybe even stupid, but I was seriously considering jumping out of the moving car. Maybe the snow outside can cushion my landing... or maybe it wouldn't. If that meant I could get out of the situation I was in, so be it. That was still a better prospect than to be sitting in this car, forced to confront something I was not ready to confront yet.
It would do my dignity some justice if I were to say that I was held captive and was forced to get in this car, but the truth of the matter is... it was because of my pride.
My stupid pride and the stupid need to prove a point.
Back in the airport, after Elli talked to me, I all but cut our conversation short by muttering a quick "I need to use the bathroom" and bolted towards the closest restroom, leaving my luggage with him as I did so. It wasn't exactly a courageous move on my part, but it was the only thing I can think of doing.
In the bathroom, I called Rae, demanding an explanation to why I came face to face with my ex-best friend with no warning whatsoever.
All I got from her was a, "I asked him to pick you up and bring you to the holiday resort since my car had some issues." I couldn't even comment on that before she added, "He and Ethan are coming with us in the vacation. I hope you don't mind." After that she hang up and turned her phone off.
Her betrayal stung like an unexpected paper-cut, small but hurtful. Although I knew my best friend, and knew that she will always have my best interest at heart, it still didn't change the fact that she had caused me hurt. Why wouldn't it, after being forced to confront a person who you hadn't seen, much less talk to, in the last four years? She knew how much my fallout will Elli had affected me. It wouldn't hurt to at least warn me beforehand. If she did so, maybe I wouldn't find myself in the airport's restroom trying to abate an impending panic attack.
I had stayed in the restroom longer, just enough to gather myself together. Though I tried hard not to but, I might have stood there and cried for a little while or I might have stood there and cursed every living being on this planet.
Still, by the end, I had chided myself in front of the mirror, pointing at my reflection (which, of course, did not make me earn a few questioning and pitiful glances from others using the bathroom) mumbling word of encouragement. "You can do this," I told myself. "You're old enough to handle this maturely. Where's your dignity? Your pride?"
And because of said pride, I currently am sitting at the passenger seat thinking violent thoughts and hating my very existence as Elli drives us the address of our holiday resort that Rae has sent him. We had not exchanged a single word since we left the airport after I gave him a curt nod and proceeded to his car.
Taking a quick glance at the person beside me, my heart lurched at the sight of him. Ellian casually sat in the driver's seat, one hand on the steering wheel, the other perched on the center console between us. He might've fooled me with his nonchalant demeanor, but I've noticed the slight tremble in his hand as he shifted gears earlier when we've reached a slippery road. He was also trying his very best not to fidget, a habit he does when he felt anxious. It was at least reassuring to know I wasn't the only one dreading this meeting.
Turning to face the window, I watched as the snow blanketed the world in white, coating evergreens and winding roads. It continues to flutter outside, peaceful in its slow descent, serene in its own landing. A great contrast to the turmoil inside me. While the world outside remains still, I am but a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, all at war with each other. Do I feel hurt or longing? Anger or comfort? Fear or familiarity?
It felt as though everything, and nothing has changed in past four years I was away. It was a war where everything feels so foreign yet familiar all the same. Pathetic how I have imagined this reunion for multiple nights, coming up with many things I would want to say to him once we meet. I wanted to get angry, to accuse him, to hold him accountable, to hold myself accountable. Yet, the moment I saw him at the airport, all the bitterness and resentment and pain had dissolved. At that moment, I wished nothing more than to than run to him and to feel his familiar embrace once more. I wanted our friendship back. I wanted him back.
But there was too much that has changed between us. We both have changed. And it wasn't as easy as it used to be.
"You look great," Elli blurted out, interrupting my train of thoughts.
My heart stopped, shocked he even acknowledged me. I turned to face him, red tinting my cheeks as understanding of what he said dawned on me.
Seeing how I reacted, his eyes widen, neck also turning red. "I-I mean your hair." He stumbled over his words. "Your hair looks great, not you."
He paused then, basically screamed, "No! That's not what I meant. I-I mean you look great, as always, but your hair. The color, it looks great!"
I continued to stare at him, unsure of what this conversation was leading to. At this point, his entire face looked like a ripe tomato.
"Nice hair!" he mumbled as he faced the road once more, adamant at only looking forward. "Pretty."
I touched the pastel-pink tips of my hair as I faced the window once more. A small but confused smile playing on my lips.
"Thanks," I said after a while. "Tried to go for the 'walking cotton candy' look. I wasn't sure I pulled it off."
He let out a chuckle. "Oh, I think you pulled it off well. You look like a walking cotton candy, a not very tall one, yes. But still, the resemblance is there."
Gasping, I sharply tuned towards him and hit him on the shoulder. The nerve—. "Excuse me, sir! I'll have you know that I've grown an extra two centimeters since you've last seen me." I held up two fingers for emphasis. "Two centimeters!"
At that he burst out laughing, "That's not even an inch"
"At least I'm two centimeters taller," I said. "That makes me a changed woman."
He shot me a mischievous smile. "That you are."
I glared at him, even if another smile was fighting my lips. After that, we both fell into a comfortable silence. It wasn't as though we were okay, but it was nice to know that we can somewhat still act civil around each other. There was still some semblance of familiarity between us.
Maybe not everything has changed.
That was both a comforting yet dreadful realization.
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Author's Note
What do you guys think about Eli so far?
What do you think of Sky's pink hair? If you were to dye your hair too, what color would it be?
I hope you like this chapter. It would greatly appreciate it if you were to comment, vote and share this as to help put that story out there. Thank you.
