As Close As Strangers

Twenty Five

One month later

Ella

I assumed that everything would be fine once Michael was okay. They were, just not really for me. Michael was fine. He was back where he belonged, with his three best friends. I just forgot that I wasn't one of them anymore. He didn't bother texting me anymore.

The only one who ever text me was Luke. He text me everyday to ask me how I was doing. And I would tell him that I'm fine even though I was the farthest thing from it. I wanted things to be normal again. But that wasn't gonna happen.

Michael and I clearly aren't getting back together, which means I am losing four people. Luke claims that he would never, but we both know that it's gonna happen.

Luke

Another day, another lie. Ella and I both know that she isn't fine. I don't know if she thinks I believe her, but I don't. I haven't seen her in about a month and I doubt she's been out much.

I picked up my phone and texted her like I do everyday. "How are you?" I needed to know. Even if it was a lie, at least she was responding.

"Who are you texting mate?" Ashton asked.

"Ella." I mumbled.

"Ella? Like my Ella? Well, she's not mine. You know what I mean." Michael said.

"Yes, that Ella." I said not bothering to look up from the phone. She usually answered quickly. Why wasn't she answering?

"How is she?" Michael asked.

"That's what I'm trying to find out." I told him.

"You still ask her everyday?" Calum asked.

"Yes." I said.

She still wasn't answering, which was peculiar.

"I've gotta go take care of something. I'll be back in a bit." I said to no one in particular.

I grabbed my jacket and headed towards Ella's house.

------------------------------------------

"Lucas!"

"Hi Mrs.Adams." I responded.

"Oh Luke, you know you can call me Jennifer! How are you? Come in!" She squealed.

"Is Ella here?" I asked.

"Yes. She's probably asleep upstairs. You know, she's been pretty devastated since Michael broke up with her." She sighed.

"Yeah, he's pretty unhappy too." I told her.

"Teenage love, what a mess! Am I right?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am."

"You can go on up to her room, hunny. If you get hungry come down and grab something!" She yelled behind me.

"Will do!" I responded.

I walked up and to the left. Ella's room was always on the left. I think. I knocked once and realized that she was sleeping. I slowly turned the knob and opened her door. She was still in bed.

I giggled at the sight of her in such a big bed. She was only a small girl who seemed to be getting swallowed up by a sea of blankets. I walked over to the bed and sat on the edge and tapped her shoulder.

"Ella. Ells, it's time to wake up." I whispered.

Her eyelids fluttered and then shut again.

"Ells, come on. Get up." I said.

She opened her eyes again and smiled.

"Luke, what are you doing here so early?" She asked.

"Ella, it's already noon. You didn't answer my text so I got worried." I sighed.

"I'm sorry. I was just tired. No big deal, yeah?"

"I guess. Come on, get up." I instructed her.

"Why?" She groaned.

"Because you're coming with me or else." I laughed.

"Or else what?" She asked.

"Or else I kidnap you!" I told her.

"Ugh, fine okay. Just get out so I can change please." She said.

"Got it."

I walked out and shut the door behind me. I wasn't telling where I was taking her. I knew she wouldn't agree. I was going to take her to Calum's house to hang out with us. All of us.