TILL WE MEET AGAIN

Chapter 10

Ellie

It is a beautiful Saturday evening and the house is full. Like really full. Aunt Medrine, Ross and a few of their friends are over at our guest house.

Not just that, there are work men around the house, ones Ross hired to fixed up the basement and two women who are taking our measurements for the wedding attire.

I talked to my dad today and he told me that there are chances that the location for their mission might be moved from Africa to one of the states in America. That was the best news ever. I am so happy because that means I get to have my senior year here, I don't have to live half-the-world away from Trent and Marissa or all my friends.

I sit by the counter in the kitchen eating straight from the cookie jar as I watch the commotion around the house.

Men moving up and down the basement stairs, the twins having their measurements taken, Nova and Marissa checking out the options for the design of the dresses with Aunt Medrine's friends.

Before I know it, my mind drifts off to Col.
To last night.

I play our conversation over and over again in my mind. I can still hear the beautiful sound of his laughter. I can still see the way a small dimple forms just below his left cheek when he smiles.

Two hours! We talked for two straight hours and I didn't even notice them pass by.

I haven't had this before. I haven't had the liberty to have a real conversation with a boy. Let alone, think of him the way I am starting to think of Col.

True, I have had a crush before. One or two but all at a distance, nothing this close. Not under Trent's watch.

Wait! Hold it right there. Did I just mentally admit that I have a crush on Col?

The thought of it scares the life out of me. I can feel blood rush to my cheeks.

What am I supposed to do with that? For every crush I have had, Marissa has been my refuge but then I look at Nova sitting next to her as they laugh about something.

How am I supposed to tell her? 'Hey Nova. I think I have a crush on your brother.' No, that wouldn't do. So maybe it's best I keep it to myself for now.

Maybe it will just fade. Perhaps, let's not start thinking about how Trent would react to this. With how close him and Col have gotten, I don't think I would like to come between them.

Speaking of the devil, Trent and Col walk through the front door carrying bags of groceries in their hands. I am so far away to hear what they are laughing about, but I can see it: their friendship.

As they come closer, they notice me. Trent walk up and kisses my forehead without cutting their conversation short.

Col just walks past me, not one look in my direction.

I can hear the inner voice in my head.

Just because you like him, doesn't mean he likes you too.

I want to shrug it off but it's true. Who said he felt the same way? More reason to keep my feelings to myself.
If I am going to live with him for the next few weeks, I need to keep these feelings to myself.

"Morning." Col's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. He bends low enough for me to see his pendant. He dips his hand in the cookie jar and our hands brush as he pulls it out.

So remember those lovey-dovey novels and movies where the guy brushes his hand against the girl's hand and she feels a spark of electricity, yeah well believe me, that's a real thing.

I feel the spark and I am guessing he feels it too because he looks up to meet my eyes. For a couple of seconds, we are both silent. The only thing I can hear is Trent's voice, narrating something to Col but he is facing the fridge loading the groceries in.

I pull my hand out and swallow. I whisper a good morning because I can't find my voice and as if he finds this funny, he smiles before bitting into the cookie and walking off.

Hmmm, what was I saying again? Oh yes...keep my feelings to myself!

When we are done having all our measurements taken, Marissa suggests that we watch a movie but with all the pounding and the noise coming from the basement, we decide to go to the cinema instead.

"Which kind of movie are we watching?" Trent, who is driving, asks as we pull into the parking lot.

"A romantic movie." Nova quickly suggests.

Trent laughs at her, his voice lased with sarcasm and that earns him a punch from Nova, who is sitting in the passenger seat.

"Action." Logan suggests.

"No way." I reject. I hate action movies.

"Ok. Ladies and gentlemen, America is a democratic country so let's take a vote." Trent voices dramatically.

"If you vote romance, raise your hand." Trent says.

Nova, Marissa and I raise our hands.

"And if you vote action, raise your hand." Trent asks again.

Blake, Logan, Lucas and Trent raise their hands.

"Very well, action it is." Trent concludes.

"Not fair. Col is not here. Who says he wouldn't have picked romance?" Marissa objects.

Col decided to drive Aunt Medrine to her house before catching up with us.

"Since he is not here, no one can decide for him." Blake interjects.

After a long argument, we decide to settle for an adventure movie.

We get out of the car and the rest go ahead as Blake and I stay behind to wait for Col.

A few minutes after the rest leave, Aunt Medrine's car pulls up in a spot a few feet away from our SUV. Col gets out of the car.

He walks over to meet us.

"Everyone else is inside, let's go." I say and turn to leave.

"Wait." Col stops us." You guys go ahead. I can't come. I have to go somewhere, I will meet you guys at the house."

I notice that his mood seems of. His eyes are distant. Nothing like the Col I hang out with last night.

"Where are you going?" Blake asks.

"I need to be somewhere. Medrine let me borrow her car." Col explains.

"Fine. I'm going with you." I blurt out.
Col looks like he wants to say no but he doesn't. He nods and turns heading back to the car.

"I will see you guys at the house later." I hug Blake and I jog following Col.