Letting Him In

Chapter-53

"You were riding your bike to the sound of "It's No Big Deal"
And you're trying to lift off the ground on those old two wheels
Nothing 'bout the way that you were treated ever seemed especially alarming 'til now
So you tie up your hair and you smile like it's no big deal

You can let it go
You can throw a party full of everyone you know
And not invite your family 'cause they never showed you love
You don't have to be sorry for leaving and growing up"

-Harry Styles, Matilda
________________________________________________________________________________
Dean

On the drive back home, a hundred different thoughts ran through Dean's head. Why hadn't Elijah been answering any of his calls? He hadn't been ignoring him, exactly. He'd replied to all of his texts, but they hadn't felt like... him.

Elijah wasn't an animated texter by any shot, but now his texts seemed too monotonous. And every time Dean called him, Elijah didn't answer, instead sending him a text a few minutes later saying he was caught up somewhere and would call him back later.

Either Dean had messed up and didn't know what he had done, or something was very wrong and Elijah wasn't telling him about it.

Sighing, he looked at the time, realizing he'd been driving for about four hours now, with another three to go. While the rest of the team had come and were now going back home by the school bus, Dean had taken his car, knowing he wouldn't be able to stay sane without visiting Elijah atleast once during these weeks. The two weeks had extended to three, and Dean was glad he'd made that decision. He would've lost his mind otherwise.

He pulled up at a small, old-looking cafe, needing to rest his eyes before he fell asleep while driving. He should've just left with the rest of the Dean next morning, but Dean couldn't wait any longer, so he'd left at half past eleven. It was almost four in the morning now, and he was tired, but he wouldn't stay here for more than a few minutes at most. He wanted to get back as soon as possible.

Even this late, there were people in here. The place had a cozy, homey vibe about it. An old lady sat at the cash counter, giving him a kind smile as he approached her.

Quickly glancing at the menu placed there, he took out his wallet from his back pocket.

"One black coffee, please. To go," he said to the lady, handing her his card. He needed the caffeine boost to keep him awake.

As he waited by the counter for his order, he checked his phone again. He didn't like how disappointed he felt at no texts from Elijah.

He sighed, putting the phone back before closing his eyes for a second. He knew he was acting like a clingy child, but he didn't like the idea of Elijah suddenly ghosting him.

Soon enough, he heard his name being called, a black coffee and a small box of mini sandwiches placed in front of him. Before he could say that he'd just ordered a coffee, the old lady shook her head kindly.

"It's on the house," she said, giving himba motherly smile. "You look a tired, and a coffee isn't going to fill your stomach."

Dean felt a small, grateful smile tug at his lips. I'm his distracted state, he hadn't even realized he was actually hungry. "Thank you, ma'am."

The woman nodded, heading back to the chair by the cash register, and he too went back to his car, the coffee and food in his hand. The next few hours might not be as tiring, he thought, with food to keep him awake and the kind smile of a stranger to make his day a bit better.
________________________________________________________________________________

Now that he was finally outside Elijah's house, he was starting to think coming here at seven in the morning may not have been the most rational idea. Maybe he was just overreacting. He could've come later, at a less ungodly hour.