After Dark

Two

"Two weeks?"

"I know."

Ella shook her head. "That's really shit of your parents to just up and leave like this."

"You don't have to tell me that." I said, taking a large swig from the Rosé  bottle. This one tasted cheaper than our usual choice, probably because Ella had brought it along with her. She wasn't one to volunteer up the good stuff. I held the bottle up to look at the label. The logo had been scratched off.

"It's also made even shittier timing by the fact that I leave for Athens in two days time." Ella's dad was Greek, and ever since she'd been born she'd spent at least six weeks across the year out there. I'd tagged along with her a few times and the weeks we'd spent there were honestly some of the best weeks of my entire life. Her grandparents were always so welcoming and her entire family treated me as one of their own. It really wouldn't be so bad if I stayed here with Ella and was unofficially adopted by her family. It would only be for a year or so until I left for college. I knew deep down I couldn't do that, I'd miss Josie too much.

"Well, it doesn't change anything right? We're still going to live our dream life together with our super hot boyfriends. I haven't planned out our entire future for you to just move across the country and forget all about it. Your parents may be tearing you out of Lake Losque but they can't tear Lake Losque out of you."

Ella had taken the news about my sudden departure better than I thought. As far as she was concerned it changed nothing, we'd just be making more regular weekend trips to visit each other. She'd only ever moved once before from her hometown to Lake Losque three years ago. I had moved every few years and therefore knew how easy it was to drift apart.

She closed her eyes and turned her face towards the sun in an attempt to catch a tan. She said it would compliment her recently highlighted mane of hair. A recent modification to her appearance, decided upon in a futile attempt at getting the attention of Jake Bradshaw. After swearing that she wouldn't fall into the trap that was Jake's charms and good looks, she had in fact fallen for him. And she had fallen for him hard. Unfortunately for me, Jake's best friend Leo was not quite what I was looking for. It was safe to say he had a reputation amongst the girls in our school for being a bit of an asshole. His only personality trait was his ability to make jokes at other people's expense. That was not an attractive quality in my opinion and not even his perfect jawline, caramel coloured eyes, and wavy hair the colour of honey could cancel that out.

"You know, if you actually got to know the guy before writing him off completely you might be surprised."

"Somehow, I really don't think that'll happen. I don't need to date the guy to see he's an ass."

"You can't deny he's pretty beautiful though."

"No you're right, I can't. But not even his perfect face can excuse his behaviour. He just takes the piss out of everyone and I just don't find it attractive."

"Esme, if our life plan is going to work out, you're going to have to fall for Leo at some point. Besides, guys always mature when they get girlfriends."

I scoffed. "Dare I remind you about Andrew Lyons."

Her face clouded with the memory of Andy and their fleeting but problematic relationship. It had started not long after I arrived in Lake Losque.

"Also, me pursuing Leo implies that you're going to end up with Jake."

"Exactly."

"You're failing to mention the one slightly large obstacle standing in your way."

She opened one eye to look at me.

"His girlfriend."

"Bloody hell Ez, why'd you have to go and bring her up?" She shook her head, sighed and propped herself upright.