Orphic

Spring three - Elliot

Abby and I picked Seb up from Sam's around eight for dinner. He was less than thrilled for the meal and I could tell Abigail was feeling terrible for the whole situation.

Unfortunately, my focus couldn't possibly be on them tonight, not when Leah would be there, likely dressed up since she considered this a double date. It would be the first time we'd gone out together, even if our friends were there.

"It'll be fine. We do this and then tell her we're just not interested." Sebastien kept repeating. I knew Sam was also freaking out, I couldn't possibly understand how he felt with this whole thing, especially since Seb had become his whole world.

The Saloon was quiet since It was a Wednesday, aside from Pam and Shane who were always around, there wasn't anyone else.

Leah had made reservations anyway, for Gus' nicest tables in the house.

When I walked in, I was surprised to see that Leah had beaten us there and even more surprised to see her hair down and curled. I'd never known her as someone to focus so much on her appearance.

"Hey guys! Elliot." She gave me a bright smile and motioned to the seat across from her. I pulled the chair out for Abigail to sit next to me before sitting in mine.

We all sat awkwardly for a moment. We didn't usually have this much trouble communicating. 

Leah just watched me, looking perfectly content with the whole set up although I wasn't sure if she was acting flirty for me or if she was acting flirty to convince Abby and Seb to do the same thing.

"Hey kids! Where's sam?" Gus asked as he approached our table. Leah went to open her mouth but Seb cut her off, "He couldn't make it, band stuff."

Gus nodded in understanding  before taking our order, not that he had the biggest menu in town. Leah got her salad like always with a beer and I opted for the same thing minus the alcohol. Sebastien and Abigail took a big longer to decide but they went for whatever the special was on Wednesday nights.

Leah talked about her newest sculpture while we waited for the food to arrive. That surprised me even more because she didn't even tell me about her art work.

"I had to get Pierre to special order me the clay, it was so expensive, like if this sculpture doesn't turn out okay, I'll be out so much money."

Eventually Seb gave in and started talking about the band, things started to feel more normal until we came to the very dreaded end to the night, the bill.

Because Seb didn't want Leah to think that he was interested in Abigail, he couldn't pay for her meal and because we were kind of on a date, I couldn't make Leah pay for it either. It would be just as confusing if Abigail covered it so I just paid for everyone's meal.

Abby accompanied me to the bar where I spent whatever was left from my least poetry sale and promised to send out some new stuff to sell soon.

"That was so terrible." Abby sighed while we waited for the receipt. "Tell me about it. I'm feeling every mixed signal ever."

Everyone in the group was aware of the odd romance between Leah and I. They all had different feelings about it, Abigail tended to vote against us getting together.

"I dunno, she didn't seem to be all dolled up for you." Abby replied, pointing over to Shane standing in the corner whom Leah just approached with a big smile on her face.

"That's been happening for almost two weeks now. I think she wants to fix him? I dunno, but you know Leah. She's too nice and she thinks the world revolves around her."

I watched them in silence, I'd known better than to get my hopes up about Leah but I did anyway. Wasn't the writer supposed to end up with the beautiful artist?

"Maybe she's just helping out."

Abigail gave me a not so encouraging nod before walking away.

I probably should've known better.

We left Leah at the saloon without saying goodbye and I had to deal with Sebastian and Abigail trying to cheer me up the whole way home.

"If she does like him, and that's a big maybe, do you really think it'll work out? Shane's not the commitment type."

"I bet she's just being really nice."

"Maybe Marnie asked her too."

They were all nice thoughts, but the more ideas they came up with, the less likely it seemed that Leah was hanging out so much with Shane for innocent reasons.

I dropped them both back off at Sam's and walked very slowly towards the beach.

I walked straight past my cottage and continued towards the docs. I enjoyed sticking my feet in the water. It helped me think.

"Hey, sorry I missed your call. Yes I ate more than the cracker." Cass's voice had already become so familiar despite only hearing him speak a few times.

I tilted my head to the side to see him walking out of Willy's.

He must've gotten an extra fishing lesson or something.

"Awe, another one? I hate when that happens. They ruin all the fun. I'll need to find a new challenge then."

His voice sent chills down my spine, it had suddenly become much deeper than I was used to.

"Here? Maybe. Yes. You too. Call me tomorrow." He hung up the phone and started heading my way.

I quickly adjusted my position and started walking towards him, acting as if I'd only just arrived and hadn't been eavesdropping at all.

He glanced up at me, his hands were buried in his pocket and he was completely clean aside from a small speck of dirt on his cheek. His expression was completely blank and he didn't say a word as he strode past me, likely headed back towards the farm.

I waited until I watched him cross the bridge before running to Willy's shop and banging on the door as loudly as I dared.

"What? What?" Willy threw the door open, he was in his pj's but his annoyed expression softened when he saw It was me.

"Elliot? You okay Kid?"

"Oh, yea, I just saw someone strange leaving the beach, I wanted to make sure you were okay." I lied.

He let out a laugh. "You haven't met the new farmer yet? no that's just Cass, He needed some ink for something er another so I grabbed a bunch for him, he was just pickin' er up."

For some reason I felt disappointed. Maybe I thought Cass would be slightly more interesting than just needing ink. I mean, I loved ink, and I often asked Willy for some too, but I guess I figured he might be more exciting. Maybe exciting enough to give me inspiration.

"Oh, wow, I should really say hi. Well, sorry to bother you, goodnight."

He told me to get some sleep before closing the door.

I marched back to my cabin, unable to get Cass's voice out of my head, the low growl, every time I thought about it, it gave me shivers.

I just really wanted to know, what was he so upset about?