𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 | 𝗆𝗂𝖽90𝗌 𝗌𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗅

𝟎𝟎𝟐

Breathe. Just breathe, Ellie. You're overreacting. Calm down.

Her heart was beating out of her chest, tears hid behind her eyes and sweat dripped down the back of her neck. She'd wished now, that she didn't decide to wear a sundress for Ray's party. It was sticking to her skin like honey.

She felt like her throat was closing up, but she knew it was in her head. She didn't know why she was so nervous to see them, especially Ray. She had kept in contact with him, but everything felt so off. When she had woken up this morning, Estee had avoided even speaking about the party. She had dodged questions about everything; from how she was going to surprise Ray with Ellie to speaking about Fuckshit. She had avoided that most.

When Ellie had finally gotten her to speak about it, she was dry and it almost seemed like she didn't want Ellie going to the party at all.

"So do we know if he's actually going to be there? I mean, I'm not worried or anything... just curious" Ellie had said, speaking about Fuckshit.

Estee had shot her eyes up at Ellie before continuing her makeup, "Mm, yeah, he's coming but you know it'll probably just be a drive by and say hello" Estee had practically blown the girl off, not even looking in her direction when speaking to her.

Ellie had gone to respond, but Estee had quickly cut her off.

"You don't like... have to go if you don't want to, Ellie. I get it if you don't."

"Why wouldn't I go? Ray's my best friend"

"Well ya' know... Fuckshit"  The way that Estee was speaking to Ellie was strange. She remembered Estee speaking that way when she was lying to her parents about smoking in school back during freshman year. She was hiding something. Ellie knew that much.

"Weren't you the one telling me not to worry about him? It'll be fine, I'm going"

As of now, Ellie had held up in the bathroom at Teresa's house, panicking like a child on their first day of school. She could feel vomit in the pit of her stomach, boiling and begging to erupt from her body. She gulped, holding it down with every little bit of strength in her. She knew if she just took a deep breath everything would be fine, she hoped.

She felt more anxious than she ever had before. More anxious than she had when she'd decided to move. More anxious than she had felt when coming home to her father.

With a sigh, she turned on her heel. She would have to face them sooner or later.

Her hand reached for the doorknob, but it began to turn almost on its own.

The door cracked open, causing Ellie to freeze. She wanted to panic and jump into the shower, but the door had already opened.

Standing in front of her was someone she almost didn't recognize; Sunburn.

He looked so different.

His face had lost all the baby fat in his cheeks and his features had become sharp and defined. His jaw was ridiculously chiseled. He looked like an adult.

His mouth opened as his eyes widened. He seemed to study Ellie for what seemed like forever, eyeing her from eyes down to her shoes. "Ell—" Ellie's hand smacked up to Sunburn's face, covering his mouth tightly.

"Sunburn! Shh... Shh" Ellie could hear Sunburn's confusion filled mumbles coming from behind her hand, his eyes still wide with shock. His gorgeous, flowing hair fell into his face as he pulled away from her hand.

"What the fuck!" he whispered as he eyed the girl, finally away from her grip.

"Stop, I know I know! Look, I was surprising Ray for his birthday, okay? But don't say anything! I'm—"