✓ Electra Heart

[008] starring role

chapter eight
starring role.

♡ ♥ ♡

Sleep well, Eli spoke just an hour prior. They spent the night trying to get Agent Coulson to eat and watching a movie while Juno tested out her camera, Eli Moskowitz being in the frame of each of them. But now it was bedtime because it was back to hitting the road in the morning and Eli went to bed at 8 o'clock and Juno found it eerie to be up by herself in the quiet room. Her head rested on Eli's chest and Agent Coulson slept soundly behind her legs. If she moved, she'd disrupt at least one of them so she accepted her fate and closed her eyes.

The feeling of someone watching her was present, but she always felt that in hotels on the rare occasion that she'd stay in one. The glow from the bathroom acted as a night light, which she was thankful for, and the sound of the AC was enough to block out the feeling of being watched. Enough to lull her to sleep. But she couldn't quite reach that point where she hit the darkness and went to dream land.

Agent Coulson had to readjust, there was an occasional bang from the neighbors next to them, and Eli gave Juno a heart attack when his breathing randomly stopped for a good minute before continuing again. Why the fuck did he do that? Her phone buzzed which jump started her heart as she scolded herself for forgetting to silence it for the night. She deleted the notification, ignoring yet another message from their friends. This time, it was an apology from Miguel. She didnt know what he was apologizing for but she knew he probably blamed himself for them leaving.

She found herself back onto Eli's chest. Guilt engulfed her in a hug, protecting her from all the uneasy things that had prevented her from sleeping. Normally when engulfed with guilt she'd stay awake, but the familiarity was comforting and she was asleep in seconds.

The morning consisted of showers, attempting to get the cat to eat again, and free breakfast which was a shit ton better than the IHOP they had the day prior.

"I wish she would just eat, claw my face off or something," Juno whispered angrily, tears pricking at her eyes but she didnt dare let them fall.

"Me too," Eli said, packing the last of their things and pocketing his phone as he read the text message he got. Another friend. How they didnt feel incredibly guilty for not telling anyone, they didnt know. But there still was a small sliver of guilt, dont get them wrong.

"I know its nearing," Juno spoke sadly, pressing a kiss to the cats head before Eli came and hugged her from behind. "But it's getting too close for comfort."

"I know," Eli whispered into her ear. "I'll be here when it happens."

"I know you will," she said, turning to look him in the eyes. "Thank you."

"You know when my dad was here, him and my mom made noises so loud I had to sneak out and stay at Tory's," Juno smiled.

"No way," Eli let out a short laugh.

"Yes way," Juno laughed along with him. "And they'd be dancing in the kitchen and when he saw me he'd make me dance with him. My mom has lots of videos."

"That sounds so nice," Eli replied.

"Eli," she said, turning completely and putting her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms tight around her and played with the end of her hair. "I dont want this cat to die. I don't want to say goodbye to both of them."

Eli didnt know what to say, he just held her and ran his fingers through her hair.

"Do you think your mom can find us through your card?" Juno asked after a while, bringing the cat into her arms after she pulled away from Eli's comforting embrace.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean do you think she can find your transactions and get us," Juno felt her stomach turn as she pet Agent Coulson softly.

"I think so," Eli admitted. Juno appreciated his honesty but wished he lied just for her piece of mind. Her own lies were not enough to comfort her and needed to be heard from another. "But knowing her, she won't think of doing that until the time we get back home. Besides I've only used it here I dont think she'll know whay direction we've gone after this."

"I guess that makes sense," she forced herself to smile which caused Eli to just shake his head.

"We'll be fine."

♡ ♥ ♡

Juno felt like she was on top of the world. Her hair blowing every which way and her hand catching the wind, she was singing whatever song was playing on the top of her lungs. Agent Coulson sat in her lap, Juno convinced herself that she also liked the breeze and smiled big to herself.

"What's the name of this song?" She yelled over the music. She knew the lyrics but the artist and song name were fully locked out of her mind.

"No idea!" Eli shouted back, his throat felt weird when he realized that's the loudest his voice had ever gone. With the windows down and the loud music, it was hard to hear Junos response.

"I know this! But I dont!" She told him.

He had not heard a single word and just nodded his head in response.

The road was a back road, they didnt feel like getting on the freeway and they were in no rush. Trees lined up all around them and the sky was gloomy. It was peaceful.

"Hey," Juno said, turning down the music. "There's a river just up ahead, lets go look at it."

"Yes ma'am," Eli joked to which Juno rolled her eyes and pointed at an opening.

when I post an announcement and then lose 5 followers. . .how rude

this book is going to be way shorter than I thought but I figured it was bittersweet and a fun write so who knows what I plan to do