Always On My Mind

Part 21

March 2nd, 1963

Things had clearly escalated. It didn't necessarily catch you off guard with how much Elvis called her, but it was as if your personal space was bring upheavaled and tossed aside, all but forgotten and it frustrated you to no ends. Elvis knew it to. He always knew you were made and you made sure he would know as you drove to the Santa Monica Pier to pick up Priscilla and bring her back to Graceland.

As you pulled up you could see her standing with her father, looking a lot less provocative than when you had seen her in Vegas. Elvis, who had opted to ride in the front, leaving you alone in the back, popped one of his pills that had become a regular routine for him, reached back and held your hand for a moment, sending electricity coursing through you at his mere touch.
"Stay in here for now. I'll wave you down when we need you." Elvis all but ordered. It took you back at this odd request but you did as you were told and watched from inside the car as he went to shake Priscilla's father's hand. It looked like they did a business deal as he talked and eventually escorted Priscilla and her father towards the vehicle. You saw Elvis's wave and took that as your sign to get out. "They just wanna get a quick picture. You have that new camera right, y/n?" Elvis asked. You nodded and reluctantly took their picture on the beachside.

It was the oddest reunion you had ever experienced and it was moreso as you drove with Elvis, Lamar and Priscilla on the way to the airport.

March 3rd, 1963

Having Priscilla take up occupany in Graceland was the hardest part of the whole ordeal. She happily settled in to almost a housewife role as she started to run the household and staff. If that wasn't the worst part, she had promised to live with Vernon and his new wife, however that didn't stop her from basically moving into Elvis's room with him....right across from your room. It gave you a heavy sinking feeling in your chest just knowing that she'd be there every morning, every night with Elvis. She'd be the knew to be there every time he got back from filming a movie. She was living the domestic life that tou had once longed for with your best friend. You didn't know how much more you could take, but that night would be sure to show you.

You stood in the kitchen, making Elvis's signature peanut butter and banana sandwich as Elvis and Priscilla happened to walk in. "Mmm, I thought I smelled that." He smiled and gave you a small wink that made your heart lurch. He had you completely longing for him and jealous beyond measure. You hated how the Colonel and your own ambitions had driven you to the point of not even considering one another to go through life together. Instead Elvis resorted to a young girl....probably too young of a girl to handle his wants and needs. Your green monster took control as she piped up, wrapping her arms around him. "I'll take over. I gotta learn your favorites darling." She said smiling. But her smile only made you more nauseous. "The perfect future wife." Elvis said and immediately looked at you, as if he hadnt meant to utter those thoughts, or at leasy in front of you. You had been doing all the so called 'perfect wifely duties' for Elvis since you practically had hormones. That sent you over the edge. "Fine. Actually you can take over a lot more than that. You can take over the friendship I once had with...." You spat at Priscilla and then stopped mid sentence and turned to Elvis, "Actually I'm sorry, what was your name?! I don't even know you anymore!" You yelled and stormed off, leaving the sandwich to burn on the stove. You couldn't go back, not after that display. You didn't want to stick around anymore than you had to and definitely not to stand to the side as Elvis's love life would flourish before your eyes. No. You were done. You never agreed or wanted to be on the sidelines. You were too used to being right by his side. But that wasn't going to be your role anymore, so it was time to retire your friendship and turn it into strictly a business matter. It pained you more than you expected, but you held in the tears. You held them in as you packed, as you called a cab, and as you drove to your motel. It was inside your motel that you finally allowed yourself to break down. You had list your best friend. You had officially been replaced. You crawled onto the hard mattress and curled up, your body physicwlly shaking from the emotions you had held in for so long. You reached for your camera, the one thing that had been constant snd held it to yourself. You looked down at your camera and at the last picture you had of Elvis, holding it close to your chest. Nothing would ever be the same going forward. Elvis was too different and too tied up now.