Noctiphany

Vanishing Act

The driveway seemed longer than the website described in the orange and red hues of the setting sun through the trees. It was one of the many reasons they decided to choose that house for a small getaway rather than the many others they looked at. 

Remote with a small thrill of an eerie aesthetic feel to it.

Elaine had the bright idea of something new and exciting after her breakup went south. She had hoped a change of scenery with her friends and sister would spark something new while running away from her problems. His charming demeanor took a hard turn when he thought she was cheating. She should have known his actions were a reflection of his own disloyalty no matter how many times she tried to reassure him she wouldn't ever do that to him. Her last straw was when he hit her, leaving a bruise that still blemished her cheek. 

His words turned apologetic immediately afterward, though she wouldn't ever forget the way his eyes still held a spark of gratification as he stared at her cheek. It made her cower and say what he wanted to hear before she could make a break for it, to block his number and get her friends to leave for the weekend without a moment's notice. 

Slowly, she touched her cheek just thinking of that night, wincing as it was still tender.

"Don't touch it, you doofus," Jake scolded with a smile from beside her. 

"Shut up."

"You know," Adrian began, turning around in the passenger seat, "I did say I didn't like him."

She loved her sister truly, but at times she wanted to kill her. That moment was one of those times. "You didn't like him because he disliked pineapples on a pizza, there wasn't any other reason." 

"Exactly! Who doesn't like pineapple on pizzas?" 

"Uh, we don't," Jake and Monica spoke up, raising their hands as if Adrian had forgotten about them—which Elaine thought was possible. 

Adrian glared at them, turning back into her seat, mumbling about how they don't count. 

Elaine rolled her eyes at her sister's antics, catching Matt's eyes in the rearview mirror. His green eyes reflected the silent question asking if she was okay. Giving him a small smile in return, she wasn't sure she had the right answer to that question to offer a verbal response. 

"Ooh! It's bigger than the picture," Monica enthused, leaning between the seats once the house came into view.

"That's what she said," Jake snickered, earning a smack from Monica as she leaned over Elaine. 

"Alright, you two. Try to keep your hands to yourself for the weekend," Matt piped up, slowing his Ford Ranger down and coming to a stop in front of the house. 

"Easier said than done."

"Shut up, Adrian."

"I will shove a pillow in your face while you sleep, Jake," Adrian retorted, glaring at him. 

Elaine rolled her eyes, seeing Jake's smirk rile up Adrian more. She had questioned before if her sister had a crush on him, yet anytime she asked, Adrian would tell her it wasn't Jake she had a crush on. If there was ever anyone she couldn't get information out of, it was her sister. She kept everything under lock and key until she was ready to tell you. 

Stepping out of Matt's truck, she winced as Adrian slammed the door, grunting at Jake as he made another comment. She didn't want to be a part of whatever mood her sister was about to be in, moving to the back of the truck to grab her bags. 

"Here, I got 'em for you."

"Oh, thanks, Matt," Elaine replied as he grabbed her bags, handing them to her before he grabbed everyone else's out, setting them on the ground.