Eternal Symphony

8. Coppélia

Lia wouldn't leave Alice alone for the remainder of the weekend, always teasing and asking her what she and Elijah did when she and Miles toured the property line. Acting aloof, Alice only shrugged, guaranteeing that "nothing happened. We just talked."

"Sure, you two did."

Yet, Alice couldn't be rid of the sour taste plaguing her mouth from her last conversation with him. Ultimately, he only likes me because I look like her. She felt like a doll that wouldn't betray his affections like Coppélia. She wasn't comfortable telling Lia or her parents and decided to keep this secret: she believed any likelihood of a relationship was now impossible if he only thought about her.

On Monday, in her first class, Alice purposefully remained oblivious to Elijah as he sat beside her. However, she couldn't fool him like the others; he noticed her indifference immediately. "I pray all is well," he said, his emerald gaze narrowing on her as he set his books on his desk.

Her throat felt like sandpaper. "Everything is," she lied and continued scratching on her paper, appearing busy to distract her wandering mind. When Alice made it clear that she wouldn't elaborate further, Elijah silently conceded defeat for now and pretended to follow the professor's lesson, occasionally glancing back at her.

Alice almost cursed under her breath when class ended because now he was free to ask questions: she didn't know what else to say. She scurried to pack her notes and books, still unable to meet Elijah in the eye. Stuck in a daze and hyper-focused on her next destination, it wasn't until she rushed out the door did she realize he was hastily following her. 

"Alice, wait." She spun around, and he was already there, arms crossed while tapping his foot. "Are you ready to talk to me?"

She shook her head, fighting the urge to shed tears. "I'm fine."

"I believe I'm well enough acquainted with you to know when something is bothering you."

I'm scared that I'll ruin what could be. Alice hung her head, avoiding his inquisitive stare. She didn't know how to tell him without sounding insensitive and insecure.

Elijah's expression softened when he saw a tear trickle down her cheek. "Forgive me, Mademoiselle. I want you to tell me when you're ready—I refuse to cause you any more pain." Ashamed for allowing herself to wallow in her toxic emotions, Alice wiped away her tears. Still treading thin ice, Elijah cautiously asked, "May I still join you at the library?"

"You may." Even as he escorted her towards Hoover Tower, Alice's rueful disposition lessened from just being near him. However, her unhappiness continued looming over her head, fearing that this young woman still won his constant attention.

I wish I could tell him I don't want him thinking about her and instead focusing on me, but that's selfish of me—I would never say that to him. However, she was just as quiet in the library as during their trek across campus. Alice secluded herself in the corner with her books, unable to concentrate or handle her thoughts.

Elijah gave her some space, but after an hour, he eventually sat in the empty chair beside her, asking, "Is what you're doing right now more important than me?" Alice jolted in her seat from the unexpected question, her face flustered. Now having caught her attention, he laughed. "Oh, ma chérie, your reactions are priceless. I think I know what's wrong and intend to correct it."

"N-no, it's nothing—"

"Au contraire. You've been acting this way since our last conversation when we went horseback riding." She suddenly felt naked around him, her thoughts and secrets exposed, and she hoped her vulnerability didn't show. When Alice couldn't offer a rebuttal, Elijah gently grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Since our first encounter, you're the only one I think about."