*"mm..Joe.." Ella moaned as she left the sensation of his hot breath tingle against her neck making her skin crawl in goosebumps. Her fingers tangled in Joe's curly brown as his lips gave her please against her skin, leaving love bites she would have to cover up later. Joe's hand travelled up her bare skin, her back arching as he pressed his body against hers. "Ella.." Joe's voice murmured against her before kissing up her neck to her jawline until finally reaching her sweet lips. He tasted of honey tea and lemon and it satisfied her craving that she desired. He was dizzying to the brain and as his hands explored her body, her legs wrapped around his waist. He reached her sweet spot making her gasp as her breath quickened, breaking away from their kiss. "That's right Ella..." Joe's voice whispered to her. "Oh Joe.." she moaned as his speed increased making her grunts and whines grow louder. "Joe...Joe.."
"Mmm Ella-"
Though the voice was this time that whispered back to her was different. Her eyes fluttered opened as she leaned back to look at the face of the man who was above her. But her body tensed seeing Evan's face looking down at her with a toothy grin on his face.
"Hey Ella B"*
Ella shot up from her sleep, letting out scream as her hand flew up to her chest, her heart beating at a hundred miles per minute as her eyes blinked to adjust her to her surroundings. The sun shined through her bedroom window as Ella began to calm down. Realizing she was alone, she placed her hand against her head and let out a groan. God did she just have a wet dream about Joe? That then turned into Evan? They were both occupying her mind so much she couldn't even dream without seeing the two of them.
Ella suddenly jumped as her phone's alarm went off, she forgot she set it to exactly when Mooney's open so she could meet Ethan with Evan's laptop. She quickly hopped out of bed to go get in the shower and get ready.
Throwing on a matching pair of black leggings and crop top, with a flannel over her shoulders, she slid on her converses and made her way to Mooneys.
She entered the store, looking around as it was mostly empty due to just opening. But as she looked to the counter, she spotted Ethan standing there, organizing some books. Though when he looked up and made eye contact with Ella, he gasped and bent down, hiding behind the counter. Ella's raised a brow as she slowly approached the counter.
"Don't see me, don't see me" Ethan mumbled over and over again as Ella leaned against the counter to stare at him.
"Ethan..? What are you doing..?" Ella asked making Ethan slowly turn his head to her. Realizing she saw him, Ethan stood back up.
"Oh hey Ella fancy seeing you here so early" Ethan said as Ella shook her head.
"You literally told me to come first thing in the morning" she replied.
"Right..I did..and you listened, perfect" he said as he looked away. They both stayed silent for a moment, Ethan avoided her eye contact as Ella tried hard to look him in the eyes.
"Hello?! Where's the laptop Ethan?" Ella exclaimed making Ethan jump and look at her.
"Right about that..so..it's gonna be funny actually, you're gonna laugh. I..lost the laptop-"
"YOU LOST THE LAPTOP?!" Ella yelled walking around the counter as Ethan began to back away from him both going around and around again. "What do you mean you *lost* the laptop. How do you LOSE a laptop"
"I don't know! Me and Blythe were doing our Star Wars improv and things got carried away! It was a wild night! I barely remember any of it" Ethan explained, snickering at the end which only made Ella angrier as she swiped at a stack of books off the counter and into the floor. "Okay, I see that you don't find this funny-"
"Of course I don't find this funny! I don't find *any* of this funny Ethan! That laptop could've helped me find my best friend..it couldn't been to answer to ALL my questions. It could've-" Ella stopped as her walking came to a halt making Ethan do the same as his behind a cart of books, still uncertain if Ella was still angry or not. Her eyes welled up with tears, something they kept seem to be doing lately. She attempted to blink away her tears but streaks still made their way down her cheeks as she wiped them away with her tears. Ethan frowned, feeling guilty as he walked up to Ella.
"Ella-im really sorry" Ethan said, placing a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head from him, shaking it slightly.
"No..no. I shouldn't have yelled..you tried and...it's not your fault" she said calling herself, taking a deep breath before looking around. "Um..Joe's not here yet?" She asked looking back to Ethan.
"Nah, he told me he would late cause he had to run some errands for Mooney" Ethan said making Ella slowly nod. "But feel free to hang out if you wanna wait for him! Could use the company" he continued as Ella gave him a tight smile and nod. He squeezed her shoulder before turning to go finish restocking some books. Ella swallowed hard as she looked around to find something to distract herself with. Maybe she could find a book to read. Then she remembered the books downstairs Joe showed her, and telling her she could borrow one to read.
"Hey Ethan? I'm gonna go downstairs okay?" She yelled but didn't wait for an answer as she made her way to the staircase and walked down.
She found the switch Joe turned on before letting the room light up and expose the glass box. It was creepy now without Joe. It was quiet and cold. She walked over to the box, opening it as she slowly stepped in. Her fingers traced the old books, they were in great condition. At least Joe took care of things, she knew that for sure. Ozma of Oz. She stopped remembering it was book Joe mentioned. She pulled it out carefully, rubbing her fingers across the hard cover as she smiled. With the book of her choice in hand, Ella turned to leave before feeling something beneath her feet. She stopped looking down seeing a small bump in the rug under her. Ella kneeled down to pull back the rug and froze for a second. Her fingers picked up the long chain of gold, holding it up to her face to let the light shine on it as it glowed. This is what she saw before. A gold..chain...
Ella's eyes gazed up slowly, looking around the glass box..nothing but the sound of her own breathing could be heard. She couldn't even hear the sound of Ethan's footsteps upstairs..and she imagined..he couldn't hear hers.. she looked back at the chain. It couldn't be..Ethan's..could it? Why would it be..at Mooney's..? Ella stood up, her face was expressionless but her thoughts were loud, they were so loud she didn't even want to say them..cause if she said them..it would make them true. It would make her doubts about Joe..true.
Ella placed the gold chain in her pocket before quickly leaving the glass box and jogging upstairs. She closed the door behind her, looking to Ethan who had a customer before she went to find a quiet corner to sit and began reading. Or at least look at the pages and think..why was the gold chain..in the basement.
