𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 | 𝗆𝗂𝖽90𝗌 𝗌𝖾𝗊𝗎𝖾𝗅

𝟎𝟏𝟐

RAIN SLAPPED AGAINST Ellie's body, soaking through her black dress and down her peach colored thighs. It was cold. So cold. It felt like the universe was screaming at Ellie and bitching at her just like her friends had. Her high heels were soaked as they clacked against the wet graveled road, her feet aching with every step. She grunted as her boney heel bent to the side, sending a jolt of pain down her foot. What else? She thought, closing her eyes and exhaling in an attempt to calm her racing thoughts down. It's fine. This is just a mishap. Everything will be fin-

     "Ellie?!" Ellie's eyes shot open as she snapped her head over, the heat of the car parked besides her burning her legs. The interior of the car glowed blue as the radio played some type of foreign song. Ellie's eyes squinted as she peered into the car.

     For a moment, she thought she was finally going to be kidnapped, but then the man inside of the car flipped on the overhead light.

     "Ellie it's me! Mateo..?"

     Ellie's eyes widened at the name.

     Jesus. Her Oregan life was mixing with her LA life.

     She had only known Mateo for a year. He had very briefly worked with Ellie at her job in Oregon, until he had upped and quit on their no good boss. Ellie had stayed friends with him after that, though, happily letting him show her sights around Oregon.

     She remembered how he had excitedly let her come along with him to Silver Falls State Park, which had been an experience she never knew she needed. He had also been kind enough to bring her groceries 2 days after he'd met her.

     He was older and more mature. Maybe that's why they got along so well.

     "Mateo..? What the hell are you doing here?" Ellie blurted out, wrapping her arms around herself as the rain caused her to shiver. Her eyelashes dripped with water, making it hard to see the man as he huffed, "Ellie, get into the car!"

     Ellie cringed. This was the most embarrassing thing that had ever happened.

     "N-No! It's fine, Mateo! My friend's apartment is just up the-"

     "Ellie, dios mío! Get into the car! Quit being stubborn!" Ellie groaned, hesitant.

     With a sigh, she climbed into the shiny SUV.

     Warmth hit her face from the burning heater as Mateo turned the knob to click it on. He huffed as he reached into the backseat, pulling a long towel around Ellie's shoulders. "Ellie? What the hell are you doing?-"

     "What the hell are you doing in LA?" Ellie cut him off, staring into his dark brown eyes. His dark black curls fell against his face as his veiny hands gripped the steering wheel.

     "Does that seriously matter right now? Why are you walking around in the rain? In the middle of the night.." he erupted.

      "Lost track of time.." Ellie sighed, wrapping the towel around her arms as she shivered, doing her best to sit directly in front of the heater.

    "Don't bullshit me, Ellie."

     Ellie peered at Mateo, a frown on her face as she sighed, "Look... my friend's apartment is like 10 minutes away, can you just drop me off there?" she looked over into his eyes, her eyebrows furrowing after a moment, "Why are you even here?" she asked him.

     As he pressed on the gas, forcing the heater to push out warm air harder, he glanced over at her, "My mom lives here, Ellie" he said with his deep, raspy voice.