𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩

𝟒 || 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Estelle

A day ago, if someone told me that another person knew about the place that only me and my family have gone to for years and years, I would have laughed. I swear nobody knew about it. Well, to my knowledge.

Seeing Aldric standing there with a long black guitar strap hanging loosely over his shoulder, his hair matted down on his head and eyes sleepy was a sight I never thought I would see. How does he know about the place? The question has been lingering in my mind for the past hour.

I said my goodbye to Aldric, wishing I wouldn't see him again. Not because I hate him, of course not. He hasn't done anything wrong. it just felt so unsettling during that moment, standing there gripping a rock in my hand, while he peered into my eyes with such fury like he was a minute from exploding.

Aldric just watched me leave, he didn't say anything. But I felt his eyes. I could feel them burning holes into the back of my head.

As soon as I got home, I decided to take a shower. I didn't want the Aldric situation to disturb me more than it should. So instead of my mind drifting from Aldric, it drifted to Flora. I wanted to talk to Flora about it, but what's confusing is that Flora has been really unactive these past days.

I've known Flora for years and she doesn't usually go offline a lot since her life was made for social media. I might be overreacting but the last time we talked was the day of the concert, basically a week ago.

I look around the bathroom, scanning the walls pondering. Should I text her? I really should.

I step out of the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my body before making my way towards the closet. I look around for a bit, until I settle on a light green pajama set. Once I'm at my vanity chair, I take a seat as I grab my phone and decide on calling Flora instead of texting her.

I wait patiently for her to pick up. As soon as I hear a low chuckle on the other line and Flora's happy voice, I feel relief wash over me. ''Hello?'' I can already tell she's smiling by the sound of her voice.

''Hey Flora!'' I stand up from the vanity chair and plop down on my bed, knowing how long this call is gonna be. ''Are you busy right now?'' I ask, fidgeting with my bed sheets.

''Mm.. well not really.'' Her voice is low, barely above a whisper. I furrow my brows and try to focus on the noise in the background, it sounds like a man but I can't make out what he's saying. ''Are you sure?'' I ask, moving from my old position, resting my head on the wall behind my bed.

I hear her chuckle before speaking again. ''Yeah, I'm sure. What's up?'' Despite her words, I don't believe her. ''Well something weird happened today and I thought you'd be excited to.. um.. know.'' I don't know why the words forming in my mouth feel weird.

I hear shuffling from the other line and a quiet ''Hold on, I'll be right back.'' from Flora. I hear a lock turning and a sigh leaving Flora's lips quietly. ''What is it, dear Estelle?'' She giggles softly at her own words before calming down.

''Well you know um.. what's his name?.. Right.. Aldric from Fovere?'' I keep my voice quiet, not wanting Liam to think I'm talking about a boy. Whenever he hears me even mention a guy's name, he starts calling me a whore and a childish boy crusher.

''What about Aldric from Fovere?'' I already know she's smirking, she hasn't been quiet about our little conversation from the concert, she keeps telling me to ask for his number but I keep refusing. It's enough as it is that we almost fought only a few hours ago.