meet me at midnight.

42.

I wanted to forget about the bachelor/bachelorette parties. And so did everyone apparently. Desiree had informed me at work that Elaina and Leo were on a break so they could undergo marriage counseling. They would undergo it separately and together. Leo had apparently been distraught.

Theo had gotten better after his bachelor party and had only suffered a hangover for two days. Desiree insisted he had spent the two days whining and acting like he was dying.

On the 5th February I returned home from college, fully ready to finish an essay and prepare for dinner. I got home and had a bath first, then changed into my pajamas. It had started raining whilst I was in the bath and hadn't let up whilst I prepared the beef stew for dinner.

The crockpot that Desiree and Theo had gifted was amazing and I loved it. I felt happy with the little home I'd made. I put everything into the crockpot and set the timer on it. I went to the fridge, pausing to look at the photos I'd pinned to the fridge with magnets.

They were polaroids of Josh and I. I'd managed to persuade him to smile in a couple of them. The other two he had his mouth turned down in an exaggerated scowl. Seeing the photos made me smile everytime. I couldn't wait for him to be home.

At quarter past eight, my typing on my laptop was interrupted by someone knocking at the door. I didn't bother to check the app, instead setting my laptop down. Mr Arnold was out of hospital and had taken to knocking on our door, coming in and having drinks with me. He'd proven himself to be a great neighbor and had apologized profusely about calling Lionel my dad.

I unlocked the door, opening it. Elaina was on the other side. I felt my eyes widen. Her platinum blonde hair was faded at the top where light brown roots were coming through. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I'd never seen her without her gothic attire and platform boots.

She stepped back when I opened the door and her expression was nervous. I wasn't sure what to say to her.

"H-hi, Daisy," She said, softly. "Could I maybe come inside and speak to you."

"I...um," I wasn't sure how to respond. "I guess so."

I moved aside and let her inside. Her hair was slightly damp from the rainfall. I shut the door and she glanced around the house. She'd never been inside before and I saw her eyes go to the mantlepiece where the wedding photo was. She looked away, looking upset.

"Would you like a drink?" I offered.

"Water please." She requested.

I went to the kitchen and poured her some water, coming back and handing her the glass. She accepted it and I shifted, nervously. The atmosphere was tense and I wondered why she was here. She made no move to speak to me apart from to sip on the water. I glanced at my phone. It was half eight. It occurred to me that she was here to see Josh and I was just a byproduct of that meeting.

The door unlocked and I turned, rushing over to him when he walked in. He hugged me tightly, arms enveloping me as he picked me up. He hadn't noticed Elaina yet. He set me down.

"Missed you." I said.

"Missed you too, little mouse." He replied, and his gaze went towards Elaina, finally noticing her.

"C-could we talk?" She asked.

"I'd really rather not if it's all the same to you." Josh said.

"Please." Elaina implored.

"I've just finished a 14 hour shift, Elaina," Josh said. "I'm not interested in havin' this discussion with you. Daisy was kind enough to let you in, but I'd like you to leave."