My Autumn with April

Four

~April~

"Ready to go?" Elliott pressed his shoulder into the door frame as I came out of the kitchen, my ice cream already in his hand. I have to pay him for that. I'd have a better chance at purging him of all his blood than handing the cash right to him though. The only way I'm going to be able to work it out is by hitting the store when he's not around and paying whatever 16 year old has taken over the job this summer. 

I nodded, giving him a quick smile. El stood up straight, towering over me and opening the door. He called back to the rest of the house that he was taking me home and he'd be back later. I honestly could have stayed but I felt like enough of an intrusion as it was. People only needed so much of me a day. I needed to be rationed out. Too much and they got sick of me. Not enough and their conscience kicks in and then they feel bad for whatever reason I make up for not being around. It's a constant battle of trying to keep the balance exactly right and finding the right excuses. 

"You were really quiet tonight." El pushed his hands into his pockets and I crossed mine over my ribs, giving him a quick glance before looking straight back ahead. 

"Yeah, sorry. I'm still tired from packing and moving and everything. I didn't sleep for like, 2 solid days." He hummed and I guess it answered his question enough to not push him further. "I'm sorry I didn't come by the shop today. I got busy signing the rental agreement for the bakery and everything." 

"Oh you signed that today?" I nodded again. Lord knows how. Or why. Autumn had to co sign because of course, Mrs Durham didn't think I'd be good for the rent and honestly was making up blockers to try and not allow me to take it. But with Autumn stood beside me she couldn't outright say no and Autumn being Autumn, she refused to take no for an answer. I said I'd find another option. Set something up from home or something but that wasn't something she was willing to accept. One stern look from Autumn to Mrs Durham and the 3 of us were signing on the dotted line for a month by month contract. "Why didn't you say anything at dinner? That's huge!" 

"It just didn't come up." 

"Things like that don't have to come up in conversation for you to talk about them April. You can just start a conversation with them you know that, right? We want to share your accomplishments with you." 

"It's not really an accomplishment. I signed a piece of paper giving me lease of a building for a month. It's not even that big of a deal." 

"Not a big-" Elliott sighed. "Okay, let's change topic because I feel like this is gonna be one of those things that just spirals and neither of us get the answer we want but just so you know, it is a damn big accomplishment. One you should be fucking proud of because I know I am." He exhales again. "How're your parents?" 

"Haven't spoken to them in a few weeks but last I checked, they were fine." 

"Do they know you moved back?" 

"Not outright." The boulder in my chest twisted slightly making it a little harder to breathe than normal. "I mean, they didn't sell this place specifically for when I finished school and wanted to come back, whether they were here or not. I'll tell them when I speak to them next." 

"Are they enjoying their trip? Where did they go again?" 

"Pft. I don't even know." I lied. "They've been everywhere at this point." 

"I still don't get why you didn't go with them." 

"I'm sorry, following my parents around on their marriage saving adventure of a life time didn't sound like my cup of tea. I didn't fancy laying in the room next to theirs and listening to whatever- activities they decided was on the cards." That made him laugh and I had the chance to move the conversation away from myself. "Why didn't you go with your parents?"