Flipped: Back Again (L.T. Sequel to Flipped)

Chapter 9: The Lion's Den

The drive home is smooth and quiet as we cruise through London. Eleanor is gazing out the window while our hands are interlocked on her lap. So far so good, everything's going as it should. Our housekeeper must've already left for the day so when we arrived home, we were all alone. I carried Eleanor's things to her study and met her in the kitchen later on where she was starting on dinner. I perch on one of the barstools and watch intently as she picks out her desired ingredients and begins chopping away.

"Lemme guess..stir fry?"

"Ew." Her nose crinkles. "Do you know how unhealthy that is?"

"No, but I do know how good it is." I counter smartly.

"Well perhaps another time then, but not now. I'm making chicken salad with some toasted bread. A more healthy alternative." She smiles.

"I'm sure. Just make a lot 'cause I'm starving." I exaggerate.

"You didn't eat today?" She quizzes, cutting me a slice of chicken to snack on.

I shrug. "Kinda." I was enjoying a nice pizza until a certain someone arrived out of no where and ruined it. It's probably still sitting there on the table..wasting away, forgotten and alone. Such a waste, it tasted so good.

"Did I give you a nice li'ttle shock today?" I ask, changing the subject. My proud smile is obvious and I don't bother hiding it. I like being the reason she got so excited and nearly knocked us both over while trying to hug me. Small gestures like this is what Eleanor lives for and greatly appreciates. She begins rambling on how surprised she was to see me and that she hates not being able to show me her work more often. Eleanor stresses how fond her kids are of me and wish I'd come visit them during practice- mainly her. I promise to make an effort to do that and continue with our small talk.

"So, how was work?" I inquire. "Besides my lovely intrusion."

"Interesting enough." She says. There's something a little off but I choose to ignore it when she passes me another slice of chicken. "Danielle wasn't here today so I got a little lonely at lunch." She giggles at the end. "It was just me and my salad."

"You could've called me." I tell her. "My afternoon probably would've gone a whole lot different." I mumble at the end. "Could've actually eaten."

"I figured you were busy. But next time." She quickly adds. "I'd love to have you come by."

"Anything else happen in your interesting enough day?" I tease her.

"Well..." She trails off. "I got a call today."

"From?" I prompt. "Eliza." She says quickly. "That was a pleasant surprise as well. I was meaning to call her anyway to cancel on the whole gallery thing but she beat me to it I guess." She ends with a nervous laugh, eyes flickering to me to see my reaction. I keep a cool head.

"What did she want?" I ask casually.

She shrugs. "Just asking how I was, whether we were coming or not and.."

"And?" I urge her to continue.

Her eyes flicker to me and she hesitantly answers. "She told me how she saw you today."

"Oh.." Is all I can say. Now I'm the one treading on thin ice. I'm at a disadvantage because I don't have a clue what she told her or how it was implied. Eliza knows how to make somebody paranoid and twist her words to make something innocent sound the complete opposite. In my case, she wouldn't have to exaggerate any details. The simple truth would be enough to ruin everything. Somehow I need to turn this around and assure Eleanor that nothing happened. That will prove to be tough since it will only make me look guilty with unnecessary explanations. Damn Eliza, I knew she wouldn't leave this alone and retaliate. It was wishful thinking to hope otherwise.