Hidden Melodies

Chapter Seven

Copyright Joelle Blue ©

Charlie

The last two weeks have been solemn to say the least. The excitement of graduation faded away, my family that traveled went back home, and I have spent countless hours in the garage. But no word from Ellie.

I love working in the garage, fixing something with my bare hands for someone else. Getting lost in the different mechanics of each different bike and car. Usually, my head is clear, and I can focus, so much so that I underestimate how long I've been working almost every time.

But now, all I can think about is Ellie. How I failed her, how I became a person I never wanted to be. How ashamed I am that I made a girl like her, so precious and sweet, feel like that.

Remembering the words that came out of my mouth makes me feel so disgusted. I don't deserve her, but I crave her. I dream of her and the life we could have. The relationship we could have had. We should have been together for years, but the pressure and expectations I put on myself made it so I didn't even have time to shit some days. That wouldn't be fair to her if that's what she wanted.

Not only that, but I consider her to be my best friend. How could she know that I felt like that when I was never where she was? Yeah, we hung out at home, but I never saw her at school. We never had one class together, but I knew she was there and knowing that was comforting.

Now I have no idea how to get her to talk to me, and I feel anxious. As if I'll never see her again.

I'm about to finish up installing the new electronics on the bike I've been working on for days when I get a text. I have a feeling I know who it is, but I pull it out anyway hoping to see her name on the screen. I don't.

Grant: Be here at 7 to pregame?

Fuck my life. I forgot about this party tonight. Grant is hosting a pre football camp thing, and I one thousand percent do not want to go, but he says it's important to mingle. There will be other players there that I need to meet.

Charlie: Yeah

I find a good place to stop for the day and make my way home. I shower quickly and get dressed, not having the energy to put in much effort. I find a clean pair of jeans and a t-shirt, slip on some shoes, and make my way back out to head to Grant's. Just as I'm about to get in my pick-up, I see Ellie's dad pulling in. It's the first activity I've seen at the place since the last time I saw Ellie, and as he's getting out, he notices me and starts to walk over.

"Hey, Charlie, how're you doing?" I stand there shocked, never having had him speak to me casually. He looks tired and worn out. His hair is not in its perfect combed back style and his shirt sleeves on his button up are rolled up, much different than his usual perfect.

"Uh, I'm good, how about you?" I look around, making sure he was talking to me even though we're the only ones here.

"I'm alright. Congratulations on graduating, by the way." He smiles sadly. I don't know what's happening right now.

"Thanks..." I trail off.

"Um, I know I haven't always been the friendliest or nicest, and I apologize for that. And thank you for being a friend to Oselda. Um, do you happen to know where she moved to or have a way I can get hold of her?" My mind literally short circuits. Everything went offline for a moment, and I'm shocked.

"Wait, what?"

"Ever since she moved, I can't get hold of her and I'd like to speak with her," he sighs and wipes a hand down his face. Ellie moved? How did I miss that? "I'm pretty sure she blocked me."