Darkest Devotion

Chapter 1 (edited)

Elara's POV

I place the last decoration on my book shelve before stepping back and looking at my new place. It has taken me and Elodie all day to get my place set up but, over the span of three days, it finally looks the way I want it to. The first day was a long drive with a moving truck following behind us--a moving truck that had a hard time finding a spot to park in the bustling streets of Seattle. The second day included planning where things were going to go and job searching--an endless occupation with no real progress on the job front. Finally, today we got everything set up--it only took all day.

I couldn't have done it without Elodie.

Elodie Calso, my best friend since 6th grade. She is one spitfire attitude who's always telling it like it is, but is one of the most supportive people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Elodie also lives here in Seattle and didn't hesitate to help when I asked her to move me from Oregon.

"It looks good." I turn to see Elodie nodding her head in approval, her arms crossed over her chest, a chest I wish I had. To be honest, she has a lot of things that I wish I had. Her 34C chest, her skinny waist and flat stomach, her strong model-like features, her blonde shoulder length hair, an ass for days... I could go on, but I won't. I've always had issues when it comes to my own body, something that I've been trying to work on with the help of Elodie.

A grateful smile pulls my lips. "Well, I couldn't have done it without you."

Her blonde hair shifts as she nods again. "Yeah, I'm pretty amazing." 

A laugh escapes me and causes her to turn her head, a smile making way over her lips. "I couldn't agree more."

"Have you found a job yet? Anything tickle your fancy?" Elodie walks to my new couch which we strategically placed to face my TV and bookshelf, sitting gracefully on the plush fabric while her legs cross as elegantly as she looks. Even after a day of setting up my apartment she still looks like she could go walk the red carpet.

"Nothing yet, I've been looking for weeks and still can't find anything. You know how qualified I am for pretty much any job so I don't know why no one will take me." My low, loose bun tickles my neck when I shake my head and plop onto the couch next to her. I accomplished a Bachelor's Degree about a year ago thinking that finding a job with something higher than an Associate's Degree would have jobs rolling in for me... I've learned very quickly that my reality is far from what I envisioned. 

"I know, you're very capable of anything you put your mind to. I'm sure you'll find something soon, something you hopefully don't despise." Her hand falls onto my shoulder as she comforts me, trying to lighten my mood with her usual playful optimism.

Placing my hand on hers, I look into her eyes with a soft smile. "Thank you."

Elodie smiles before shuddering and retracting her hand. "Enough with the sentimental shit, let's get shit faced." She's always been capable of getting into deep topics when someone needs it but she usually tries to brush them off when they pass. Anything negative or too emotional gives her the heebie-jeebies so she plays it off with a joke or something along those lines.

My laugh carries through the apartment as she walks over to my alcohol cabinet. I don't tend to drink much, it's normally just there for other people or special occasions. Alcohol has never really had much of a good role in my life so I try not to partake often.

Elodie returns with two glasses and a bottle of Kahlua, placing everything on the table in front of the couch before her artistic fingers take the cap off of the bottle. She pours about 1/4 of each glass full, handing mine to me before raising her own in the air, my hand following suit. "To Elara, the baddest bitch in all the land and my dearest friend. May you find a job soon."