All too well ² // the fisher brothers

009

Eleanor 🎀

My stomach starts to gurgle like mad, so I suck my belly in to make it stop. "Oh, my god, was that your stomach?" Jeremiah says, glancing at me with a mix of surprise and concern. I don't respond; I don't want to talk to him or anyone right now. "We are almost to Pie. Wanna eat?" he asks, trying to break the silence.

"Well, I don't like Rosie's anymore," I state flatly.

"Pleaseeeee, let's go," Belly says eagerly, her eyes wide with anticipation.

I sigh, not really in the mood but also not wanting to be difficult. "Fine," I say reluctantly.

Jeremiah's car pulls into the parking lot of Rosie's Pie, the familiar neon sign flickering in the morning light. I force myself to unclench my jaw as we park. Jeremiah looks back at me, searching for a sign of acceptance, but I just look away.

Belly jumps out of the car first, practically bouncing with excitement. "Come on, Ellie, it'll be fun," she says, trying to coax a smile out of me.

We walk into the diner, the bell above the door ringing cheerfully. The smell of fresh pies and coffee hits me, and despite myself, my stomach growls again. Jeremiah glances at me, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips, but I ignore him.

We find a booth in the corner, and I slide in, pressing my back against the cool vinyl. Belly and Jeremiah sit opposite me, their energy almost too much to handle. The waitress comes over, her notepad ready.

"What can I get for you folks?" she asks, her voice friendly.

"I'll have a slice of the apple pie, please," Belly says, practically bouncing in her seat.

"Make that two," Jeremiah adds. Then he looks at me. "Ellie?"

I look at the menu, even though I already know it by heart. "Cherry pie," I say finally. "And a coffee."

The waitress nods and walks away, leaving us in a tense silence. Belly tries to make small talk, but I can't bring myself to engage. My mind is racing with everything that's happened, and the weight of Jeremiah's presence is suffocating.

The pies arrive, and I have to admit, they look amazing. The flaky crust and the sweet, glistening filling are tempting, and I take a small bite. It's good. Really good. But it doesn't change how I feel inside.

Jeremiah watches me carefully. "Ellie, I know you're mad at me, and you have every right to be. But I want to make things right."

I look at him, my eyes hard. "Some things can't be fixed, Jeremiah."

Belly fidgets with her fork, clearly uncomfortable with the tension between us. "Can we just try to have a good time, please? For old times' sake?"

I sigh, taking another bite of my pie. "I'll try," I say, though my heart isn't in it. I focus on the pie, trying to drown out the chaos in my mind with each sweet bite.

Jeremiah clears his throat, trying again. "Look, Ellie, I've been thinking a lot about what happened. I know I hurt you, and I know saying sorry doesn't fix it, but I need you to know that I'm really, truly sorry."

"Sorry doesn't change what you did," I say, my voice low. "You betrayed me, Jeremiah. And Belly, you knew how I felt about him, and you still—"