Shoot Your Shot

X: Does Everyone Stare (Ellie)

"Ellie, if we sit in this car any longer, I will start screaming."

Riley shushed Cat from the front seat and turned to look at Ellie, seeing the striker clearly distressed as her head rested against the steering wheel, feeling narrowly lightheaded.

"What if she sees me and I just die?"

"Then everyone at the party is going to have an insane takeaway story." Cat said dryly as she adjusted her worn white Converse, Riley shutting her up with a look.

"I just-"

"Ellie, we have been sitting here for almost ten minutes now since I got in here. She's going to think we stood up her invitation if we don't get moving." Riley reminded her gently as Ellie glanced at the clock, seeing that ten minutes had in fact passed. She took a deep breath as she looked up from the steering wheel and rolled her shoulders. Ellie reached up and flipped down the mirror on her sun visor to check her appearance for a final time, tucking a stray strand of auburn hair behind her ear as she tried to settle down, turning her attention elsewhere.

"Thanks for putting my hair up Cat, I wouldn't have been able to pull off this bun without your help." Ellie said, her nerves still clear in her tone as she shut the sun visor against the ceiling of her car.

"Elliekins you need to take a breath. Since freshman year you have shoved this girl to the ground several times and vice versa. You shouldn't be afraid of falling now." Cat said, her wits present as ever as Ellie groaned, finally unlocking the car doors as the girls got out.

"Settle down John Keats," Ellie muttered as Cat swatted at the back of her head, Ellie moving to protect her hair, "Don't undo your handywork!! I want my hair to stay intact thank you."

Cat shut her car door behind her and antagonistically attempted to flick Ellie's hair, the striker moving just out of her reach as Riley blatantly laughed at their antics, the two chasing one another up the driveway.

"I could've sworn I was just with two older teenagers." Riley quipped after catching up, jabbing Cat's side with her finger as Cat yelped and shied away, the shenanigans promptly ending as they reached the door with Ellie hesitating to reach for the handle.

Cat, taking matters into her own hands, practically floated past her to the screen door and strutting inside leaving Riley and Ellie to trail after her, Ellie's green eyes adjusting to the lowlight inside the home. The vibe was different than other parties she had gone to in the past, more slow paced and less overstimulating than usual, Ellie feeling grounded from the faint honey smell that danced through the air unperturbed.

Ellie's gaze unintentionally moved across the room as she made her way deeper into the house, spotting a dogs tail a ways away and perking up at the sight immediately. Riley and Cat always joked that if they ever lost Ellie at a party, they would just look for the nearest dog, as Ellie tended to hunker down with anything fluffy.

Ellie quickly strode over to the dog, not noticing anyone as she knelt down all excited, making sure he knew she was there to avoid spooking him before petting his back, the dog lulling his head back to look at her with his tongue out, reveling in all the attention he was receiving.

The striker was so enamored with him that she didn't notice the girl across from her until Riley gently kicked her back leg to break Ellie from her immersion. She glanced up and saw Dina staring right back at her, Ellie's heart hammering as Dina tilted her head and minutely narrowed her eyes

"Well, hello to you too." She said, a small smile splitting her face as Ellie knew by now she was bright red, praying the floor would swallow her.

"Hi." Ellie managed, barely able to conjure a concrete thought as Dina's eyes glanced over her outfit. The striker had gone through her entire dresser at least four times in an attempt to find what looked best on her and concurrently felt comfortable, which ended up being her favorite tan graphic t-shirt with a soft flannel and brown jeans. As Dina looked her over, Ellie felt her ears grow hot at the somewhat blatant ogling.