First & Forever

Chapter 15: Eloise

FEBRUARY

"I can't believe you apologized to her. I am not sorry," Emely announces from the back seat.

My laughter takes over. "I know you're not. That's why I did."

"Oh, come on. I read it. Her note was mild compared to what I actually said to her," Meredith snickers.

"Listen, I'm touched that you both care enough about me to go all vigilante, but really, isn't that what they thrive on?" I put the car in park and turn to each of them. "I'm using a different approach. Things have a way of coming back around on their own. No more playing their games. At least not for me, okay?"

We walk into the visiting team locker room, laughing at something Meredith just said and unsurprisingly, we're greeted with the usual scoffs from the usual suspects. My coming back the way I have has been especially effective on them and I don't plan on veering from it.

While I was out, Emely wrote Haley a pretty mouthy note. I didn't find out about it until after the fact, so I didn't actually read it, but I heard there was a certain b-word involved. That was enough for me to know it wasn't nice and knowing how bad it feels to get the notes I'm still getting, it didn't sit well with me.

The day I came back to school, I apologized to Haley for Emely's note and decided that I would put any catty feelings aside to be the best teammate that I could. Encouraging and cheering for even her and Kaley. Which isn't easy, but I figure if I'm going to finish the season, I'm going to do it right. It doesn't hurt that my handling of the situation seems to have confused the heck out of them. I like to see it as my own brand of vengeance. Killing them with kind confidence. One day at a time.

"So, you and Will are hanging out again? Kind of desperate, don't you think?" Kaley snarks. 

I guess us not having been at lunch is making the rounds already. I turn and find Haley and the rest of the clones with those gosh awful scowls of theirs waiting for my response.

"We're friends. We always have been," I say with a sweet air of confidence, leaving it at that.

I should never have cared what these girls said and after hearing Will confirm what I should have known all along, I'm not giving them time of day. They can talk all they want about him and prom and whatever else they're trying to rumor mill into existence, but I'm done listening.

Just like I'm done reading the notes.

I've gotten two more left in my door handle since I've been back at school this week, but I don't even bother reading them before I throw them away now. Funny enough, Emely giving one to Haley ruled out any suspicion I had of it being her. I still don't have a clue as to who's behind them, but I've come to the realization that I honestly don't care. I don't need a great reveal or one of those satisfying movie moment tell offs. Every time I throw one of those notes away, I grow a little stronger and that's all the win I need.

*****

I play one of my best games of the year, shooting much better than I had anticipated after still feeling a bit weak. I change into my tracksuit and brush out my ponytail, reapplying lip gloss in case I happen to run into a certain blue eyed heartthrob I saw make his way to the student section while we were warming up earlier.

Giving it some thought, I decide not to seek him out or try to sit near him in the student section for the guys game like I did when we were together. Even though we're on better terms now, friends still means friends and I need to accept that.

I enter the gym alone after answering some questions for a local reporter and spot Will still in the student section across the gym with his friends. We immediately lock eyes and exchange soft smiles as if he's been watching for me to come out. I hesitate, debating my choice not to say hi. I mean, if he was looking for me then maybe I should? Maybe he wants me to? But just as I'm about to overturn my decision and go see him, I notice two things that make my chest tighten. Carter waving over a few of the Middlebury cheerleaders and Haley walking up the bleachers in his direction.

Oh, God, I can't do this.

I quickly revert my eyes and decide to slip back out the door I just came in, not wanting to see anything I don't want to see. No matter how good of friends Will and I are, I can't handle seeing him talk to other girls. Not now, not ever.

I text my parents that I'm heading home, but get stuck at the door while the Middlebury guys team comes back onto the court. I step to the side, waiting impatiently to leave and say thank you as a few of them tell me how great I played and another compliments my eyes.

"Eloise!" I hear my dad call as I enter the lobby to leave. He waves me over. "This is Coach Ron from Middlebury College."

"Nice to finally meet you, Eloise. You're having a great season. It was good to see you back out there tonight," he starts with a wide smile. "I was just telling your dad, we have a home game tomorrow afternoon. I'd love to get you there to give us a look and meet the team."

I think it over for a second and land on the fact that, if nothing else, it would be a good distraction. I sure as heck can't spend another weekend at home with my thoughts.

"Sure. Yeah, I'd like that."