Ellie leaned back in the passenger seat, her arms crossed as Damien carefully navigated the winding road toward her house. The steady hum of the car was almost hypnotic, though her mind buzzed with thoughts she couldn't quite pin down.
“See, Ellie?” Damien glanced at her with a proud grin, the dim glow of the dashboard highlighting his sharp features. “No accidents. I’m practically a professional driver.”
Ellie rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a half-hearted smirk. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. I think today must be your lucky day.” Her tone dripped with mockery, though there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
Damien chuckled, shaking his head. “You wound me, Ellie. No faith in my skills, huh?”
She shot him a side-eye. “Damien, do you even know where I live? If you don’t, just say the word, and I’ll direct you.”
Damien scoffed, his voice thick with playful sarcasm. “Of course, I know! Have you forgotten your parents are practically local celebrities? Everyone knows where you live.”
Ellie blinked at him, unsure whether to be flattered or annoyed. Before she could decide, Damien added with a smirk, “Your parents are so rich, Ellie. Every time my family looks at your mansion, we feel like peasants.”
Ellie turned in her seat to stare at him, her brow furrowed. “Are you kidding me right now? Stop saying stupid things. Everyone knows your family’s richer than mine. You literally live in a house called Diamond Mansion, Damien!”
Damien burst into laughter, the sound filling the car with an easy warmth. “Relax, Ellie. It was just a joke. I don’t actually live in a diamond mansion.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” Ellie muttered under her breath before snapping, “I don’t like your jokes. Now shut up and drive—I’m tired of you.”
Still laughing, Damien raised a hand in mock surrender. “As you wish, my lady.”
As they drove, Ellie spotted the familiar silhouette of her family estate emerging in the distance. Relief washed over her—finally, home. But the feeling was bittersweet. She had to admit, Damien’s company wasn’t all bad.
YOU ARE READING
The Accepted Outcast
Teen FictionEllie Malcolm was born with unusual features: she had no body hair, pale skin, and wide blue eyes, which made her seem unattractive to others. As a result, her classmates bullied her, and she felt unloved by her parents. However, everything changes...
