Saving Elliot ©2015 Sydney Wray

Chapter 28~Time Lapse

It was like time stopped. Literally.

I stared at her, my eyes burning in anger and bewilderment.

She stared back, her face pulled into a shocked composure.

Everyone at the table didn't notice anything, naturally. How would they? They didn't know Hailey. Except my father.

But he grunted like he didn't recognize her. "No, thank you. We're fine."

Hailey nodded quickly, whipping around and turning shortly.

I was frozen. Hailey. Hailey was here. She was in California. I had just seen her. It was like my mind was working too fast for my brain to process the thoughts.

And I wasn't just shocked; I was angry. Or as Alex would put it: pissed.

While I was in longing pain, she was in Hollywood that whole time? Less than an hour away from me?

Both of them came back, holding dishes of our food.

It was clear to me she was rattled. Guilt was written plainly on her face, along with the avoidance of her eyes to me.

I just stared at her, taking in her familiar beauty. I still couldn't believe it.

She held out my plate to me, blinking. "Grilled steak with Asparagus?"

I didn't respond as she placed it neatly in front of me.

"Would you like fresh pepper with that?" She asked me tentatively, biting her lip.

I didn't answer.

Hailey raised an eyebrow.

It took all of my energy to stay glued to my seat. "No."

She swallowed, nodding and stepping away.

I watched her walked away, her hands taut to her sides in a non-composed state.

She sneaked a glance back, her eyes settling on mine.

I looked away sharply, cutting into my steak.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I didn't see her for the rest of the meal. The male waiter only served us, and she had disappeared.

Toward the end, after half-heartedly discussing wages with the men, I stepped up and spotted her sitting behind a counter. She was on the ground, her legs crossed, and a frown on her face.

I glanced at my father, who didn't seem to be paying any attention to me.

I walked up to the counters standing above her.

I held out a hand to her, her body jumping because she was startled.

She eyed my hand, hesitantly taking it and pulling herself up.

Once she was standing, I pulled my hand away and dropped it to my side.

"Come with me." Was all I said, with no specific emotion.

I turned on my heel, striding toward the door and letting the waiter open it for both of us.

I didn't check to see if she was following me; I knew she was.

I continued to walk down the long pathway, and turned a corner. It was quieter here.

I whipped around, staring at her. The slight breeze blew a few strands of her hair to cross her eyes, which blinked shockingly at me. The situation felt surreal.

"I don't really know where to begin."

Hailey didn't reply.

I bitterly laughed with no trace of humor, starting to pace, "So, what? You decided to walk into a rich boy's life and then leave? Like it was a big joke? Yeah, hilarious."

Hailey shook her head, her eyebrow twitching. "No! That's not how it was at all."

"Then why won't you tell me how it was, Hailey?"

I stared at her, waiting for a response.

She parted her lips, "It's complicated."

I snorted. "Of course it is. Because everything with you is complicated."

A flash of deserved hurt danced across her eyes.

It was quiet.

"Why are you here, Elliot?" She asked softly, looking into my eyes.

"I think I can ask you the same question. What, was Art School not good enough for you? Like I was?"

"That's not fair." She said immediately. "You know how I felt about you...how I feel about you."

My heart stopped for half a beat, but I shook my head. "No. You don't get to do that."

"Do what?" She asked angrily.

"Say things like that!"

"Well I'm sorry if that's the way I feel!"

I shook my head, "No. You lost the right to say those things three months ago."

A cloud fell over her head, and she blinked in realization.

"I just want the truth, Hailey." I finally said.

She stared at me, her lip trembling. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" I nearly laughed. "For leaving without a goodbye? For baiting me along, only to leave and literally break me? Or for just being a coward."

She swallowed, a slight shake of head responding to my question. "I wasn't meant to live in your world."

"That's crap," I nearly yelled, "And you know it."

Hailey stared at me, sighing a trembling sigh without replying.

I shook my head, stepping around her and making my way back to the Limousine.