Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

The Next Day: One

'It feels so good to be going home,' Esme said as Ecie drove along the Pacific Coast Highway. 'I have missed it so much.'

'We've only been gone a week,' Ecie laughed looking out of the window. 'You're telling me that you can't handle being away for a week?'

'You're used to being away from home for ages,' Esme replied. 'I miss home.'

Ecie laughed at her sister. 'It does feel good to be coming back.'

Esme looked behind. 'So where is Lauren? I thought you said she was coming.'

'She said she didn't want to impose and that she thought it'd be awkward if I brought her,' Ecie replied. 'She said that she'd come next time.'

'Dad was really excited to meet your new friend,' Esme replied. 'He's going to be disappointed.'

'He'll get over it,' Ecie replied. 'Are we going to dads or moms?'

'Dad's,' Esme replied. 'I think it's the safer bet.'

'Okay then,' Ecie nodded. 'I've got an appointment with Carole tomorrow.'

Esme nodded. 'Did you tell her about Landon and everything?'

'Oh yeah,' Ecie said. 'I kind of had to.'

'Have you and Landon talked about it?' Esme asked looking across at her sister.

Ecie shrugged as she bit her bottom lip. 'You know how these things go.'

'Are you still sleeping with him?'

'What do you take me for,' Ecie said looking at Esme. 'Of course not.'

'Right,' Esme nodded slowly. 'Of course you wouldn't be. That was really stupid of me to ask because that is not like you at all.'

'I do not appreciate your sarcasm,' Ecie replied.

'I was joking,' Esme said. 'So do you think he'll change your class?'

'Maybe,' Ecie replied. 'It's already kind of awkward now.'

Esme nodded. 'Well it was an accident. How were you supposed to know he was like thirty years old?'

'I should have asked,' Ecie replied. 'I should have known that he looked a lot older than twenty years old.'

Esme laughed. 'You weren't to know.'

'I keep telling myself that,' Ecie said. 'That's what Carole has been saying too; I wasn't to know he would end up being my professor. If I had, it would not have happened.'

Esme nodded.

'So what about you and Taylor?' Ecie asked. 'Have you seen him since Monday?'

'Not really,' Esme replied. 'I haven't really even spoken to him either. We're just texting and stuff.'

'Are you still mad at him?'

'No,' Esme replied. 'I just feel like I've been living in this Taylor bubble where we're the only things that co-exist. It's a little claustrophobic, so I think we just need our space from each other.'

'Did you tell him that Dylan kissed you?'

'I haven't yet gotten round to it,' Esme replied. 'I don't really want to.'

'Come on Es,' Ecie said. 'I told you to tell him.'

'Dylan is his best friend,' Esme replied. 'I don't want to ruin their friendship and what if he totally denies the whole thing? I'll look so stupid and they already know that I don't really like them so much.'

'Dylan kissed you and told you that he really likes you,' Ecie said. 'I think you should at least bring it up the next time you talk to Taylor. He needs to know. What if something happens and he finds out?'

'I doubt he'll find me and Dylan having sex in his bed,' Esme replied. 'I don't even like Dylan. I don't like any of them.'

'Yeah but they obviously all like you,' Ecie said. 'You've got to tell Taylor soon.'

'He's already got enough on his plate,' Esme said. 'He's worried about Dan being in the same college as me, he's got his store to worry about, and then there's the whole branding venture that he wants to do. I think telling him about Dylan would send him over the edge.'

Ecie shrugged. 'You're way more mature than me, so hopefully you know what you're doing.'

'Thank you for trusting me with that,' Esme said. 'It's very unlike you.'

'Shut up,' Ecie laughed sticking out her tongue.