Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Two

Ecie and Esme walked down to the harbor where they met the other people who were also going to Catalina.

'There's hardly anybody here,' Esme said looking around. 'I thought you said the football team was coming.'

'Is this going to be some kind of couples retreat?' Ecie said.

'It's just us,' Markus Heifer replied. 'We're just waiting on Verd to come.'

'Well I'm going to get on,' Ecie sighed. 'I'm already so exhausted.'

Ecie climbed onto the boat that would take them to Catalina, with the help of Markus, and waited.

'Verd!'

'Sorry I'm so late,' Verde said trying not to fall backwards from the way Esme jumped on top of him. 'I had to do some last minute packing.'

'That's cool,' Markus replied. 'The others are already on board.'

'Oh Verd,' Esme said as they got onto the boat. 'I have missed you so much. How was Denver?'

'So, so,' Verde replied. 'How have things been since I've been away?'

'Strange,' Esme replied.

'Oh right,' Verde said. 'How so?'

Esme nodded towards Ecie who was sat in a corner with her foot up on a stool reading a magazine.

'What happened to her?'

'She's been training so hard,' Esme replied. 'She can't cheer til at least next season.'

'But what about you?'

'Things have been really good for me,' Esme replied. 'I've been really happy.'

'That's great,' Verde replied. 'I'm going to go and say hi to E.'

'Yeah sure,' Esme nodded. 'I'll just be getting something to eat.'

Verde walked over to Ecie and stood over her. 'I hear you've been trying to kill yourself.'

Ecie jumped, looking up and smiled happily at her oldest friend. 'Verd.'

'Don't get up,' Verde joked. He bent down to hug her then sat down beside her. 'So tell me about your injuries.'

'What you see is what you get,' Ecie replied. 'I don't like reliving what I did to myself.'

'Aside from the obvious brokenness of yourself, you're looking good,' Verde joked.

'Shut up,' Ecie laughed. 'I look so terrible.'

'So you were training?' Verde said.

'Yeah,' Ecie nodded. 'I slipped from a bar.'

'Right,' Verde nodded. 'You slipped from a bar.'

Ecie nodded. 'Yep.'

Verde shook his head. 'So how was your summer after Ed and I left?'

'It was good,' Ecie replied. 'I was forced to hang out with Caner and his "girlfriend". We went to Egypt and that was pretty cool, although Ross was literally eaten alive by the bugs and he got so sun burnt.'

Verde laughed. 'So where is Ross?'

'He's in Paris,' Ecie replied. 'Chelsea and him broke up, but he's got a new girlfriend.'

'What's she like?'

'I think her name is Emily,' Ecie replied. 'I haven't met her yet, but Ross told dad, and dad shared all the details.'

'That's cool.'

'So what about you and Ed?' Ecie asked. 'Are you still going strong?'

'Yeah,' Verde replied. 'We thought it'd be best if we took a break for a month or two.'

'How come?'

'Well I was away in Denver and it just didn't feel right,' Verde said. 'I really want to tell my parents, but I'm still waiting for the right time.'

'You could spend your whole life waiting for the right time,' Ecie replied taking hold of Verde's hand. She squeezed it and smiled at him. 'I'm always here if you ever need some moral support.'

'Thanks,' Verde smiled squeezing her hand back. 'And I'm always here if you ever need some moral support.'

Ecie smiled at Verde. 'Thanks.'

They hugged each other.