Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Seven

'Was there a show in here or something?' Esme said as she walked into a ballroom. Simon was sat at the front on a stage. 'I feel as though I missed a good party.'

Simon laughed as Esme walked down to the stage. 'You look beautiful tonight. Did you enjoy dinner?'

'It was good,' Esme nodded. She jumped up onto the stage and sat next to Simon. 'What time are you leaving tomorrow?'

'Eleven,' Simon replied. 'It's strange because when I first got here I couldn't wait to leave, but now I don't want to go.'

'Why not?' Esme asked.

'I met this girl yesterday and I think she's pretty hot,' Simon said. 'I don't really know her but I really like her.'

Esme blushed. 'Simon I'm really flattered but I've...'

Simon kissed Esme on the lips.

'Simon,' Esme said pushing him back. 'I'm really flattered but I have a boyfriend. I really like you but I don't want to do that to him.'

'I'm sorry,' Simon said feeling embarrassed. 'I just thought...'

Esme kissed him on the cheek then gave him a hug. 'How about we spend your last night hanging out and talking. We don't know anything about each other; we can talk and get to know each other.'

Simon nodded. 'I would like that.'

Suddenly the doors to the ballroom flung open and in ran a flurry of girls and people with cameras.

'What the hell...'

'I'm sorry Esme,' Simon said jumping to his feet. 'I'll call you.'

Esme watched as Simon ran back behind the stage and out of the ballroom. She sat as the girls and people with cameras rushed past her and after Simon; realizing that Simon Hoult had just kissed her.

'I'm so glad you could join me,' Landon smiled as Ecie sat down at the bar next to him. 'I was beginning to think I had been stood up.'

'I was having dinner with my friends,' Ecie replied. 'I hope I'm not too late.'

'No,' Landon smiled. 'You're right on time.'

Ecie smiled at Landon. 'You can order me a drink. I don't know what's good here.'

'Right,' Landon said tearing his eyes away from Ecie. He called the bartender and ordered them some drinks. 'So how was dinner?'

'It was good,' Ecie replied. 'It was really good.'

'Thank you for joining me,' Landon said. 'It means so much.'

'It's the least I could do,' Ecie replied. 'I haven't cried since we first talked.'

'That's not what I usually hear,' Landon joked. 'Usually people start crying after they've talked to me.'

Ecie laughed.

'I hope you don't think that I'm a terrible loner with no friends,' Landon said. 'I just love your company and I love your laugh.'

'Oh god,' Ecie laughed nervously. 'I don't think that can be good.'

'I'm being serious,' Landon said. 'You're really good to talk to and I think you're really interesting. You know so much about surfing and dancing and fashion and general knowledge. I find it fascinating; I find you...fascinating.'

'Landon,' Ecie said slowly.

'Don't worry,' Landon laughed. 'We're only friends. I don't want to send off any wrong messages.'

'That's fine,' Ecie said feeling relieved. 'It's really okay. We're friends.'

An hour later, Ecie and Landon found themselves in his suite drunk, laughing and joking.

'Oh my god is that the time?' Ecie asked looking at the clock. 'I should be going.'

'Have another drink,' Landon said getting up from his seat and getting the champagne. 'One more before closing.'

'Okay then,' Ecie laughed crossing her legs. 'One last drink can't hurt.'

Landon poured Ecie another drink then passed it to her.

'So where was I?' he laughed sitting back next to Ecie. 'Oh yes, I wanted to travel around Australia. I thought it would be really good.'

'My mom's boyfriend has a new apartment out in Australia,' Ecie said. 'They said it's really good out there this time of year.'

'Do you like your mom's boyfriend?'

'Yeah,' Ecie nodded. 'My sister and I stalked him for about a month before we actually met him. We also tend to stalk him from time to time...'

'Hold on,' Landon said looking at Ecie's eye. 'Hold still for a second, you've got an eyelash.'

Ecie held as still as she could and waited for Landon.

'You've got some really pretty eyes there,' Landon said. 'They look like mine.'

Ecie looked at Landon's hazel eyes and nodded. 'I think so.'

Things seemed to slow down as Landon kissed Ecie on the lips. Ecie kissed him back and soon they were kissing on his sofa.

Landon picked up Ecie and carried her through to his bedroom.

'Carole is going to kill me,' Ecie giggled between kisses as they undressed each other hurriedly. 'I am so dead.'

'Who's Carole?' Landon asked as he kissed Ecie and pulled the sheets back.

'She's my therapist,' Ecie let out a squeal of happiness as they pushed themselves under his sheets.

'Well then,' Landon grinned. 'We may as well make it worth it.'