Love Bites

Chapter 19 - I Just Can't Be Happy Today

- Goddamn, where are they?! - Charlie shouted, but nobody answered. The whole floor was empty and dark, showing no signs of life at all. It was 3:30 pm, Elle must have been sound asleep, and Charlie was probably going to spend the next couple of hours sitting on the rag by the front door.

One more time, searching her pockets this time. Charlie found an old smelly pack of gum, two bus tickets and some coins but nothing that even slightly resembled her keys. She stood on her tiptoes, looking through the keyhole and trying to make out whether the lights in their flat where out or not. There was a light twinkle somewhere near the kitchen area, so she came to the conclusion Elle could be awake. Having decided to stop making guesses, Charlie knocked on the door and listened.

After a couple of moments she heard something that sounded like a person shuffling his feet. With a loud crack the door opened. Elle stood in the way, her arms crossed on her chest and her big bright eyes fixed on Charlie. They haven't seen each other for almost two days, and she couldn't help but notice how tired Pomeline looked. It wasn't a good kind of tiredness: she seemed to be having her hardest time standing on her feet and gazing straight.  Charlie wondered what brought an unhealthy bright shade of blush to her cheeks and caused bags to appear under her eyes. To sum up, Elle, always so lush,  elegant and glamorous, looked surprisingly wretched.

- Oh, that's you...- the words escaped Elle's mouth before she could realize her bold coldness might hurt Charlie. She pressed her hand to her mouth and looked down.

- I don't know who you were expecting to see, pizza boy or someone else, but that's just that flatmate of yours, - Charlie replied sarcastically, her brows lifting, - may I come in? 

- Sure...D'ya want me to pour you a drink?

- As a waitress, I don't encourage people to serve me, you see, - Charlie walked into the room and threw her jacket on the chair, - So don't. And, honestly, I don't think you should drink anything either, Ellie, - she added, eyeing her warily. 

- Oh, whatever! - Elle let out an artificial laugh, - take it easy, Charlie, don't stress! It's okay when girls just wanna have some fun!

- That's all you really want, - Charlotte grudgingly continued singing the painfully familiar hit, - but can't we have some sober fun? Watch I Love Lucy or Breakfast Club lying on the sofa, you know, eat grilled cheese, blab on about Claire's horrible prom dress and stuff...

- But we are grown-ups, aren't we?! - Elle's asked hysterically, pushing the kitchen door a little bit too hard. Charlie could see she was about to lose it for some unknown reason. - Prom dresses! What are you going on about?!

- Dude, you need to calm down a bit. If you are not that inclined, fine, then I am going to sleep. I have been standing in the crowd for two hours and I'm dead on my feet!

- Where on earth have you been?!

- Like if you care, - Elle's strange behavior started to annoy Charlie, - unlike you, I don't have a habit of hanging around with hella creepy men without telling anyone! 

- You don't want me to believe you stayed late at work, do you? It's as clear as a day you've been out with a guy! With a grown-ass, cigarette-smelling guy!

- So what? Since when have you become my mother? Have I fucking missed something? - Charlie's friendly facial expression turned into a scowl, - why the heck do you make me excuse my actions? Yeah, I've been out with Duff, but it doesn't give you the right to give me hell, just for your information! I am not asking when that unshaven prick walks in my flat like everyday business and you two do heaven knows what for three damn hours!

- With Duff? Oh, I am sorry then...I have thought...

Elle looked really weak and bewildered. She had to grab the arm of the chair to steady herself. From the weird way her eyes were straying Charlie could tell she was feeling dizzy. Elle blinked a few times like she has just woken from a sleep.

- Go on, tell me. I'd like to know what did you think. 

- Nevermind...I say, I am sorry I attacked you...Everything has been so...crazy and all over the place lately.

- Oh,  I see. Totally a reason to lay into me like that. I understand, duh.

Elle sniffed. She must have been crying not long ago because her eyes were red and nose nearly running. She tried grabbing Charlie's arm to stop her from going away but it was too weak.

- Hey, don't leave me...I just wanted to...

- Sorry, but I am going to sleep. I can't snooze at work! Good night and sweet dreams!

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♪  The Damned - I Just Can't Be Happy Today

Author's note: I am really sorry I haven't updated for ages. I feel really bad about it. :( Anyway, I am finally getting to the most exciting parts of the story, so hope you like it!