One Night

The One Where We Have To Shop

Walking down Mason Avenue, I found a strange comfort in being held by Elliott. A warm feeling enveloped me, and it wasn't because of Elliott's body heat. Or, at least, not entirely because of that. His arm looped around my shoulders was a source of reassurance, something I had never experienced before. Whenever Markus touched me, it was always a sign of dominance, like he was showing the world that I was his, and his alone.

Elliott, who didn't seem to mind that people could see us together, made me feel comfortable being in his presence. For once, I walked with my head held up, eyes front and center, without feeling self-conscious of the fact people were staring. After Markus broke up with me and I checked out of my life, people stared and whispered about me, so I kept my head down and tried to hide myself from the world. Now, walking with Elliott, I had a surge of confidence. I had to wonder if it was possible for someone to transfer their positive energy onto another person, because if it was, Elliott was definitely giving me a boost in the confidence department.

"Ok, Olivia," Elliott sounded out my supposed name in a strangled tone. If I had really been Olivia, I would have hated the way it sounded on his tongue, but for now, I shrugged it off and concentrated on what he was trying to say. "The first part of our date involves us going to the Liberty Mall. Did you drive here?"

"No," I sigh out my answer. "My ex-boyfriend never let me drive anywhere, so I'm a little bit of a nervous driver. Anyway, walking helps me clear my head."

Elliott nods in understanding. As we walk, I notice that we're headed towards the parking lot just off Mason Avenue. Typically, being this close to Christmas, the parking lot was heaving. In fact, cars were lining the street, waiting for a space in the parking lot to free up. Easton was a wealthy Connecticut town, and if the big mansions weren't enough of a giveaway, then seeing the fleet of expensive cars lining the street was proof of everyone's wealth. Most vehicles in town could pay a nurse's salary for a couple of years, but they were just another status symbol around Easton.

Surprisingly, the car Elliott guided me to is pretty modest considering it was parked between an Audi R8 Spyder and an imported Italian car whose name I would never be able to pronounce. That is, if it's actually Italian in the first place. I don't speak car.

Elliott beeped the sleek black Range Rover open and held the passenger door open for me. His arm fell from my shoulders, his hand going to gently press on the lower of my back as he helped me climb inside. This time, the fire that burned inside me was definitely ignited by Elliott's touch. Thankfully, he closed my door before he could notice my flushed cheeks and I had managed to calm myself down by the time he took his place behind the wheel of the car. We both clicked our seatbelts and soon enough Elliott was backing out of his parking space.

"So, why are we heading to the mall?" I ask, turning my attention onto Elliott. His smile widened on his face and he clicked his tongue at me, shaking his head while looking at me from the corner of his eye. I groan. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"Nope," he laughs heartily. I couldn't help but notice the way his lips moved as he popped the 'p'. He looked childlike as he faced me and smiled, the grin echoing in his eyes. "Come on, I thought you wanted to be fearless."

"Whatever," I petulantly muttered to myself. From the way Elliott said nothing, I guess he hadn't heard me. I suck in a deep breath and shrug. "Fine, Elliott, have it your way. Don't tell me. I can live with that."

That was a total lie. Part of my previous personality that lingered with me was the fact that I'm ridiculously impatient. I'm the worst person when it comes to secret and surprises, too, and the fact that Elliott refuses to tell me why we're going to the mall has me pouting like a six year old. I know how childish I look, but ever since Markus blindsided me with the break-up, my dislike for surprises solidified, and I feared the unknown. I hated not being in control, so much so, this year on my birthday I completely ruined my best friend's surprise plans because I couldn't let go and be fearless, as Elliott calls it. It was the last straw for Talia and we barely talked after.