e n d t a p e s

T W E N T Y - O N E

"I remember the fear in your eyes the very first time we snuck into the city pool, late December with my heart in my chest and the clouds of my breath, didn't know where we were running to but don't look back,"

- Roman Holiday; Halsey.

°°°

The classes for today went well, dismally. I packed my book and walked out from the class. Even Tessie is in the same class as me but I didn't talk to her at all, even ignored her. There, standing there, leaning against the wall like a beautiful Satan he is, waiting for me.

"Hey," Arthur greeted.

"Hey, Eddy."

"How's your class?" he asked.

"Okay." He looked at me for another respond. I guess he's asking about Tessie.

"I ignored her."

"Good." We reached the car park and he turned to me.

"Why won't you talk with Lucas?" he asked.

"He doesn't want to talk to me," I blurted.

"How do you know?"

"I just know."

"Drive safe, Ellie," he said, sighed and walked away.

"You too, Eddy."

•••

I don't see Luke in school, for five days since the day I said yes about Arthur and me. I'm curious about his life. I heard from Nate that he came to school, just he avoided me. I think he hates me after all-and I'm mad at him too-because lying to me. I was finishing my work and my phone ringing. It's a call from Arthur. I slid the green button and placed the phone near my ear.

"Arthur?" I said, surprised.

"One and only baby," he said.

"Not your baby, Eddy," I said, rolled my eyes even I know that he couldn't see me.

"I know that you're rolling your eyes. Look out your window, Ellie," he said.

"What?" I asked.

"Just do it," he said. I shrugged and walked near my window. I almost dropped my phone but I gripped it harder.

"Fuck. What the fuck are you doing?" I asked, gasped. Standing there, Arthur outside of my window, waving me using his free hand and another hand holding his phone near his ear.

"Come on," he called.

"What?"

"Go for change, and then jump. We are going out," he said and ended the called. Fuck what? I called him back.

"What do you mean we are going out?" I asked.

"Ugh, Ellie. Just do it," he said.

"No."

"Do you want me to climb up and get into your room and seriously I don't know what am I capable of when I get into girl's room, Ellie," he said and I can hear him smirking.

"Ugh, fine," I said and ended the call. I ran to my walk-in closet room and chose black tank top and black skinny jeans. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and grabbed my sling bag. It is ten-fifty five at the evening. I called Arthur back.