The Love House

The Love House: Chapter 23

Ellie's POV

The next day at school consisted of minimal communication between me and Damen. I expected as much.

"Soaps?" I say as I walk to my locker and see her waiting for me with books in her hand.

"El, I was thinking me and you could maybe go dress shopping this weekend? My Uncle is getting married to this girl way too young for him and I am inviting you to come with me to save me from social disaster...?" She made it sound like a question although I'm sure I had no choice but to attend.

"Sure, but I have a favor to ask of you then."

"Whatever it is, I'll do it."

"I was wondering if you could ask around about what that almost fight with Derek and What's-His-Name was about? It's just.. Damen has been acting weird and he won't tell me anything", I say defeated. I didn't notice how much this tension between me and Damen was affecting me.

"Yeah of course El. I'll do it."

I thanked her and headed to Mr. Long's class. Of course Damen was in there. I sat down at my seat and he sat at his. We didn't talk whatsoever. Why did I come in here again?

When the bell finally rang and the class started, I let out a sigh of relief. How could things go from being great to outright horrible in less than 24 hours? This is why I don't do the whole friendship thing. Seems pretty complicated thus far.

The day continued on like that until lunch. I sat at the table that Josey and Josh were already sitting at with their lunch trays.

"Hey hot stuff," says Josey. I just roll my eyes. Sophie shows up to the table, her chipper self as normal. "You guys. I just bumped into Derek.....while he was making out with Lexi. Talk about awkward. I could have swore we had something at the zoo, but ever since... I don't know." She says looking a little down.

"Hey you weren't the only one who saw it Soaps. He was into you." says Josh.

"I second that." I say and Josey follows suit. Soaps cheered up a little bit, and the topic of conversation turns to what I asked her earlier this morning.

"Ellie.. I'm sorry. So far no one seems to know what the little outburst between Derek and....?"

"Brandon," supplies Josh.

"Yeah him..I think the only way you'll get answers is through Derek himself, but just a warning he seemed really angry that day."

A little disappointed I reply, "Thanks anyway Soaps."

Damen's POV

Avoiding her is killing me, but living with her is killing me more. The more I learn about her and what she's already gone through, the more I realize that I can't just take advantage of her like I have all the rest of the girls who have lived in the love house. Then again though. I remember I have all of my friends and everyone in the school waiting for me to do it, to make my move. I don't know what to do. They're already getting anxious, especially Brandon. I cannot believe he said that at the lunch table. I could not believe when Derek told me.

Sure I was moving slower than normal with this one but Ellie is different than anyone who has ever lived there. Everyone should have known it would take longer. But to say that I should, "just bang the slut already" was uncalled for and obviously Derek thought so too. Honestly, if I were there punches would have been thrown. No shame.
I may have sex with girls and leave them sometimes but half the time it was only because of the stupid haunted house next door to Derek. I would never flat out call a girl I didn't know a slut in front of the whole football, cheer, and dance teams. That's just uncalled for. Especially when it comes to innocent Ellie.

Derek did tell me though that after that he doesn't think I should pursue Ellie so straight forward no matter what the guys are saying. That was already my plan anyway. I told her we could be friends for a reason.

It's really hard avoiding her but it's easier than the alternative: talking to her and liking her more. I especially don't need her finding out about what that fight was about. Not only will it ruin her perception of me, it would ruin her image of herself knowing what that prick called her.