A Different World

XII: Persistence

"No one is to hunt tonight. Go to bed and we will see what tomorrow brings us." Eleanor no longer sat across from Scarlett but stood directly behind her, casting a menacing shadow over her as she gave her orders. She knew Scarlett had not meant to lash out at her in that manner, but she couldn't help feel a seething resentment towards her that she hoped would only pass after a night's sleep. 

Everyone was quick to agree, even Scarlett, who did not dare defy her mentor anymore. She had already caused Eleanor enough trouble to last her a lifetime.

"We will be going now," she said, eyeing all three guys. They stood up in one swift motion, and two of them followed Eleanor towards the door while one lurked behind.

Melissa held the door open for them, waving at each of them as they crossed the threshold while Scarlett stood frozen in her spot not bothering to say goodbye.

She could sense his presence behind her even before she felt his hands rest at the curve of her hips sending a slight shock wave up her spine that caused her to shiver. It was a minuscular spasm of the muscles, yet he had somehow caught on to the trifling movement and smiled.

It irked her more than anything that her body still reacted to his touch. It made her sick.

She allowed him to continue holding her only to prove to herself that he no longer meant anything to her, but it turned out to be an arduous task that nearly sent her over the brim of sanity.

"We need to talk," he whispered, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

Scarlett stepped away from his dexterous hands feeling all but nauseated at the prospect of meeting with him in private or at all.

"Go," the word slipped from her lips with a level of acidity that could have burnt a whole through the entire building causing it to crumple in a heap of concrete and ashes. 

Nathan seemed to be frozen in place, unsure of how to response. He had never expected such a cold response from the women he sincerely cared about in a way he did not care about most people. She was hurt, he could understand that for he was the sole reason for her sole misery all those years ago.

He went to open his mouth ready to apologize for all his sins but was quickly shut down by her. "Nathan, please go," and somehow hearing her plea was way worse than her acidic laced words.

Her words suffocated his in a pool of despair and loss so deep he felt like he would never catch a breath of fresh air. He needed for her to forgive him to breath again, to escape the depthless pool.

He nodded his head in agreement and made his way past her, towards the exit where Melissa still stood with the door open. He stole one last glance at Scarlett and was disappointed to see that her gaze was on the floor and not him. He would fix this, he told himself.

Melissa closed the door grateful to put the drama behind. She noticed that Scarlett had made her way to the kitchen and followed her.

"You have a lot of explaining to do," Melissa said as she pulled herself onto the counter.

"I don't know what you mean." It was evident to Melissa that Scarlett was not interested in continuing the conversation, but Melissa was never the type to back to so she continued to press.

"Please, I have never seen you this wound up or angry, and it's clear that something is going on and that that something has to do with that guy - what's his name- oh right, Nathan."

"That something and that guy do not exist so just let it go," Scarlett was rummaging through Melissa's fridge, using the stainless steel door to conceal herself. "Do you have anything good to eat?" Scarlett asked as a way of distracting Melissa's inquiry.

"Close that fridge, you know I never have food here, that why I go to your place," Scarlett continued to go through the empty fridge, "and stop trying to change the conversation." She came off the counter and moved to stand right next to Scarlett.

"It was never a conversation. I have nothing to say; there is nothing to say therefore there is no conversation so let it go." Scarlett grabbed the bottle of orange juice and finally closed the fridge's door.

"There is a lot to be said, though," Melissa retaliated, not ready to give up the conversation. She desperately wanted to know what was going on with her friend, partly because she cared deeply for her and partly because she loved drama but mostly because she cared for Scarlett as a sister. "You just don't want to tell me."

"Exactly, so stop asking." Scarlett drank from the carton of juice and continued to make her way towards the living room, away from Melissa.

"Well, now you've admitted that there is something so I can't stop asking," she said, staying right on Scarlett's heels.

"You can you just don't want to."

"Well, then you might as well tell me because you know I won't stop asking until you do." Melissa knew that if it were any other person asking, Scarlett would have lashed out at them. Perhaps at some point, Scarlett would lash out at her too, but she felt that today was not the day. Maybe Scarlett did want to tell Melissa but wanted her to work for it.

They were back in the living room they had spent most of their night in, reading about Sebastian Gates and fighting over nonsubstantial things. It almost seemed as if nothing had happened.

Scarlett removed a bright pink throw pillow from the couch and set it on the chair beside her. She settled down sitting cross-legged with the carton of juice between her legs and the book next to her knee.

"Sit," She said, looking into Melissa's big eyes and Melissa obeyed because she knew Scarlett would finally tell her, her big secret.
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