Ass(ets)

lucky?

The first time Ella encounters Noah post their god awful talk is at the supermarket. She's in the wine section and he's walking past with a bottle of water in hand. Ella muses at the difference between them. She has always given in to her indulgences. He has always been more reserved and careful.

They make eye contact. In Ella's head guilt, relief, pity and empathy are swirling and swirling around among many other thoughts. But what she says is simple.

"Hey Noah." It's a simple few words, but they're loaded and mean so much more than that.

"Hi." He says curtly.

Ella opens her mouth fishing for something to say.

Noah interrupts her with "I'll be civil with you in public and that's fine. But Ella I can't be friends with you."

She nods in reply and he walks away.

She thinks this time him leaving her is easier. The last time she was unsure about where they stood as he retreated away. Now she knows this is the end.

Ella isn't sure how she had expected him to be friends with her after what they did to him. However, a small part of her had hoped. She had hoped everything would fall into place.

No such luck.