Clockwork Daisy

Chapter 19

Ellie 

Chapter 19

"How about this blue one, dear?" T-minus twenty minutes and the Montgomerys will ring the doorbell. Mother stood at my closet, Holding a crisp sky blue halter dress up to her chest, her unblinking eyes boring into my profile as I dotted blush onto my cheeks. 

"Maybe." I mumbled, unscrewing my mascara. I drew out the wand and painted the black liquid onto my lashes. 

Mother hung the dress up impatiently. "Ellen, you need to get dressed. You can't wear that unsightly robe to dinner." 

"I can't?" I asked sarcastically, a smile spreading on my lips as I reached for my hairbrush. 

Mother sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I'll be downstairs. I expect you to be presentable when the Montgomerys get here."

I cast my mother a small wave as she slipped out of my bedroom, clicking the door shut behind her. After I ran the brush through my hair a few more times, I forced myself to stand up and file through my clothes. I peeled through item after item, but all I could think about was how I'd rather be with Deacon. I felt pathetic. I also felt...hungry.  

After a few minutes, I decided on a sage green cotton dress with a satin bow around the waist. I pulled my hair into a half up-half down style and polished my nose earring for extra emphasis. Pleased when I looked in the mirror, I took a deep breath and exited my room. Just as I made it to the bottom of the steps, the doorbell chimed. 

"Answer it, Ellen!" Father called. "Your mother and I are finishing up some food in the kitchen!"

Carefully, I reached for the doorknob. Once it opened, I saw a chic but cheery couple standing in front of me. They both had shockingly pale skin and dark hair. The green eyed woman sported a sleek bob haircut and a crisp black blazer. The brown eyed man looked completely comfortable in his pinstripe suit. He smelled of after shave and was the first one to stick out his hand. 

"Lawrence Montgomery." He announced. I shook his hand and he continued. "This is my wife, Kate."

Kate flashed me a warm smile through her ruby red lipstick. "You must be Ellen." 

"Call me Ellie." I said quickly. "Please, come in." 

Kate followed orders, seamlessly taking a few steps into the foyer. Lawrence, on the other hand, paused. He looked over his shoulder. "Jesse!" He hollered. "Come on, son!" He then joined his wife in the house. "We had Jesse park the car." He clarified. 

I wasn't sure how to keep the conversation moving from there, so I was relieved when I felt my mother's bony hand on my shoulder. "Lawrence! Kate!" She exclaimed. "Join us in the kitchen!" 

The adults walked away from the door, already diving into some new topic. But I stayed, staring out into the dark night. I didn't see anybody, and I began wondering if Jesse had just hopped back in the car and gone home. I was starting to contemplate closing the door when I heard something. 

I could still hear my parents and the Montgomerys chatting away, so I figured they wouldn't miss me for a few minutes. I cautiously stepped outside onto the porch, shutting the door behind me. "Hello?" I called quietly.

Now I heard footsteps. The sound of a shoe hitting cement. "Ellen Wells." Someone announced. 

My eyes slowly came into focus as I glanced in front of me, guided by the glow of the porch light. There was a boy in front of me. His mussed hair was the color of bronze, and his skin had a hint of olive to it, unlike his parent's. His black tie was loose over a deep purple dress shirt, and his hands were stuffed in his pant pockets. 

"Or," He continued. "Should I say, Ellie." 

So he was an eavesdropper. "Jesse?" 

"No?" He said, shuffling in his shoes. My heart pounded as he paused, but I was relieved when he laughed. "I'm kidding, Ellie. Yes, I'm Jesse. Who else would I be?"

I tried my best to laugh too, but it came out crackled. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry." 

He took a few steps closer until he was standing inches away from my face. "So." I could tell he fed off of me feeling nervous around him. "What's for dinner?"

"Jesse's on the A honor roll." Kate said, cutting a piece of chicken on her china plate. We were in the midst of a parental competition regarding children. "He also knows alot about cars."

"Motorcycles, mom." Jesse corrected, chomping on a sprig of asparagus. "I know alot about motorcycles."

"Same thing." Kate flicked her hand. "And Jesse, don't eat with your mouth full."

I suppressed a giggle as our parents continued to banter. "You own a motorcycle?" I asked him. 

Jesse nodded, taking a sip of water. "It's an '82 Harley. I got it from a junk yard and fixed her up."

"Her?" I laughed. 

Jesse turned a light shade of red. "Yeah...her. I guess you could say I'm lonely."

"Well," I said, tapping his hand. "You don't have to be anymore."

At that moment, our thoughts seemed to be connected. I looked into his grey blue eyes and something clicked. "May I be excused?" I asked. 

"Sure." Mother said after a sip of wine. "How about you show Jesse around?"

That's exactly what I had in mind. "Yeah, Jesse. I'll give you the grand tour." 

We both stood, pushed our chairs in, and carried our plates into the kitchen. I motioned for him to follow me back through the dining room and over to the stairs. "This is the staircase," I said. He followed as I ascended the staircase. "This is the hallway," I said once we reached the top. "And this," I pushed open the door to my room with my hip. "...is my bedroom." 

"I don't think I need to see anymore." He chuckled, pulling me into him. "All I need is right here." 

And just like that, I was full on making out with Jesse Montgomery.