Twilight Java

Chapter 11

It wasn't everyday that I spent my time eating expensive pastries while gazing at the ocean. But in that moment, it was all I ever wanted. No worries, no responsibilities. Just me, Ellis and the vast Atlantic. Oh, and our pastries.

"My favorite ith the religiuse," Ellis said, his mouth stuffed. I looked at the pastry that slightly resembled a chocolatey snowman, and sniffled a laugh at how obvious it was that it would be his favorite, "Whaf's so funny?"

"Besides you talking like a ten year old on Halloween," I said. "Of course that one's your favorite. It looks so extra, just like you."

There was a pause as Ellis continued to chew. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Take it however you wish, it's the truth."

"Aren't you gonna have another one?" He said, referring to me only trying the pain au chocolat, which was somewhat like a chocolate filled roll.

"I don't want to eat them all at once, especially since we'll be walking back again."

"Fine, but you better eat them and tell me which one's your favorite."

"Tell you when?" I laughed sarcastically.

"I'll give you my number so you can tell me then," He said indifferently.

His number? I usually didn't give mine out so casually. It really shows how different Ellis and I are.

"Sure," I said hesitantly as I unlocked my phone. Immediately, Ellis snatched it from me and began tapping away.

"Excuse you," I said, glaring at him. "Why are you so intense?"

With a pastry in one hand and my phone in the other, he shrugged, "I'm too impatient to do things slowly." He locked my phone and gave it back to me, his gaze fixed at the ocean.

"I bet you were one of those overly hyper kids that wouldn't sit still for more than a second," I said, giggling at the thought of a little Ellis. He was probably a handful.

"You know, it's funny you say that," He said, his hand reaching for another pastry. "My parents thought I might have had ADHD so they conducted therapy sessions on me."

I didn't know what to say and just gave him a bewildered look, so he continued.

"They're both psychologists. They did these little sessions with me. They concluded it was just developmental difficulties, but it's weird thinking my parents did those with me."

"I can imagine," I said.

"What were you like?" Ellis asked, shifting his gaze to me.

"As a child?" I asked, and he nodded. I paused for a moment to think about my childhood. We didn't have a picturesque family, and things were rarely alright. Mom's condition didn't make sense to me, and my dad just always seemed on edge. I knew that one day he would finally be pushed over the edge. Because of this, I spent most of my time alone in my room. Either reading or drawing or playing with the little toys I had, often humming to myself. "I was... Quiet."

"Just quiet?" He pressed. I shrugged.

"I was calm and didn't throw tantrums."

A corner of his mouth turned upwards, "I bet that changed once you got to high school. You had all this pent up frustration and had to release it. High school was the time to do that. Tell me I'm right."