she was untouchable.

6 | fly.

I didn't know what time we would be going to the ice cream shop so I was dressed and ready before breakfast like usual. I knew, or more so hoped we would be going around lunchtime.

My mouth was still minty from brushing my teeth and eating ice cream like that hurt.

My phone pings from across from the room making my eyes flitter up from my book. It might be Zeke. I had given him my number yesterday on our way to his secret hideout. Putting the book down I walk over and check it.

Zeke: Still up for ice cream today? we're meeting at 12. it's a short walk so was thinking we could walk there?

Eloise: 12 sounds great. can't wait.

Zeke: cool. see you then!

Just then I hear a loud bang from the house next door. Zeke's house.

"ZEEEEKKKKEE! i'm going to kill you!" one of his sisters yells.

Laughing to myself at the scene next door I go to grab for my sketch book and pencils planning to immerse myself in my art for a couple hours as it was only eight.

The doorbell took my attention from my sketchbook. I had completely forgotten about going out for ice cream until now as I looked up to see the time. Ten to twelve. It was probably Zeke at door. Leaving my stuff where it is I grab a shoulder bag and head down stairs to see Mum and Zeke talking.

"Did you hear that El?" mum asks me as I stand next to her.

"No what is it?"

"We've been invited over for dinner again. Isn't that great?" She says smiling. I'm glad she's making friends.

"That's nice. Tonight?" I ask directing my questions at Zeke.

"Yeah I have to warn you though the boys and Fly will be over so it'll be a full house and they can get pretty rowdy." he laughs.

"Oh I can't wait to help clean up. See you kids later." Mum closes the door behind us as we walk down the path. I can still hear here opening and closing the door as she hums. Dad made her go to therapy for it but after he died she stopped going. She liked the way she was. She could cope she always said.

We arrived at the ice cream shop just before twelve. I noted that it was actually called 'the ice cream shop' which I found silently amusing. As we walked in Zeke headed for a booth down the back. Three boys already sat there, two of them I'd met yesterday.

"You meet met Nikolas and his dork brother Leon yesterday" Zeke addresses the two boys, one on either side.

"I'm not a dork." Leon fights back poking his tough out. He looked like he was maybe fifteen or sixteen.

"Why do you keep bringing this kid" Zeke asks Nikolas completely ignorant of Leon's behaviour.

"Don't be so mean. I'm sure he's fine." I speak before Nikolas has time to answer.

"Yeah don't be so mean" Leon repeats.

"He keeps following me and trust me he's going to be a pain the butt." Nikolas sighs.

The boy next to Leon coughs loudly gaining outer attention. He looks at Zeke expectantly.

"Oh and this is Aaron." Zeke says dramatically. "He doesn't like to be left out."

"Oh shit Fly's here let me go talk to her about the thing" Zeke says before running out in a hurry.

"What thing?" I ask still standing. Nikolas motions for me to sit so I do making sure to leave a healthy amount of space.

"The no touch thing. He didn't tell her about you. She's a bit weird about new people." Nikolas smiles. He seemed nice enough. Very down to earth and humble though he did like to pick on his brother. I guess most siblings had a love hate relationship.

"Her name is Fly?" I ask 

"No it's just what we call her." Aaron laughs still watching Zeke and Fly. I follow his gaze but regret it as soon as I see Fly's harden gaze on me. I shrink back into the seat.

"May I ask why?" I'd already asked Zeke so I knew the answer. I was just bad at making conversation, I didn't know what to say.

"She's obsessed with dragonfly's. She has this dragonfly tattoo on her arm. I guess name just kinda stuck. It feels right calling her that. That doesn't make any sense." Nikolas answers. He notices my hands fiddling and frowns before asking "Am I too close I can move if you want?".

"Oh no it's not that. It's just Fly. She's not going to hit me or anything or like be really mean or something is she?" I ask staring at my hands. I notice the table move and look up to see Leon and Aaron were now fighting over a napkin, shoving a pushing at each other.

"Trust me you'll be fine. She just got bullied a lot when we were younger and she's not big and change but she's a nice person so she'll make it work. Besides Aaron is her so she'll be picking on him most of the time." Nikolas smiles before giving the table a push and giving a stern look to his brother and friend.

Zeke sits down next to me as I notice Fly standing next to Nikolas. "Move" she says sternly, her eyes shooting daggers.

"What why?" He asks confused.

"I'm not sitting next to either of them." Fly points accusingly at Leon and Aaron who look equally offended.

"You pick the new girl over me your old pal?" Aaron asks looking hurt.

"I only hang out with you because Zeke and Nick do." She shrugs. Nikolas gets up and moves laughing as he does. As he sits down he gives Aaron a push.

"Hurts my heart Fly" Aaron says as he pretends to cradle his heart.

"Whatever" She rolls her eyes directing her attention to me. I hold my breath.
"Hey I'm Fly" She says as her eyes scan me.

"Eloise. I like your hair." I reply. Mum always said 'if you liked something about someone tell them, even if you just meet them' and that definitely applied to this situation.

She smiles. "Thanks. So are we like going to get ice cream or just sit here like dweebs." Fly asks making me laugh. She looks over and smiles again. She leans back into the chair becoming more comfortable but careful not to come to close.