The Art of Living

[38] Beautiful Rain

Brian didn't say anything before she rushed out of the kitchen, and when he came into the living room and saw her standing there, in front of the window, he still didn't say anything. He just watched her for a few moments. And then he placed his bowl on the coffee table before he walked over to her.

Ellie didn't notice him until he stood right behind her. She took a deep breath and didn't take her eyes off the road below her window. Still trying to calm down, she closed her eyes for a second, even though she knew she had to be careful not to accidentally give Brian a wrong idea again. She was aware that might happen anyway, but it was a risk she had to take in that moment. Before it got all too much for her, already on the first day.

"You okay?"

Brian voice was gentle, quiet, caring. And still it wasn't comforting to Ellie. But she had to pretend she was okay, which was why she nodded. "I'm okay.. I just.. I got a little distracted by what a nice day it is."

"It's raining outside," Brian told her surprised.

Ellie looked out of the window, this time she really looked. And he was right, it was raining outside. Which sort of made what she just said a little unbelievable. "Yeah.." She shrugged a little. "I like rain.." That wasn't exactly the truth, but she had to keep it believable, coherent. If she had said she was looking at what a nice day it was, and it was raining outside, then the logical consequence was that she liked rain. At least for the moment.

"Oh okay. That's nice then. Do you want to eat?" Brian smiled at her, sweet and charming like always. He seemed happy, and Ellie couldn't help but smile a little too at his sincerity. She was a little envious of how genuinely happy he was.

She nodded and walked over to where she had put her bowl before she walked over to the couch and flopped down on it. "Oh.. Uh, would you turn on the TV?"

"The TV?" Brian sounded surprised and picked up his bowl. "Okay, sure. Is something on that you want to see?"

Ellie looked at him and smiled a little. "I like to watch the news and it's nearly time for them on BBC 1 .. Is that okay?"

"Sure, sure, that's okay." Brian nodded and turned on the TV before he joined her on the couch, both of them eating their breakfast in silence as they watched the news. Ellie's eyes moved from the TV to her bowl and back, other than Brian's eyes. They rested on the woman beside him quite a lot, which she wasn't aware of.

When she was done with her breakfast, she got up and walked into the kitchen without saying anything or looking at Brian. She turned on the radio in the kitchen again, on a low level, and began to clean the dishes they had used this morning, humming softly to herself. One of her favourite pieces was being played and she was completely immersed in her morning routine. When she was finished in the kitchen, she walked into her bedroom, about to get ready for the day. However, when she pushed the door open she was met with a view that startled her a little. Brian. She had been so lost in her own thoughts that somehow she had forgotten he was there with her.

"Oh. Hi. Sorry, I just wanted to get something, then I was going to help you in the kitchen." Brian straightened up and smiled at Ellie who shook her head.

"Don't worry, it's all taken care of. I didn't want you to worry about that. You're the guest." Ellie smiled knowing very well that wasn't entirely the truth. But it was something that made him feel good.

Or was it? "I thought you said I can feel at home here," Brian said, almost challenging her a little. "I wouldn't have minded, don't be shy about asking me to help you if I stay here."

Ellie smiled a little, not sure if the tension she thought she felt was really growing between them. In any case, something made her uneasy about the tone of Brian's voice and she nodded, wanting to try to relieve the situation a little. "Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Don't worry."

"Okay.. uhm.. Do you want to work on your project now and go shopping later? Then I'll go home now. To change and get a few things. Is that okay?"

She took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes.. yeah, that's okay." A little awkwardly she smiled at him and let him walk past her. "I hope it's not too annoying to get home from here. Do you know where the tube station is?"

"I think I do. How did you get home from my place?"

"Uh.." Ellie knew that she hadn't taken the fastest route because she had been so confused by what happened and had therefore been a bit off. But she could try to save the situation. "I don't know if that was the easiest way.. but you can take either Circle or Hammersmith to Goldhawk Road.. or what I did, which means a lot of changes, I took the bus to the Shepherd's Bush and then the Central to Notting Hill Gate and then you could take the Circle or District... In reverse of course. Which station do you usually go to?"

"I'm sort of in between, so Goldhawk Road works fine. Circle or Hammersmith, right?"

Ellie nodded. "Yeah, but then you have to be careful that you end up in the right part of the station here, because in one part there's District and Circle, but the stop for Circle that goes through the entire city first. You have to go to the part where there's both Hammersmith and Circle...does that make sense?"

"Yeah," Brian nodded with a small smile. "So if I am at the platform and I could take District then I have to go to the other part?"

"Yes, exactly. See, it's good you're so smart. When Mike left from here the first time I remember he told us all about how he took forever to get home because he kept getting the wrong trains." She chuckled softly at the memory. "But I'm sure you'll manage just fine."

"I hope so." Brian smiled a little at her. "Alright, then I guess I'm off now. I'll see you soon?"

Ellie nodded. "Yes, of course. Whenever you're ready." She was quite relieved that she would have some time for herself now, before she would be around Brian more. She needed that, to think about what had happened between them the night before. Sometimes she cursed the fact that she thought so much, but sometimes she needed that.

"Okay.." Brian hesitated a moment before he hugged her. "Wish me luck then."

"You'll do fine, don't worry. But good luck to you." She smiled timidly at him and watched him as he left her flat and walked down the stairs, waving a little at him before she closed the door and let out a sigh of relief. Relief over that she could have some much needed time for herself. Relief over that the first time she had brought over someone in months had ended, and had gone well. Relief over that she hadn't screwed up again. Yet.

• • • • • • •

This is kind of short, I know, but it's important. And the next chapter will be up soon, so don't worry. Not tomorrow though, because tomorrow I will finally go to see the WWRY musical! I'm very excited :D But soon after that. As always, don't be shy about sharing your opinions, I love that I'm getting so much feedback.

Thank you so much for reading!♡