"I'm so sorry." Elena lets out when we reach the final step to the sidewalk from the station.
"For?"
"I didn't say anything and I worried you and it was so dumb of me. I shouldn't have called." She says, turning towards me. The wind blows the pieces of hair on her shoulder off.
"Elle. It's okay. I'm glad you called."
"You deserve an explanation."
"Well, maybe." I admit. I know that she didn't try to worry me and the little figure of a girl that I don't recognize anymore tells me that this is bigger. "But I'm not gonna push you."
"My school suggested that I leave."
"What? Why? Are your grades okay?"
"Everyone knows. My friends, my classmates, my teachers."
"It's a competitive school. They don't want that stress added."
"It's not stress, It's a distraction." We stand, looking at each other.
"When did they tell you this. When did they suggest it?"
"Today."
"Come upstairs and tell me the whole story." I quickly bring her to my place and set her down with some crackers. "So they said this today. Have your grades changed?" She shakes her head. "Have you been socializing."
"I try. Everyone found out this week and they don't know how to talk to me."
"And eating?"
"What?" I look at the crackers still in her hand. "Okay, they weigh and measure us when they check our eyes and ears every year and that day was today and since it was on a chart, they saw that it was lower than last time and watched me during lunch and when they found out that I was reading and not eating, they called me into the office where they suggested that I go back to public school and called my legal guardian at the home." She says, quickly all in once sentence.
"Have you been home?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"They didn't say anything about it."
"Okay, well, first thing is first. Eat those crackers and I'll get you some pajamas and clothes for tomorrow. You can come to the theater with me, take the day to calm down, talk to any of us if you need to, and to see the girls. Did you call them?" She nods. "Okay. Well, let's get to it."
"Thanks, Pippa."
"Anytime."
-
Elena
I bite into the apple, following Pippa down the sidewalk. I have a sweater and leggings, both big on me because I'm shorter than Pippa. The sign gets bigger and bigger until we reach the stage door to the theater.
"Hey." Lin says as I shut the door behind me. Pippa is outside, greeting a couple of excited fans.
"Hey." I quietly respond.
"How's your apple?"
"Not half bad. And you're sandwich?"
"Same. What book are you reading now." I turn the book so he can see the cover of the biography Pippa is lending me.
"Ever read it?" I joke.
"Nope. I've never even heard of that. Wasn't he a president or something?"
"Lord knows." He laughs and I drop my arm holding the copy of Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton by my side.
"Nice shoes." I look down at my saddle shoes, rocking onto my toes and then heels.
"School." I explain.
"Ah. Well come on." He says, stepping over to me and putting his hand on my back and guiding me to the green room.
"Want coffee?"
"You have some?" I ask. About five people sit at a table eating snacks and playing cards.
"We invested in a coffee machine."
"Smart."
"So you do want some?"
"Yes, please."
"Then make it." I laugh.
"Sure thing."
"Oh, can you make me one?" Someone asks.
"Oh, and me."
"A decaf?"
"Same."
"Alright." I say, walking over to the machine in the corner of the room on a small table against the wall.
"Need help?" Ariana asks, approaching the table.
"Thanks but I think I'm good. I have a slight coffee obsession and I have some practice making it."
"Well, I can get the cups."
"Sure."
"How many people tell you that you're too young to rely on coffee?"
"Plenty." I finish making them and go around the table, giving people theirs.
"She's our intern."
"Can I put that on my college applications?" I joke. Lin laughs.
"Operate the coffee machine when you're here and you've got it."
"Mhm! That's good." Someone says after taking a sip.
"Thanks. I have practice." Someone puts their hand on my back and I jump, spilling just a bit of coffee on my hand.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry." Pippa says, giving me a look of pity. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. I'm just a jumpy person."
"Right." She says, failing to sound convinced.
"I'm gonna put my hand under cold water." I say, putting my cup down. "I'll be back."
