Red

Chapter 17

Eve's POV.

I flipped through Netflix to find something to watch whilst doing homework. I heard the door open and close and keys jingling. "Hey Dad, how was work?" I greet, keeping my eyes locked on the TV screen as I continue to search for something to watch. I pause, waiting for an answer, but I didn't receive one. "Dad?" I furrow my eyebrows, setting the remote on the armrest. I whipped my head around, but there was no one there. I saw a pair of black converse scattered by the shoe rack by the front door. No one in my family owns a pair of black converse. I was still skimming the room in confusion, until someone jumped up from behind the couch and pounced on me. I tumbled off the couch as the person stood up. "WHAT THE F---" I screamed, placing my hand on my heart as I sat up. Her laughter lingered around the room like sweet but stupid bells. I know that laughter from anywhere.

"EL!" I screeched as she helped me up and I pulled her into a hug. My cousin Eleanor lives in Utah, which is why I don't get to see her often. But every now and then, my family and her family plan a visit. It's a tradition that she comes here and spends Christmas with us, or she'll come over for summer break. It's not Christmas, nor summer break yet, so I really have no idea why she's here.

"Hey, cuzzie!" She pulls away from the hug, and I motion her to sit on the couch with me.

"Wow, what a nice surprise, but why are you here...?"

"I missed you and I couldn't wait till next month. Your dad flew me here."

"And he was able to keep it a secret? Wow. I'm surprised. Also, how'd you get in??"

"Your dad gave me a spare key."

"Oh. Well, I obviously wasn't expecting you, or else I would've cooked dinner or something." I headed to the kitchen and opened the fridge door.

"YEAH EVE WHAT THE HELL MAN WHERE'S MY FOOD??" El dramatically replies, sitting down on one of the barstools. I search for leftovers but couldn't find any.

"Dad might've taken the leftover rice for work, so I guess I can either cook something, or we can get take-out. Up to you." I conclude, gently shutting the refrigerator door.

"Wait. You can cook?" She laughs, and I glare at her.

"Well. To be fair... I don't know how to make a lot of things, but hey, I can cook something to the point where it's edible and not raw. Unless you want to eat raw, I don't really care, but I don't think it's very good for you."

"Hahaha, I'm kidding... somewhat..." I grab this week's newspaper that happened to be right by my hand and hit her head with it.

"So do you want take-out or my lovely cooking?"

She thinks for a minute. "Can we go to a buffet?"

"I have enough money for McDonald's." I smile widely at my comment.

"Okay! Let's go to Mckee Deee." She jumps off the stool and makes a run for the door, slipping her black converse on.

"Never say that again... you sound like my dad." I cringed, following her shortly.

---

We arrive at McDonald's shortly and I pull into a parking space. "We could've gone through the drive-thru, you know." El says as she shuts the car door.

"I know, but I needed to stretch my legs." I replied, swinging my keys around my finger.

"You could've done some yoga before we left."

"Yeah, but I was hungry."

"Whatever."

We walk inside and wait in line, El skimming the menu on the screen. I glanced around the restaurant, observing people (not in a stalkerish way, fluff off). I recognized a guy standing at the soda fountain, grabbing a cap for his drink. It was Miles. Wow, can I not run into someone I know in public for once? He caught my eye, and gave me a lazy smile. I smiled back, as El nudges me in the arm, signaling that it was our turn to order.

I stepped up to the front counter. "Hi, what can I get for you?" The lady asked, as I pull out my wallet from my purse.

"Can I get the sweet barbeque bacon with buttermilk crispy chicken. With water. Oh, and medium fries please." El ordered her massive order as the lady finished typing it in.

"Uhh... I'll just have the twenty piece chicken nuggets meal."

"What size?"

"Medium please, thank you."

After ringing us up, I paid and we stepped to the side to wait for our order. "So... anyone you find cute lately?" I ask El as she fills up her water cup.

"Um... maybe..." She blankly replies. I give her the look, you know, the look where it says "Wow, what a lie," written all over your face. Yeah, that one. She caps her water before turning to me to continue denying.

"Okay fine. Jace. He's a great guy, but I don't think he likes me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Do you ever have that feeling, where you talk to a person, and they're really nice to you, but you don't know if they're flirting with you or just being really nice?"

"Uhh... no."

"Obviously, Eve. You can't get a guy."

I laugh at her comment. "Please, I'm irresistible."

"Yeah... right."

I pout. "I am!"

"Okay... whatever you say."

•••

I flick on the light in our guest room and stepped aside so El could walk in.
I grab some blankets from the closet and throw them at her as she yelps.

"You can sleep in here I guess."

"Okay."

"But if you drool, you're cleaning."

She rolls her eyes and flops back down on the guest bed.

"Yeah, keep rolling your eyes! Maybe you'll find a brain back there!" I said, walking away. She throws a pillow at me and I throw it back with more force.

"Go take a shower. I'll be in my room if you need me."

"Okay, I will."

"But don't take up all the hot water!"

"Oh you know I will!"

"What?! You better not, or I call showering first!"

•••

A/N: Hi! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, be sure to vote or comment and add this story to your library, you know all that stuff. Next chapter coming up soon! - Em <3