The Art of Loving

[36] Breathing Down My Neck

"What?"

"You do this a lot, and I'm not sure if you notice, but it's not a great feeling. I don't take my moods out on you and I'd appreciate if you could try to do that less," he said quietly. "I-I know this isn't an easy time for you, and I want to support you but I don't want to do that with you snapping at me and accusing me of things that are clearly not true."

Ellie looked at him, thinking over his words, before she nodded. "You're right. You're right, I'm sorry. I'll try to get better with that, I promise." She pressed her lips together and sighed. "I'm sorry, Brian. I didn't realise that's what I was doing. Please point it out to me if I do that again, I don't want to upset you."

"Okay, I will," he said, nodding a little. "But there's a limit to how far you can take it."

"I know," Ellie assured him. "I know, Brian. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he said, gently rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

"It's just that he gets me so angry.." She pressed her lips together and shook her head. "I know that's not an excuse, but I want you to maybe understand.."

"I do understand, Ellie, I'm on your side, but.. -"

"I know," she said, nodding a little. "I know you're just trying to be supportive and that means a lot. And I appreciate it, and I'll show it more, I promise." She took a deep breath. "C-Can I hug you?"

"Of course," Brian said, smiling a little. "Of course. But only if you don't accuse me of any more ridiculous things."

"I won't. I mean, I'll really try not to. I promise," she told him, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm sorry. You deserve to be treated a lot better than how I treat you."

"You still have time to get better, Ellie," he said, hugging her tightly. "I care a lot about you."

"I care a lot about you too. Even though it may not always seem that way." She pulled away and smiled a little. However it wasn't an entirely happy smile, because she did feel really guilty about how she had been treating him.

"Don't worry," he told her and kissed her forehead. "I know this is stressful."

"Yeah, but that's no reason to be mean to you. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Brian assured her. "Just relax, okay? Be happy. I want you to show him how great you're doing, because you are doing great. Let him see that, rub it in his face. Don't let him make you agree. Be happy that you don't have to be with him anymore."

Ellie took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. I will do my best. Thank you. You're amazing, Brian. You're so wonderful."

"Well... I try. Thank you," he said, smiling a little, rubbing her back. "Hey, do you want more of the fruit salad? I think I'm going to get a little more because it was really good, and I'm a little hungry."

Ellie pulled away and shrugged. "Uhm... if you get a little more I might just steal some of yours if that's okay with you.."

"That's fine, yes," Brian confirmed and kissed her cheek before he went to get his bowl.

Ellie took a deep breath and went over to where they had been sitting before. She sat down in her chair and closed her eyes, enjoying a quiet moment. However, that moment of peace didn't last very long.

"Eleanora," a voice greeted her, someone she'd rather not have talked to, the mother of her favourite cousin.

She opened her eyes and straightened up, forcing a smile. "Aunt Marjorie, so glad that you could make it..." She wasn't sure if she wanted her aunt to realise how much she didn't mean that or not. The fact that her aunt supported her cousin dating Ellie's ex despite them knowing how horribly he treated her didn't exactly make Marjorie one of her favourite people.