BUMP (ed)

Chapter 3 ~ Everything Has Changed (P2)

“Um I’m Elizabeth…” I say awkwardly, fighting the urge to offer him my hand to shake. He smiles at me and I can feel the blush rising in my cheeks.

‘All I know is we said “hello”’

“Nice to meet you Elizabeth,” He winks, running a hand through his dark hair, “It’s not often that I run into a pretty girl like you in a park late at night.” He smirks and I can feel my face burning. He thinks I’m pretty? It’s either darker than I thought or he’s lost his glasses.

“Well, I’m going to head back to my car now...” I break the silence between us, making conversation is totally not my thing. I turn to leave but he grabs my wrist loosely, setting my already red cheeks on fire.

“You don’t think I’m going to let you go without getting your number, do you?” He smiles genuinely at me and releases my wrist. I relax a bit, getting lost in his warm brown eyes. Wait a second! What the hell is happening to me? I know that I said I wanted a boyfriend but he is totally not my type! I mean, his tattoos and leather jacket do enough to prove that to me. Then again, do I really know what my type is?

“Why do you want my number?” I ask stupidly, too caught up in my thoughts to think of a decent response.

“So dust off your highest hopes”

“Why do you think, El?” He laughs, sidling closer to me. “That nickname is ok, isn’t it? It’s adorable, just like you.” I nod speechlessly, even though nobody has ever called me El before. To my parents I’m always Elizabeth and even Maya only calls me ‘Liz’ occasionally.

“I’m not adorable.” I say stubbornly. ‘Adorable’ is what you’d use to describe a baby or an animal. I’m neither of those things.

“Yes you are,” He throws his head back and laughs, his eyes glinting with amusement, “I can tell just by looking at you how young and naive you are. I must say it’s an incredible turn on.” Elliot winks and I’m thrown completely off guard. Is he flirting with me? Why the hell would a boy like him be flirting with me?

I struggle to think of something to say to that so instead just take my phone from my pocket, wordlessly bringing up my own number.

“You said you wanted my number?” I raise an eyebrow and he smiles triumphantly. What am I doing? Why am I giving my number to some randomer I met five minutes ago. For all I know he could be a murderer! I remember my promise that I would be a normal college student and silence my subconscious. If I’m going to do this, what  better time to start than now?

I watch as he takes out his own phone and looks up at me to signal that he’s ready. I repeat my number to him, making extra sure that I get all of the digits correct.

“Don’t I get your number?” I ask when he slips his phone back into his pocket.

“Nope, I like being in charge,” Elliot grins and I feel my hopes fall, he’s probably just messing with me, “Don’t worry I will call.” He adds, seeming to sense my discomfort. I feel my heart flutter when he says this.

“Until next time.” He winks and walks away. I stay where I am, under the cover of the tall trees, until I hear a motorbike race away in the distance. Only then do I allow myself a little squeal of happiness, pleased that my plan of normality is taking off so quickly.

 ~~~~~~

“So, what’s this guys name?” Maya asks me the next day after I tell her about what happened the night before. I had wanted to tell her as soon as I came through the door but I thought it best to leave it, I didn’t want to seem too eager. I could tell she was thrilled though, I knew she’d wanted me to find a boyfriend for ages.

“Come back and tell me why,

I’m feeling like I missed you all this time…”

“Elliot.” I confide, “Now shut your eyes.” I instruct, adding the finishing powder to keep her makeup in place. I step back for a second to admire my work. Although I don’t wear makeup much I’m pretty good at it, probably because of the hours I’ve spent doing Maya’s when she gets ready for parties like this one.

“Never heard of him,” She shrugs her shoulders, taking a look at my masterpiece in the mirror, “Thanks, it’s perfect. I’ll probably be back later than usual tonight because it’s Daniel’s birthday.” She tells me as she positions a few bobby pins to add more volume to her hair, saying the name ‘Daniel’ like I have a clue who he is.

As she puts the lipstick I used in her handbag I realise just how sad this really is. Me, staying at home like her mother while she goes out to countless parties nearly every weekend. Sitting in the dorm room alone and watching film after film, reading book after book and then going to bed around eleven. I even help her get ready and nurse her while she goes through a hangover the following day. When we first got here she tried to convince me to go to parties with her all the time but she gave up a long time ago.

“Can I come with you?” I blurt, remembering my promise to experience new things. Maya’s eyes widen and she stares at me like I suggested that we run off to the mountainside and raise goats together.

“Are you feeling ok Liz?” She questions, placing a hand to my forehead dramatically.

“Please?”

“Of course you can. You’re always welcome to come with me, you know that.” Her expression softens and her eyes flicker to the clock beside her bed. “We have half an hour to make you beautiful!” She laughs, shoving me in the direction of the bathroom and instructing me to do my hair.

While I quickly brush through it I hear Maya clattering around in our room, no doubt searching for an outfit for me to wear. I groan at the prospect, our sense of style is very different. I apply my makeup in record time, going a little darker on my eyes than I usually would.

“Elizabeth?” Maya taps on the door before walking in, carrying a bundle of clothes in her hands, “I picked you something out to wear. All of your clothes were a bit too-” She scrunches up her nose.

“My clothes are fine!” I defend, eyeing the black sparkly dress she holds in one hand suspiciously.

“Not for a party. I hate to say it but you’d look a little… granny-ish.” She laughs and I scowl at her, “I picked you some heels too, there’s no way you’re wearing toms.” I roll my eyes playfully and Maya laughs, places the clothes on the side then leaves so that I can get changed.

The dress, although a little short, does fit my figure nicely and I must admit I like the pattern of light that the sparkles make on the wall. The sleeves are tight and come to just before my elbow and it isn’t low cut at all, this alone makes me feel better about it. I slip my feet into the sparkly platform heels Maya left out to match. I stumble for a few steps but slowly gain my balance, hanging onto the side of the sink for support. I suppose I can see why people like wearing them, it’s nice to feel a little taller and I do like the way they make my legs look.

“Elizabeth, Jake’s here to pick us up!” Maya calls through the door, and, after taking one last look at my reflection I decide I’m ready.

“Coming!” I wish Elliot could see me like this.

‘All I know is a new found grace

All my days I’ll know your face

All I know since yesterday is everything has changed’

*******

“We should love, not fall in love, because everything that falls, gets broken.” ~ Taylor Swift

AN: Sorry for the long time between updates, it should become more regular now :)