My Safe Refuge

Chapter 3

The next morning I wake from one of the best nights sleep I have had in a long time. I don't know whether it was the bath or the warm thoughts of Chris that ran through my mind....but I'm certainly not complaining. It's Saturday, which means no college, I just have a short shift at the coffee house and then I'm free for the weekend.

David is coming over tonight and if I am being completely honest I'm a little nervous to see him, it's been nearly 3 weeks since we last met up.

I pull on a blouse and my black skinny jeans and make my way downstairs to get some breakfast. 

(I really hope I don't bump into Chris on my way.....I was a complete stuttering mess last night, I'm sure he thought I was a little weird.)

Luckily when I reach the kitchen it's empty. They both must have already left for work. I grab a quick breakfast before I leave the house to catch my bus.

Work was the same as always, ran off my feet, making coffee and sandwiches and cleaning tables. I am delighted to finally finish my shift and get hell out of that place.

After a short bus ride I finally reach my house. As I'm walking through the front door I hear my phone ringing.I rustle around my bag until my hand eventually grasps my phone.  When I glance down at the screen I see David's name. I answer the phone quickly. David's chirpy voice rings in my ear.

"Hey babe, how was work?" he asks.

"Hi David, work was busy as usual. I'm just home now." I answer.

"I'll be over at your house at about 8.00pm this evening. Will I bring any food?" he asks politely.

"Yeah great....I'd love pizza." I say enthusiastically.

"Pizza it is so, I'll see you later." he says.

I quickly reply. "Perfect, bye David."

I haven't had David over at mine for a long time for a couple of reasons. Jake is always rude to him when he's here and it makes things really uncomfortable. But the main reason is every time we are alone in my room, David always tries to take things further than kissing. I'm always making excuses as to why we can't. I wish I knew what was holding me back, I mean I do care about David a lot, he's attractive and I am mostly happy when I'm in his company. I know he has let me down a good bit in the past, but I'm pretty sure every relationship goes through their fair share of hard times.

The noise of the front door opening pulls me from my thoughts and I hear my brother's voice calling out to me.

"Ellie, are you home?" 

I shout back to Jake. "Yes Jake, I'm in the kitchen."

Jake enters the kitchen with a warm smile on his face.

"Hey, are you finished work for the day?" He asks.

"Yeah, thank god! Are you alone?.....I mean....um.....is Chris with you?" I ask not so subtly.

"No, he's finishing up some paperwork with the real estate agent. He should be back in an hour or so. Are you going to eat dinner with us tonight?" Jake asks as he looks at me.

"Oh.....em don't get mad but.....David is coming over later with pizza, so we'll probably just stay up in my room and watch a movie or something." I say nervously as I gauge my brother's reaction.

Jake rolls his eyes before responding. "Oh great....Well as long as he stays out of my way and there's no funny business going on up there!"

I scrunch my face up at Jake as I cross my arms over my chest in annoyance before answering him back. "Seriously?....God Jake you can be so condescending sometimes. I'm 21 years old not 12....You don't exactly get to tell me who I can date or what I can do with them so please stay out of it!"