The Lovely Lie of "I'm Okay."

Him: Takeout and Fathers

There's a world full of darkness in her eyes. She doesn't trust me, I don't understand how Ella doesn't see how much I care about her. She's blocked herself from believing anybody could ever love her. She's so lonely. I understand her father doesn't spend much time with her and she doesn't have a mother anymore. She's practically lost the two people who were supposed to be around no matter what. I don't understand why she refuses to see that I'm here for her.

"Ella," I reach for her cheek and look into her eyes, searching for even the smallest bit of hope. "Please let me in. I clearly need help myself. You and I can work together. Please, Ella, I'm begging you. I don't want your pain to continue. I don't want you stepping any closer to death."

At that moment a loud tap comes from behind her head. Ella whips around, pulling away from me. Her father is standing on the other side of the window.

Rolling down the window, "Hello, Sir." I say. "My name is Noah Wells, Sir."

His eyes are glued on me. "Hello, Noah. Are you the reason Ella skipped school today?" I feel a lump form in my throat. I don't want to lie but I don't necessarily want to tell the truth.

"No Dad, he's not. Actually, we have a project due soon, and I have been extremely stressed about it. Noah here, is my partner on the project and we skipped school to work on it." Ella's face is still and her voice is calm. Giving no hint at what we actually did today. But her dad doesn't look at her. Instead, he looks at his watch and towards the end of the street towards the main road. "We were just about to head inside to work on the project some more, if that's alright." She's inviting me in?

"I suppose. I've been called into work again. Car crash, extreme brain damage to the patient. This surgery might be a long one. I should be home around midnight. Here." He pulls out some cash and hands to Ella. "Get you two some dinner tonight."

With that he walks away and backs out of the driveway and takes off towards the main road. Not an 'I love you'? Or even a 'goodbye'? I'm starting to see why she is so distant, that's what she's dealt with recently.

I hear the door shut and see Ella on the other side of the door with her backpack.

"You coming?" She says through the open window.

I can feel myself smirking. "I didn't realize we were continuing our date." Her eyes roll at that statement but I notice her cheeks are flushed before she turns away.

I jump out and jog to catch up with her. "So what's the project we're working on?"

"The project is," she's fumbling with her keys and finally gets the door unlocked. "To see how long it takes for two teenagers to kill each other after spending nearly the entire day together." She tosses her backpack on the floor and kicks her shoes off, I do the same.

"Oh fun, I enjoy a good sneak attack!" Quickly picking her up and spinning in circles.

"Noah! Put me down immediately!" She's screaming and giggling while lightly beating her fist on my back. That just encourages me.

"Alright, if you say so!" I yell as a throw her onto the couch and climb on top of her, hovering so I can see her face. "I think I won."

Ella's face is one shade of tomato red, but she quickly covers her face with her hands. I make out a mumble from under her hands. "That's not fair."

"I think we both know that life isn't fair, sweetheart. Now," I pull her hands away so I can see those beautiful eyes. "There you are. No need to hide."

"This wasn't part of the deal."

"The deal was I help you and you help me. Right now you're helping me by letting me be with you."

"How does that help you?"

"Because I'm happy. What makes you happy?"

Eye roll again. "What would make me very happy is to watch a movie and order food. And for you to get off me, I'm getting squished."

I hold my ground. "Only on one condition."

"Which is?" She keeps looking away but all I can do is look at her delicate lips.

I lightly touch her chin and pull her face so we're looking directly at each other. "You can't purge after we eat. And you can't have child size portions." She's so small. "Promise me."

Her eyes connect with mine but I see her glance at my lips. "I promise I'll try."

She wiggles her way out from under me and sets up. "Would you rather pick the movie or pick dinner?"

My cheeks feel like they're on fire from the embarrassment flowing through me. I thought she liked me. Maybe not though.

I try to remain calm. "That's an easy question." Reaching for my phone to call in. "Food, duh. Chinese takeout for sure."

A smile spreads across her face. "Mean Girls it is!"

Oh no, how did I not see this coming.