Hidden Hope

Ch. 3 Commander

Ariella's POV

Tyler decided to sit with me once Matt said he had to finish up his shift. He said it would only be like another fifteen minutes before he was done and that's about when his friend would get here. I saw Matt waving bye to everyone in the back then making his way back over to the table.

"All done for the night?" I asked.

"Yea and Caroline should be here any minute." Like clockwork, a blonde girl walked in, searched around for her two friends, and made a beeline straight over. Both Matt and Tyler saw her walking over and waved.

"Hey, Caroline! Thanks for coming."

"No problem, Matty. I heard you needed some help?" She gave him a smile.

"Oh, you're in for it now Ellie." Tyler laughed. 

"Ellie?" I looked at him in confusion.

"Yea, we're friends. You cool with nicknames?" I just shrugged my shoulders and laughed, not really caring, but touched that he was cool with being friends especially with the new girl.

"Well, I'm Caroline! It's nice to meet you. Can I call you Ellie too?"

"If you're cool with being friends." I joked.

"Done deal! Now come on we have to get ready for tonight."

"Uh okay, but I don't really have anything with me. I didn't bring much either."

"It's fine. I'm sure I have a whole bunch of things you can choose from."

"You sure. It's totally fine if you don't want to."

"Don't be silly. Now let's go." She said while grabbing my hand and pulling me up off the chair.

"Okay, okay. Are you guys coming too?"

"Get stuck in the middle of Caroline's dress up game? No way in hell!" Tyler laughed.

"What?! You're leaving me in what you think is hell? I thought we were friends!"

"It'll be fine. We'll have fun." Caroline said while slightly dragging me away.

"If this goes wrong, you better prepare yourselves for hellfires boys!" I said while pointed at them both individually. After my dramatic exit, I turned back around and walked normally which stopped the half dragging that was going on.  Caroline led me to her car and we both got in. 

The drive was short. I don't think any drive in this town would be long though. We got out of the car and she led me to the house. We walked in and Caroline called out to her mom. saying "I'm back and I have a friend." A quiet "okay" was heard. Her house was cute. It was mellow and cute. It had a homey vibe to it which I appreciated. Pictures of Caroline were placed all over the wall. Everything was touched in the house, it seemed like, especially Caroline's room.

"Well, this is my room. Sorry about the mess." She giggled.

"You think this is a mess? You should have seen what my brother was like!" 

"You have a brother?" 

"Yea, his name..." oh that's right. I don't. Not anymore. "Uh, well I did. He recently passed with my parents." 

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

"It's okay. You didn't know. Plus, I'm not going to forget them. They'll always be with me."

"You're strong. I admire that. You're what I try to be every day."

"Please, I'm sure you are. I mean you practically live alone, you lost your dad, and for some odd reason, your friends don't prioritize and appreciate you. You still being here, doing what you do is braver then I could ever imagine being. You're stronger then you know."

"How..." She looked confused, but her eyes held unshed tears. Feelings that have probably been buried away.

"I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have said all that. I'm sorry if I weirded you out. I'm really good at picking things up and reading between the lines. Kick me out and uninvite me tonight if you want." Laugh nervously, my eyes connected with the floor. Of course, I had to get ahead of myself again.

"No, no. It's fine. I just, uh, never have someone who understands me and can see what's going on in my life for a while now. It's refreshing. It's nice." She smiles sadly. I lean in to give her a hug.

"Hey, if you ever need anything, just find me. I'm happy to help and I try not to let much cloud my judgment. Now hey, let's move on from Sad World here. You were so excited before. Show me what your wearing!" She screamed in excitement. Yep, knew she was one of those. Well, at least she's got a smile on her face now.

She pulled out a light blue bathing suit that I knew she would look really pretty in and a pair of denim shorts with a light, flowy white tank top.

"That's so pretty! You're going to look great."

"Thanks! Now we just have to find something for you. Hmmm." She went through her closet and dresser, looking. at a few things, taking them out and then switching it for something else. I just let her do her thing while sitting in her spinny chair. 

"Status update?" I asked after about ten minutes of searching. 

"Stage One Complete, I believe Commander." She turned and saluted me, making us both laugh.

"Yea? Whatcha got?" She started laying different outfits out on her bed and I have to gove her credit. They were cute. 

"Any sticking out at you, Commander?" She jokingly asked.

"Hmm, they are all worthy private. Do you have any opinions?"

"May I suggest you try the burgundy bottoms with the floral bikini top?"

"Hm, good choice Private. You may keep your job for another day." We laughed at our stupid bit. 

"No, but seriously, try this on. This will look so hot on you." She winked at me. 

"Standing next to you? Yeah right!"

"Just go!" She giggled while throwing the bathing suit at me then pushed me to the bathroom. I really did like this bathing suit, but let me tell you when I say I've never had a bathing suit that showed this much. My butt was half-covered and the top really showed off how big my boobs actually were. I mean all my friends wore bathing suits like this, but I just never had the confidence or will to do it.

"Ah, Caroline... It's really pretty, but uh I don't think I pull it off." 

"Let me see! Come out!"

"Really?"

"Yes, let's go!  We only have twenty more minutes." Walking out, I still felt a little self-conscious.

"What do you mean you don't pull it off?! You look so hot! I'm going to have to pull guys off you. Do you not like it?"

"No! It's super pretty. I just never wear these kinds of bathing suits."

"Well, you should! You look amazing! Now, throw your shorts back on and take this shirt. I'm going to go get changed."  Once we were both dressed and Caroline did her hair, we had about ten minutes left.

"Can I do your hair too?" She asked shyly. "It looks really soft and fun to play with." I laughed at her reasoning, but I didn't mind.

"Yeah, sure. Go for it." I said while sitting down on the bed so that she could reach without a problem. When she was done, it was time to go.

"Okay, ready to go? There may or may not be a few people there Matt didn't mention."

"That's fine. Let's go."