𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐒
Haverhill was meant to be a fresh start for me. What I didn't anticipate was attracting the attention of Carter Knight and his friends, the wealthy, enigmatic boys who seem to own the entire town. After my parents' death, I t...
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Elle
I was welcomed by silence as I entered my little house, with only Cali's soft purring greeting me. I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed my grandma's number, but for some reason, my hands trembled slightly. After a few attempts, I finally heard her voice on the other end.
"Hi, honey! How are you?" Her voice was warm, but I could hear the tiredness in it. I exhaled hard, my hand pressed to my chest.
"I'm good! Where are you? I just got home... I really thought you would be here." I couldn't hide the disappointment in my voice. Lately, she'd been AWOL, constantly caught up with work, and even though I tried not to show it, it hurt. After my parents' death, she was the only family I had left.
"Oh! Did you read the letter I wrote this morning? It's on your bed!" Her voice sounded apologetic. "I had to meet with my agent today... I'm so sorry. I should've called you!"
I felt a pang in my chest as I heard the shakiness in her tone. "It's okay. I just miss you... It's been a while since we really talked. You're working too much. You really need to take a break," I said, peeling off my shoes and heading to my bedroom.
"Yes! I will. I promise," she said, trying to sound upbeat. "But you know, it's been a while since we caught up. I need some tea!"
I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "I do have something to tell you..."
"Pregnant?" she blurted out without warning.
I gasped, my face flushing. "What? No! Oh my god! It's just that I... I really like this boy."
There was a pause on the other end, and then she sniffled dramatically. "I'm crying already. I can't wait to meet him!"
I couldn't help but laugh at her excitement. "I'll tell you more later. I've got to go! My agent's calling me! But I'll text you tonight. Love you!"
"Love you too, Elle!" she replied, her voice tinged with laughter.
After we hung up, I took a deep breath. Tonight, Carter's team was playing in a big football game, and I had been invited to watch. Maddie had called to say she was feeling sick and needed to rest, which I understood, but I couldn't shake the questions in my mind about how she'd reacted to seeing Nathan. Why had she been so upset?
Lila had to go visit her cousin in Lisbon, so she couldn't make it, but I had somehow convinced Nicole to come with me, even though she'd been hesitant at first.
Just as I was getting ready to change into something more comfortable, my phone beeped. I grabbed it, half-expecting it to be the masked man, but I almost cried out in relief when I saw it was a message from Carla. She was doing well, dating someone new, and she was happier than I'd seen her in months. We were planning to meet up during the next holidays.
I smiled at the message, feeling a bit lighter as I put my phone down.
