Two Worlds Collided (Ace Merrill)

Squealing & Screaming

The phone ringing in the kitchen is what rips me from my daze the following morning. I'm cleaning, but I'm also so excited that my thoughts won't budge. They're adamant on staying with Ace, so my stomach has a neverending fluttery feeling and I can't stop smiling. My mother gets to the phone before I can.

"Hello?" She answers.

The other person replies.

"Yes, one moment. Ellie, it's for you!" She calls.

I hurry to the kitchen and take the phone from my mom. She walks back out.

"Hello?" I question, half-expecting and hoping to hear Ace respond.

The voice of my only female friend shouldn't bother me. I shouldn't be disappointed that it's Lisa. I feel bad even thinking like that.

"Eleanor! I have some stuff to tell you! Are you busy?" She asks. Her voice is a pitch higher and her words are coming fast. I smile again, affected by her enthusiasm.

I look at the kitchen. "Um, I'm almost done."

"Great! Can I come over in, like, an hour? We can go get lunch and talk about this stuff!" She squeals. "Trust me, you don't want to miss this! It's good!"

I chuckle. "Yeah, that's fine."

"Great. See you then!"

She hangs up and I finish tidying up. Then I go to my parent's bedroom and knock on the door.

As I stand outside, it's clear they're yelling. I'm not sure why, but it seems pretty serious. I'm about to just turn back around when my dad pulls the door open.

"What, Eleanor?" He asks. His tone is bitter and full of irritation.

I frown. He hardly ever talks to me in tones like that.

"Um, Lisa wants to come by and pick me up to go to lunch," I say.

"And?" He asks.

My mom comes over, pushing my dad to the side a little.

"Never mind him, honey. You go with Lisa. Have fun, okay?"

I nod. "Thanks, mom."

I head up to my bedroom. From there, I can hear my parents screaming at each other. I try, but can't make out many words. It's odd; they hardly ever argue. And I don't think I've ever heard them yell at each other. Especially not like this. It's a good thing both of my siblings are gone. Elizabeth is with some friends and Lucas is with this girl he's crushing on.

I dress in black jeans and a white sweater. I peek over at the pink dress I've pulled out for my date tonight, and get excited again.

I apply a little bit of makeup and brush my hair. As I'm finishing up, Lisa arrives.

I take off fast, happy to be away from the screaming coming from my parents' room.