Feeling Intensely

Coffee beans and Berries

Elleora could never have even imagined that Izel had a baby sister. Not that that was something that would be evident to his physical appearance. But with his unexpected reappearance in her book, she now knew that she would be adding a lot to his character. She hoped that whatever there was between them, would develop.

The rest of the week, Elleora didn't see Izel. They didn't share another class in that week and he didn't show up at the cafeteria on those three days before Friday. Nor did Elleora get a chance to visit the garden again. The group chat did blow up though. Elleora hardly ever said anything on group except when Isiah and Leia bickered. It had been decided that they would be leaving on Friday night in Isiah's car after helping Izel out at the bookshop. They would be staying at a hotel there for a night and leave Sunday afternoon to be back by night.

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Elleora was a little too early at the book shop. Or Leia and Isiah's were late. She had cycled to the mall and Leia and Isai had texted that they would be at the mall soon. Elleora wasn't very supportive toward their relationship. But she didn't tell Leia that and neither did Leia ask. Elleora had dropped her travel bag in Isiah's car that morning and she worried about it because Isiah wasn't very dependable and she was extremely protective of her possessions.

"You're early", Izel stated, pushing a cart of books. Elleora followed him as he made his way to one of the countless shelves of the enormous shop. Elleora thought of it as an archives of sorts covering more than half the deserted mall. The college had never made a library of it's own because of this shop. She had spent most of her time here at a different age. If she had known that Izel worked here, she would have continued. But she had stopped around the time that he had first showed up at school.

"No, Isiah and Leia are late", Elleora grumbled, leading to Izel humming in response.

"Why didn't you come to the cafeteria, these last few days?", Elleora asks shyly, pushing the cart as Izel climbs the ladder, placing the books where they belong.

"I didn't think that the invitation extended past that day." Izel answers bluntly.

"Oh, well it is. You can always come and have lunch with us. As they mentioned, I'm a third wheeler now.", Elleora says placing books too, according to the cards and serial numbers list.

"I certainly will then."

"I didn't know you had a baby sister.", Elleora states, trying her absolute best to not look at him for too long.

"Yeah, she loves Disney too. She's always wanted to go to Disneyland. And there would be no one to look after her if I'd go alone." Izel shares.

Elleora wanted to question it. But she knew better than to. She knew it would be intrusive. Instead she continued to help him. They worked in comfortable silence for maybe an hour till Leia and Isiah finally showed up, claiming they had lost track of time. But Elleora knew better from Leia's smile; she had done it on purpose.

"Izzziee, what. can. we. do. to. help?!", Leia demands, clapping her hands. Izel smiles at Leia's playfulness before telling them what to do. While Elleora and Izel continued shelving, Leia and Isiah were in the back room, opening up boxes full of books, putting them on the carts.

By 8pm, they were done. Isiah and Leia decided to get some milkshakes. While Izel and Elleora walked to Izel's house to get his baby sister.

Elleora was surprised to find out that Izel stayed in an apartment. She waited outside, chaining her bicycle. What she hadn't expected was for Izel's baby sister to be a 6 year old munchkin.

"Hello there, my name is Elleora. What's yours?", Elleora asked, getting on her knee to greet the little one that was holding onto Izel's finger.

"Izabella. But Izel calls me Bee and you can too.", she answers cutely.

Elleora looks up at Izel beaming. And Izel looks down at her with gentle eyes. And as they make their way back to the mall, Izabella's hand finds it's way to Elleora's and Elleora could never have imagined happiness more profound.

When Bee met Leia, she was so excited. She demanded for her hair to be coloured pink. She looked up at Izel with pleading eyes and it was the first time Elleora heard Izel laugh wholeheartedly.

In the car, Isiah and Leia took up the front because only the both of them knew how to drive and they agreed on switching every few hours. In the back, Elleora sat with Bee in the middle and Izel to the right till Bee made a fuss about sitting next to the window and Izel ended up sitting in the middle.

Isiah's car was small. It was old. And for Izel to be sitting so close to Elleora; it made her all kinds of nervous. His shoulder was squished to hers and her neck hurt from having to constantly look out the window because she knew that if she turned her head, she would be too close to Izel and her heart was already on the verge of exploding as it is.

But sometime between the petrol station and Leia switching to continue driving, Bee fell asleep on Izel's lap. And in less than the next hour, Izel's head dropped on Elleora's shoulder. Elleora's eyes widened, her palms getting sweaty. His head almost slipped off her shoulder till she instinctively put her hand to his cheek, the rough but soft skin setting her skin on fire; his hair tickling her neck. Leia cleared her throat making Elleora look at her through the rear view mirror.

"Caaaan you feel the love tonight?",Leia whispered the song softly making Elleora blush profusely.

And some where along the way, Izel's head got off her shoulder and her head fell on his. But what Elleora did not know was that she speaks in her sleep.

Coffee beans and berries.. smells like Prince Eric...

No! let me fix yor-hair...

why don'tyou ask me why