Not Thinkin' Bout You

Chapter 37

PREVIOUSLY: Ellody bit back a smile, hoping Sienna would forget to mention they shared a bed almost every night of his stay.

Ellody wrapped her towel around herself and took her toothbrush from its holder, dabbing it with toothpaste before brushing. Her mind was going in circles, thinking about Jonah's smile, and then about Kay's random texts that afternoon, and then about Zach's possible reaction to Kay's news.

Hmm. Why was Kay asking me if I'd been in touch with Zach? Couldn't she just ask him herself? Surely that'd be easier than texting me, since they're dating.

God, I still can't believe they're back together. How did that happen? How long did they spend apart this time? Why do they keep breaking up and getting back together? How long has this been going for? How long has Zach needed support, and I've never even realised because I'm so lost in my own emotions and not thinking about him?

Ellody washed out her mouth and her toothbrush before walking straight into her room, grabbing her phone and calling the one and only Kay Cook for the first time in her life. To her surprise, Kay picked up immediately.

"Hey Ell!" Kay said cheerily. Ellody rolled her eyes, deciding that it didn't matter how much she disliked this girl. Right now, Ellody needed answers.

"Hi Kay, I was thinking about your texts earlier and I'm a bit confused," Ellody began. There was distant mumbling on the other side before she replied.

"Ah, OK. What were you thinking about?" she asked quickly. Ellody frowned and opened their text chain.

"So, you said you and Zach have a bit of an on-off relationship. How long has that been going on? I mean, it must get pretty exhausting sometimes," Ellody added, trying to sound relatable enough that Kay gave her an answer.

"Uh, yeah, we're pretty flexible so we get together and then break up when we get busy. You know what his schedule looks like," Kay explained. Ellody wanted to point out the fact that she barely answered the question, but she didn't have the guts to. This was the girl who made her cry so many times, and it was hard to confront her.

"Yeah, OK... um, I was also wondering..." Ellody trailed off, scrambling for things to say. She wanted to yell at her and call her a possessive fake and say everything on her mind, but there was no way she was doing that. If anyone would do that, it was Christina. Not Ellody. "I was wondering what you thought of Jonah and I being together," she blurted. The sound of distant muttering happened again before Kay spoke.

"I think you two would be pretty good. Your signs are compatible, you had a good friendship before the relationship, which is always important. You guys should be a very good couple, I'd say," Kay chattered. Ellody half-listened to her talk, wondering if she was right.

"Yeah, I guess those are good points," Ellody sighed, lying on her bed and staring at her ceiling. Lying in her towel was so comfortable. She didn't know how people could get dressed straight away when you could sit around in your towel for fifteen minutes instead.

"Anyways, I'm going to go have dinner now. I feel like this conversation is getting kinda dry. We should chat again sometime when we have something more interesting to talk about," Kay said suddenly. Ellody rolled her eyes, trying to think of a comeback, but nothing good sprung to mind.

"OK. Sure. Bye," Ellody muttered, hanging up before Kay could reply.

~

Ellody hit the enter bar and watched as hundreds of pictures flooded her screen of outfit inspiration for her clothing board on Pinterest. She saved a pin of Ashley and Olivia Mescia wearing Factorie sponsored summer outfits before scrolling through and finding a pin of the cutest cherry dress and saving it.

Wow. My life is pretty boring without anything to do with the band, Ellody thought, wondering what introverts her age did if they didn't have such interesting friends.

Her bedroom door opened without a knock first, meaning it was Sienna.

"Oops, this isn't my room any more," she mumbled before walking back out. Ellody glanced up as her sister backed out and shut the door. A note slid under her door, then there were footsteps. Sienna had left a note and ran. Ellody shut her laptop lid and slid out of bed, curiously opening the note. Why can't she just talk to me in person?

ELLODY: a little bird told me that i need to look after you and remind you that you're loved. So remember i'm your sister and i'd do anything for you x

Ellody raised her eyebrows as she read. Who told her I need to be looked after? Jonah? She smiled, imagining Jonah texting Sienna to ask her to look after Ellody. I love him so much.

BRRT BRRT.

Ellody raced back to her phone as it rang - a FaceTime from Jonah.

"Hey Jonah," Ellody said immediately as the call connected.

"Ell! That was fast," Jonah smiled. His grinning face took up most of the screen, and Ellody could see her bright red cheeks in her reflection. She quickly held the phone further away from her and checked that her hair looked alright before replying.

"Uh, yeah, I don't have much else going on right now," Ellody said. He nodded and looked behind him, frowning. "What's going on?" she added.

"Not much... actually, I was talking to Zach earlier about, um, stuff," he admitted, sighing loudly.

"About?" Ellody asked quickly, knowing by the look on his face that it didn't go too well.

"He asked to talk to me alone, which he never does because we can all say anything to each other. And he asked if I liked you," Jonah began. Ellody didn't interrupt. She needed to know what Jonah said. And what Zach's reaction was. He paused for so long, Ellody wondered if he was buffering.

"Yeah?" she muttered. He blinked a few times and rubbed his forehead.

"I told him I liked you, and that we were beginning our relationship together. He... didn't really know what to think about that. Ellody, I need you to be honest with me," Jonah explained, staring directly into the camera. Ellody bit her lip, assuming he was going to ask if she ever had anything with Zach.

"Of course I will be. Honestly is so important in a relationship," she babbled nervously.

"Well... you mean it when you say you love me, right?" he asked slowly. Ellody breathed out slowly in relief. It's OK, he didn't ask about my feelings for Zach. Oh God, what if he asks about that?

"Yes, Jonah. I mean it every time I say I love you," she said clearly, smiling at him. The worry in his face eased into a smile.

"Good. I just... Zach made me question it, that's all," Jonah explained, sitting up a little straighter.

"Oh? What did he say?" she asked, worry seeping into her thoughts.

"Nothing, nothing. Just that you don't always say everything on your mind. He knows you really well and I guess I got the wrong idea," Jonah said happily. Ellody raised her eyebrows, wishing she had listened to the whole conversation. Zach wouldn't just say that without a motive. He knew her better than anyone, but she knew him just as well.

"Don't ever doubt my feelings for you, Jonah Marais," Ellody smiled, but deep down, she couldn't stop thinking about how well Zach knew her, and what his motive was when he spoke to Jonah.

"Man, I just realised the time. I'm sorry, Ell, it's my turn to shower and Corbyn is... still in there. That man says he cares about the environment, but he spends a lot of time in the shower," he joked, shaking his head.

"OK, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight," Ellody said, watching as he blew her a kiss. She pretended to catch it and blow it back.

"Goodnight, Ellody. Sleep well. I love you," Jonah said, his smile bigger than she'd ever seen.

"I love you too," she replied as she hung up. The smile fell from her face the second he disappeared from the screen. What was going through Zach's mind when he told Jonah I didn't always say everything I was thinking? He's right, I haven't mentioned the fact I've always liked Zach, but what was Zach talking about? He doesn't know I like him, does he? Or maybe he was just talking from a logical point of view? God, why do I like Zach? Why can't I just be content with Jonah?