the list / mileven short story.

two.

CHAPTER TWO;
LOST APPETITE.

well, max was a big, fat liar.

el somehow let her talk her into going to the diner for lunch, assuring her it was only going to be the four of them. upon seeing the head of familiar ebony curls as soon as they entered the diner, max began apologizing profusely at a low volume.

she couldn't tell if it was an 'i'm sorry he's here, i had no idea' apology or the more likely 'i'm sorry i lied, please don't put nair in my shampoo bottle' apology.

of course, it didn't truly matter whether max had lied on purpose or it was just a last minute change in plans that she was oblivious to because he was here. the guy she'd been trying to pry out of her thoughts for the past few weeks (actually the past few years, she'd just gotten more diligent about it as of late) was here.

technically, she could still make a break for it. he hadn't seen her yet. he didn't know she was coming. it would be so easy for her to slip back out the crowded diner and he would've never known the difference.

except lucas' eyes landed on them and she could see his lips form the words, 'max and el.'

she knew she had spent too long thinking about it her escape when mike's head turned and his eyes landed on her. the most beguiling smile swept across his plump lips, and she had to consciously keep from rubbing the skin above where her heart stuttered.

she trailed behind max, who was bee-lining for her boyfriend, with her head slightly bowed, trying not to let his stare pink her cheeks.

her best friend dropped into the booth seat next to lucas, not scooting over enough for el to fit so she looked at the won't spot beside mike that was plenty room because dustin wasn't even there.

el was now pretty certain max had lied on purpose because it was just too convenient, too calculated, that dustin couldn't make it but mike was able to take his place.

she slid in beside him, trying to keep her eyes uninterested and focused on the tabletop. but then she felt a soft nudge on her shoulder, and she knew she couldn't deprive him of conversation now. no, she couldn't deprive herself of it. not when he was right beside her and looking as pretty as ever.

yes, pretty. she thought mike was very pretty.

her wide hazel eyes met his, which glimmered with that soft amusement that seemed to always orbit them. a comforting warmth settled in her chest after finally seeing them after so much time apart.

"hi," his voice was soft and tender, hesitant even. that made her brows furrow. he was never hesitant.

el nodded with a small smile. "hi," she returned, mock his gentle tone.

he smirked, taking notice. "i figured you'd drowned in all your studies by now. want to explain to me where the hell you've been?" again, his voice was delicate but his words suggested some level of anguish.

she couldn't explain where the hell she'd been. 'sorry, i was hiding from you because i'm super in love with you,' probably wouldn't go over too smoothly. so, she played dumb, "what do you mean?" she snuck a peek across the table to find max and lucas intertwined with one another as they looked at the menu as if they didn't get the same every time they came.

his smug expression flickered you mild annoyance. "you know exactly what i mean. i haven't seen you since—" he paused, trying to pinpoint an exact day. "since the day after halloween. that was almost a month ago, el."

she gnawed on her lower lip, fishing for some explanation that wasn't the truth but could convince him. "um, i've just been keeping to myself. i'm not sure why, but i haven't felt very sociable lately," she shrugged dismissively.