"All done!" Ellie finishes changing my bandage.
"Thank you." I smile at her.
"Of course!" She beams.
There's a slight awkward silence before Billie barges in with sushi and a cheesecake.
"Look what I got!" With furrowed eyebrows he smiles evily.
"Oh my god I love cheesecake!" Ellie jumps up and grabs it from him. I watch her jump up and down in excitment.
"I think she's a keeper." I tell Billie.
"Definitely."
He nods in agreement.
"Really?" She stops hopping and asks hopefully.
"Yes! You're such a sweetheart!" Billie answers before I can.
She smiles but her eyes fill with tears.
"Woah, whats wrong??" I stand up cautiously and spread my arms, silently offering a hug. She takes my offer and nestles her head into the crook of my neck.
"Nothing, it's just.. I've never been told I'm wanted in a group before." She explains.
"Really?" I ask, suprised.
she nods.
"We want you here." I pull her away from my body so she can see the smile I'm offering.
"Thank you guys so much." She says quietly.
"We should eat nowww!" Billie whines.
"Okay, okay." I look at Ellie and we both laugh.
I grab the sushi from Billie and put it on my bed, and then I realize my bed is clean and made.
"Who did this?" I ask.
"Ellie did, look around your room."
I look around and everything is clean and put away.
"Holy fuck,"
"Sorry! Please don't get mad, I was just trying to be nice." She steps back, fearfully.
"I'm not mad! I'm the farthest thing. Why would you do this for me if you only met me last night?"
"I don't know." She shrugs, "I wanted to make it easier for you to get stuff because you're hurt I guess."
"Thank you." I cup her face and peck her cheek. She glows red.
"Let's eat!" I let go of her and grin at Billie who makes a heart with his hands.
"I ship it." He mouths.
"Shut up." I mouth back, blush and roll my eyes.
Ellie sits on my bed, criss crossed and opens a pack of chopsticks. Billie and I join her and start digging in.
The cool, fishy flavour slightly burns my mouth with spice but I love it. The outer shell is warm and deep-fried and the inside is cold and refreshing. I reach for the bottle of vodka sitting beside my bed, but before I grab it I see Ellie looking at me sadly.
"Oh, I forgot I don't have my water here anymore." I lie and sit back up. "I'll go get some pop." I get up and start walking to the kitchen but Ellie follows.
"I know you didn't have water there." She explains.
"Yeah?" I stand by the counter and cross my arms, in a way annoyed.
"You don't have to lie to me y'know." She lowers her voice.
"I wasn't, and you dont know me so back off." I say firmly.
"Im sorry." She walks slowly back into the room.
I'm not annoyed with her, I'm annoyed that I let her see a part of my problems. Which is stupid because she cleaned up the empty bottles and coke trays from my room.
I grab the pop and slam the door of the fridge. I stop just outside of my closed door.
"He gets like that sometimes, it's not you. Try not to take it personally."
Billie explains to her.
I open the door.
"What do you mean 'I get like that sometimes?" I furrow my brows.
"You're cranky."
He says bluntly.
"Shut up." I sit on the edge of my bed and stare at the floor.
"Don't talk to me like that."
"I'm sorry." I look up at him.
Instead of answering he hugs me.
"Ellie, youre right, I should lie. As youve probably realized, I have drug and alcohol problems and Billies right, don't take what I say when I'm in those moods personally. That little outburst wasn't your fault, and I wasn't mad at you. I was mad at myself, I guess I was embarrassed? I don't know." I ramble on.
"It's cool..." She stands awkwardly by the bed.
"Sooo, I have to go back to my house at eight because I have to feed my dog. Do you need a ride home El?"
Billie asks.
"Yeah that would be great. Thanks." She forces a smile.
I check the time: 7:45.
We finish the cheese cake and make small talk for a bit until they have to go. Shortly after they leave I fall asleep.
