𝘚𝘖𝘕𝘋𝘌𝘙 ⁽ʲ ᵐᵒˡⁱⁿᵃ⁾

𝘌𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛

Elise was in the bathroom, staring at her own heavy eyes and collecting her thoughts, when there was a knock on the front door. So, most regrettably, she was not the one to answer.

There may have been tears shed within the walls of the oversized guest restroom, but she'd never admit to it. She tried her best to leave her emotions behind her for the time being. For right now, she had to keep her eyes on the bigger picture. Tactics, plans, their end-game. She could focus on herself later.

When she left the room, her emotions didn't come with her.

It was probably unhealthy to bury this so deep inside her, but she was sure that if she let herself feel the full extent of the turmoil it would come at her like a tsunami. Elise decided that the best option was to keep herself so busy she would forget all about these negative components that plagued her.

Right now she had something else to worry about: the two girls in her living room.

Flynn and Julie were stood in front of the couch, where Carrie and Nick had apparently relocated to. Julie rocked on her balls of her feet, a glass of water in hand as Flynn spoke word after word without any sort of real meaning. Elise could barely even understand what she was saying, she was going so fast.

Carrie noticed Elise after another moment of staring dumbfounded, she sent her a strained smile that probably meant something along the lines of come get your friends, they're freaking me out.

Her mouth was hung open and she could silently groaned in protest. What were they doing at her house? Dear God, why was everyone at her house?

She sped over to the girls, grabbing hold of Julie's wrist and wordlessly stealing her from the scene. Flynn sent them a nod ad if to say I'll take care of this. She didn't protest as she was practically dragged up the stairs, to Elise's suprise. Flynn was still chatting it up from the living room, she would have to make it back down with enough time to save her from embarrassment – if that was possible.

They made it to Elise's room quickly, she shut the door, locking it for safe measure.

"Why-"

"What are you doing here?" She whisper-yelled, throwing her hands in the air to emphasize. She was most definitely overreacting.

"I'm trying to stop the guys from making a huge mistake!" She seethed. After a second, however, her face morphed from the previous enragement at record speed. She spoke the next words much softer than before. "And you. I'm worried."

Oh. Well, she didn't exactly know how to respond to that. This was new.

"Jules," She sighed. She hadn't meant for the nickname to slip out, but she didn't mind. "There's no reason to be worried about me. I'm-"

"Don't lie to me. I know you're not fine. I know how much your dad's music means to you." She took a step forward, eyes locking with Elise's as she tried to communicate her concern through her features. It was genuine. Elise squinted her eyes. "It's okay if you're broken up about it."

She opened her mouth to reply, to deny the truths Julie was speaking, but she couldn't force the words out. She didn't want Julie to worry about her, she hated to see the girl in distress; even more if she was the reason. But it felt nice to have someone care for her strongly enough to feel her own emotions through her.

She couldn't lie to Julie, and she was afraid that if she spoke now everything would resurface all at once and she'd be a sobbing mess. Julie had already seen her cry one time, which was more than enough. She wasn't even sure Payton had ever seen her cry.

Julie recognized this shift in the girl in front of her. Elise was grateful in that moment that Julie could see right through her, normally she found the analyzing to be unsettling. But to be so seen – so understood – made her heart settle for just a quiet moment.