Strange Evening

My head throbbed at the mere thought of Elias. It was perplexing how I had convinced myself we were making progress, getting to know one another, only to realize I had been entirely mistaken. Just as my mind began to spiral into a dark vortex of confusion and frustration, the sharp creak of the door interrupted my thoughts. Elias sauntered in with that signature cold stare of his—one I had learned to anticipate—but this time, it felt different, almost invasive. It was as if he were peeling away my layers, exposing raw nerves beneath, making me feel uncomfortably bare beneath his gaze.

The atmosphere grew thick with tension as I struggled to find the words to bridge the chasm between us. My thoughts raced, desperate to escape, but I was sure he could sense the cacophony unfolding in my mind. The warmth flushed through my cheeks as I opened my mouth, desperate to form a sentence, while internally I felt the urge to flee—to bury myself beneath my pillows and disappear from existence. How absurdly dramatic I must have seemed!

"So, are you just going to stay there?" His voice cut through my thoughts, laced with annoyance that his striking features couldn't quite mask.

"No, of course not," I stammered, my voice betraying a confidence I wished I had. I could practically feel my heart pounding, each beat echoing a desperate plea for this moment to pass, for this excruciating conversation to conclude. I saw him lean against the door frame, his arms crossed in a way that radiated both irritation and an alluringly dangerous vibe, making it seem as if he could pounce at any moment. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of him shifting from annoyance to aggression.

"I wanted to check up on you since I was ordered by my mother," I managed to articulate, my fingers fidgeting nervously in a futile attempt to quell the heat blooming in my face. I swallowed hard, yearning for the embarrassment to wash away like rain.

"I'm feeling quite fine," he replied, stubbornness dripping from his voice. Yet, the way he struggled to maintain his balance, leaning heavily against the door, told a different tale. A flicker of concern passed through me as I observed him blink rapidly, trying to compose himself.

"I see you're getting better," I said, attempting to lift the somber mood. I was met with silence, and as the seconds stretched, I felt the anticipation curl uneasily in my stomach. "I was wondering if you'd like some breakfast?"

I prepared myself for the inevitable refusal, fully aware of how little interest he had in indulging my nurturing instincts.

"I can't. I have some business to work on today." Business? My mind raced with curiosity about what that might entail.

"Ah, I see. Well, it's pancakes and some eggs!" I insisted, half-knowing he would decline yet hoping to keep the conversation flowing.

"Sorry, Lorelie. I know you're trying to get to know me, but you'll have to try harder," he said. His voice softened as he gently patted my shoulder, a gesture that sent warmth through me, even as it sliced through my confidence. He pushed himself off the door with a decisive motion, leaving me momentarily stunned.

Was I that transparent? My cheeks flushed even deeper at the thought. Maybe my thoughts were indeed so loud he could hear them. "I wasn't trying. I said I was ordered to come check on you," I shot back, attempting to sound forthright.

"Ah, sorry for assuming," he replied, and I simply nodded, hoping to shift the conversation towards safer ground.

"I'll leave you alone then." With that, the door clicked shut, and I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

I made my way to the kitchen, disappointment settling over me like a thick fog. I sighed heavily as I contemplated breakfast without him. It struck me—he wasn't just a visitor; Elias being here meant we were now bound together for the entire year. The thought of his presence looming around the house filled me with a strange mixture of dread and anticipation. I didn't see my mother anywhere, so I assumed she'd gone to work.

Facing the reality of being alone with Elias, my stomach churned uneasily. Compounding that was the leaking ceiling that demanded my attention; I had to get it fixed. Quickly, I hurried into my room and slipped on a raincoat, its fabric cool and reassuring against my skin.

As I approached the door, I hesitated, glancing back at the guest room for what felt like the hundredth time. With a reluctant sigh, I forced myself to turn away and step outside.

Ten minutes into my walk to the nearby store, the rain began to pick up, obscuring my vision and canvassing the world in myriad shades of gray. I spotted a cluster of people huddled together, their silhouettes blurred by the downpour. As I drew closer, I realized they were smoking cigarettes, oblivious to the rain that soaked the ground beneath them. I chose to sidestep them, hoping to avoid any attention, especially since Liese was part of that crowd. She always had a knack for making my life unmanageable at school.

As I walked past, I suddenly heard snickering from behind me. A twist of anxiety flared in my stomach as I instinctively quickened my pace. The laughter was sharp and taunting, echoing through the muffled sounds of the rain. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, not from the physical cold of the downpour, but from the embarrassment that always seemed to come hand-in-hand with Liese and her friends. They had a talent for turning even the most mundane scenarios into something theatrical, spotlighting every small imperfection as if it were a grand spectacle.

"Look who it is! The little rain cloud," Liese called out, her voice dripping with mock cheerfulness. I could almost picture her smirking—how her lips curled in that self-satisfied way she had whenever she got a rise out of me.

Ignoring them felt like a considerable feat, but I focused on the even rhythm of my footsteps, the squelch of my rain boots barely audible over the drumming rain. I hugged my raincoat tighter around me, an absurd shield against their words, wishing even more fervently that I could become invisible at that moment.

"You'd think she'd learn how to dress for rain!" another voice chimed in, laughter punctuating the statement.

"I'm not here for a fashion show," I muttered to myself, quickening my steps as I fought the urge to turn around. The slightest glance back would only invite more ridicule, and I felt too raw after my earlier encounter with Elias to endure another round of unwanted attention.

Just as the store came into focus through the haze of rain, I heard footsteps behind me. Heart pounding, I braved a quick look over my shoulder. To my dismay, Liese and her crew were closing in, the thrill of pursuit lighting up their expressions.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry? Got a date or something?" Liese continued, her tone teasing as ever.

The thought of Elias sparked through my mind, and the blush returned deeper this time. I rolled my eyes as I clamped my mouth shut, refusing to give them any fuel.

"Just getting some supplies!" I yelled over my shoulder, trying to sound nonchalant as I pushed open the door of the small corner store, the bell jingling above me in welcome.

As I stepped inside, the warmth enveloped me, and I found a moment of solace amidst the clamor of the outside world. A few customers wandered the aisles, and the scent of freshly baked bread lingered in the air, blending with the distinct smell of dampness that followed the storm. Relief flooded through me, but Liese's laughter from outside echoed in my mind, chasing away any comfort I found.

I headed towards the back, navigating through the narrow aisles packed with various goods. My focus tightened on finding a few necessities for the leaking ceiling, all the while trying to dismiss the nagging memories of just moments ago. I didn't want to dwell on Elias and how his mere presence could invoke such strong reactions from me or the disconcerting warmth of his touch on my shoulder.

After gathering a couple of buckets and towels, I made my way to the checkout. As I waited in line, I could hear snippets of conversation from other customers, their chatter blending into an indistinct hum. I caught the cashier's gaze—a compassionate young woman in her late twenties with a sympathetic smile.

"Rough day?" she asked gently as I set my items on the counter.

"Something like that," I replied, forcing a smile even as Liese's laughs echoed in my ears.

The cashier nodded knowingly, and the warmth of her understanding felt refreshing—reminding me that not everyone thrived on negativity. After I paid, I stepped back outside, bracing myself against the returning cold and rain.

However, just as I pushed the door open, I caught sight of Liese loitering nearby, leaning against the brick wall with some of her friends. I could feel my heart race at the thought of confronting them again, especially after narrowly escaping earlier.