(First off, a HUGE shout-out to Tacoswimmer. She's helped me so much with writing and correcting this drabble. Thank you!)
Okay, so here's a little drabble that I decided would be good to kick off the series. This series will consist of separate one-shots, some set in modern time, and some set during the games time. Not all will be ElliexRiley, but don't be surprised to run across multiple ones in this series. I'll take suggestions or requests, happy reading!
The glowing clock digits changed in the blink of an eye.
7:00 pm.
Thirty more minutes.
Half an hour left before I'd leave to pick you up. Half an hour left before we'd be driving to the cafe. Half an hour left before we'd be sitting in the warm atmosphere of the bistro, surrounded by collage students sipping their caffeinated drinks while intently scribbling or typing to catch up on postponed papers.
"Starbucks?" You had suggested the chilly night before, your voice coming through the fuzzy cell phone speaker as I fumbled with the strings on my sweatshirt. "I've been pretty busy lately, but I'm free tomorrow. How's seven thirty?"
Starbucks. Huh, how cliche.
And then, agreeing with your proposal, I eagerly awaited the arrival of the next day. With my tough tied, my stomach impossibly fluttery, and my energy through the roof, I hung up the phone, ready to burst with elation.
Because you basically just asked me out.
Perhaps I was looking too much into this, but after weeks of booked schedules and missed opportunities, you and I were finally going to hang out. I've assumed by now that this means much more to me than it does to you, but I'm going to enjoy it no matter what.
Now the time has come for me to do what I've considered all day. I'm going to wear my hair down. You, Riley Abel, are the one and only person who has ever given me the temptation to wear my hair down. I hope you're feeling pretty damned special.
I glanced up to the clock once more.
7:02 pm.
"Okay" I held the brush in my palm, using the other hand to grip the hair-tie holding my hair in it's trademark style. "Here we go... Okay"
I began counting, "One... two..."
Gripping the hair tie, I spoke the finale number.
"Three!" With a little yank I watched the auburn locks fall down to just above my shoulders. With managing to conquer the biggest obstacle, I brushed through my hair, adding sprays, perfumes, and oils, praying to god that sometime tonight you'd comment on it. Even one little fucking comment would be enough. With my hair completed, I grabbed multiple scents sitting on the vanity and sprayed them like hell. Whatever smelled sweet, I put it on. Whatever smelled sexy, I put it on. Whatever had a smell, I put it on.
Capping the last bottle, and smelling like the perfume department in the mall, I took a gander at what my hard work had done. My green eyes stared back at me. The girl in the mirror nodded to reassure me. "You got this," I whispered to the reflection, "yeah... you got this."
Breaking the gaze with myself, I glanced at the clock.
7:18 pm.
My lungs inhaled deeply, and then released, "Lets do this."
Grabbing my light brown, leather jacket and sporting navy blue Converse sneakers, in consideration that moccasins were too casual and heels were too flashy, I fled my house to fetch the fair maiden from her castle
Heat blasted from the air vents as I methodically tapped the steering wheel with my fingers. I directed my eyes toward the car radio.
7:44 pm.
A long sigh escaped from my lips.
You were late.
By fourteen minutes.
Well, I mean what was I expecting? This is you, Riley. You and you're fucking outstanding high school achievement of being late to class thirteen times in a row. You've obviously tidied up a bit since collage though, considering if you hadn't you would've been kicked out by now.
Trying to be patient I waited as long as I could before glancing at the clock again.
7:44 pm.
No even a goddamned minute had passed?! Fuck this.
I laid on the horn. Letting it ring for about a second.
...
No reply, so I did it again.
And again,
And again,
And-
"Ellie!"
Ah, there you were.
The door of Marlene's house flung open, revealing you and the monster of a jacket you were struggling to put on. I chuckled and unlocked the door as you approached.
"You don't have to honk like a fucking maniac." Was the first thing you said, under the heated air and the fragrance of mixed cologne.
"Well," I smiled as I watched you heave yourself inside, "I wouldn't have to if your slow ass was on time for once."
"Uh, hello?" you scoffed, "This is Marlene's place, not my dorm. Go do your honking there."
"Fair enough... how come you're holed up here, anyway?"
"Rent's a bitch." A slight pause, "And technically she's not my aunt. She's uh... it's, um, complicated."
"Gotcha"
...
After the moments of silence her eyes seemed to spot something.
"Hey, your hair's down. Cute."
Cute. I did my best to conceal the redness spreading on my cheeks. "Wow, nice find, Sherlock."
I waited for a reply, but wasn't given one. You and your fucking fantastic brown eyes were looking back into my green ones. There was something different about your expression. Maybe all this cologne was doing things to my mind...
And then I was positive it wasn't.
Because you were nearing me.
Riley Abel, you, were nearing me.
My knuckles were bright white from gripping onto the steering wheel so fucking tight that I was probable leaving indents in the rubber.
I was considering leaning in too, until you took a loud, disturbing sniff, completely obliterating all my daydreams and fantasies.
"Are you... like, wearing perfume or something?" She took another sniff, "What brand is that?"
"Uhm... what?"
"What kind? Armani? Klein?"
"Oh..." My cheeks were heating up, how the hell do I explain the array of perfumes layered on top of each other? "Um..."
The digital clock in the car beeped.
7:49 pm.
"Oh shit" you hissed while cringing at the time, "So much for seven thirty... sorry"
I let out a long sigh and shifted the car into gear, "Let's just get to the fucking Starbucks."
After a few minutes of riding in silence, you reached forward and switched on the radio.
"Drive a little slow, don't matter where we're goin'
as long as I'm with you, we can take the long way."
Are you fucking kidding me...
Of course it's this song... goddammit.
You smiled as you listened, obviously enjoying yourself.
"Drive a little slow, not ready to go home. I'd
rather stay with you, we can take the long way out."
Glancing over at you I could see the street lights making your skin shine with orange and gold tones, and your lips moving along with the words, but no sound coming out. I continued to glance between you and the road, lost in admiration for you and what any normal person would call perfections.
On about the fourth time I glanced over, you mirrored my movement, making our eyes lock.
Snapping out of the trance, I began stuttering, "I-um- I-I think we're almost to the... um starbucks."
You nodded, and then gave me a look that I couldn't quite decipher. It seemed almost like a smile, but there was something else... anger, maybe? Sadness?
Wait... no, it couldn't be. The famous Riley Abel is confident. The famous Riley Abel can handle herself. The famous Riley Abel doesn't give a fuck about what people say or think.
But, the famous Riley Abel, possibly for the first time, was embarrassed.
Looking away immediately, I glued my eyes to the road as the thoughts began.
You, the confident and all-powerful Riley, were embarrassed because of me. Normally she would've given me a "you're creeping me the fuck out" look and then turned away, once again not caring what I or others did. But this time was different.
Come to think of it, I've never seen Riley embarrassed. She just doesn't get giddy or clumsy like I do. She's cool and collected... never embarrassed.
My thought's were interrupted by the green sign, glowing just down the street.
"There it is." You said holding a finger out in the direction of it.
After arriving a few moments later, we exited the car and made our way to the entrance.
You reached a hand out and gripped the handle pulling the door open, but taking a step back as you did.
Switching my eyes between the open door and you I stood for a second, unsure of what exactly I, or you, were doing.
"If you don't go in then I will, it's fucking cold out here." You clenched your shoulders and nodded your head into the cafe.
"Oh uh- yeah," Warm air rushed to greet me as I stepped inside with a smile, "thanks"
"Go get a table, I'll get the drinks." you told me while walking in and turning in the direction of the counter.
"Caramel latte!" I called
You smiled that fucking perfect, elegant, butterfly inducing smile of yours and said, "Yeah yeah, I got it." while walking over to order.
Sitting down at a small, cornered table, I watched you order our drinks.
You walked and talked with your normal confidence, but there was something a little off about your standard attitude.
You seemed brighter. More... flirtatious.
I glanced around searching for the reason of your actions. And then I spotted him. The barista, serving you with a handsome smile, perfectly styled hair, and a chiseled jaw-line.
My eyes narrowed slightly as I felt the jealousy creeping up into my system.
Barista Boy walked from one end of the counter to the other, carrying our drinks. Your bright eyes followed every movement he made.
With a dashing smile, he approached you and held out the drinks, one in each hand. You reached forward, showing off an even more perfect smile, and kept eye contact while taking the drinks, your fingers brushing his.
My heart lightly skipped a beat as my fists clenched. I jerked my head away from the scene, jealousy filling every fiber of me.
Calm down, Ellie. Don't make such a big fucking deal out of this. She's not even yours, you have no say in who or what she takes interest in. Calm the fuck down.
You approached, beaming with enthusiasm, and took a seat down across from me.
"Did you see that guy!?" You whispered while handing me my drink.
I fixed my gaze to the top of my coffee cup, "Uh... yeah"
"Isn't he hot?!" You put emphasis on the word "hot."
Shrugging my shoulders I mumbled, "He's not bad."
You put on a dead-pan expression, "Seriously?"
"I mean he's not that hot."
Shaking your head, you continued, "Whatever, well besides looks, he was also very charming, and sweet."
"Yeah... he seemed okay..." I sort of trailed off, very bored with the topic.
"He reminded me of you." You said taking a sip of your caffeinated beverage.
Snapping my head up I replied with curiosity, "Wait, what?"
You looked at me strangely, maybe I had seemed too curious...
"I said he reminded me of you. He had green eyes almost identical to yours."
Oh.
"He's got some fucking fantastic eyes then." I nodded while taking a drink of my coffee.
You chuckled, "He sure does."
Was that a compliment directed towards me or him..?
Almost an hour passed as we talked... well more like I talked. You, my best friend, who was supposed to be paying attention to me, were too busy staring at Barista Boy.
"Are there any classes you've taken that you'd recommend for my second year? I'm kinda lost on what to do once this year wraps up." I sipped from my half empty coffee cup, "Riley..."
You slowly directed your gaze towards me, instead of the counter to the right of us, "Hm?" You asked, being completely oblivious to what I had just previously said.
"I asked you if there are any classes you'd recommend for my second year."
You took another swig of your coffee, "Oh, well... I'm taking a course called 'Art and Visual Culture', I think. It's not bad and you'd probably take interest in it, might direct you towards a new... uhm..." Your eyes slowly left me and drifted back to their original target, Barista Boy.
"Hellooo..." I held out the last syllable, "Riley…"
You continued to ignore me.
Don't make a big deal out of this. Don't loose your temper.
"Towards a new... what?"
Keep your cool, Ellie.
"You gonna answer me anytime today?"
Keep your cool.
"Riley!" I spoke your name a little louder than the last few times. You still ignored me, "Ugh!" I huffed while grabbing my jacket, standing up and rushing out of the cafe, leaving you and my half empty cup of coffee at the table. Just as the door began to close I heard my name faintly being called by a familiar voice.
Shouldering on my jacket, I jogged to the car and tumbled into it. With a slam of the door and a long sigh escaping my lips, I sat there, staring at the snow lightly floating down onto the car windshield.
Dammit Ellie, you lost your cool.
Suddenly the passenger door swung open and you plopped down next to me, while throwing your jacket into the backseat.
"Ellie, what the fuck?" You slammed the door and asked, seemingly disgusted by my little scene.
"What the fuck?" I repeated incredulously, "You were barely listening to a single word I said!"
"So what?! You saw that guy in there, why wouldn't I pay more attention to him?!"
"Because I'm your fucking best friend! Me! Not Barista Boy! We haven't hung out in, I don't even know how long, and you want to throw it away by staring at some guy?!"
"Ugh, whatever! Fuck this...", all your anger seemed to evaporate from you in the form of a sigh, "Just take me home."
My breath caught in my throat and my heart felt colder than the snow falling outside, "Fine..." Letting out a long sigh and shifting the car into gear, we began the silent journey back home. No talking. No glances. No radio. Nothing.
I slowed the car to a stop, and watched as you got out, turning only to utter a single goodbye, and then shutting the door.
You jogged up to Marlene's front door while I sat in silence. The feeling that someone was suffocating me began to overtake my neck and chest area. It's the feeling that you get when you're about to cry. But, I inhaled and exhaled, refusing to let this cause me so much pain. Collecting myself and laying my hand on the steering wheel, I almost drove away, but I remembered something. Her jacket.
I once again let out a long sigh, "Dammit Riley..."
After putting the car in park and fishing her jacket out of the back seat, I began to slowly make my way up to the front porch.
My feet felt like they were made out of pure lead and my lungs refused to function.
I drug my lead feet up to the front door and held my finger out, hovering above the doorbell.
Attempting to take one last deep breath, I rung the bell, awaiting a fierce look from Riley, the swipe of her jacket being ripped from my hands, and the door slamming in my face.
But, instead of a fierce look from Riley, I got a fierce look from her 'aunt.' Her fucking terrifying, tough as nails, 'aunt.' I'm pretty sure Riley referred to her as Marlene.
She opened the door just enough for her head to poke out, "Who are you? What do you want?" The harsh, monotone questions emitting from her faster than I could attempt to form a proper introduction.
"I um... Riley forgot her jacket... could I maybe, talk to her?"
Marlene looked me up and down and then pulled her head in to call your name.
I heard little taps of feet inside before you emerged at the door, "Ellie..." Rather than anger, your face held relief. You nodded at Marlene, and then opened the door fully, so you could step out onto the porch. Shutting the door behind you, you crossed your arms, trying to conserve body heat in the cold.
"You um..." I held out your black jacket, "You forgot this..."
"Oh... uh thanks." You slowly took the jacket and stood there eyeing your bare feet, curled up on the cold cement.
We stood in a tense silence for a few seconds, neither of us knowing were to begin. But, coincidentally we both broke the silence at the same time.
"Ellie, Riley look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean, I should've..." Our sentences collided together, causing both of us to stop.
I stared in your deep, dark brown eyes, while your stared into my bright, glowing green ones. I began again first.
"Riley... I'm sorry about my little scene, and for yelling at you... It's just... You don't usually get distracted by guys, so I guess I just wasn't used to it..."
"Ellie no, it's my fault. I should've been paying more attention to you... but I just don't understand why you got so pissed about it..."
"I don't know..." I shrugged while heat began creeping up on my cheeks. "I just... want you to notice me more, and we haven't seen each other for awhile, and every time I go somewhere with you it's special to me," My words were getting faster and faster and before I knew it they were spilling out of my mouth without any thought, "and seeing you get so attracted to these guys that you ignore me just makes me jealous, and you're just so great and I just really like you, so it's hard-" I stopped abruptly, the terrifying realization of what I had just said hitting me.
Did I just... Oh God, no... Please tell me I didn't just admit it.
You fixed your gaze on me and intently stared into my eyes, "Wait, you what?"
I had no fucking clue of what to do or say next. How the hell did I achieve such a major fuck up?
But, you continued before I could come up with some stumbling, rushed excuse.
"Ellie… you…" A pause, obviously thousands of thoughts were turning over in your mind, "...like me?"
My heart could've powered a house when I walked up here with how fast it was beating, but now it could power the entire city, no doubt. "N-no, I-I actually have to go, so I'll see ya some other time, right?" I brushed past you and began to make my way down the steps, "Yeah, cool. Thanks, talk to you some other time." I waved my hand and turned walking as fast as I could back to my car, heat flooding over my entire face. I was almost there when I felt a hand grab my arm and spin me around. Without a single warning you closed your eyes and pushed your lips into mine. My bright eyes were held wide open, filled with surprise, and my mind and body were in complete shock.
Before I even knew how to react you pulled away and grabbed my hands, lacing our fingers together, "Don't worry... I like you too, Ellie."
A huge gawky smile plastered itself onto my face. You chuckled and pulled me by the hand back up towards the front door, "Now let's get inside, my feet are fucking freezing."
(Btw the song used is Long Drive by Jason Mraz)
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