Sorry about the error on the last chapter with the whole Phoebe/Ellie thing. It's kinda an ironic accident like thing you know like Phoebe Grey but actually it was because I was on a Friends binge while writing….
I woke up to a blaring sound coming from two feet away from my face. Dear God, please kill whomever it was that invented the alarm clock. Burn in hell, bitch.
Rolling over, I slammed my fist on top of the alarm and finally was greeted with silence. For all of about 2 minutes.
I climbed out of bed and made my way into the bathroom. Looking into the mirror I looked like a crack addict who just came off a binge. Blonde hair in disarray, dark circles under my hazel eyes, and my cheeks looked a little too flushed.
Quickly I jumped in the shower and washed my hair and self off in record time. Rushing to my closet I grabbed a pair of jeans, flannel shirt, and some booties. Rushing to blow dry my hair I managed to brush my teeth simultaneously and pack my things into my backpack.
Running out the door I turned off the lights and headed for the bus stop out front. Wrapping my jacket around myself as I boarded the bus I sat down and tried to prepare myself for the morning rush.
The coffee house was particularly packed and I was not looking forward to the midday rush that would pack our walls later on. After my shift was over I grabbed myself a coffee and scone from the shop and headed to the train for school.
School was the ever-present kingdom of hell for those of us who aren't popular had to endure. The only thing I looked forward to was my Physics class with Mr. Connors; the only teacher whom actually made me want to learn. Lunch was spent in the library eating a sandwich and studying. I was going to grab a book to help refresh studying with Teddy, but I realized, I didn't know what math he was in…
After school finally let out I dashed to catch the train before the rush hour would slam us at work. Jumping off at my stop I ran towards the coffee shop and around the back to the ally.
Slipping in the door I headed to the office to drop my bags and grab my apron. I wrapped the green colored fabric around my waist and stuffed a pen and pad into the pockets.
Walking out onto the floor I headed to the register where I switched off with Allison to end her shift. I stepped in her place and for the next 2 hours I did the same thing over and over again. Take their order, make change or swipe card, and then get yelled at for spelling their name wrong. Sorry Raychell with a Y and uneducated parents.
When I looked at the clock it was 10 to 5 so I decided to take my break, which would take me to the end of my shift—happy accident? I think not.
"Alright I'm taking my break," I told my manager Dan and I handed him my apron and went to the back office to retrieve my books. I slung my backpack on and went to the back ally to take a smoke break.
I pulled the red and white pack out of my jacket pocket and dug around for my lighter. Oh sweet nicotine, you are a heartless bitch when I work.
Alternating coffee and cigarettes (3 to be honest, nasty habit I know but a bitch needs a vice and I'm too poor to buy new clothes) I headed back inside to save Teddy and I a booth.
Grabbing a cup of coffee I slid into a booth in the back of the café and pulled out my copy of Serena and became lost in my own little bubble.
I lost track of time until there was a tap on my shoulder pulling me out of the book (seriously y'all go ready it). When I looked up I was met with blue eyes like the pictures you see in the Caribbean. His hair was like a shiny penny, maybe a bit darker, and he was in a white button down shirt, black pants, and brown shoes. Ah, remind me to thank whomever it was who decided on the schools uniform…
He stepped back, "Excuse me, are you Ellie?" he asked.
His voice was somewhat husky and not at all what I was expecting. Everything I had seen on my Google-mild-stalk said he was a smooth talking player; what his father could accomplish in the business world, Teddy accomplished between the sheets.
I nodded, "Yeah, nice to meet you Teddy."
He slid into the booth across from me, taking off his backpack and pulling out a Calculus text book and a notebook that had about 9 million pages shoved into it—you know at least one boy admit it, who takes every piece of paper the teacher gives them and puts it into the one notebook they keep for the entire year and all I've ever wanted to do was beat them over the head with it; total disregard for folders. Assholes.
He took a deep breath, "So I know this is random because my dad's a somewhat control freak, but thanks for this. Math has never really been my forte, and these SATs are going to ruin me if I don't score anywhere near Mr. Grey's standards." He said the last part sarcastically and I actually let out a small laugh.
"Well not to brag but math is my bitch." I stated and pulled out a pencil from my own backpack. "Alright, first things first, when do you plan on taking the SATs?" I asked.
He shrugged, "I don't really remember, I think Gail mentioned something about February…. Hold on let me check." He pulled an IPhone out of his pants pocket and quickly typed out a text message and set it down on the table.
"Okay well I took the SATs a few months ago and have a fairly good memory of what was on there. The math section is literally just a review of the basic sections we take in a public high school. Since you're at Bradley, and apparently on calculus, I don't think we're going to have too much of a struggle—just a lot of review time." I stated and took a sip of my coffee.
As I set the cup down, Heather—the Jessica Stanley of the story if you will—came around with a pot of coffee.
"Refill El?" she asked. Her apron was tight emphasizing her waist along with her shirts v-neck purposely low. She grabbed my mug and filled it up and turn towards Teddy, "Why don't you introduce me to you little friend, Ellie?" she asked.
I sighed, "Teddy, this is Heather, Heather this is Teddy," I said gesturing towards one another.
Teddy stuck his hand out to her, "Nice to meet you, Heather."
She smiled and looked him in the eye, "So how do you know my bestie?" she asked.
I blanched. Of fuck no bitch we are not friends. We are coworkers. I have to try to not accidently pour scalding hot coffee on her everyday though I want nothing more than to do just that.
He looked over at me, "Ellie is my tutor actually, for the SATs."
Her eye widened, "Well look no further, this girl over here got a fucking—"
I cut her off right there, "I got nothing, Heather. Now if you'll excuse us, Teddy and I have to get working and so do you."
She slit her eyes at me, "Fine. Great seeing you, Teddy." She winked and wondered off to fill more cups of coffee.
"Sorry about her," I said apologizing to Teddy. He was drumming on the table with his pencil looking at my hand.
I tried to wear gloves a lot in the winter for an excuse to cover the scar. Whenever people stare, I always makeup and excuse that I fell when I was a kid on the playground, or that I was riding my bike and fell. Either way there was an angry red scar leading from my ring finder down to my elbow, but all that was visible to Teddy was up to my wrist.
I pulled the sleeve of my shirt up over my palms to hide the scar and looked up at Teddy, "Sorry it's nasty I know."
He looked me in the eye, "You say sorry a lot."
"Sorry." I said then smiled.
He laughed, "How'd you do it?" he asked, sitting up against the back of the booth.
I sighed, "Well that is a story for another day. For now we get to talk about geometry. The SATs really love triangle and angle questions in general so that's where we will begin to focus."
We continued to study until I was about 8:30 when Teddy informed me that his driver was here to take him home before he misses dinner.
After four cups of coffee, a scone, and nineteen pages of review notes I was wired and ready for a run. Standing we collected out things and shoved our books back into our backpacks.
We walked out to the front of the café and there as the same black SUV that drove me home yesterday.
"Thank you for this, Ellie," Teddy said turning towards me, "I look forward to Wednesday."
I nodded in agreement, "Anytime, and likewise. Be sure to figure out when your test day is though." I reminded him.
The man, Taylor, stepped out of the driver's door, and opened up the back seat door, "Mr. Grey, Ms. Ellie." He said nodding to us.
"Well this is me, I'll see you later, Ellie." Teddy said waving as he slid into the car.
I waved then turn to catch the train home.
While sitting on the train waiting for my stop I received a text from Teddy that actually made me smile: What's your last name? It's driving Taylor insane saying 'Ms. Ellie' I think the man might actually start having heart palpitations.
Still smiling I wrote back: Well for the sake of Taylor, if he must know it's Pembrooke. Does he need birth certificate, social security number, and me full while I'm at it?
Teddy replied: That would be great thanks!
I smirked: I'll show you mine, if you show me yours…
While I waited on his text, I exited the train and began my six-block walk to my apartment. It wasn't as cold as usual for November but I should find some wood to knock on so I don't jinx it.
Entering my apartment there was a ding on my phone as it set it on the counter: Better wait till I'm in my room then, dinner tables are a bit too proper for this kind of show.
I smiled, he got to sit down with his family every night to have dinner and talk about their day and what they learned. I got to sit down in front of the TV and eat whatever was in the fridge and pretend like my roommate's cat, Neville, actually liked me for more than the person who fed him and scooped up his cat shit.
I typed back: Good thinking. I hope Neville doesn't mind the show on my end…Oh well
Setting the phone down, I began to make dinner for myself and pour some cat food out for Neville.
Frozen pizza was what was on the menu tonight and the dinner movie special would be Dazed and Confused. While I watched the hippies light up their blunts, I ate like I was the one with the munchies, until my phone chirped.
Looking down, Teddy had responded: Neville? Oh my god do you have a brother named after a Harry Potter character? Please say yes.
I laughed: Unfortunately I do not, he's my roommate's cat, though he does have some resemblance to Crookshaks—I hope that can ease the pain
Cleaning off the dishes I began to turn off the lights and settle in for bed. I slipped on my holey sweats and my soft as butter t-shirt that's been washed more than a germaphobe's hands.
While washing my face there was another alert and I waiting until I was finished with my routine.
Slipping under the covers I rolled over to grab my phone. Reading the text made me have mixed feelings: Roommate? You don't have to live with your parents? Lucky…
To some, not living at home must sound like the dream, but for me it was survival. I wish I had parents to come home to and talk about my day to. I wish I had a place that didn't rely on me waking up at 4 in the morning to make rent. Teddy didn't need to know my situation and I kept and ever hopeful heart that Mr. Grey would make no mention of my familial status.
Decided what to say, I typed back: Careful what you wish for, buddy
After that, I set my phone to silent rolled up in my comforter. I needed sleep and sleep needed me.
Y'all know I love them reviews….
