Chapter 13 - Differences
Leah POV
I was crying in my room, though I really wish I wasn't. I hated crying, since I was supposed to be the strong one, mature, the adult figure of my trio. But I wasn't strong, I'm weak. I'm not an adult, I'm still a kid. I really wish I wasn't, but I am.
I still wonder why Elliot is so caught up on wanting my friendship and why Audrey wanted me to be their friend. Could it actually be possible they were nice? Even when all the fibers of my being was screaming no?
"Leah?" Someone whispered. I turned around, and speak of the devil, Elliot was in my doorway. His expression was soft and thoughtful.
"Elliot? What in the world are you doing here?" I asked him as he procedded to walk into my room, shutting the door behind him.
His facial expression seemed to turn into what looked like disgust. "Trust me, if I didn't have a good reason to be here, I wouldn't step foot into this wretched place." He explained.
"What good reason compelled you to step foot in here then?" I snickered, but patted the spot on my bed beside me. He gratefully sat down. "It must be a good reason since it seems to me you hate this place." I told him.
"I do, I especially hate Julius. But that isn't the point of this visit." He mumbled, ruffling his hair nervously. "Give me a chance." He whispered.
My eyes slightly widened in shock and the turn in our conversation. "No..." I whispered back, our voices only audible to us two.
"Just give me a chance! Just one- that's all I need!" He pleaded. "You give everyone a chance beside Blood, the twins, and me! What the h*ll?" He reminded me.
"I can-" I glanced at his hip, where his gun holster usually is, it wasn't there. Neither his gun nor holster, why would he leave the mansion without a weapon? Especially since he's in the mafia? "Fine." I practically just mouthed the words as barely any sound came out of my mouth.
Elliot glanced at me. "What was that?" His ears perked up, not hearing me from before.
"I'll give you and the others one chance." I mumbled, lowering my gaze. Why was this so hard to say? I don't think it should be.
"Thanks Leah!" I was suddenly wrapped in a tight embrace from Elliot. He squeeze me tightly against his chest, his arm a vice grip.
Tick tock. Tick tock. What was that? Tick tock. Tick tock. A nice, slow, steady, ticking sound was emanating from Elliot's chest, right where is heart should be. "Is that.. a clock?" I whispered, ear still pressed into his chest and his arms still a vice grip.
"Well, yeah, my heart's a clock." He told me nonchalantly, like it was obvious. My own heart picked up pace, panicking slightly. How was he alive if his heart wasn't pumping blood or oxygen? Should I be worried? Or was this just another queer difference between reality and Wonderland?
"So Elliot..." I trailed off in thought as he released me from his grip and we sat side by side. I decided to get off the topic of the differences bewteen reality and this place- wanting to forget for now.
"Hmm?" He hummed. He seemed to be content, probably happy from my recent decision.
"Where do we go from here?" I asked, again mostly to myself as it was again barely audible. He seemed confused by my question as he tilted his head slightly.
"What do you mean? I don't understand.." He confessed, seeming honestly confused. How could he not understand? It seemed quite clear what I was saying, or at least, in my head...
"Nevermind..." I sighed, deciding to change the topic again. I wonder if giving him a chance will actually change anything? "Uh. Uhm. Why don't you have your gun?" I asked, probably a stupid question, but I wanted to change topics as the conversation seemed to hang with an awkward atmosphere, atleast, it did to me.
"Duh, you don't like weapons. Why would I come to visit you and make you feel uncomfortable? That would've been quite counter productive- dontchya think?" Elliot sighed, again saying it as if it was obvious.
"I... never told you I disliked weapons." I whispered. In all honesty, I was terrified by weapons, but I didn't want to tell anyone that since then I would seem weak. And I didn't want that!
"I could tell. You always subtly shuddered at the sight of them. I think involuntarily too, because your expression never wavered.." He explained. But apparently it wasn't subtle enough if Elliot found out. "I-I mean I don't care that you dislike them, I-I'll not use them when I'm around you. I promise." He swore.
"That's... sweet." I blushed, I could feel my face heating up and I started to twirl my hair nervously. No one ever cared so much to actually understand me, let alone try to.
My comment also made Elliot blush, his face a cute shade of pink as he smiled. "Aw, it's nothing." He chuckled, his purple eyes shining brightly for once. I was happy too, shocking, I know. Here I am with a gangster, smiling, being happy. There's got to be a catch...
Suddenly Elliot took my hand as we walked out of Clover Tower to the familiar path which led to Hatter Mansion. The walk was silent, I wasn't sure why he was taking me here.
He took me to a room, which I suspected was his, which was bursting with shades of red and orange. A grand bed which was against the farthest wall, acting like a median with the wall it's segment, it had red blankets with white sheets and pillows. The poles and the headboard was a dark brown with red curtains hanging from the top, which were open. Unlike the Bloody Twin's room, well for one you could actually see the floor, and the only weapon you could see was Elliot's signature golden gun lying on a nightstand adjacent to his bed.
"If you haven't noticed, this is my room." Elliot chuckled, walking over to sit on his bed, pulling me along with him. "Leah, I want you to stay here in Hatter Mansion for the night." He squeezed my hand, pleading.
Though I still had my doubts, I did promise I'd give him a chance. "Sure." I agreed. He smiled widly and in turn I smiled back at him, and once again was engulfed by a crushing, yet comforting embrace.
"Thank you!" He cried out happily, and letting me go. "Come on." He continued to hold my hand as he directed me to a guest room to stay in for the night.