Ella opened her eyes Friday morning, forgetting for just a minute that it was their last day in London. The sunlight, which had been gone for days, had decided to return, streaming through the curtains and warming up the hotel room. She sat up and stretched her arms over her head. She'd had a restless sleep the night before, and every night for the past few days, but she didn't feel tired at all.
She got dressed in a numb state in between happy and sad. Her time with Finn was over, she was almost sure, and yet she wasn't as sad as she thought she might be. The time in London had been the best experience of her life and she didn't want to taint the memories by making them sad. They were happy times that would always be happy memories.
Without even bothering to wake up Caroline she went downstairs to the buffet and got some breakfast. When she got back to the hotel room, her roommates were just waking up. Ella hadn't even realized how early she had gotten up and she sat patiently on the bed, waiting as Caroline got dressed, ate breakfast and finished get ready to leave.
"How are you feeling today, Car?" Ella asked as they were heading to the bus stop.
"Better. Thanks." Caroline didn't know how to tell Ella or when to tell her. She was her best friend and she knew she wouldn't be able to keep it from her for much longer, but she didn't want to ruin their last day by dumping her stupid mistake on Ella.
The trip to school was silent, a large contrast compared to school itself. Students could barely sit still in class; they were jumping around the room saying goodbye to new friends they had met. Most teachers just gave up halfway through the lesson, leaving the kids to moan and groan about going home and how much they would miss everyone.
In math class, Ella and Caroline sat in the back of the room, not talking to anyone. Ella was listening to her iPod, bobbing her head to the music and mouthing the lyrics while Caroline sat silently beside her, not moving. She was thinking and thinking and thinking and as hard as she tried she couldn't stop thinking. She was pregnant. She could barely fathom the idea of her giving birth to a baby in nine months' time. How was she going to go to college now? What was her life going to be like having a kid at only eighteen? And not to mention Will. Was he going to get mad and blame her? Or just leave, not even bothering any support. Maybe he would try, or say he'd try, but she knew once she left to go home he would forget all about Caroline and their baby.
"Car? Are you coming?" Ella was standing in front of Caroline's desks, her books in hand. Caroline hadn't even realized the period had ended. Now she had to go to her last period of the day; French.
She made her way upstairs. She had memorized the path and didn't even think twice as she walked to the back of the classroom and sat down next to Will. He said hello and she managed a tight smile. She needed to try harder though if she was going to convince him, at least for the time being, that everything was okay.
"What's the matter? Where were you yesterday?" Will asked, concerned.
"Oh I just had a bit of a stomach bug. I'm all fine now," Caroline said. She knew she wasn't though, and that it had actually been morning sickness, but she didn't say anything.
"Are you sure? You look a little down." Caroline didn't answer, and Will's expression changed in understanding. "It's your last day. But don't be sad, okay? We're going to my mum's banquet tonight and we'll have a great time together. Just you and me. Sounds good right?" he said, trying his best to cheer Caroline up. She smiled for real this time and nodded. It did sound good, really good and for a minute she forgot about everything she had to tell Will and just pulled her chair closer to his, leaned her head on his shoulder and felt herself relaxing, just slightly.
"Ella! Oh I'm going to miss you so much! You have to email me and Facebook me when you get back okay? We have got to stay in touch!" Krissa exclaimed, while the girls were changing after gym class. The coach had allowed the girls to play an unorganised game of volleyball and didn't even make them run laps. Ella felt good for a change, pulling her white lacy top over her head.
She smiled at Krissa. "Of course I will! I'm going to miss you so much too. You're the only real friend I've made here," she said, motioning her head in Tasha's direction and rolling her eyes. She definitely wasn't going to miss Tasha and all the drama that came with her.
"Oh, Ella you're the greatest!" Before Ella could respond, Krissa had her in a tight hug. Ella smiled and hugged Krissa back. She really was going to miss her.
All the Canadian students were standing in a clump on the field after school, waiting for something. Apparently the school had organised a big goodbye and Ella was excited to see what was in store. Caroline was looking around, anxious to feel Will's arms around her. This event was just a stupid waste of time, precious time that she could've been spending with Will. Ryan grabbed her hand and squeezed it, the most reassuring thing he could think to do. And it helped.
"Students of Kensington High!" the headmaster said into a megaphone. "We want to thank you all for being such respectful, mature students! Thank you for visiting us and we hope to see you all again in the near future! In the meantime, how about a little celebration to wrap things up?" All of a sudden, the other students ran out of the gym carrying buckets filled with water balloons. As soon as they dropped the buckets on the grass all hell broke loose. Water balloons were flying everywhere and everyone was soaked in a matter of seconds.
Students were throwing balloons at their best friends, and at people they'd only see once in the hallways. There were no limits; nobody was safe from anyone. Ella grabbed a blue balloon and started off to find Caroline. When she saw her and Will sneaking off to be alone she felt the first pang of sadness about leaving. Will and Caroline were doing the very thing her and Finn should've been doing all week; spending time together, alone. But no, Finn was off with some other girl buying furniture and spewing lies and excuses to Ella. She sat down exactly where she was, on the edge of the field, and dropped the balloon next to her. Her cheeks were already wet so she knew nobody would be able to tell that she was crying. Not that she'd care anyway.
Ella stepped out the hot shower, feeling a lot better. Her little breakdown on the field had just been an emotional setback and she knew she was much stronger than that. She combed her hair, leaving it down to dry naturally, and pulled on her coziest sweater and a pair of leggings. Caroline, Lindsay and Morgan were all out, enjoying their last night no doubt. But Ella was perfectly content lying on her stomach on the bed, watching a British crime drama. Time really flies when you're having fun, and before she knew it, it was almost five o'clock. Her phone started ringing and without thinking twice she answered it.
"Hello?"
"Ella!" Finn's voice exclaimed excitedly. What was he excited about? The fact that Ella was leaving?
"Hi, Finn," she said casually. She was done being mad at him. She would leave London with Finn as a good friend, not an enemy.
"How fast can you be ready to go out?" he asked quickly, slightly out of breath.
"Why? How do you know I'm not busy?"
"You're watching TV aren't you?"
"Whatever. That doesn't mean I want to go out with you. There's just something I have to do. But I'll be all yours tomorrow. Oh wait, no I won't. Because I'm leaving," Ella said dryly.
"I get that you're angry, and you have every right to be. But just trust me. If you come with me tonight, I will make it up to you. Please," Finn pleaded.
Ella thought about it and as much as she wanted to say no, just to shove it in his face, she had to see him. Especially if this was the last time. "Fine. Be here in ten minutes." She hung up and took off her sweatshirt and put on a floral peplum top over her leggings. She combed through her now dry hair and grabbed a small bag.
Finn was sitting outside the lobby in his small car by the time she made it downstairs, even though it had only been five minutes. She got into the front seat. He was grinning, all his teeth showing, and his eyes were sparkling. She smiled back; it felt so good to see him again.
"Hi," Ella said.
"Hi," Finn echoed. They were just sitting there, smiling goofily at each other.
"So where are we going?" Ella asked.
"Oh right. Um, I was thinking dinner and then back to my place," Finn said shyly, putting the car into drive. Ella nodded, still smiling. She couldn't stop. She had been mad, and was still feeling kind of shunned, but it was all slowly leaving her now that she was actually with Finn.
"Sounds great," she agreed.
"First though, I have to make a quick stop," Finn said. He was drumming his fingers on the top of the steering wheel nervously and Ella bit her lip anxiously. Finn was nervous about something and that wasn't a good sign.
"Okay."
They pulled up to a small apartment building, not unlike Finn and Jack's and Finn parked the car. "Come up with me," he said.
"Okay, but what is this place? Why are we here?" she asked, confused.
"I just, uh, have to water some plants for a friend of mine," Finn said vaguely. He got out and walked to Ella's side, opening her door and waiting while she stepped out hesitantly.
"And then we're going to dinner?" Ella asked suspiciously.
"Of course."
Finn led Ella up the stairs to the second floor and stopped at apartment 205. He unlocked the door and Ella sighed impatiently. She followed him into the apartment that didn't look as though its owner had been away. There was a purple shag rug on the floor in front of a flat screen TV. A turquoise couch was decorated with white pillows covered in purple and turquoise polka dots and stripes. A zebra-pattern throw was tossed over the back of the couch. On the black, round coffee table were all of Ella's favourite movies. There was a red-and-white striped bucket of popcorn in between two tall glasses of lemonade, a bag of Prawn Cocktail chips and a glass jar of Tooty Frooties. A pair of white candles in shimmering, silver candlesticks burned slowly and filled the apartment with a lavender-vanilla scent. There was a stuffed animal elephant sitting on a white ottoman. Hanging on the wall between two windows was a series of framed Journey album covers.
"Your friends have the same taste as me in just about everything," Ella commented. She looked at Finn suspiciously and he grinned. "What's going on?" she asked.
"The thing is," Finn began, "my friends don't live here." He paused before continuing. "We do."
"What are you talking about?" Ella asked.
"This," Finn said again, motioning around the room with his hands, "Is for us. You and I. What I mean is, Ella, will you move in with me?"
Ella's jaw dropped in shock. What was she supposed to say? What could she say? She was leaving tomorrow and Finn wanted her to move in with him? Meaning she stay, in London, instead of going home? "Yes!" she said loudly, almost screaming.
"Really?"
"Of course! This is amazing, Finn! The food, the colours, the albums, the elephant! It's all my favourite stuff! I can't believe you did this for me!"
"But I mean, you actually want to stay here?"
"We can work out the details I'm sure, but I would much rather live here than go back tomorrow. I love you, Finn and I love this apartment. I want to live here, with you."
Finn walked over to Ella and pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you so much," he said into her hair. She couldn't contain her happiness as she kissed him. She didn't know how she would ever be able to fully thank him.
He took her hand and pulled her through the rest of the apartment. The kitchen was white with orange bar stools and red plates. The bathroom was pale yellow with purple and white accents. The bedroom had pale blue and white wallpaper, a beige chez lounge beside a small bookshelf filled with Ella's favourite authors, and a brown duvet cover on the bed.
"Finn, how did you... I mean everything is so perfect, how did you know exactly what to put?" Ella asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed. She leaned back on her hands, and looked up at the ceiling, completely peaceful.
"I convinced Caroline to help me."
"Caroline? But she never said anything."
"I made her promise to keep it a secret. And on Wednesday, when you heard her talking to me I thought for sure you'd recognize her voice."
"That was Caroline?! I thought you were with another girl. I'm so sorry, Finn. I was hating you and mad at you and the whole time you were doing this for me! For us!"
"It's okay. I should've been there for you, but I was just so busy trying to get it done in time. And now, it doesn't matter, because you and I will be here, together."
"I just hope my dad understands. And that the school lets me stay," Ella said, letting reality settle in. She was sad; she now had all the more reason to stay and yet she knew, deep in her heart, that there was a slim chance that it would work out.
"Hey, don't worry about that now. If you have to go back, even for a little while, I'll be waiting here for you, watering our plants," Finn shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Anyway, let's celebrate our new place! We've got some great movies, and then we could break the bed in." Ella followed Finn into the living room, grinning the whole time. She chose her favourite movie; The Exorcist, and they settled into the bright blue couch, their assortment of delicious snacks laid out in front of them.
Caroline got back to the hotel after school around 4:00 and found that Ella was out. She knew what Finn had been planning for the two of them for the evening and didn't think Ella would be home anytime soon. She had made plans with Will and was content enough, if she kept her mind from running off on her, with spending the night with him. She knew that Finn had done so much to keep Ella with him in England, including buying the two of them an apartment, but Caroline hadn't stopped to think about what that meant for her and Ella. Would she ever see her again after she got on a plane to fly home tomorrow? Would they still talk to each other and if they did, how long would it last? Suddenly Caroline felt like she'd helped Finn take Ella away from her.
Caroline reached the hotel room and found a large, off-white box on the bed. There was a tag attached to a pale mint-green ribbon with her name on it but without the name of a sender or an explanation. She gently lifted the lid of the box off and placed it down on the bed, a confused look of her face. There were multiple layers of soft green tissue paper that she had to peel away before revealing the surprise. She pulled out a long, ivory dress with a sweetheart neckline and a silky skirt. Fabric was gathered at the waist and the smooth silk cascaded down the bodice, ruffling at the foot of the dress. Caroline gasped and admired the beautiful gift when she noticed something underneath the tissue paper. There was a small cloth bag at the bottom of the box, tied loosely with pink string. Caroline opened the bag and found in it drop-pearl earrings and a matching pearl bracelet. Caroline smiled excitedly before realizing that all of this was for tonight. It was from Will. He'd picked out a dress and earrings, simple but elegant, like Caroline, and sent it to her hotel where he knew it'd be waiting for her when she got back. It was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her and thinking about all of this, Caroline started to cry. They were soft tears, of happiness and regret. Before letting her tears get the better of her, Caroline rushed into the washroom to shower and the get dressed.
Will was waiting outside the hotel in his truck for Caroline. She walked out the doors and as soon as he saw her, he quickly stepped out of the driver's seat and rushed around the front of the car to greet her. Caroline was wearing the dress and accessories he'd sent her and her red hair was pulled up into a chignon bun, a few soft curls flowing down her exposed back. She was wearing a sweet perfume that smelled like honey and spices. Her lips were plush and pink, her cheeks flushed and rosy. Will was wearing a black suit with a red tie over a pristine white shirt.
"You're so beautiful," Will commented, admiring Caroline from a far. He looked her up and Caroline spun around for him.
"You shouldn't have bought me a dress," Caroline said, smiling. "I love it, but you shouldn't have."
"I wanted to," Will replied.
"I'm glad you did because I wouldn't want to make a fool of myself in front of your family again," Caroline commented. Will was being so romantic and sweet and she was saying all the wrong things, ruining the moment. She was just so afraid of thinking about the baby and she had to distract herself.
"You could show up in your pyjamas and still look as beautiful as you do now," Will said, smiling. "And you didn't make a fool of yourself. You're perfect and if my family can't see that, well, then they're the ones with the problem, not you." Caroline smiled at Will, feeling undeserving and guilty but she let him take her hand and help her into the car because she was still so in love with him.
"Oh, Will! Look how much you've grown!" One of Will's mother's friends was clutching Will tightly and admiring his height. From what Caroline gathered, she'd missed a few banquets and was just catching up with everyone now. Then she turned to Caroline and said, "I absolutely love your dress, dear."
"Thank you," Caroline replied, looking down at her dress. Will smiled at Caroline who'd managed to win over just about everyone he'd introduced her to. He was proud of her, proud to show her off to his mother's friends and didn't care that his father didn't approve. He didn't need his father's blessing and nothing in the world could stop him from being with Caroline.
Soon it was time to eat. Everyone had been assigned seats and when it came time to find their seats, Caroline and Will found that they'd been placed on opposite sides of the room. Caroline looked longingly over at Will who looked determined and frustrated. He knew that his father had had something, if not everything, to do with this. He walked over to Caroline and grabbed her hand. "Come," he said sternly.
"Will, it's not a big deal. It's just dinner," Caroline said, hoping she'd be able to get through to him.
"You're not sitting here by yourself," Will said. His grasp on Caroline's hand loosened slightly as he led her across the room to his table. He pulled up a chair and sat her down. Caroline looked around the room warily, hoping Will's father hadn't seen but then she caught him staring at her. She quickly turned her head away, breaking their gaze and looked at Will. He was looking down at his feet, his hands folded on the table. She touched his bicep, making him turn to face her and said, "Please don't be upset tonight. This is our last night and if you're upset, I'm upset."
"I know, I'm sorry, love. It just makes me so angry," Will said as he shook his head.
"What does?" Caroline asked, knowing full-well the reason behind Will's anger. She stroked his cheek gently and peered up at him. He rubbed his forehead furiously, unsure of what to do. "My dad," Will said. "He doesn't think you're good enough for me so his solution is to put us a different tables for dinner."
"Will, if you let this get to you, you're no better than him," Caroline said. "Why should his opinion make a difference in the way you feel about someone? Okay, so he doesn't like me, did that make me stop feeling the way I do about you?" Caroline said.
"I just hate that he dragged you into this," Will said.
"Will, I'm crazy about you and I love you because you don't do what people tell you. Sometimes that's not a good thing, but right now, right now would be the time to do what you want, not what your dad wants you to do," Caroline replied.
Will leaned over and kissed Caroline passionately. The old ladies at the table giggled and whispered quietly. Caroline pulled away and suddenly felt sick to her stomach. She looked over and saw waiters carrying platters full of seafood. The smell was making her nauseous and she had to get out. "Are you okay? Caroline, what's the matter?" Will asked, concerned.
"I just need some air," Caroline said before rushing outside to the hall's backyard patio.
Will followed her outside. "Will, I'm fine. I just need some air," Caroline said.
"Do you want a glass of water? Or Advil? I can get you an Advil. Do you need to lie down? There's a room upstairs I'm sure you could rest in for a while. Or I can take you to my house, you can stay the night if you're not feeling well. I don't want to take you back to the hotel where you'll be alone," Will said. He was speaking so fast Caroline could barely understand him.
"Will, you don't have to do any of that," Caroline said, glad to have him by her side. She took his hand and squeezed it, knowing it would be one of the last times she'd feel him squeezing back. She thought about telling him the truth right then but she didn't want to ruin the moment. Then she lurched forward and knelt down behind a bush. Will crouched beside her and placed his hand on the small of her back. Caroline then came up and was looking at Will. "Do you have a mint?"
"Seriously?" Will asked, shocked.
"So that was the Exorcist," Finn said, after the movie had finished.
"I can't believe you hadn't seen it before now! It's my ultimate favourite movie. It's so good! What did you think of it?" Ella asked as she went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. The glasses were in the first cupboard she looked in. Finn waited until she came back to the couch before answering.
"It was terrifying. But surprisingly amazing," he said, shocked that he had liked it.
"I told you it was good. It has that effect on people," Ella said winking and Finn smiled at her. She put her glass on the coffee table and leaned into his shoulder, wrapping their fingers together.
"I could definitely get used to this," Finn said quietly, sighing contently.
Ella nodded and sighed back. She couldn't get over what Finn had done. He had gone above and beyond to make sure they could be together and she would do whatever she could on her side to allow it to happen. "Who should I talk to?" she asked vaguely.
"About what?"
"About me staying here, not going back with the class. Would I just have to ask my dad? Or Mrs. Anchory?"
"I have no idea. But we should definitely start with your dad. You've told him about me already right? So at least he'll know a bit about me. Maybe we could set up Skype and I could meet him? If you can stay, of course." Finn's voice was giddy with excitement thinking about their future. But Ella winced inwardly.
"I haven't actually told him about you," she said quickly.
"What? Why didn't you tell him?"
"Well I've only spoken to him a few times since we got here anyway, and I think I mentioned you to him once, but I didn't really go into detail. I'm sorry."
"Are you ashamed of me?" Finn asked, his excitement completely gone.
"No way! Finn, how could you think that? I haven't told him about you because I just, I wanted to keep it to myself. I wanted to make sure that you and I were, you know, real, before I told him. You don't know my dad. He's kind of overprotective of me and if I even mention a guy he goes all psycho dad on me."
"Alright, how are you going to convince him that you should stay here, thousands of miles away from him, with a complete stranger?"
"You're not a stranger to me. And the fact that I love you should be enough for him," Ella said confidently. Her dad was crazy protective of her but he always wanted Ella to be happy. If Finn was the only way she could truly be happy then she knew her dad would be okay with it.
"What will you do if he doesn't let you stay? If you have to go home tomorrow."
"Then I will go home, and come right back as soon as I can. I don't want to be away from you for longer than I have to."
"And then what will you do about university?"
"I won't go. At least not in Ontario. I've always wanted to go to school in England and now I actually have a reason to."
"Ella, I want you to promise me that this is what you want because if you have any hesitations, any at all, then you have to go home and go to school. I don't want you to throw away the future you want because of me and this apartment okay?"
"Finn, stop. I am surer that this is what I want than I've ever been about anything else. And I think I should phone my dad now. It's," Ella glanced at the clock mounted on the wall in the kitchen, "three o'clock there so he'll still be at work." She picked up her phone and dialed her dad's number, making sure to add the necessary digits for the long distance call. She sat nervously on one of her hands while the phone was ringing.
"Ella? What's going on?" he dad answered, obviously surprised she had phoned him.
"Nothing. Well nothing bad. I just have some stuff I need to tell you and then I have to ask you something. So hear me out before saying anything okay?"
"Ella what's going on?" he asked again, this time his tone was more stern.
"I met this guy named Finn. He's in college and lives with his twin brother Jack in their own apartment. And actually he's more than just a guy, dad. I love him. And he loves me. And it's only been about a month that we've known each other but we both know we want to be together. For the rest of our lives. Before you have a heart attack though I'm not asking for your blessing. I just want you to know that I'm in love with him and he bought his own apartment for the two of us to live in and I want to stay here, with him. So would you let me stay here, instead of leaving to come home tomorrow?" Finn crossed his fingers and smiled at Ella hopefully. She smiled back anxiously while she waited for her dad to answer.
"I don't know what to say. You mean to tell me that you've fallen in love with some strange college guy and instead of coming home to go to university like you planned you want to move in with him? I don't know if you're in love or just plain stupid," her dad said harshly.
"Dad! I'm not stupid; I know that this is love okay? And I'm going to go to school here."
"Oh so you've figured everything out huh? I want to know more about this Finn character. You're sure he's not a murderer? Or a rapist? Or both?"
"Dad! He isn't, don't you trust me? When has my bad judgement ever gotten me into trouble?"
"That doesn't mean he's a good guy. I want to talk to him. Now."
Ella groaned and handed Finn the phone. "He wants to talk to you. Good luck." He nodded and took the phone from her.
"Mr. Rhodes? I'm Finn Harries."
"Hello. I hear you're the one who's tricked my daughter into throwing away her future to live with you."
"I wouldn't say she's throwing it away sir. See, Ella and I happened to find each other and I know I don't want to lose her. She's the most amazing person I know and I would die if I couldn't have her in my life. You know your daughter much better than me, I can assure you, but all I want is a chance to get to know her as well as you do. I haven't pressured her into staying here, and I know that getting this apartment might not have been the smartest thing to do without checking with her, or you, but I thought it was my last chance to keep her in my life before she leaves tomorrow. What I'm trying to say is, I will wait as long as I have to, but I hope to live with Ella and marry her someday. And you can let her move in with me now or you and I can wait until she moves in on her own accord." Ella's cheeks were bright red and her grin was huge. She wanted to kiss Finn he was so sweet.
"I see. You've clearly had some time to think about this and what this will mean. I- I don't feel comfortable with my daughter living with a stranger and I hope you can see it from my point of view."
"I told her you might say that. And I understand completely."
"Can you put Ella back on please?" Finn passed the phone back to Ella who hesitated before placing it on her ear.
"Dad?"
"Yeah. So your boy seems to have a pretty good argument. And it seems he really loves you, El."
"He's great, dad. And I love him just as much."
"I don't want to be the one to come between true love…"
"But?"
"But I don't want you to be in danger. Especially since I'm not there to protect you."
"Finn is not dangerous, dad!" Ella said, losing her patience. She took a deep breath, not wanting to lash out at her dad and seal their fate.
"Ella, you've sprung this on me out of the blue and you can't just expect me to be okay with it so last minute."
"Okay, but you don't know Finn like I do. I trust him to protect me so that you won't have to anymore. I'm not a little kid anymore; I know what I want and soon it won't matter if you let me or not. Just don't make me do this behind your back or against your will, dad. Please be okay with this. Please trust me."
"I do trust you. I know you're smart enough to make the right choices and if living with Finn is your choice then I can't say no can I?"
"So, I can stay?!" Ella asked loudly. "Thank you so much! I love you so much dad and I will never ask for anything again, I promise!"
"Don't say that, I want you to need me. And I love you too. I always will. No matter where you are. You know that right, El?"
"I know dad. Thank you again and again! Now you just have to talk to my school and let them know I won't be leaving tomorrow with the class!"
"Yeah, we'll see what they have to say about you not finishing high school and staying in London with your boyfriend."
"Well they don't really have any say in the matter do they?" Ella snapped.
"You're right, they don't. I'll phone you when I'm done with them, okay?"
"Sounds good. Thank you so much dad. Love you."
"Love you too, El." Ella hung up and smiled at Finn, "I gather you know he said yes?"
He nodded and pulled her into a tight hug. "I am so happy, Ella. I wouldn't survive if I had to say goodbye to you tomorrow, even if it was only just for a couple of weeks."
"Me neither," Ella said. She was so happy she could burst. She had everything and anything she could ever ask for. And then she remembered Caroline. How alone she must be feeling. She didn't mean to but she confided in Finn.
"Caroline's pregnant!" she said, before she could stop the words from coming out. Finn pulled out of their embrace, placing his hands on her shoulders. He raised an eyebrow at her. "What?" he asked.
"Caroline's pregnant. With Will! And I know that I shouldn't be saying anything, but I don't know who to tell. I mean, it's not like I'm the one pregnant but I still feel the weight of it. She's my best friend, you know? And I want to be there for her but I don't know how."
"So you should go home with her."
"No that's not why I'm telling you. I just, I think I just needed to tell someone, you know?"
"Okay. I understand. So it's Will's you said? That's the boy from her French class?" Ella smiled; surprised Finn had remembered the details.
She nodded at him, "Yeah, Will. I knew she really liked him and that they had, you know, done it. It just didn't even occur to me that she could actually get pregnant. It's something you hear about and are always warned about but you're sure it could never happen to you. And now it's happened; Caroline is pregnant."
Finn just gave her a small comforting smile and they sat back down on the couch. "It'll be okay, Ella. I know it will. And I know that you need to be there for her, so call your dad back okay? And don't feel bad because I know this is what you need to do."
"No! Finn, stop. I want to be there for Caroline, of course I do. But this is too much for me. I don't know how to be supportive in a situation like this. The best friend handbook didn't really cover what to do if your best friend is pregnant. I feel like, if I go back I will just be more of a hassle and a mess than an actual help."
"I don't understand. You mean if you stay here you'll be able to be more supportive for Caroline? Instead of actually being there, with her?" Finn asked, looking at Ella.
"I know it sounds bad, like I'm a horrible friend trying to get out of helping her, but I really think that it will be better this way."
"Have you told her you're staying?"
"Well no, I only just found out I could," Ella said, trying a smile.
"True. But I think she deserves to know; sooner rather than later."
"I know. But first can I spend some time with my amazing boyfriend in our amazing apartment? I remember you saying something about breaking in the bed?" Ella said, winking.
Finn just grabbed Ella's hand and led her to their bedroom, not bothering to close the door behind them. Who was there to interrupt them?
Ella lifted her head off the pillow and looked around the room. The moonlight coming in from the open window cast a calming, almost magical look across the room. She smiled as she took in the way the wallpaper seemed to shimmer against the white light of the moon, the dozens of books on the wooden bookshelf, all of them waiting to be read and loved by Ella. She noticed something on top of the dresser and she got out of bed slowly so she didn't wake Finn. She walked over to it and when she got closer she saw it was a picture. The frame was navy blue with small white detailing and it matched the room's décor perfectly. But it was the picture inside that Ella loved the most; a candid snapshot of her and Caroline. It was the two of them on the beach, their whole bodies covered in sand, their eyes red from the salty water. Her dad had taken it last summer when he had surprised the two of them with a trip to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. It was the best time of Ella's life; her, her dad and her best friend on the beach for a whole week. She would go back without a second's hesitation. Or that's what it had felt like before. Before she had Finn to leave behind. She took the frame with her back to the bed and gave it a new home on the bedside table, right beside where her head lay. She thought it looked better there. Then she rolled over and fell back into a sound sleep.
"Ella! El, come on babe you gotta wake up! It's 8:15. You need to get back to the hotel." Ella opened her eyes and closed them immediately, the sun too bright to handle at such an early time in the morning. Finn shook her shoulders gently and kissed her on the forehead. His cool lips felt refreshing against her warm head. She leaned up on her elbows and smiled at him. He laughed.
"What?" she asked, unaware of her awful bedhead.
"Nothing. Come on I made some toast and then I'll drive you back to the hotel."
"Oh my God it's Saturday! Caroline's leaving! I have to go now, no time for breakfast." She scrambled out of bed and hastily put her clothes back on.
"Fine but you're eating on the way," Finn argued.
"Sure, sure. Let's just go!"
When they got to the hotel Ella undid her seatbelt as quickly as she could. She leaned over and kissed Finn. "I will talk to you when I get back from the airport."
"What about all your stuff?" Finn asked.
Ella's jaw dropped. She hadn't even thought about her bags. "Come with me," she said, getting out of the car and walking to Finn's side. She opened the door and almost pulled his arm out of the socket trying to get him out of the car, not realizing he was still buckled. When he got out and closed the door she ran to the hotel doors and he ran after her, not sure what her plan was but ready to go along with it anyway.
Ella walked over to the concierge's desk with a purpose. "Hello," she said flatly.
"Good morning. You're one of the students leaving today aren't you?" he asked, pleasantly, as though he couldn't wait for the rowdy Canadians to be out of his hotel.
"This man needs a room for the evening," she said, purposely ignoring his question.
"Right, well, I guess we can find him one. Single is alright I presume?"
"Yes, perfect. But preferably on one of the lower floors, I have a bad fear of heights," Finn said, joining in on the charade. Ella smiled; the scenario was oh-so familiar for the both of them. But different as well; an exciting kind of different.
"I will see what I can do," the concierge said, typing away on his computer. Ella smiled at Finn and said to him quietly, "Text me your room number and I'll meet you there with my bags." He nodded and watched her as she walked onto the elevator. She gave him a cheerful wave goodbye but as soon as the doors closed she lost her smile.
The walk to her hotel room was methodical, no meaning behind it. It was the last time she'd be walking down this hallway and she would honestly miss the tacky carpet and clashing wallpaper. She opened the door to the hotel room and saw the three girls amid a flurry of clothes. They were packing, or more shoving clothes into their suitcases no matter whose clothes they were.
"Car?" Ella called out.
"Ella! Were you with Finn last night? Did he show you the apartment? Wasn't it amazing?" Caroline asked, standing up and walking over to Ella, a bra and a lonely sock in her hands.
"Yeah it's great!" Ella said, feigning enthusiasm. "Thanks so much for helping him; I'm sure he couldn't have done it without you! So, um you all packed?" Ella asked awkwardly. She didn't know why she felt so guilty; Caroline must have assumed she would be staying with Finn if he got the apartment for them.
"I think he would've done fine; he knows you, Ella." Caroline smiled. "And no I am almost done. You need to hurry up and pack though, we're leaving soon!"
"Caroline, I need to talk to you first. Privately," Ella said, eyeing Lindsay and Morgan.
"Ell, I really need to finish packing first okay? You do too, so we'll talk after we're done. Something to look forward to to get us through this mess!" Caroline said laughing. Ella couldn't but feel suspicious about Caroline's cheerful attitude.
"No, Caroline, I really need to talk to you. Like now." She grabbed Caroline's arm forcefully and pulled her out of the hotel room and into the hallway.
"Whoa, okay what's up?" Caroline asked when the door was closed.
"I- I need you to know that I love you, Car. Like a sister. And I want so badly to support you with the pregnancy. But I need to stay here, with Finn."
"What?" Caroline asked, not sure what Ella was trying to say.
"I'm not leaving today. I'm staying here, with Finn. And please don't think I'm deserting you in your time of need, but this is something I need to do for me. And I will still be there for you, even if we're far away from each other."
"Ella, I get it. I kind of knew you would stay here. Or at least move back here. I know how happy Finn makes you and now that you have the apartment, why wouldn't you want to stay?"
"Don't be mad. And don't be sad. Please. I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to make you feel even more alone than you must feel already."
"It's fine, Ella. I have to start doing things on my own and being strong with or without you around. You belong here anyway, with Finn," Caroline said, smiling genuinely.
"Oh, Caroline I'm going to miss you so much," Ella said sadly, her voice choked as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She pulled Caroline into a tight hug and they stood in the hallway in a tight embrace for what felt like an eternity. But it still didn't feel like enough time.
Almost immediately after Caroline started to walk away, she heard someone call her name. It came from behind her and the owner of the voice was not happy, almost angry. She spun around to find Will coming towards her with determination and frustration in his eyes. She cocked her head to the side in confusion and smiled at him, in hopes of achieving a look of innocence.
"What are you doing here?" Caroline asked sweetly.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Will asked angrily, completely ignoring Caroline's question and not returning her kind gesture.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Caroline replied sincerely.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Will said harshly. He looked down at Caroline and before she felt protected and safe but now she felt small and vulnerable; like she had the day she met him in the cafeteria.
"No," Caroline said, "I don't." By now she'd figured it out but she couldn't admit it. She looked like a fool and she felt so guilty her stomach turned. Maybe it was to keep it from him but it was too late for honesty. Now she was a liar and could hardly look at Will. But she kept her eyes fixated on him and she tried to maintain her clueless stare.
"Caroline, you have to tell me the truth," Will said. "I need to hear it from you."
"Hear what?" Caroline asked, keeping up the act. Then, from beside her, Ella said, "Don't lie to him, Car." Caroline looked down at the floor and then she looked all around her. Every one of her classmates had their eyes fixed on her, waiting for some kind of response. Will shifted from his right foot to his left in anticipation. He knew it was true, but he needed to hear it from Caroline for it to mean something.
"I'm so sorry, Will. For everything. I'm sorry this happened and I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But you have to understand that I did this for you," Caroline said, grabbing Will's hand and squeezing it.
"You were going to get on the plane, pregnant with my baby, not tell me about it and you're explanation for that is that it was for me? When I add those things up, I don't come to the same conclusion," Will said.
"You don't understand," Caroline said dismissively.
"So explain it to me," Will pleaded. "I need to understand."
Caroline hesitated before she spoke. Her breath was slow and steady as she said, "I didn't know what to do. I found out and went to the hotel and just sat and thought about everything until I ran out of things to think about. I knew that I couldn't do nothing so I tried to make a plan. A plan that would make things good and easy for everyone. But then I thought about you. This future that you have planned. It's going to be amazing and I refuse to stand in the way of that. You're going to one of the top schools in the world, Will. You should be focused and not have things to worry about. Things like me and a child. I thought that if I went back home and didn't tell you, I could raise this baby on my own and it wouldn't get in the way of your future." Caroline paused and before she could continue, Will had started to speak.
"And what about your future? You were just going to run away and be a single mother at 18? This isn't your decision, Caroline. I have a say in this, too."
"But I had a plan, Will!" Caroline nearly shouted. Everyone, including Mrs. Anchory, stood staring as Caroline and Will fought.
"You can't just run away, Caroline! You need my help and you need me. I don't care about school, I care about you. I'm not going anywhere, babe, but you have to let me help you. You have to trust me and you have to be honest with me."
"You want me to be honest?" Caroline asked, looking up at Will. Will nodded.
"I'm getting on that plane and I'm going back to where I came from. I don't care how many times you tell me I'm wrong, you are too good for me and I won't let you give up what you have for me and this baby. I love you, Will, but I have to be smart and I have to be fearless. What do you think your parents would say if they found out? They would tell you exactly what I'm telling you which is to let me go." Caroline turned to walk away but Will grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him.
"There is no way in hell I'm letting you get on that plane," Will said firmly. As angry as he was he was still madly in love with her. And Caroline hated him for making this hard for her. She thought that she could do it quickly, if at all, get on the plane and be done with it. But he was dragging it out and making it painful. Saying goodbye to Will was like a dagger in her heart and she didn't want to let him see her cry. Because she was, after all, madly in love with him.
"Goodbye, Will. And good luck," Caroline said, freeing herself from his tight grip. She didn't turn around when she spoke or when he called her name over and over again. She'd already made her way past security by the time Will had started after her. It was too late, Will hadn't been able to make her stay or change her mind.
When she was sure he couldn't see her anymore, Caroline burst into tears. Her shoulders rose and fell as she sobbed heavily. She didn't wipe away her tears because this time they weren't for nothing, they were for her long lost love. She would never see Will again and she hadn't even looked at him when she said goodbye. His face suddenly became a blur and she could barely remember the colour of his eyes.
Ella wiped her eyes and tried her best to regain her composure before turning to Will. "What are you doing here?" she asked him.
"Did you know?" he asked, ignoring her question.
"Yes. She told me. I didn't know she wasn't going to tell you though."
"Why aren't you leaving?" Will asked, not wanting to talk about Caroline's betrayal.
"I'm staying here, with Finn." Ella wasn't sure if Will knew who Finn was but she suddenly wanted to find him, not wanting to talk to Will anymore. She smiled at him, and then said "I'll probably see you around, maybe we can hang out some time. I better go though. You should go home too, Will. She's not coming back. At least not right now." Will nodded and turned away, his hands in his pockets and his shoulders slumped. Ella felt like crying; her best friend was gone and she had no idea what she was going to do without her or when she was even going to see her again.
She tried to think about anything else; she should be happy, ecstatic. She was living with her true love in an amazing city and she knew that life was finally going to be easy.
She stood there letting her mind wander over everything that wasn't Caroline, until she felt Finn's arm drape across her shoulder. He didn't say anything and Ella waited a few more minutes before she turned to the airport entrance and let Finn lead her to his car.
When they started driving Ella suddenly realized something. "Will was there," she said to Finn. He didn't look at her as he said "Saying goodbye?"
"Yeah, but he knew about the pregnancy. Even though Caroline never told him."
"How did he find out?" Finn asked, his voice suspiciously high pitched.
"I was wondering the same thing. I mean, only Caroline, Ryan and I knew. And I don't about Ryan but the only person I told was you. You didn't tell anyone, right?" Ella asked, even though she could guess what Finn was going to say.
Finn sighed and then, still not looking at her, confessed. "I told Jack. I thought he deserved to know, even though it's not his baby. I guess he told Will, maybe in spite or something."
"I cannot believe you Finn! How could you betray me and Caroline like that? Why would you tell him?" Ella asked, shocked at what Finn had done, even though she had suspected as much.
"I'm sorry, El. I really am. I thought I was doing the right thing and I promise I never thought Jack would tell Will."
Ella didn't say anything. She couldn't look at Finn let alone talk to him.
"Please, please don't be mad at me, Ella. You being here is the most amazing thing that could happen and if you aren't even going to talk to me…"
"Don't even say that. Don't try to guilt me into forgiving you. What you did, Finn, was deceiving. You broke my trust. You're going to have to make it up to me, because apologizing is not going to cut it."
"I understand." Finn didn't say anything else while they drove. When they got to the apartment Ella followed him upstairs in silence, and went into their bedroom, closing the door behind her.