I have been rendered speechless by all of you lovely reviews! You all are so sweet. I just can't thank you or express my love enough. So I'll just keep on writing. I know that pace has been rather slow so...after this chapter, things are really going to start picking up. Anyway, thanks again and I hope you enjoy!
Chapter Eight
You Again
There was nothing quite like a steaming hot bath. Ellie had always loved them. She accomplished a lot of good thinking when submerged in water. Some of her best writing had come out of a long shower or a summery day swim.
She sunk deeper into the water, a long sigh on her lips. Shutting her eyes tight, her ears dips under the surface and she was encased in a wall of silence. Well, not silence. The steady beat of her heart coupled by the waving flow of the blood in her veins was as soothing as a lullaby.
She lay there, waiting for the words to come to her like they always did. Except this time they just weren't coming. Ellie could feel them swirling around in the back of her head like a pod of skittish fish. Not one of them risked straying from the pack.
As the water began to warm, Ellie was feeling that her night was turning into somewhat of a failure.
I'm such a dud. An old-fashioned dud.
She had been invited out to the opening of a new music bar in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
The Folk Tree? Was that the name? Something with 'tree' in it. The Tiger Tree? The Melon Tree? Oh, who cares.
It had been Roy who had invited her. But when she found out that it was all Corinne's idea, for the three of them to "bond," Ellie quickly feigned sickness and hung up the phone.
I don't need to go out to have fun on a Saturday. Ellie had thought, much earlier that afternoon.
Now, at almost a quarter to nine, Ellie was rethinking her choices.
She tipped the drain with her toe and slunk out of the tub, more frustrated than relaxed. Slipping into a pair of navy sweat pants and sports bra, Ellie headed over to her refrigerator.
I need food. She thought, licking her lips as she opened the fridge. Oh. I guess I do really need food.
Even her small refrigerator looked sparse. Inside lay only: a basket of strawberries, half emptied, her Brita filter, orange juice, Nutella, blackberry jam, a bag of spinach and an old container of Chinese take-out.
She did consider grabbing a spoon and snacking on chilled Nutella, but her stomach yearned for something more substantial.
Not acceptable. I'm going to the market.
She, by no means, wanted to go out at such an hour. But her belly was coaxing her on. Hunger, it seemed, was a motivational monster.
Dragging her hair into a bun at the top of her head, Ellie grabbed a forest green sweater from her drawer and was ready to go. She grabbed her purse and a checkered scarf from their place hanging on the door knob.
"I'll be back, Harrison." She called over her shoulder.
That was better. She thought. Where the bath had failed to distract her, the brisk walk triumphed. It was an unusually cold California night. As she walked under street lamp after street lamp, she was delighted to find that she could see her breath as clear as wispy smoke.
I do like the cold. She thought.
As she entered the small, family owned market, a bright ping announced her presence.
"Hello Ellie!" A sugary voice called from her left. She turned and grinned.
"Mrs. O'Riley, hi."
Mrs. O'Riley was a kind, maternal sort of woman. The O'Riley family had owned the placed since the building had been erected almost fifty years past. Mrs. April O'Riley was well known for her friendly nature and her ability to remember every customer's name. Her husband, Arthur, was as Irish as the potato and still had a trace of accent left in him.
"Are you shopping for Clovis tonight? It's getting to be rather late, you know."
Ellie shook her head. "Not tonight. Just picking up some snacks."
Mrs. O'Riley nodded and turned her attention to issue of in Inquirer that lay opened on the countertop.
Ellie wandered up an aisle wondering exactly what it was that she was craving. After meandering up and down all nine aisles she decided on soup.
It's soup weather. Well, as close as California will ever get to soup weather. Now, what do I need?
Now that she had a purpose she moved faster. After almost filling her basket with all the ingredients for the vegetable soup, she decided to but some sort of pre-maid cookie dough.
What can I say? It's been one of the those days...weeks...months.
She shook the thought away and stared at the cool set of shelves where the cookie dough was stashed.
Which type do I want...? There are, like, dozens of them.
She cocked her head to the side, reading each label and price.
This shouldn't be this hard of a decision. There is such a thing as too many choices, you know.
Luckily, before she could be bested by the smattering of cookie dough varieties, someone interrupted her.
"Ventured out again, I see."
Ellie looked to her left. Sure enough...
It was Eric. He stood a few feet away from her, his own basket hanging in his pale hand. He wore the same grey trench coat he had given to her on that night, the same scarf as well. He was smirking down with her in a manner she guessed her meant to be friendly.
It wasn't as though Ellie thought him to be an unpleasant person. But on first impression, and even now, there was something about him that seemed cold. Distant.
She offered a wry smile that quickly receded into a frown.
"Venture?" She repeated. The word has suspect undertones. She wondered if he meant them to be conveyed.
Eric smirk lengthened. He seemed cheerier than he did when she had first met him. Refreshed, almost. Not that it mattered to Ellie.
"Yes, ventured." He said, his green eyes glinting in the din of fluorescent lights. "You yourself saw what happens when young ladies wander around in the late hours.
Ellie scoffed. He sounded perfectly pleasant. If Ellie hadn't been listening closely, she could have mistaken his words for sweet compliments or matter-of-factuals.
"That was a freak accident. A-An isolated incident." She said, turning her attention back to the cookies. Reaching down she picked one of the packet up and slipped it into her basket.
She turned to walk down aisle number seven so that she could check out, but Eric was blocking her way. She sniffed and made her way around him
"It seemed as though you had...have every reason to worry." He said, his voice as thick as syrup.
Ellie stopped walking. Well, I can't just let that fly by...She spun around and glared at him.
"I was handling it." She said.
"I don't think you were." He said; a tinkling laugh in his voice.
"Well, I was!" Ellie said, indignant. She felt the inexplicable need to stamp her foot into the linoleum floor like some bratty little child. She huffed and made her way down the aisle.
"You all set, sweetie?" Mrs. O'Riley called, stashing her magazine.
Ellie smiled. "Yes, ma'am."
She placed her basket on the conveyer belt and dug around in her purse for her wallet.
"So tell me, Ellie, do you know that man?" Mrs. O'Riley whispered as she began to scan the items.
"What man?" Ellie questioned, still searching for her wallet.
"What man!" the older woman blanched. "What man? The tall, dar-Well, I suppose he's not dark really, pale as a ghost he is! His hair is dark though, like ink or-or..."
"Oh, him." Ellie said. "He just moved into the lot across from you."
"Did he now!" Mrs. O'Riley gaped. "Well, I guess I'll be getting to see more of him around. What's his name, love?"
"Eric Foster. A pleasure."
Ellie and Mrs. O'Riley jumped out of there skin. There he stood, right behind Ellie. He bowed his head respectfully. Mrs. O'Riley seemed very flustered. She busied herself with packing up Ellie's food into paper bags.
"Why do you do that?" Ellie whispered, her heart hammering.
Eric looked surprised. "Pardon? Do what exactly?"
"You know," Ellie said, waving her hand in a flutter. "Sneak up on people. You're very quiet."
It was more of an observation, an annoying observation, but Loki could tell the girl meant no harm by the comment.
"Suppose you are just...impercipient." He offered, trying to contain his joy at the flush of anger that tinged Ellie's cheeks.
"Impercipient?" Ellie repeated. "No, I am not impercipient."
Ellie was a writer. The very last thing a person could call a writer was impercipient. That he even had the nerve to tell an almost stranger that she was impercipient.
What does he know? Nothing! He's only since slightly smashed me, hungover me...that doesn't even count. It's like we haven't met at all...
"The total will be 27.98." Mrs. O'Riley squeaked. Ellie turned back to her, flashing a kind smile. She pulled six crinkly fives out of her wallet.
There goes my day in tips...She thought forlornly.
"Forgive me..." Eric's voice said from behind her. Before she could react, she felt his hand clench her shoulder. A ticklish shiver ran up and down her spine. She cringed a bit, but his hand didn't leave.
"I do not wish to argue with you. I apologies for what I said."
Ellie turned around to face him again. She stared into his eyes. Genuine shame lay deep inside the emerald iris's. She sighed. Well, now I feel like a bitch.
Glancing down at his hand, Ellie reached up and gently pushed it away.
"Fine." She said curtly. She accepted her change from Mrs. O'Riley. She moved out of his way and went to retrieve her bags.
Shoot. There were three bags. She had forgotten that she had walked. Picking up one bag and tucked it tightly to her and then grabbed the next one.
This could work...She thought. Balancing the bags and struggled to pick up the last one. It was quite a sight. Not that Ellie knew it. Her determination was interrupted by a quiet cough. She looked up to see both Eric and Mrs. O'Riley staring at her.
"Would you like me to assist you?" Eric asked sweetly.
No, no I would not. Ellie thought. Why am I acting like this? Before tonight this Eric has been nothing but a gentleman. Is he just mad because I turned him down?
Ellie had never been in this sort of situation before. She had been terribly in love with the same boy all thought high school. Ryan McKay. Of course Ryan was taken with a lovable girl named Olivia. Ellie never stood a chance. In college she had dated a singer/songwriter named Evan. But that was it. And, in both instances, she had been the one at risk of breaking. She had been turned down. Never had it been the over way round.
When they rejected me I was angry. And sad, but mostly angry. He has every right to be. Oh shut up, Ellie. Why would anyone get angry or sad over you? He's probably over it. So why aren't you? You don't even have anything to be "over" about...
Conceding, Ellie nodded her head. Eric looked pleased with himself.
"Wait just a moment." He said. He turned his attention back to Mrs. O'Riley and complete his transactions. Ellie huffed, shifting the weight of the two bags she held onto her hip.
She watched as Mrs. O'Riley scanned his items. Ellie's brow furrowed.
"What exactly do you plan on making with that?" Ellie asked.
Eric looked at her. "What do you mean?"
Ellie couldn't help but smile. Men. What would they do without women...
"What can you possibly make with...one onion, frozen peas, mint, and...red wine vinegar?"
Loki could care less what the items were he had merely conjured them up to avoid looking suspicious. He certainly didn't think his basket would garner so much attention. He just shrugged his shoulders.
"Goodnight Ellie, dear." Mrs. O'Riley called. "Good night, Eric."
Ellie smiled over her shoulder and Loki nodded curtly. They stepped out into the cold night. The mechanical doors slid shut with a bump.
"If you could just hand me bag..." Ellie said, her eyes trained on the sidewalk.
When Eric didn't respond, Ellie turned to look at him.
"You didn't...drive." He asked.
"Well, no." Ellie said. "It's just around the corner."
Eric considered it. "No, I will escort you home."
Ellie groaned. "Look, Eric. That's very kind of you, but I-"
"I won't have a young lady such as yourself victimized in the shadows."
Ellie rolled her eyes. How annoying. Chivalry died for a reason I guess...
Ellie shifted the bags in her arm again and held out the free one. "Please just hand me the bag?"
Eric stared down at her. Ellie thought he would refuse again, but he dutifully handed over her bag.
"Thank you." She said. "Goodnight."
He seemed a bit put-off, but he nodded. "Goodnight Ellie."
He turned to leave and Ellie watched him. She glanced down at the bag in arm and was reminded of his purchases.
I do still sort of owe him...
Ellie remembered what had become of her day. She would be going home alone to an empty black home with nothing to entertain herself with. And so, it seemed would Eric. The thought was less depressing to her now. It scared her. There was something about being alone on a Saturday night that made her feel even worse. She couldn't talk to Harrison, he would never be able to answer her.
"Eric?" She called. He stopped walking but didn't turn to see her.
"Yes?"
What are you doing, Ellie...
"Would you...erm, what are you doing?"
Loki was confused by the question. He was walking home, of course. Another failed attempt at charming the girl...Well he had entered the store with the intention of charming her. He had chosen the words, carefully planned the encounter. But when he had seen her there, in the store, with her ill-fitting, baggy attire, wiry hair, and make-up less face, he felt compelled to tease as he had done when he was a cat. Indeed she was terribly appealing when she was angry with him. What he knew were meant to be formidable and dangerous faces were more amusing to him.
"Have you eaten dinner?" Ellie said, not giving him chance to answer her first question.
And what is this...? Loki thought. Have we had a change of heart?
"I have not." He answered, turning to face her.
Ellie gulped. She couldn't decide if she wanted to him to answer yes or know. She wasn't excited or relieved by his answer, but she wasn't disappointed or upset either.
"Would you...I'm making soup. Would you like to have some."
A small smile lit up his face. Ellie found herself blushing in spite of it. As tall and dark as he might be, there was something...cute about him.
"If you would have me." He said.
If you would have me? Ellie thought. Who talks like that?
She smiled awkwardly. "It's the least I could do...after you, um, you know. And after I...um...well...'
She trailed off as Eric walked towards her, the distance between them diminishing.
"And I thank you for it." He said. Quick as lightening he snatched two of her bags away from her. He had a surprising grip on al of the bags. Ellie guessed he was much stronger than he looked.
"Right." She said.
Hugging the last bag tightly to her chest, Ellie led the way down the street. Eric walking close behind.
I think I'm going to end here, just cause it's a little late. (not as late as usual, but I have a sneaking suspicion my dad's gonna drag me outta bed early) But the next chapter, and Ellie and Loki's impending late night dinner, will be up tomorrow night, okay!
Thanks for reading, for sticking with me, and most of all reviewing! Your reviews are making me giddy as a school girl ;0)