Elizabeth sat in the back seat of the car with Jordan Collier riding right beside her. She hadn't said a word to him since he got into the car with her. She had protested then but he insisted that he would see to it that she arrived home safely. He insisted that it was what he had promised Shawn. Elizabeth had pouted a bit, folded her arms across her chest and plopped herself into the car without another word. The silence between them was deafening but the unease was palpable.
"I'm sorry to hear that you're at odds with your best friend," Jordan finally said in a soft voice. He fixed his gaze on a point somewhere out the front windshield.
Elizabeth slouched a bit, biting back the response she wanted to give to his statement. She wanted to scream at him that if it hadn't been for him Graceila would never have acted this way towards her but Elizabeth thought better of it. "Thank you," she said in a forced tone. "I'm sure you tried your best to mend things between Gracie and I when she came to see you earlier today."
Jordan softly laughed. "Is that what this is about? Is that why I'm getting the silent treatment?" he asked. He turned his head to look at Elizabeth now. "When your friend came to see me, she was angry. I talked to her. I told her that if she was that worried for your safety that she should join the Center as well. I never said anything to incite her behavior towards you." He paused a moment, waiting for Elizabeth to reply. "And if I did say something I shouldn't have, then you have my apologies. It was never my intention ..."
"Of course it wasn't," Elizabeth coolly replied. "It was never your intention to distance Graceila and I. It's just a happy coincidence."
"I wouldn't call it a 'happy' coincidence."
Elizabeth looked out her window, gritting her teeth. "You can let me out at the next stop light," she told the driver. "If you want to, you can follow me home from there but it's not far. I can just walk, thank you."
Jordan nodded to the driver who had looked back at them through the rear view mirror. "We won't follow you," he assured her. "I truly am sorry, Elizabeth. In time you'll understand."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes as the car came to a slow stop at the corner. She listened for the click of the door lock and opened the door without looking back at Jordan. As she climbed out of the car, she felt a tear roll down her cheek. Elizabeth got out and slammed the door shut behind her. She could see Jordan through the window. His sad smile actually comforted Elizabeth slightly. She could feel the pity coming off of him and she despised him for it. She hugged herself as she watched the car pull away from the curb. She waited there until she could no longer see the car. Looking up the empty sidewalk, Elizabeth wiped away the tears that had fallen without her consent. Turning on her heels she walked in the opposite direction to her apartment building.
A/N: Sorry it's so short. But it still gets the point across so I guess it'll do. :) Hope you're enjoying reading as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Reviews would be lovely but aren't necessary if you aren't so inclined. :)