Lover // the fisher brothers

006

Eleanor 🎀

As I lounged on the sofa, eagerly awaiting the start of our cherished movie night, the anticipation hung thick in the air. It was an unspoken rule that our evening would kick off with a screening of the classic film, It Happened One Night. Seeking to pass the time, I reached for a book, immersing myself in its pages as the minutes ticked by.

The laughter of the boys as they headed off to their bonfire drifted through the room, punctuating the quiet evening. Moments later, Belly sauntered in, her presence bringing a sense of familiarity and comfort. I instinctively moved closer to her, sensing that she had something on her mind.

Susannah's cheerful voice broke through the stillness as she announced the impending baking of brownies, filling the room with the enticing aroma of chocolate. My mom's directive to put the DVD in interrupted our tranquil moment, but before I could comply, Belly's hand clasped onto my arm, her hesitation palpable.

"Uh, do we have to watch It Happened One Night again?" Belly's voice was tinged with uncertainty. "Can't we do something different this time?"

My mom, steadfast in her adherence to tradition, gently reminded us of our customary movie choice. However, Susannah interjected with a suggestion for a change of pace.

"We could switch it up and watch The Philadelphia Story instead," she proposed, her tone accommodating. "Everything okay?"

Belly hesitated, her eyes flickering with indecision as she exchanged a glance with me before offering her explanation.

"Well, Ellie and I are feeling a bit tired, so we might skip the movie and turn in early," she explained softly.

Susannah nodded understandingly, her warmth evident in her response.

"Okay, sweetie, no problem," she reassured. "We can save the brownies for another night." With that, Belly and I retreated to the sanctuary of our bedroom, where I settled onto the bed beside her, the weight of the evening's events settling in. As Belly reached for her phone to call Taylor, seeking solace in the familiar voice of a friend, I couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected turn our movie night had taken.

As Taylor's voice echoed through the phone, a hint of surprise laced with curiosity, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. "Why am I hearing from you? You never call me on the first night," Taylor says.

Belly's inquiry interrupted my thoughts, her concern evident in her tone as she questioned Taylor's unexpected call. "Um, where are you going?" Belly asks.

"To a show," Taylor says. "What's wrong?"

Belly's voice wavered slightly as she recounted her encounter with Conrad by the pool, a moment that had left her unsettled yet intrigued. "Tonight, Conrad and I were talking by the pool, just the two of us, and it... felt different," Belly says.

"Good different? See, I told you," Taylor says as she puts some mascara on.

Belly's uncertainty lingered, her hesitation palpable as she grappled with the evening's events. "I don't, I don't know," Belly says. "I mean, Jeremiah and Steven came down, and they all just left and went to this thing on the beach."

"Oh, why didn't you go with them?" Taylor asks.

"Like I care about a beach bonfire," Belly says.

"I got invited," I say. "When we stopped at the shop, the worker asked me to come."

"See?" Taylor says. "Come on, girl. Go have fun."

"No," I say. "Belly, you can go but I'm staying."

"Please come with me," she says. "Please, please, please."

"Fine," I say.

"Look in your duffel bag. I've you gifted you both my secret weapon. Not to keep, obvs, just to borrow," Taylor says as Belly pulls out two dresses from her duffel bag.

"No way in hell," I say.

"Ellie, nothing's ever going to happen if you're alone crying in your room in your big T-shirt reading a book," Taylor says.

"Yeah, but... I mean, won't you be able to see my underwear underneath it?" I say.

"So, wear a thong," Taylor says.

"Okay," I say.. The dress Taylor gifted us was a shimmering, short pink dress adorned with delicate spaghetti straps. Its fabric caught the light, creating a soft glow that accentuated its elegant silhouette. As I slipped into it, I couldn't help but feel a sense of transformation, the dress lending an air of sophistication to our evening attire. With its flattering cut and subtle sheen, it was the perfect choice for a night of unexpected adventures.

I braid Belly's hair. We walk downstairs, making sure not to step on the step that is creaky. The moms are watching It Happened One Night.

"Do you mind if I try?" A voice comes from the TV.

"You," another voice speaks from the TV. Me and Belly watch our favorite part before heading off to the party."

Hey, lovelies.
I hope you enjoy.
Xoxo, your favourite writer x

Word count: 820 words