Shades Of Blue

Chapter 16|This Time Could Be Different

"Okay, Wednesday was a success and I, for one, am so proud of Miss Eleanor Kline" says Mere as she flips her hair over her right shoulder and Eleanor squeals in excitement.

"I mean, you did kinda intrude, Mere and even dragged me along"

She stares at me point blank as I continue, "you made me wear that ridiculous outfit and had me spy on them, it was uncomfortable"

Eleanor laughs as she makes kissy faces and I start eating apple slices from one of my many containers.

"Okay okay, I may have wanted to observe the loveliest couple of the century but, at least I don't like a troll, El" she laughs as steals a slice and pokes her tongue out.

"Wow, Meredith Rose Johnson, not only are you a stalker but, you're a thief too" I tsk playfully.

She rolls her eyes as she stands up, on to the bench and reaching out her arms, she takes a breath before declaring, "I am guilty of stealing, stealing your heart, Elaine Agnes Dearly!"

"That's not my middle name"

She hushes me, getting down from the bench as she bows and takes her seat, a few by passers clap their hands in amusement. Mere, loving the attention thanks them.

We both turn to Eleanor, who hums as she appears to be thinking deeply.

"You're in love with El?" she questions in all seriousness as we laugh in amusement.

"You're too cute, Leanor, she was joking, silly"

"Oh, makes sense"

"Anyways, I feel like we should probably discuss the next step in our hashtag Beleanor plan" Mere interrupts suddenly, in all seriousness, "I think that maybe a day out, at the beach perhaps, with all of our friends"

"Casual, I like it"

I nod along in agreement, surprisingly. I don't think I've ever really liked hanging out with my brother and his friends when I'm with Mere and Leanor. My brother is always being the weirdo that he is and Beck becomes so much more irritating than usual.

Although, I feel this time could be different.

-

Making my way towards the exit, impatient to get home, I see Henry coming out of his class and decide to say hi.

"Hey there, Henry Forrester"

He jumps a little and chuckles as he sees me, with a hand on his chest he says,"hey there, Elaine Dearly, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

I chuckle as I feel my cheeks heat up, "I just wanted to say hi"

He nods and brushes his hair from his face as I see a glimmer in his eyes, as if he wanted me to say more.

So I did.

"But also, I was wondering if maybe you'd wanna hang out on Saturday" I pause for effect, "at the beach with my friends"

I pause again but, this time because I don't really want to say this last part because I guess I feel it's weird, "and my brother's friends"

"Ah, I see" he replies back in short.

I'm left confused, "well, your soccer team mates, I guess, do you have friends?"

"Uh" he laughs and scratches his head in amusement that I'd actually ask that.

"Oh, I didn't mean it like that, I am genuinely curious, I don't really see you hanging around my brother or Beckinsale a lot"

He smiles at my awkwardness and I blush deeper wanting to be swallowed by my comfy duvet.

"Uh, I have friends, yeah, Iris, George and Brinley, they were the first I had met when I moved here" he explains as we near the exit.

"Iris Mackenzie, Brinley Dayton and George Sawyer?"

He nods in response and as he's about to reply we're interrupted by a deep voice, "Laine, Forrester, what's up?"

I internally groan and cry in dramatic agony as Beckinsale Carter is the culprit.

"Hey man" Henry says as they do this handshake the soccer team made up and then they turn to me.

"Beckinsale, you're everywhere"

"It seems that way"

We stand in silence as I stare him down in annoyance whilst he has an unreadable expression for once. A few more seconds and Henry awkwardly coughs breaking our stare down.

"So, what did you need, buddy?" Henry asks Beck as he steps closer to me, clearly trying to send a message.

Beck eyes the movement and looks at me, "your mom wanted me to let you know I'll be driving you home and your brother has detention" he says as he looks to Henry for a moment, "so, it'll just be you and me, Laine"

Oh, great.

-

The ride home is quiet and uncomfortable.

Beck's behaviour lately has been so odd. I do not understand it. I don't think anyone does, to be honest.

Although, I've not said a word and clearly that means I simply don't want to talk, Beck doesn't seem to understand that.

He clears his throat as he turns the volume on the radio down a bit, "Laine, about the party and then the other day when I needed to talk to you about something, important..."

"It's okay, Beck, I understand "

"You do?" he asks as his face screws up in confusion, I assume.

"Yeah, you being with Eleanor makes you feel like there's going to be a rift between us, I don't think there will be" I reply.

"That's not really wha-"

"I think Eris will be fine, he won't mind and Mere and I will be okay because of course we can't let you have Eleanor all the time"

I turn to him with a smile as he takes a side glance at me and shakes his head, "uh, that's good?"

I nod in appreciation as we continue the drive home.

-

"Hey mom?" I say as I see lights on as I enter the dining room.

My mother is seated at the table with papers scattered all over.

"Elaine, what are you doing up so late, dear?" she says quietly and it sounds as though she's exhausted.

I take a seat next to her as I fold my coat over my chest, "I couldn't sleep, I figured a glass of milk might not actually be a myth but, I thought maybe it'd make me need to pee so, I just settled on some water not that it's much better"

She chuckles and it's the first time I feel it's actually genuine and I can't help feel a little content.

"What about you? This is a lotta papers" I ask as I scan the documents.

She sighs and rubs her eyes as she places her glasses down, "oh, it's nothing, work documents that I've been working on for this new case I've gotten, it's a load for sure"

I nod as she stands with a yawn and kisses the top of my head, "I'm gonna get some shut eye, you should too, goodnight, sweet"

She exits the dining room and as I go to stand, I see a crumpled piece of paper by the chair she sat on. I reach for it and smooth it out on the table.

Trying to decipher what it reads, I make out one particular word and it struck me.

Father...

.｡*♡✧*。