Page 9 of Mine to Ruin

Ellia

The sun’s rays bounce on my eyelids, and I groan into my pillow. My mysterious stranger starred in all my dreams. With a huff, I hop out of bed, getting ready for the day. I place the remaining boxes on top of the other, but thoughts of him sneak in. Why didn’t I take him up on his offer?

I try to clear my head but my train of thought keeps going back to the man with the gray-green eyes. Why keep thinking of a person I would probably never see again in my life? I keep telling myself it is for the best. He would eat me up for breakfast and spit me out at lunch. Ugh, I am losing my mind here.

The girls and I have breakfast, and silence stretches around the table. With their departure hanging over me like a dark cloud, emotions pelt over me like a downpour. I will miss them terribly.

When the first Uber arrives, to pick up Tara for the airport, we share a group hug.

“Have fun, and don’t fall in love with Paris,” I tell Tara as we end the hug.

“No one ever came back without loving Paris.” Aubrey stares at me like I am crazy for even saying that.

“I don’t care. Just come home, Tara, and don’t fall for some French guy.”

“Please do, live for me, too. Fuck some French guys, pretty please,” Aubrey tells Tara with hands raised in prayer.

Tara’s face resembles a tomato, and the Uber driver’s eyes widen into saucers. I hold my stomach, laughing, while Aubrey adds, “What? Dude, you’re such a prude.”

The driver scurries back behind the wheel. Tara shakes her head at Aubrey, who locks her elbow around mine as we wave her goodbye.

“Promise me something, will you?”

“I am sure it’s not a good idea,” I say, and she waves me off.

“You know why you’re so apathetic when it comes to guys? It’s because you don’t let yourself be surprised.”

I open my mouth to reply, but she puts her hand on her hip and gives me a look. “Please. I want to hear all about it for the hundredth time.”

“It’s just…I need to build that trust first.”

“Let go, and let loose. I know the kind of guys you like to date… Not impressed.” Her eyes round in pity, and I shove her playfully.

She’s right, but those guys made me feel safe.

“I am going to miss you,” she says as her Uber pulls up next to where we’re standing. Tears gathering in our eyes, we hug each other. She picks up her luggage and rushes to the Uber.

Aubrey waves goodbye from inside the car. When she disappears down the street, I go inside to grab the remaining boxes and carry them to my car. I take one more look at the apartment and let the last few years of my life play through my mind.

I graduated, check. I made the best friends possible, check. And now I am about to begin another chapter of my life.

I lock up for the last time and climb into my car and start the engine. After a short drive, I park in front of the cream three-story building that houses my new apartment. I carry all the boxes inside by the door, and I’m about to open it when I spot an old lady battling with two grocery bags.

I offer to help and carry her grocery bags in her apartment and put the bags down on the counter.

“Thank you, my dear,” my new neighbor says. “It’s getting harder to carry everything. Would you like some lemonade?” She doesn’t give me time to answer; she’s already placing two glasses on the table, and gestures toward a chair.

She opens the fridge and fills the glasses. The cold texture of lemonade mixed with mint and honey finds my taste buds. Savoring the fresh and sweet taste, I take another long gulp.

“This is so good. Thank you.”

“You can come over whenever you want. Call me Diana.”

“I am Ellia, but everyone calls me Ellie.” A white ball of fur hops on my lap and stretches.

“You rude little thing. Get down.”

The cat just looks at her, and plops on my lap while I suppress a smile.

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