Page 3 of Desolation

Is he insane? I literally just told him I have panic attacks and he wants to be my friend? Am I being pranked right now? Looking around, I try to see if I see anyone hiding or lurking ready to jump out at any moment and say this is all a joke, like that Carrie movie. Hot guy asks a weird girl on a date and then next thing you know she’s covered in pig’s blood at the prom and everyone is laughing at her. Not that Drake asked me on a date. Not that I would ever go if he did.

Drake looks around too, trying to figure out what I’m looking for. The confusion on his face when his eyes come back to mine is palpable. “It’s ok if you don’t want to. I know it’s a little out of the blue.”

“No, it’s ok. I’m just trying to figure out if I’m being pranked,” I say softly.

“Why would you think that?” he asks, hurt in his eyes.

Shit. Scrubbing my hand down my face, I sigh. I am fucking this all up. “Well, I’m not exactly popular, or rich. You’re both of those things. Basically, I try to stay as invisible as possible, and I honestly don’t know how easy that would be if we became friends. I’m also very certain that we don’t really have anything in common.”

“You might be surprised, and as for the other things, I don’t really care about popularity, or money. In fact, most of the people who say they are my friends, really only hang around me because of the money or what they think I can do for them. Who needs friends like that?” he asks.

Well, he’s got a good point. But friends? Me and Drake? I don’t know.

“I’m not good at this stuff. I usually just stick to myself. Once I graduate, I’m leaving here, and I won’t ever be back,” I say softly.

“All I’m asking for is a chance. If you can’t or won’t give me that, I’ll understand, but I’m not pranking you or being deceitful, El. Besides, I heard you got into NYU and that’s where I go too,” he says.

Oh, we are doing nicknames already? Feeling my face get hot, I dip my head so that my hair hides my face. Drake reaches over, and using one finger, gently slides my hair behind my ear, making my face flame even more.

“Please don’t hide from me, Elodie,” he says.

What is actually happening right now?

“I can’t do this right now,” I whisper. “I have to work.”

Turning, I walk to the other end of the counter to take a breather and start stacking cups. This whole interaction is weird right? Sneaking a look at him over my shoulder as I run away like a coward, I see him drop his head in his hands, almost as if I hurt his feelings. That can’t be right though. That whole interaction left me feeling very unsure and confused.

Reba comes out and Drake pays for his stuff and leaves, smiling and waving at me as he goes.

I find myself thinking about his touch more than I should have. The gentleness in his moving my hair, almost as if he was afraid I would run, which I did. Why did he have to do that? I’ve spent so much of my life only wanting one thing; to get away from my parents. Then, I found an escape in photography, and my focus has been on that for several years now. I can’t afford to have something else distracting me from my goal. My need to get away from here overshadows everything. This is just a complication I can’t deal with right now.

CHAPTER 4

ELODIE

This type of work usually gives me way too much time to think about things. Today is no different. I find myself going back to the interaction with Drake. God dammit, I never thought in a million years the object of my girlish fantasies all these years would actually approach me offering friendship. Nothing good can ever come of that. The last thing Drake needs is some panic attack having, neurotic friend dragging him down. Let alone anything else. I’m definitely not anyone’s girlfriend material.

Wait,girlfriend? Where did that even come from? He literally just asked to be my friend and I’m sitting here rolling silverware and trying to list the ways I’d be a shitty girlfriend in my head. I really have lost my mind. Slamming the silverware into the tub, I sigh and move to wiping counters.

Reba looks at me with an eyebrow raised and I shake my head at her. Not now. I’m a hundred percent sure she is not going to let this go though.

The front door bell rings and Drake walks back in. What the hell?

“I want to apologize to you,” he says, walking up to the counter.

“Apologize to me?” I squeak out. Clearing my throat, I take a step back. This is when he’s going to retract what he said. I knew it was too good to be true.

“I didn’t mean to upset or startle you earlier. Which I clearly did. But I was serious Elodie, I do want to be your friend, in whatever way you’ll let me,” he says.

Oh. Can I? Should I?Just take something for yourself for once, El. Just once in your miserable life.

“Just don’t expect too much from me, okay?” I ask.

He nods, and a smile spreads across his face like a ray of sunshine. I am so fucked. He writes his number down on a napkin, hands it to me and then leaves again.

Reba calls my name. I knew she wasn’t going to let this go.

“Elodie, you know who that is right?” she asks, concern etched into her features.

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