Page 6 of When Ellie Falls in Love

“It’s fine. Go have a social life.”

After saying their goodbyes, Ellie made her way into the empty theater. School was out for the day and everyone had gone home except the stragglers who were stopping by to check the list on the board. Ellie could hear their excitement on the other side of the door as she walked up the stage and over to the piano. Even after taking piano lessons for years, Ellie still preferred to play by ear. Without any sheet music, she started to play her favorite song from her favorite musical.

“Winner Takes it All” had captivated Ellie from the first time she’d heard her mother belt it out on stage. She nearly broke theMamma Mia!CD her parents had gifted her from listening to it so much. And when streaming services became popular, the song often topped Ellie’s top songs of the year. Ellie belted out the song, completely lost in her own world.

Being on stage and singing made Ellie feel alive. It didn’t matter if there was an audience or not; she just loved performing. And the way her voice echoed throughout the open theater with no one else in there.

Or well, sheassumedno one was in there. But somehow, Sadie had snuck into the back of the theater. She was sitting in the back row, her eyes locked on Ellie. Ellie was used to performing for an audience, but something about the intense gaze Sadie was giving her made Ellie nervous.

Why is she here? Why is she watching me? Doesn’t she have someplace to be that isn’t here, watching me?

Ellie’s mind was running rampant trying to figure out why Sadie was there. But no answers were coming. Sadie was her friend. Sort of. Maybe she just wanted to support Ellie. But then why would she stay in the dark shadows of the theater and not come up front so Ellie could see her better? Or at least say something to her. She wished the theater wasn’t so dark so she could see Sadie’s eyes better. Maybe then she could tell what she was thinking.

As the song ended, Ellie looked down at the keys and let out a sigh of relief. She took a beat before getting the nerve to look back at Sadie. But instead, Ellie only caught a glimpse of the theater door closing.

Shrugging, Ellie picked up her backpack she’d discarded by the piano bench. She took the side exit of the theater that led directly to the parking lot.

Where she nearly ran into Sadie.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

The two were frozen in place, seemingly unable to move for some unknown reason. Ellie nervously adjusted her backpack hanging loosely off her shoulder and smiled at Sadie. To her delight, Sadie smiled back.

“You sounded great.”

“Thanks,” Ellie quickly responded. “I got the lead in the play.”

“I saw.”

“Oh.” Ellie nervously bit her lip, trying to think of something—anything—to keep the conversation going. “I was worried I sounded so bad I made you leave.”

“Never.” Sadie smiled, blushing as she briefly looked down at the ground and then back up at Ellie. “I should get to practice.”

Without another word, Sadie darted past Ellie and made a beeline for the softball field. Ellie watched her go. There was something dorky and cute about Sadie that captivated her in ways Ellie couldn’t understand.

Maybe I should talk to Mason about this.

Of her two older sisters, Mason was the one who Ellie went to when she needed advice she didn’t want to ask her parents about. She loved her parents and told them everything, but sometimes she didn’t want them to knoweverythingright away. Especially in this case. They would drive her crazy with questions if she showed any indication that she liked Sadie.

Not that that was what was going on. Ellie still didn’t knowwhyshe was suddenly having feelings for Sadie. If that was what the nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach was.

Oy.

Shaking her head, Ellie headed to her car before driving home. She needed more time to decipher the meaning behind her new feelings before discussing them with Mason. Especially since, despite it being well-intentioned, Mason would pepper her with questions Ellie didn’t have answers to yet. And she would undoubtedly tell Chase, who would tell Charlie, who would tell Delaney, and the last thing Ellie needed was Sadie finding out she might like her through that grapevine.

“This is why I don’t date,” she muttered as she got out of the car and headed inside the back door.

There were six cubbies in the mudroom, each labeled with a different name. Ellie placed her backpack and jacket into the cubby with her name on it before putting her shoes into the smaller cubby at the bottom. Walking around the corner into the kitchen, Ellie found her mama standing at the kitchen counter with a pen poised over a piece of paper.

“Hey, Mama.”

“Hey, baby.” Vera held out her arm as Ellie went in for a hug. She gave the best hugs, not that Ellie would ever tell Isla that. Both of her moms were amazing, but she was definitely a mama’s girl. “How was school?”

“Great. I got Ariel!”

Vera squealed, “Ellie! I’m so proud of you, baby.” She bear-hugged Ellie as she savored how safe and loved she was in her mama’s arms. “I knew you were going to get that part. You’ll be great, Ellie.” Vera kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

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