Page 20 of Perfect

“Cool, I think,” I managed between tight lips.

I suppose I should have been happy that people wanted to get to know me, but her words created a sinking feeling in my stomach.

Ella continued to smile at me and the situation got weirder. I felt a further twinge of discomfort and my body itched to leave. She eyed me as if I were mildly contagious for a minute longer before saying. “Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. Sorry for staring,” she apologised before adding. “Bet you’re used to it?”

“It’s fine, don’t worry.”

There was another moments silence and I attempted to shake myself out of my stupor. I wasn’t usually so poor at making conversation, but something about her didn’t sit right. Her next words provided me with a bit more insight for her behaviour.

“Please don’t think me a total weirdo, I’m not used to girl talk. I don’t have any close girlfriends in the village. I’m sort of one of the boys really.”

Understanding slid into me. She was out of her comfort zone which was fair enough. I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Samantha’s treatment of me had left a sour taste in my mouth and I was now usually quick to put the barriers up, especially where girls my own age were involved.

“Do you want to hang out for a bit?” Ella suggested brightly, a hopeful look on her face. “Get to know each other? You’re here for the entire summer, right?”

Every instinct inside me wanted to reject her offer. I hurriedly searched for excuses but then realised I didn’t need to make anything up. I was waiting for my father.

“Sorry, but I’m just waiting for my dad to come down. He’s going to show me the farm. I only arrived yesterday,” I pointed out with an attempt at being friendly, rather than being Mrs. Rejection. The girl was blatantly craving some female companionship.

She nodded her head in silent understanding. “Oh OK, I thought he’d already left but—I’ll wait with you. Gorgeous day.”

Damn, she didn’t get the message. I relented anyway and my palms also started to itch. A sign I was anxious.

Before I could respond, she nudged me with her elbow. “So, were your ears burning last night? Tom wouldn’t shut up about you. I don’t think Connor was best pleased either.”

So, we were back to Tom and his ‘known me all of five minutes’ crush, I was hoping her comment about the weather had shifted the conversation into a more comfortable zone. I could see that I was the one who would have to try and steer the subject away from me.

I eyed her thoughtfully, wondering about her ‘Connor wasn’t best pleased’ comment before deciding to let it go. Connor Barratt could do one.

Ella now wore a cheeky expression, like she’d just delivered the juiciest piece of gossip and my stomach knotted.

The cows in the barn behind us emitted the loudest of what I would say was an uncomfortable moo. Well said, I thought to myself.

She must have read my expression and realised that I felt uneasy and she moved the conversation on. “How old are you anyway?” Her brow knotted.

Boy, she was a nosy one, it was like I was being cross-examined. She was probably on a fact-finding mission.

“I’ll be seventeen soon.”

She clapped her hands together, excited by the news. “Maybe we could have a party? Do you have a boyfriend?” she blurted; her dark eyes wide again; her ability to jump from one subject to another was impressive.

I tried to keep up and redirected the question back at her. Two could play that game. “No, not at the minute. How about you?”

She rubbed her hands down her jeans. “Not really, it’s complicated. There’s someone I like,” she replied, briefly glancing away. I noted her eyebrows met in the middle. What was it with village folk and grooming?

“Care to elaborate,” I encouraged her. The girl so needed some girl time. I couldn’t imagine having to have a discussion about boys with other boys. Not like I had any friends who were boys, the sex thing always got in the way for me.

She looked at me shyly, which was strange considering she’d asked me theexactsame question. She was also obviously not used to sharing.

“Maybe another time, I don’t want to bore you with my problems when we only just met.” She paused for thought, as if weighing up whether to add more before tilting her head and adding. “I’m surprised you don’t have a boyfriend looking the way you do. I imagine guys behave like complete love sick dicks around you?”

I inwardly acknowledged that the conversation wasn’t that odd really in the scheme of things. The main topic of discussion between my other friends wasalwaysboy related. Although considering this girl and I hadjustmet, it all felt a bit forced. Maybe country girls were more direct? I thought fleetingly about the issues I’d had in the past with girls due to guys and this again prompted me to steer away from a potential, ‘problem’ topic.

Ella nudged my arm, shaking me out of my thoughts. “Want to sit whilst your dad comes back?” she questioned, pointing to the flaking iron bench in front of the house. Her previous ‘hang out’ comment was very American and I wondered if she’d spent time in the States.

I conceded defeat and moved to take a seat and she followed me. I silently willed my dad to appear and save me.

“So, I’ve already broken the brother-sister trust code, but don’t be surprised if Tom asks you out. He’s very much the smitten kitten,” she said with a laugh. The sound rolled unpleasantly across my bones. I decided the way Ella sat grinning at me like the Cheshire cat was annoying, but I batted the mean comeback to one side. I had to remind myself that she was a tomboy and not that used to being in female company.

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