Page 32 of Stuck Behind Her

“She acts like I’m a monster or something,” Lorenzo comments, turning to her.

“Eh, she acts like that to everybody, don’t take it seriously,” I explain. Ellie then leaves and goes to her room, not saying a single word to Lorenzo. He exaggerates gesturing a knife to his heart and I roll my eyes. Dramatic much.

“So, what are you planning to do for Christmas?” I ask him. He sits on the couch, raising his legs to rest them on the table and crossing them.

“I have no idea. You’re not here, Elias probably isn’t here. I’ll probably celebrate with my dad,” he responds. This is why his visit has such bad timing. I won’t be here for three whole weeks, as I’ll be in New York. I remember the contest we are running and the fact there will be two other people in New York with me.

“That reminds me, I need to find some winners,” I say aloud. I walk to the couch and sit next to him, also cross-legged. He twists his head toward me.

“Take Aurora. She’s obsessed with you, and you’ve become closer with her,” he suggests. I’ve been thinking about that. She’s fun and nice, which is fitting to the description needed for the winners. I still need to think about it, though. It’s risky.

“I don’t know. I might take her, but I’m keeping my options open. It isn’t the safest choice. Plus, that’s only one winner,” I tell him.

“Take me.”

“You’re funny. You’re my friend, it wouldn’t be fair to others, remember.”

He frowns and straightens his head for a minute, before turning back. “Take Elias.”

“You’re even funnier,” I repeat. Soft giggles leave his mouth. Elias isn’t even a last resort. Heisn’ta resort. I will go with only one winner rather than with Elias Miller.

“You’ll find someone, I know you will,” he assures me, and I give him a soft smile.

“I’ll see if I can take you, okay. I know you want to go,” I tell him.

“Well, if you’re taking Aurora, you’re already taking someone who hates my entire being,” he replies.

I get off the couch, holding in a laugh. I look back at him, jerking my head to the side and toward the kitchen. “Come on, Ellie’s going to get annoyed if we’re late.”

He jumps up and off the couch after me, straightening his top with his hands. “Let’s go.”

“Why did we comehereagain?” I ask Ellie, for the hundredth time, while we walk across the field of grass. Not far in front of us is a large stone fountain, surrounded by flowers. It’s a pretty basic park, the fountain being the center of attention,with a couple of wooden benches scattered around the grass. The flowers are withering, and the grass is a yellowy green color. There has to be a specific reason she chose this park, since it doesn’t look much different from every other one.

“It’s nice! What’s wrong with it?” she hisses, walking in front of me as she leads the way.

“Chill, it’s nice. But like, why here of all places?”

“You’ll see, don’t worry,” she answers, continuing across the grass field. Okay, I guess I will.

We stroll through the park until we reach the far end, next to a small food truck. Some people are sitting there as well, making us not the only ones here. I stop walking and wait until she notices and turns around.

“You plan on telling me why we’re here now, or is that after we leave?” I ask, demanding an answer. I cross my arms over my chest. Just because I didn’t know where we were going an hour ago, doesn’t mean I don’t want to know at all.

“Fine. There’s a firework display here in an hour,” she explains. I drop my hands, my eyes widening slightly.

“You like fireworks?” I question.

“Yes, of course I do. Plus, they’re selling mini cotton-candy glazed donuts.” She beams, almost jumping in excitement. I almost laugh at how excited she is.

“You brought me all the way over here for mini cotton-candy glazed donuts?” I ask, trying to hold in anything that would seem like mockery. She stops and gives me a stubborn look, while also pouting in hope that I buy her what she wants. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you some. I’m not that rude,” I assure her, which makes her start to jump again with a grin on her face. She runs and hugs me, almost tackling me over. I catch my balance, hugging her back. “Ellie, you’re going to make me fall,” I tell her and she giggles in response.

“You’ll be fine,” she replies. She backs up, her face bursting with happiness. I can’t help but smile. She looks so happy. “Come on, I’m hungry,” she announces, taking my hand and dragging me toward the food truck.

We both buy something to eat, as well as a dozen of the mini donuts Ellie is dying to eat, and go to a spot she labels the “firework front row seat” spot, which makes no sense, since she’s never been here. I don’t think she’s been here, at least. We sit down and eat our food, and Ellie immediately goes for the donuts. She leaves four for me and takes the rest for her, as expected. I think these mini donuts are Ellie’s favorite, however, they’re only sold at special events. Whenever they’re being sold, you can guarantee that Ellie will be one of the first in line.

“Don’t eat too much. Mom will kill us both if you get sick tonight,” I remind her as she places another donut in her mouth.

“I’ll be fine,” she mumbles with a mouthful of food. She’s definitely getting sick.

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