F O U R

ELIZABETH.

“Oh sorry—“ There’s a deep chuckle in the dark then movements before the lights come on, revealing the tall shadow to be a tall handsome boy with alluring green eyes and dark hair. I don’t know him yet he feels weirdly familiar.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. “ He smiles, revealing his perfect set of white teeth. “I saw you leave earlier and wanted to make sure you’re alright. “

“Leave?” I repeat and he nods. “The game. I was there. “

Realization finally dawns on me. “Oh sorry. I didn’t recognize you. “ I take two steps forward now and he takes three, leaving little decent space between us.

“That’s okay. I was silent throughout the game so you wouldn’t have. “ he tells and I give a small smile.

There’s a short silence between us as he seems to be thinking about his words.

“I don’t bite. “ I don’t know why I said that but this boy seems to find it funny as he lets out a short laugh. The sound is lovely to the ears.

“You’re funny too. Perfect. “ He murmurs as his eyes bore into mine. He takes one step closer and then stretches his hand, “The name is Louis. “

I place my hand in his and I’m about to open my mouth but he stops me, “Elizabeth. I know. “

“Right. “ I chuckle.

“Elizabeth is such a gorgeous name. Anyone ever told you that?” He says as his thumb gently rubs my knuckles and I tilt my head a bit. “Wouldn’t be the first. And thank you. “

He smiles and lets go of my hand. “You’re welcome. You caught my attention back there. “

“Did I? I was a mess. Barely did anything or pay attention and I ended up just running away. “

He shakes his head as he folds his hands behind him. “No. You weren’t a mess. Nobody loves playing those games. They’re boring and quite intruding if you ask me. “

“About right. “ I laugh and he joins me. It goes on for seconds before the sound dies down and we’re thrown into quietness again, just staring into each other's eyes. He fidgets and sways on his feet often. For a guy who appears intimidating and bold, he sure acts the shy type.

“Sorry. “ he starts, “If you don’t mind, do you think I could have your contact? I think it’d be rare to see you again after this. “ He holds his phone to me.

“Sure. Why—“

“There you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” It’s that familiar sweet voice and Louis moves from the frame for me to see a slightly panting James.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I step forward.

“What do you mean? You ran away from the game like that. I got worried. Are you okay? “ Oh yeah. Right. The game where you turned down your dare.

“Yeah. I’m good. I just needed some silence. “

“I see. “ There’s a smirk on his face as he looks behind me.

“Shut up. “ I tell him and he cracks up. “Finish up what you’re doing and meet me out. “ He nods towards Louis before he leaves the room and I let out a soft sigh as I turn back to him.

“Sorry about that. “

“It’s alright. So your contact?” He brings me back to our previous conversation and I take the phone from him to type in the numbers.

I didn’t think he could smile even wider. “Thank you. You should leave now. Don’t keep your friend waiting. “

I nod and return his phone. “It was a pleasure speaking to you, Louis. “

“I’m glad I got to have this talk. “ He replies and I send him a smile before I make my way out of the room. Just before I shut the door, I hear him say, “A true pleasure, Liz. “

“Well…” I jump at the sound and James is standing with his back to the wall.

“What are you doing here? I thought you left. Were you eavesdropping?” I scowl at him and he frowns. “Of course not. Why’d I do that? I came back to take you. “

“Take me to where?”

“Home. We’re leaving. “

“Why?” I ask as he steps to my side and his arm takes its usual place on my shoulder.

“I can tell you don’t want to stay here any longer. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. “ There he goes acting all sweet after everything that’s happened.

I bite down on my tongue and stay silent as he leads me from the hallway back into the crowd, where the party is still pretty much going on. We walk our way through them and the fresh air hits my face as we finally make it out.

“Finally. “ I mutter as James leads the way to his car.

“Penny wanted your contact. I declined. I hope you don’t mind?” James says as he entered through the driver's seat while I take the passenger’s.

“Why did you?”

“Just thought you would want me to. Plus it seems she likes you and I know how that’s gonna end. “

“Right. “ She seems like a nice girl but if that’s what she wants then James did right.

“Louis uh? A girl and a boy in one night. Seems like my best friend is finally stepping up her game. “ He ruffles my hair and I slap his hand away. “Stop that. I bet they only spoke to me cause they found me alone. “

“Nope. They took an interest in you cause you’re beautiful. “ He spurts and my head immediately snaps to his side out of surprise.

“What?” He chuckles and I say. “That’s the first time you’re calling me that. “

“That’s not true. “

“Yes, it is. “ He’s called me gorgeous, cute, and pretty but he’s never called me beautiful and I know this is just dumb but I like to think those words have different meanings.

“I don’t need to tell you that before you know you are though. “ But I kinda like it coming from you.

“Right. “ I say and he pulls my cheek this time before he starts the car. I lean against my seat as I watch him drive, only seeing half of his face but that doesn’t make him any less attractive. Too pretty for a boy. The full eyebrows. Long eyelashes. Straight nose with a bridge at its end. A skin even clearer than mine and those pink plump lips. His features are somewhat sharp but his prettiness stands out.

“Hey. Can I ask you a question?” I find myself asking and he hums.

I lick my lips as I finally let it out. “The dare. Why did you drink?”

“Uh?” He takes one glance at me before he returns his attention to the road. “Oh, the kiss? You didn’t seem like you want that. “

“Uh?” Why’d he say that?

‘Maybe because it isn’t normal to want to kiss your best friend?’

“You had your head down the entire down Lizzie.  “

“Oh. “

“Yes. I have no trouble kissing you. It’s just a kiss but I know you. You’d probably make me pay after. “ He laughs and I fake one along.

If only he knew.

“You’re right. I’m your best friend. You don’t get to do what you do with others with me. “

“I know that gorgeous. That’s why you’re special. “ He sends me a wink and I chuckle as I turn away from him.

“Do you want to stay over at my place tonight? Dad isn’t coming home. “ He asks when his phone suddenly beeps by the side. I look over to see it’s a text from Vanessa.

“Who’s Vanessa? You have a text from her. “

“Oh. It’s girl from earlier. “ He replies then turns to me and continues with a proud smile. “I got her contact. Aren’t you proud? My skills never fail. “

“She was all over you the second we got there. I bet you even had to do anything. “

He nods proudly again. “You see when you have a face like mine—“

“Don’t finish that. “ I warn and he laughs. “Fine, but you still haven’t answered my question. “

I peek at his phone before I answer. “No. Thanks for the offer though. I’m sure Vanessa would appreciate it more. Have fun. “

“Only because you called it. “ He murmurs and I scoff as I lean against the window.

~

I walk into my house and after a few calls to my mom with no response, I take out my phone to text her.

TO MOM

ME: Where are you? Is everything okay?

I watch the message show delivered before I throw myself on the couch with eyes on the ceiling. I guess she’s not coming home tonight. Just me again in the big house.

One of the disadvantages of being an only child to a single mother. My dad died when I was five and I’ve been with my mom since then. She doesn’t let me feel his absence and though I’m seventeen now; on nights like this one when she isn’t around, it feels too lonely.

I manage to carry myself from the couch and leave the living room to my bedroom.

Without removing the short gown I have on, I jump onto my bed and leave my phone beside me. As I bury myself underneath my covers, I wish I had taken James's offer to stay with him tonight. At least I’d have his arms around me as I fall to sleep and not the comfort of my pillow.