Yours, Never Again

Eloise pov

I don’t know why it seems like Emmanuel and Tory are avoiding me. We were supposed to start doing the things on our bucket list since our exams had ended, I texted both of them but they came up with silly excuses. The first thing on the list was to go to a cinema but I guess I have to go alone. I had a warm bath, my dad spent a lot of cash on this house. All the rooms here have a jacuzzi in the bathroom. The Jacuzzi in my room is exceptional and exquisite of course it was the master bedroom.

My after-college plans are clearer to me now, I want to work at the Hills magazine for a year and I would establish my own magazine after then. I got out of the jacuzzi and did my skincare routine. I threw a baggy top on and a pair of short jeans. At the cinema, I sat at the back, like Tory always wanted. Twenty minutes into the movie, someone sat beside me, I look to see who it was and it turned out to be Victor. So pretty boys watch movies too.

“Hey,” I greeted him with a smile on my face, why was I smiling? Eloise, are you tripping?

“Hi,” He paused and continued. ” One would think I was stalking you,”

“I know you are not stalking me,” I let out a small laugh. “We haven’t met in a long time. Since that time at the library and there’s no reason for you to stalk me,”

“Nah, we ate at a restaurant that day too.” He reminded me, that my silly ass forgot about the lunch we had with my dad and his wife.

“Oh, I think you are stalking me,'” I smirked at him.

“No, it’s not anything like that. I got the movie ticket from my boss for doing a good job,” His boss must be nice. I thought he didn’t have a job, he was not a bum after all.

“Must be nice,”

“Why, your boss doesn’t give you one?” He asked me.

“I have not met my boss in person. I work from home. I’m hoping to get a permanent position at the Hills magazine.” I really hope I get a permanent position because most people get their jobs through nepotism. I don’t like asking my dad for help. Independent girl shit.

“You said you were talented the other day, at the party. You would get a permanent position don’t doubt it.” He tried to motivate me. Shit, I missed some scenes already, all thanks to this pretty boy.

“Thank you for encouraging me but we should focus on the movie,” I told him and we focused on the movie.

I took a look at him, and he was dozing already. Why did he come if he was going to sleep anyway? He rested his head on my shoulder and I let him. He looked tired and I mean he is pretty too. I continued watching the movie, I moved my hand to his head to adjust it well to balance on my shoulder, and I saw that he was burning up. He must have been stressed from work.

“Fuck,” He practically yelled. “I am so sorry for inconveniencing you, I didn’t mean to sleep off. You should have woken me up.”

“It’s fine, stop fussing,” I chuckled. “You looked tired that was why I didn’t wake you up and you should use some aspirin when you get home,”

“Thank you,” His thank you made my heart flutter.

“You are welcome, we should go. I’m walking home,” I told him.

“I will walk you home tonight. You can’t refuse it.”

“But still.” I insisted.

“No buts young lady. Just think of it as a debt, you can owe me one,”

“That’s not fair. I allowed you to rest on my shoulders while you were sleeping now they hurt badly.” I argued.

“They do? I’m so sorry about that, I could treat you to a spa.” He took me seriously, I smiled at his behavior.

“I am just joking boy, let’s go. I will lead the way.

During our walk, we talked and got to know each other.

“Turns we stay on the same street,” He said to me as we got to the front of my house.

“Seriously, where is your place here?” I am so surprised, it is not surprising that we have not met anyway, I just moved into this neighborhood and I rarely go out.

“David and I stay in the house at the dead-end of the street,”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I should come over sometime to say hi,”

“I would be happy to receive you,”

“Goodnight Victor,”

“What did you major in?” Why is he asking me?

“English, You?” I asked him too, I like being fair.

“Business Management, I should not keep you out. Goodnight Eloise,” He waved at me and I waved back at him.

I got into my house. “SURPRISE!” Tory yelled.

‘Good evening Miss Keys,” Emmanuel greeted me as he placed a cup of iced coffee in my hand.

“I want to make dinner, you guys interested?” I asked them.

“Yeah,” They chorused. I hurried into the kitchen and they followed me.

“You and Victor did have a good time huh?” Tory questioned me, I pretended I didn’t hear her. ” Look at you pretending, I saw you talking to him right before you came in.”

“No talking in my kitchen please unless you want to be kicked out,” I threatened.

“I ordered dessert pizza for dessert, By the way, Tory and I have something to tell you,” Emmanuel said.

“Sure,” I replied and this awkward silence surfaced.

Soon, I was done cooking and I served, the pizza had arrived early, and we ate heartily, Tory and Emmanuel cleared the table and did the dishes while I cleaned where we ate. When we finished, we settled down to talk in the sitting room.

“Tory and I are dating,” Emmanuel blurted out.

“Was that why you guys were avoiding me?” I questioned them.

“That’s not why,” It was Tory that replied this time. “I am following him to his hometown after our graduation ceremony,” That surprised me, I didn’t know they were that deep.

“Aww, you guys are making me feel like the bad guy here, I would all support your decisions no matter what. Come here,” I stretched out to hug them.

I went to my study to write giving them some time together, I finished up around 02:36 am. I saw them curled up together, they were watching a movie and they fell asleep on my precious couch. I went to switch the television by the switch.

“Why are you tiptoeing?” Emmanuel whispered not wanting to wake Tory up.

“Tf, you scared me. I wasn’t tiptoeing,” I whispered back.

“Even the fearless tomboy gets scared at night,”

“Shut up and take her to your room,”

He took her in and came back to meet me in the sitting room.

“I am happy for you guy, Em. I know you are going to be the greatest boyfriend to her,”

“Thank you, El. We are worried about you being alone here.”

“What do you take me for, I’d be fine, man.” I punched him on his shoulder but his expression seemed like he doubted me. ” I will be fine Em, I promise.”

“You gave me your word, Keys. Now go rest in your room,”

“Good night,”

“Good night El,” I trudged back to my room.