Chapter Twenty-Three

❝But 'just friends,' certainly,

don't look at each other like that.❞

She was nervous.

     It wasn't like Zach's party, where it was more laid-back with friends he had invited in and out of the Championships. This was a sponsored event, where all supervisors, participants and benefactors took part in, and it was much grander.

     The main event was held in a massive tent in the outskirts of Bond Beach, sprawling from one edge to the other. Golden and amber lights lit up the ceiling, and the guests were welcomed by a line of buffets with exotic menus. Women in glamorous dresses and men in dashing suits. Glasses of champagne clinking against each other.

     In normal circumstances, El would be the one serving — like Jeff and Wanda were tonight —but Travis had invited her to be her plus-one.

     And only the stars knew the last time they did this.

    "You look great," he murmured, running his hand down her back.

    "You, too," she whispered back. Despite their problems, she couldn't deny that Travis looked handsome in his black-and-white tailored suit.

     Problems.

    "Len! You made it!" Zach trudged forward from the crowd, looking equally chic with his red suit. He whistled at her appearance. "Damn, McKinney, look at you."

     She smiled shyly. The sleeveless black dress she was wearing was long and fluid, the edges flowing around her feet. But it was the plunging neckline that sealed the deal.

    "Watch it, Wright," Travis snapped.

     Zach glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "I was wondering if you suddenly had an unfortunate, ill-fated accident."

    "Keep talking like that, and someone will end up in an accident."

     The blond raised his hands up. "Take a joke, Porter."

     They all knew it wasn't really a joke.

    "Where's Theo and Chase?" El blurted, clearing her throat.

    "Somewhere in the room. Preferably near the chocolate fountain."

     Her eyes lit up. "There's a chocolate fountain?"

    "Hell yeah there is." Zach outstretched a hand, like he was inviting her to dance. "You're a guest tonight, Lenny McKinney. Savour the moment while you can."

    "Sorry, but she's booked for the night," Travis smiled tightly, dragging her away gently by the waist.

     El gave Zach an apologetic smile.

     So that was what happened the majority of the time.

     Travis's arm remained around hers as they'd probably walked through every inch of the tent. They missed no chance talking to the guests — the benefactors, El noticed in particular — and any friendly face that looked wealthy enough. She didn't blame him; this was how networking was.

     And she always liked talking to people. Moving to different groups, discovering new quirks. She was also found to be a great conversationalist, with a lot of patrons charmed by her wit and easygoing persona.

     But that all went away when they realised she was Travis's girlfriend.

     It was like once the revelation was out, El became associated with and only Travis. Never mind her persona or her owning Anchor's.

     You're with Travis Porter? He's a handsome fellow, that one. A lot of potential in the Championships — might be one of the leading contestants, if I do say so myself. What's your name again?

     A long time ago, it wouldn't have been a problem. She didn't mind when the conversation shifted and centred around him. That was how she connected with others; how she'd gotten friends. And she had loved that, the ease that came with being Travis's girl.

     But she didn't want to be known as Travis-the-Popular-Boy's-girlfriend or Travis-Porter-the-Resident-Golden-Surfer's-girlfriend anymore.

     She wanted to be known for Eleanor McKinney.

    "Excuse me, I'm going to get a drink."

     Travis paused mid-laugh, and briefly glanced at her before cutting his attention back to the others. "Sure, babe."

     He let go of her waist before she even moved.

     She made a beeline for one of the food booths, where she saw Jeff take position in. He was wearing the designated uniform for servers: a sleek white suit. His combed stark-white hair made it all that fancier.

     She felt bad for leaving him alone to work; they were always partners. But she couldn't very well deny Travis what he wanted. She wanted to be a good girlfriend.

     But she wanted to be a good friend, too.

    "Studies say it's not healthy to consume a considerable amount of crème brûlée," El mused as she neared him. "Alone, that is."

     Jeff paused, caught mid-act. "They were too tempting."

    "Mhmm." El winked at him, made a shh gesture, and grabbed her own.

     The two friends laughed people-watched. Jeff made a joke about how Zach resembled the Flash, looking like a red streak because of his suit as he dashed from group to group. They were surprised to spot Daisy amongst the crowd — she wasn't a sponsor, nor was she a contestant — but El suspected she just crashed the party. No one noticed; she looked like she fit in, with her golden, sparkly dress.

     But there was one person she hadn't seen all night.

    "How's life in the big stage?"

     El blinked. "Honestly, I'd rather be working with you guys tonight."

    "Not having fun with Travis?"

     She shrugged, but her chest was heavy. "You know how he is."

    "Oh, I know," he mumbled through bites. "Self-absorbed as always."

     Jeff often made comments like these about Travis, usually insulting him in a subtle, sarcastic manner. But this time she felt it: hot, boiling anger. The feeling was shockingly foreign. She was just sick and tired of hearing those words from people's mouths. Sometimes she wanted to lash out, not taking in anyone else's emotions except hers and only hers — but she knew it wasn't in her nature.

     The type of anger now didn't compel her to defend Travis.

     Instead, the anger now meant she was starting to believe it herself.

     Jeff winced, knowing he hit a nerve. "Shit, Len, I shouldn't have said that. I didn't mean it that way. I — uh, Lenny?"

     She wasn't tuning in Jeff's words anymore. She was too caught up with the sight in front of her. Travis was talking to the same people, but the way they were laughing, enjoying themselves as they clinked glasses and gestured hands... it was as if she hadn't even been there.

     El let out a bitter laugh. Was she invisible the entire time?

     Her eyes skimmed the room again, and her heart skipped a beat.

     There he was.

     Theo was holding a plate of food, a serious yet comical concentration on his face as he tried to navigate his way without spilling the contents. In a first glance, he wasn't easily noticed — in a sea full of Zachs and Daisys and Travises, he might as well be a passer-by, following the current. But she saw him.

     She called out his name.

     He halted in his steps. Slowly turned around. Bright eyes met hers, and the next thing she knew she was already walking up to him.

    "Hey," she breathed out when they were in front of each other.

    "Hey, El." El. How oddly refreshing it felt to be called that amidst the Lennys. His eyes widened a bit as he took in her full form, and this time, she blushed. "You look... El, you look..."

     Theo looked so tongue-tied, biting his lip, that her nerves died down and she had to laugh. "You don't clean up so bad yourself, Samuels." 

     That was a complete understatement. The dark blue in suit complemented his features perfectly, and fit him in a way that accentuated his lean figure. Just seeing him all dressed up for once left her cheeks burning.

     He blinked and his head dropped down, shyly, but there was a growing smile.

    "I try sometimes."

     El gave a meaningful look at his plate. "So, are you planning to hole up somewhere? The end of the world isn't until seven billion more years, you know."

    "Actually," he deadpanned, "I don't mind being disintegrated right now, if it means putting an end to your witty comments."

    "You love my witty comments."

    "Objection." His lips lifted up. "You love your witty comments."

     Theo's smile was infectious, or maybe she was already smiling herself. She didn't know how it began. But she remembered not seeing him all night and frowned. "Have you been avoiding me?"

    "What?"

    "I get it," she sighed, looking guiltily at the bruise that welled on his temple. "I feel really bad about what happened, and I know he said it was an accident, but I just want to say I'm — "

    "Stop." That one word was hardened, and his face scrunched up, like what she was saying had pained him. "Stop. You don't need to apologise." He licked his lips. "And I'm not avoiding you."

     She blinked. Waited for his answer.

     He ran a hand through his hair, gesturing his head.

    "Come on, it's better if I show you."

***

     The cold wind bit her cheeks.

     Theo had led them outside, pushing the blinds of the tents away to show the ocean at midnight. It was a startling sight — after having been inside for hours, she grew accustomed to the artificial lights. Now all she could see was blue, dim and dusky, but she'd never felt more at ease.

     El shivered slightly.

    "Shit," Theo cursed, quickly taking off his coat.

     Her eyes widened. "No, Theo, it's fine — "

     She inhaled a deep breath as he draped his coat over shoulders anyway, his fingers softly brushing her exposed skin. She felt immediate warmth, followed by the familiar scent of fresh pine.

    El smiled. "Thanks."

    He nodded. "Are you sure that it's okay for you to leave? Someone might notice that you're gone."

    She thought about it. "No," she said quietly. "They won't."

     Theo looked at her for a while, then his nostrils flared, a fast, sudden anger in his blue eyes. "Well, too fucking bad. They're missing out."

     Her lips lifted up.

     Not long enough, they reached a spot where a familiar boy was perched on a makeshift blanket, holding an open book on his lap. He turned when he heard footsteps.

    "Lenny!" Chase let out.

     She didn't have time to respond before he leaped up to tackle her into a hug. She chuckled — sometimes she forgot he was fifteen, the same age as Jeff, but seemed so much younger. She liked his embraces, though. They were unabashed, tender-hearted, and felt like family.

    "I missed you, bud," she giggled. "Whatcha reading there?"

    "Just A Brief History of Time by Hawkings. It's marvellous." He picked up the book from where it was perched and held it like a cub. Then his eyes found Theo, and they widened. "You brought food!"

    "I could hear your stomach growling from a mile away," he rolled his eyes, but his eyes were affectionate. "It was indubitably disturbing."

    "Indubitably," Chase repeated. "Nice word choice."

    "Thanks."

     Chase didn't waste any more time before digging into the plate of food. They all dug in as the two sat down next to each other, and El nudged Theo with her knee.

    "So you've been having your own little party," she pouted. "No fair."

     He chuckled. "Little guy doesn't like big crowds."

     She cocked her head, watching him closely, not masking her surprise. There was a whole party inside, and he was sacrificing that to spend time with his brother — to make him feel more comfortable and not left out. It was so different to the Theo who thought he wasn't worthy enough for Chase, who thought he couldn't do anything to make the boy feel safe.

     But little things like these mattered.

     She felt a surge of respect, adoration and something else for him.

    "You're a good brother," she finally said.

     He ducked his head down, looking almost shy. "Our parents usually throw these kinds of stuff," he explained. "He would be thrown aside, and I would be pushed forward. That's why Chase never liked them. They were the worst." Then he cursed, flickering his eyes over her. "Shit, that sounded ungrateful as fuck, I didn't mean — "

    "It's okay, Theo," she cut in, putting her hand over his on instinct. Her cheeks reddened as she quickly pulled away, shocked by the goosebumps in her skin. "I get it."

     He was looking down at his hand, as if he could still feel the remnants of her touch.

     After that, time passed leisurely, with El and Theo munching on the snacks while occasionally being amused by Chase's enthusiasm on quantum physics. It was in that moment that she realised this was the most fun she'd had tonight. She felt guilty enjoying their company more than Travis's all night long, but she couldn't deny it.

     It was weird how you could connect more with someone who was a stranger and less with the people you've known half your life. Sometimes, there was just that one click that could do wonders.

     She just hadn't expected it to be the Samuels brothers.

    "You look beautiful tonight," Theo blurted, looking up at her. "You've probably heard it all before, but you really do. Look beautiful." He licked his lips. "And not just tonight."

     She heard his unspoken words.

     Every night.

     Her heart was beating so fast. "I'd say the same for you," she laughed nervously, because stars, he made her so nervous, "despite that bruise."

     He chuckled. "Trust me, that's the least of my worries."

     She flickered her eyes over him. Then, slowly, but surely, she reached her hand, close to his temple. Theo tensed, but didn't protest as she got closer. Tenderly, and oh so faintly, she brushed her finger over the bruise. His breathing turned heavy, and so did hers.

     Being this close she could see how his long lashes lightly brushed his cheek when he looked down, up, all over her face. She didn't shy away. She wanted more. His gaze made her flush and tense all over — like he was indeed trying to memorise every feature on her face.

    "You're always telling me I have beautiful eyes," he murmured. "Have you ever looked into your own and said the same?"

     She shivered and her throat felt dry, and it was not from the cold. El didn't know what to speak or how to speak. What do you reply with when someone asked you that?

    "They're ordinary," she whispered.

     She didn't say to that to mean that she didn't love her eye colour, but she really did feel like it wasn't anything quite special; not like the Samuels' bright blue or Daisy's unique hazel.

    "Eleanor McKinney." He laughed, but it was with a mix of awe and amazement that made El's heart race. "You are nothing but ordinary."

A/N:

With the shift to El's story, there's more drama but also a hell lot of **fluff** so y'all get ready. 

Cos I'm not.