Nora's P.O.V

White noise trailed after the voice and I sat rigid in my bed, heart palpitating and chills spilling down my back. I hesitated as a gut-wrenching feeling told me to end the call straight away, but I decided to take the risk and reply.

“Hello, yes?”

A moment later static overtook the call and I peered at the phone, confused that the person had hung up. ‘What on earth? Was this a prank call?’ I debated. I was probably experiencing paranoia right now as it settled over my body but after that call and the strange driver from ages ago warning me to quit the job or something terrible would happen, I didn’t feel like that was just a prank call.

I sat up in bed, pulling the duvet over my legs and clenching my knees to my chest. I kept whipping my head to the phone on the nightstand constantly waiting for the beeping to trumpet its way through the silence. I expected that stranger to call again. My body shivered and I glanced towards the clock, I felt the strain of my muscles pulling beneath my skin and I realised that I’d been sat there for two hours. Convincing myself that after all this time the strange voice had left me alone, I stopped stressing and fell onto the bed sheets. My body protested at first until it relaxed. Darkness started to flicker as my eyes shut and sleep finally overtook me, but it wasn’t the usual tranquil dreams. This one bordered on taunting nightmares and whispering voices.

Darkness was everywhere and I couldn’t see anything, almost like a blindfold was wrapped against my eyes. I tried to move, tried to stand tall and carry myself somewhere or anywhere but no matter how much I thrashed, screamed, begged, and cried, some invisible chain was tangled around me and interlocked in my bones. All echoing sounds evaporated, and my throat constricted in pain and anguish. I was unable to speak.

Once I’d stopped fighting, the voices appeared. Starting from small inaudible whispers the words made no sense until gradually they became louder. My disorientated mind focused on those voices, like a life ring I clung to them. They crawled closer, they became louder, and the voices tickled my skin making me shiver in disgust. They were warning me, I realised, warning me to stay away from the Coopers. I jolted awake after that scene and with ragged breathing and a horrendous stubbornness, I curled myself into the foetal position and forced my body to stop shaking, to re-enter a sleeping state. Suffice it to say, the night wasn’t peaceful or enjoyable.

Finally, my alarm blared, and I groaned as I moved around under the duvet, feeling water beads dribble off my skin into the sheets. I was pretty sure the room was stuffy and filled with the lingering sweat of my anxiety induced sleep, but I left my bed and opened the window, allowing fresh air to intertwine with the stench. Outside, the day was bright and sunny. I sighed in relief staring at the garden that was vast in front of me. It was heaven compared to the constricting room I was suffocating in.

Trusting my body enough to respond to my commands I shuffled through the room and started planning my day. I wasn’t required to go to work, I had the full day off since the party was going to occur in the evening. It gave me enough time to try and think of an excuse to give Elijah so I wouldn’t need to show up but if that didn’t work, the day would give me enough time to prepare for the event.

Taking a much-needed bath, my muscles relaxed from the lavender bath soap I’d bubbled in the water, the pain vanishing and leaving me blissfully calm. I stayed in there for a while before the water turned cold and I dried off, changing into my usual shorts and a grey tank top. I’d taken a hold of my phone in nervousness, scared to check if maybe throughout my nightmares that strange number had tried to get a hold of me again but much to my pleasant surprise, I read the notifications that Elian Cooper had sent me two messages.

I hope you’re coming to the party
I look forward to your arrival
-Yours, Elian.

A smile graced my lips and for some reason I felt giddy at the thought that Elian would be at that party, I didn’t necessarily want to go but if Elian was going to be there then it’d be infinitely better to survive those hours with him.

I sent a quick, short reply wanting to keep Elian satisfied and not waiting for long:

Don’t worry, I’ll be there
-Nora.

Predicting how the evening would go, I knew Elijah would surely do something wrong, this entire party was going to be ruined and not just because Anna was going to be there but because Elijah existed. In this world, being around Elijah meant being around trouble, dramatics, his temper, and lack of patience and all of that mingled with the fact that there’d be plenty of people at that party… Well, it was a recipe for a disaster.
I didn’t wait for Elian to respond to my message. Instead, I jogged down for breakfast, thanking my mom for the food before I informed her that I was thinking of visiting Jane. She was staying at her old house, and she still hadn’t returned the tub we’d lent her with the lasagne, so I used it as an excuse for going over there. Mom gave me a knowing smile before nodding her head and letting me leave early. I could hear the queen of the house bossing Nina around telling her to wash the dishes and dry them before getting ready for school.

As I shut the door, the sun that seemed friendly became scorching hot and I strained my eyes as I tried to find an area of shade, I could take solace in. Ordering a cab, I sat sweltering in the confines of the leather seats and asked the driver to roll down the windows. They barely helped and he informed me that his air conditioning was broken. I grimaced feeling that familiar sweat dribbling down my skin as flashes of last night’s nightmare choked me and made me splutter rudely. The cab driver eyed me suspiciously but didn’t get a chance to question my reaction as we arrived at Jane’s, and I speedily paid for the ride, anything to avoid his interrogation.

Standing on the pavement with the cab driver’s engine distancing between ourselves, I gazed up at the house, it was the same as it always had been. It’s red paint, an iridescent shimmer, invited me to its front porch where the blooming bluebells and forget-me-not flowers cheekily vibrated at the sight of me. I envied Jane. She knew how to take care of plants and flowers, and whilst my garden was doing well, it was nothing compared to Jane’s Garden.

I poked at the doorbell; its shrill bell chimes notified the members inside the house of a guest. I waited a few seconds before it opened, and a woman peeked her head outside. It was Maria Smith, Jane’s mother. With strawberry-blonde hair and a round face she recognised me straight away and encased me in her arms, the crinkle of her eyes lighting up.

“Nora! Come in, come in, please!” She greeted me; her voice as cheery as it always had been with a slight tinge of excitement.

My mind swirled in wonder, ‘I thought Mr and Mrs Smith had gone to their farmhouse at this time of the year to enjoy summer.’

I nodded my thanks to Maria, stepping through into the foyer as I looked around and admired their luxurious house. It was stunning with white walls, green vines swinging from high placed pots on shelves, and smaller shelves littered with books. A coat stand stood at the corner and beneath it a shoe rack waited for me. I took my shoes off and heard the heavy thumping of a man’s feet. Turning to look in the direction of the sound I stood tall at the sight of Sebastian Smith making his way down the stairs, his voice echoing off the walls as he rushed towards me and kissed each of my cheeks.

“Nora! It’s been too long, how have you been?” He asked with a gravelly voice as he shuffled beside Maria and wrapped an arm around her waist. ‘Such a cute couple’, I admired before looking down guiltily and avoiding their gazes. It had been three years since I had visited them, the moment Jane left to go to her excursions abroad I stopped showing up at the house, I wasn’t sure why though.

Seb, his nickname that I gave him, which was the shortened version of Sebastian, glanced at me before taking a hold of my arm and squeezing it gently, “It’s all right, we’re just glad you’re here now”, he whispered.
I relaxed at that before smiling yet again and replying, “I’m good, thank you. I hope you two have both been well also.”

“We have, we’ve postponed our trip to the farmhouse so we could spend some time with Jane”, Maria answered as she started to head towards the kitchen with Seb and I behind her.

“Nora, would you like some pancakes? I was making some for Jane since she loves them so much, but I know you adore them just as much”, Maria asked.

She headed towards the stoves before setting the pan down, placing some oil inside and then pouring a mixture into the pan. I watched her silently as Seb and I moved to the counters and sat on some stools.

“I’d love some, you know I can never say no to your pancakes.”

Jane’s mom hummed in response before flipping the pancakes on the pan and moving to the counter to chop up some fresh blueberries and strawberries. My stomach cramped at the sight before me, and I waited with anticipation for the food. It had been so long since I had eaten her meals, I didn’t want to make my mum jealous but now I was going to take full enjoyment dissecting the pancakes.

Maria called for Jane, but after a few tormenting minutes nobody walked down the stairs. I cursed Jane impatiently as Seb and I stared longingly at the steaming pancakes, our mouths drooling and nostrils flaring at the scent.

The petite woman huffed before making her way to the bottom of the stairs and loudly shouted up the stairs in a scolding tone, “Jane Smith, if you don’t come down these stairs this instant, then I swear I will come up there with a bucket of ice-cold water and drench you till you’ve jumped out from shock!”

Seb and I shared a knowing look as we cringed, fully aware that Maria was not a person to threaten someone idly. The woman leisurely walked back to the kitchen and waited at the counter expectantly, we watched her as the slight shuffle from above us sounded and then Maria triumphantly fist-pumped the air and sat down with us at the stools.

Seemed like Jane was sleeping and everyone within this house knew full well that Jane slept like the dead. Once she closed her eyes she was out like a lightbulb, and nothing could wake her up….Except for Maria and her threats.

Jane slumped down the stairs, a yawn escaping her as she tiredly rubbed her eyes before glancing into the kitchen and surveying the food that waited for her. She was still dressed in her pyjamas, colourful rainbows planted in the material with her hair tied up into a messy bun and dark circles under her eyes. ‘She looks like a cute panda’, I observed but didn’t utter aloud, Jane would kill me if she heard that comment. Her eyes shifted to Seb and I, a questioning gaze upon us as she tried to figure out whether I was truly here. I grinned before waving at her to prove this wasn’t a dream before she shrugged her shoulders lazily and sat down next to me on the stools.

“Morning, what’s for breakfast mom?” Jane asked with a groggy voice.

“Pancakes with blueberries, strawberries, chocolate chips and drizzled in honey”, Maria replied quickly. She began to plate pancakes with bits of the fruit and honey and then passing it to each of us. We muttered a small thanks before greedily digging into the food and moaning in pleasure at the sweetness.

“God, Maria I missed your pancakes”, I commented as I saw Seb agree out of the corner of my eyes and Jane smirked at me.

“You should have shown up at the house then”, Jane sneered, and I glared at her before stealing one of her pancakes and shoving it into my mouth. My best friend glared at me before turning to her mom and whining about her stolen pancake whilst Maria just plated her another one and went back to ignoring us.

“I have to say love, your pancakes are one of a kind”, Seb praised, and Maria looked up at him before blushing and shrugging the compliment off.

“Have you ever thought about opening up your own restaurant or bakery?” I asked Maria. She shook her head and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“I make food because I enjoy it, not because I see it as a business or a way to make money.”

I nodded in understanding at that before I turned to Jane and watched her struggle to place an entire pancake in her mouth like I had done. The honey was dribbling everywhere.

“So, what kept you up so late that you look like a dying ostrich?” I asked Jane, who choked on the pancake before spluttering the contents onto the counter.

I patted her back as seethed at me and Jane replied, “Screw you, I was working.”

“On what? Or should I say on who?”
Wiggling my eyebrows, I watched Jane look away with a bright red blush as her parents watched curiously and I laughed at the embarrassment she faced.

“My job, you nimwit. Anyways”, she drawled as she cleaned after herself and placed her fork and knife down, “Are you done?”

Pushing my plate away, I nodded and stood up. Picking her plate up with mine I moved to the sink and began to clean them as Jane moved to the drying rack and began to dry the dishes.

“Thanks girls, you didn’t need to do that, but I appreciate it”, Maria said. We looked towards her and shook our heads.

“It’s not a problem Maria, it’s the least we could do after that breakfast”, I replied.

After breakfast I headed to Jane’s bedroom and observed how like the house, this room hadn’t changed either. One direction posters still littered the walls and ceilings as Harry Styles looked down over her bed. Her duvet was left raggedly on the bed in flailing directions and on top of it laid her laptop which was open, presenting some actual work. I switched my attention to the wall on the right-hand side, her mug collection showcasing on the shelves that portrayed different designs. Every single one made me study them in adoration.

On the opposite side of the room stood her tall oak book cabinet where the shelves creaked under the pressure of fully stacked books. ‘Forever a bookworm’, I chuckled to myself as my hand swept over the spines of romance novels and crime thrillers. I compared myself to Jane and realised that although she loved books, I on the other hand was more into movies. Her side table was covered in books and some heart shaped chocolates lay on top of them, the wrappers flying to the ground. I raised my eyebrows at that, wondering if Landon had bought them for her as a gift.

Jane loved chocolates but then again, ‘who didn’t love chocolate?’ I wondered. My mind flitted to Elijah and his face listed itself as a hater.

“Hey, are you busy today? Why are you getting ready?” I quizzed Jane. She was changing her clothes and getting ready to leave the room. ‘I guess she’s going out, I should have asked her before I arrived at the house’, I chided myself.

“Landon is coming here and yes my parents know about him, I told them we’re friends”, she quipped. ‘Friends? I thought she said it was complicated’, I analysed as I started to laugh.

Jane crossed me a look of anger, but I shrugged it off since I always enjoyed teasing her. I could see it clear as day, Jane was in love with Landon. It had only been a short time that they had met each other but true love wasn’t something you could understand. Unfortunately, Jane was in denial. ‘Maybe she’s having trouble in expressing her feelings’.

Her phone rang throughout my laughter, and I paused as she answered it then quickly informed the other person that she was coming down the stairs now. ‘This must be Landon’, I observed.

“He’s here, let me introduce you to him”, she excitedly said before grabbing my arm and pulling me with her as she rushed out of the room and headed towards the stairs. She was like a little kid, and it made me believe that she truly did like Landon that much more.

The only other time I had ever seen Jane so excited was when she was about to go to a Christmas party, her parents were always busy with their own work, so they never spent that much time during Christmas with her. When she went to a party though she lit up like Christmas lights and enjoyed the company of everyone around her.

Opening the door herself, she let a man walk through before she looped her arm with his and presented him to me on a pedestal ready for scrutinizing.

“This here is Landon Trevino, the best soccer player I know”, she informed me before pulling him closer to me as he watched me uneasily and shuffled his feet in the same spot, “And this here is my BFF, Nora Jones.”

Jane watched between me and Landon with apprehensive eyes, she hugged Landon and I could see him relaxing under her touch before she let go of him and he stood taller, confidence radiating off of him. He had jungle green eyes and messy blonde hair that fell over his eyes. His heavy biceps were prominent through his tight red shirt and the black denim jeans wrapped around his worked-out legs along with black trainers. His shirt had a Nirvana band picture on the material, ‘must be a fan’, I mused.

Landon stared at me for a few seconds then gave me a polite smile before outstretching his hand for me to shake.

“Hi Landon, it’s nice to meet you”, I greeted him with a smile in return. Jane and Landon looked great together, side-by-side, complimenting their body shapes like jigsaw puzzles.

“It’s nice to meet you too, I’ve heard lots about you Nora”, Landon replied. I looked towards Jane who was too busy eyeing Landon’s muscles to elaborate on what he meant by that.

“Right then, let’s get to it. Is Nora here to help too?” Asked Landon making Jane glance towards me as I stared at her in confusion. ‘I don’t get it, what’s he talking about?’

Jane answered my thoughts, “I actually wanted to plant some new trees in the garden, and I called Landon for help, I thought you might be busy so…” She drifted off. If I was being honest, it just looked like Jane had set this up so she could get closer to Landon. A tickling laugh wanted to escape me yet again, but I held it forcefully back.

‘I don’t want to be a third wheel’, I cringed and went about excusing my presence from helping Jane and Landon on their date.

“Oh, unfortunately I have some work to do, and I need to get back home, though it was lovely meeting you Landon. Hope to see you again some time.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you too Nora”, Landon replied.

I watched Jane slump her shoulders in relief and her eyes intently conveyed thanks for my excuse. I think Jane understood why I was so eager to leave. I didn’t leave without a warning though as Jane was my best friend and I wasn’t going to let her go through the same incident with that cheating scoundrel, Erick.

“Landon?”

“Yeah?”

“If I ever find out that you’ve hurt Jane, even if it’s just by a small amount, even if it’s a small stray tear that escapes her eyes… Well, I’ll make sure that your innards decorate your neck in a pleasant jewellery design.”

Both Jane and Landon’s eyes widened in shock and horror, and I grinned at them before turning around and heading back to the kitchen. I made my way to Maria and Seb before bidding them a goodbye and then leaving through the front door. I could already see Jane and Landon getting to work in the back garden.

It was still scorching outside and as I got back into a cab and made my way home, I thought back to what had happened so far before realisation coursed through me that I hadn’t thought up an excuse worthy of getting me out of the party with Elijah. I cursed under my breath.

Arriving home, I saw Nina playing with one of her friends from school. They waved at me before going back to playing and ignoring my presence. The girl’s name was Kesha, they were best friends I remembered, just like me and Jane. I greeted them and went inside the house, heading straight to the fridge to grab a cold bottle of water and then guzzling it down my parched throat. My mom was in the living room, staring at her phone with an intense focus. I walked past her, looking over her shoulder and noticing a clothing shopping website. Rolling my eyes, I went straight to my bedroom with one thought in my mind: ‘Well she is a shopaholic, at least she knows her limit’.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock.

The sound of the clock kept ticking and I rushed throughout my room trying to get everything sorted out with the last remaining hours I still had. I wasn’t ready to go to the party but without that excuse I forgot to make up, I was forced to be present at the event. Taking out the dress I had stashed in my wardrobe, I admired Elijah’s taste in clothing. It was beautiful to be honest but a little exposing, ‘I don’t like showing my body that much’, I frowned. I walked to my mirror and placed the dress against my body before stripping down and tugging it on. It was a perfect fit, specially tailored to suit my curves and accentuations before it flowed out.

Deciding to opt for a curly hairstyle, I took my curling iron and created wavy spirals down my back, the usual brown mess turning into sleek and shiny model hair. Finalising the curls with a setting spray, I moved onto my makeup. I chose a nude lipstick and winged eyeliner. Elijah hadn’t bought me any shoes to pair with the dress, so I rummaged in my wardrobe before picking out my favourite black high heel boots and a pendant to accessorise my neck.

‘I’m ready but I don’t know where the location of the party is, should I just go text Elian or Elijah and ask them?’ I fretted as I paced my room and decided to shuffle downstairs to see what my mom’s opinion would be.

The lighting in the living room flashed over my dress and as I made the first step towards my mom, I could hear a soft gasp escape her. She covered her mouth with both hands before tears flowed past her eyes and she walked towards me.

“Honey, you look so beautiful”, she complimented me, wiping her tears away with her hands and standing in front of me. I blushed embarrassingly at the comment.

“Thanks mom, but this isn’t prom so let’s not take photos, okay?” I replied begrudgingly.

“But it’s such a rare sight to see from you”, she whined in return.

I accepted mom’s hug when she offered but it did little to appease my nerves that had been twisting and twirling in my stomach. Nausea was building in my throat and my own hands were shaking. I was breaking down, and no matter how many times I said I didn’t want to go to this party, at the end of the countdown, I would have to. I didn’t have a choice.

“Erm, Nora? Where did you get that dress from?” Mom asked and I froze as I stammered to think up a reason or story. ‘A small white lie, where are you when I need you?’ I cursed.

What could I have possibly said at that moment? I didn’t want to say it was from Elijah because that seemed wrong. He was rich and powerful and if I mentioned his name, mom would get a terrible impression of me. Society didn’t accept that type of behaviour where a rich man pays for a poorer woman and lavished her with gifts. Those kinds of actions screamed slut and gold-digger.

“Nora?” Mom interrupted my thoughts and returned to reality to see her looking at me concerned.

“Um, it’s a gift from my colleague”, I informed her. I didn’t want to lie to her face but I had to so I could avoid a massive issue. In response to that mom smirked mischievously and my nerves heightened all over again, ‘Does she know? How did she figure it out? Am I really that suspicious?’

“Well, I would love to meet that colleague of yours. I want to see why he’s gifting you such beautiful things”, mom said. I sighed, heavily before stepping away from her and doing a small twirl in the living room. ‘Just no mom, that’s still the wrong idea of what’s happening’, I thought distractingly.

“Does it suit me mom?” I asked her shyly as she nodded straight away and whispered gently.

“Yes, darling. It suits you so much, you look like Rapunzel.”

“Thanks, I’m not sure what to do though, maybe you can help me out”, I replied. She watched me intently with a questioning gaze and I continued, “I don’t know the address for the party, so I don’t know how to get there. Should I ask Elian or Elijah?”

Mom slumped her shoulders in relief before chuckling, “Thought it might be something more dramatic. Let’s see”, she paused before advising, “Just text them and I’m sure one of them will reply to you and help you, don’t worry so much.”

I thanked her and went back upstairs trying to locate my phone when a notification buzzed somewhere beneath my home clothes that I’d left on the bed. It was from Elijah Cooper. It said:

Get outside, now.

As much as I was startled that Elijah had actually texted me since he never texted me before, I came to glare at the message he’d sent. ‘That’s all? Not even a -hi, there’s a car waiting for you outside, can you get in and come to the party? - instead I get a simple command like I’m a dog’, I uttered with a fowl attitude before grabbing my bag, shoving my phone into it and stomping down the stairs
aggressively. ‘Maybe Elijah sent a car for me? At least he did that, saves me from having to ask him about the place. Thank God.’

“Mom, I’m going now. Seems like a company driver is going to take me there”, I informed her as I kissed her cheek.

“Have fun and be safe”, she told me.
I stepped outside of the house and closed the door before, slowly turning around to become startled at the sight before me.

Right there, leaning against a black Porsche was Elijah Cooper. Literally, THE Elijah Cooper. He was tapping his shoe on the pavement and looked impatient the longer I stayed in my place.

‘Is this a dream?’ I wondered before taking my first step towards a party I really wanted to avoid.

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