Saved by the Elle

"And just where have you been."

No it wasn't possible. She wasn't supposed to be back for another few days it was too early. But here she was sitting in the living room with zach, Brian, and Matt sitting around her.

"Are you going to stand there looking confused or are you going to answer my question," she said giving me a pointed look.

Fear had me standing ramrod straight, my eyes wide as saucers still surprised to see her sitting here. I swallowed the lump I had lodged in my throat and spoke, "I went out?" It came out more as a question than statement. I was mentally kicking myself for it as she raised a single manicured eyebrow at me.

"Elaborate Victoria. You went out where, who did you go out with?"

I hated being put on the spot. I hated it and she knew it. She just loved making me feel uncomfortable and awkward, like it made her look better or something. I wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off of Zachs face. I wanted Brian and Matt to leave instead of sit on the sofa looking uncomfortable. But they didn't no matter how much I willed them to. My telepathic messages weren't reaching they just looked anywhere but at me. Which made it worse but whatever they knew what she was like but chose to ignore it. This wasn't there first rodeo.

I sighed heavily before answering, " Well I had Greek food it was really good. I walked around a picturesque garden, found my way to the center of a labyrinth, and went bowling. It was nothing special."

She gave me a disgusted look at the mere mention of bowling. " I can't believe that ghastly girl took you bowling. You need new friends Victoria, a girl such as yourself shouldn't be seen doing such common things. You're better than that. As a matter of fact there is a polo match tomorrow I going to take you and introduce you to some of the daughters of my friends. Maybe then you'll understand what its really like to be a proper young lady.

"Right OK well i'm just gonna go to my room then," I said awkwardly fidgeting in my spot.

She waved her hand at me dismissive manner and took a sip from her wine glass. I took that as my cue to leave and hastily retreated down the hallway and up the stairs to my room. Saved by the elle.

I took my phone from my purse and dialed her number. I was about to hang up the phone when she picked up on the seventh ring.

"Hey," she said dragging out the ey sound " how was your date?"

"It wasn't a date and it was nice. Maria's back though so any traces of the serene mood I had are gone know."

"That's good. What did you guys do? Oh my gosh forget maria I don't know how you put up with her."

"Yeah it was. Elle he took me to his dads place we had this picnic I guess in the gazebo in the garden. It was so beautiful, I could have just looked at it for hours. I almost got lost in the labyrinth but I found my way to the center. It was just as beautiful if not more. He held my hand."

"What," she paused "he held your hand. Oh snap can not even believe it, miss never had any physical contact with a boy let someone hold her hand."

"It wasn't like that. He held out his hand to help me stand up and just never let go. I didn't want to make it awkward."

"So it is exactly like that."

"NO," I paused wondering if I should say something " there's more."

"What else could there be?"

"He kissed me."

"What! He kissed you, Adam has the feels for you," she said in a sing song voice!

"I think you're more excited about it than I am and anyway it wasn't today it was last night."

I expected her to shout what again loudly in my ear, but there was complete silence on the other end of the line. " Elle are you still there," I asked checking my phone to make sure I hadn't hung it up?

"I'm still here I'm just processing the fact that I was over your house ours ago but you're just know deciding to share this important tidbit of information with me. I thought we were best friends who told each other everything," she fake sniffled "I guess not."

"Please stop being so over-dramatic. It happened when I went in search of you. I was drunk it sort of just happened, but that's not even the half of it."

"Wait there's more, what else aren't you telling me?"

"Matt. He kissed me and declared his love for me. It was weird."

"Pretty convenient timing don't you think? I mean he waits until someone has interest in you before deciding to make his move. What a prick."

"Yeah he came up with this spiel about how Brian said no one could date me. I mean come on it's so whatever though."

"Meh that kind of sounds like Brian behavior he tries to be a big brother to you in his own weird way. I'm pretty sure it half the reason no guy has ever tried to approach you. You didn't believe him though did you?"

"Of course not what sort of fool do you take me for?"

"I mean I know you had a crush on him when we were younger. I just thought you still might have feelings for him is all."

Now it was my turn to be silent on the phone. I took the phone away from my ear and stared at it. Hoping she would feel my stare and that would instill some sense into her.

"Tory," she paused before speaking again "Tory I know you're still there so start talking," she said impatiently.

"The key word here elle is had. I had feelings for him," I paused letting my words sink into her thick skull "I have been over him for a very long time."

"Even after he kissed you," she asked prying?

OK so I wasn't entirely sure I was over him. I mean I got goosebumps just thinking about how he kissed me. I swallowed down the nervousness that had bubbled up after she asked the question, " of course I didn't feel anything." I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince more though. Me or her.

"Anyway maria is making me go to some polo match tomorrow because she thinks it was you I was hanging out with, and she wants me to meet proper young ladies."

"What did I do?"

"Besides always sticking up for me and ruining my proper demure behavior. She thinks you're the one I was hanging out with today after I told her I went bowling."

"One- why does she think I would take you bowling? Two- you guys went bowling? Three- she's and idiot why does she think she can control your life? Of course I will come my mom is going to the same thing. I will just tell her I changed my mind about going. It will be a surprise for Maria I can't wait to see the look on her face."

"Yeah we went bowling what did you expect us to do?"

"Not bowling."

"We were just hanging out. Anyway I'm really glad you're coming. I probably would have had to murder myself if I had to be their alone."

"Now who's being over-dramatic, but seriously what is maria's problem? Why does she think she can just run your life like you're a mindless barbie," she asked exasperatedly?

"I don't know but I can't be stuck here forever though, I need an escape."

"My mom and dad would more than happy to have you. You know they love you like you're the daughter they never had."

"Oh please elle you're parents love you just as much, but that's not the point. I don't want to be a burden."

"So you would rather suffocate to death breathing in Marias rank air?"

"No of course not," I paused trying to understand how everyone thought maria was so nice and sweet " I just don't understand how no one else sees what maria is really like."

"I see it Tor, my parents see it. You're not the only one. I can come over and keep you company if you want? You're probably sulking right now."

"No I'm fine, just be there tomorrow."

"Okay I can do that. Talk to you later."

"Yeah bye."

I plopped back onto my bed and sighed tomorrow was going to be a long day.

"Hey doll face."

"Can I help you Matt," I asked not bothering to look at the door?

"Nope I can help you though."

"And just how can you do that," I ask? Now I was probably going to regret it.

I heard his feet padding across the floor, felt my bed dip under the pressure of his weight. Before finally coming face to face with hazel eyes.

"I'll be at the polo match tomorrow, I can keep you company."

"My my how generous of you Matt, but I think I will manage just fine on my own."

The heat radiating from off his body was doing extraordinary things to my body. And now was not a good time to think about how kissable his pink pouty lips looked.

"We all will actually."

"Who's we?"

"Jimmy, Alex, and I. You know jimmy will love to see you."

"Please no he'll make a scene."

"So live a little doll face you only get one life make it memorable."

Not having a comeback to his words I simply stuck my tongue out at him. Because that's what I do apparently. He gave me a gorgeous smile before sitting up.

"Well I have to head home so I'll see you later doll face."

"Right well goodbye," I said sitting up as well.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me it was a long slow kiss. One that had me thankful I was sitting as his hand came up gripping the back of my head deepening the kiss. He pulled away first leaving me leaning into him looking like a thoroughly kissed fool.

"Bye doll face," he said standing and leaving the room.

I wasn't into him. Was I? Even if I am there is too much history between us for me to head down that road again.