The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 11

EllaThe next morning Lila is feel much better. Its ilk last nighttime never happened, but I wonder if its an act.I run through a feeling that today is termination to be full of rainbows and sunshine, Lila says cheerily as she applies her lipstick, using the mirror on the closet door.Against my protest, she took down some of my sketches, so she could see her reflection. See what, though? Id asked and she laughed, totally confused. ar you high? I tease as I twist my hair onto the back of my head and catch it with a clip.She pauses, looking at me over her shoulder. Why do you always ask questions like that?I slip on my boots and tie up the laces. What kinds of questions?She blots her lips. Every time Im happy, you always ask if Im drunk or on something. People can be happy without substances.I clasp a watch just about my wrist. Most people can, but non all.Lila clips a diamond earring in. You look really nice today.I glance down at the black and purple dress I shake up on and the boots on my feet. I forgot to do laundry so I had to wear some of my old clothes, which dont match each of my new shoes.Well you look nice. She make ups an elongated pause. So whats on the ag leftovera for today?It depends on what youre doing? I ask. Are you where are you planning on staying?She shuts off her phone and then discards it onto the bed. Id like to stick most with you for a while, if you dont mind. We could hang out. I dont vex anything scheduled for the summer and Im not going back home.Do you necessity to sort me what happened?No, not really.Okay well, I need to find a job, I say. I have to save up for the rest of my tuition since it doesnt look like Ill be getting that internship.She puts a headband in her hair. The one at that art museum.Thats the one and it doesnt start until mid-June, I explain. only thats only louver weeks away, so I figured theyd have notified me if I got it.You never love. Sometimes things like that move slow. She folds up a shirt a nd packs it into her bag, then ties a ribbon on the back of her shirt. Although, if you get it thatd mean youd have to go back to Vegas, right?Nodding, I head for the door. Two weeks ago the idea of returning to the forego would make me happy, but somethings changed. I still want to go, though leaving will be a little bit harder.I collect my phone off the dresser, noting the flashing voicemail on the screen Michas unread message. My finger hovers above the button as I step into the hall. He told me I wasnt ready for what was on it? But am I ready for it now?I dont know why you think its so bad here. Lila follows me. Yeah, people are a little rough, but theyre not all bad and everywhere has bad stuff. You cant hide from it.Thats very insightful. I close my phone and put it away.Bad comes in assorted forms, Lila continues. Whether its drug dealers on the corner or if its corrupt rich people or just your run-of-the-mill douche bag.I dont know much about Lila, other than shes rich, her pascal transactions as a lawyer and her mom stays home. She likes clothes, is great with numbers and was the only reason I passed pre-calculus.My brothers door is kick in and he walks out as were passing by. He has a black and red polo shirt on and a pair of cargo pants. Theres some kind of gel in his hair and it looks shiny.Hey, have you seen dad? he asks, giving an acknowledging glance at Lila.I point at the shut door at the end of the hall. I thought I let ond him come in late last night and go into his room.He did, but he got up this morning. He leans against the doorframe and crosses his arms. I heard him stumbling near in that derriere and crying all night, but now I cant find him and I didnt hear him leave. His work called the house, saying he didnt show up, so hes not there.My fists clench so that my nails dig into my palms. Did you checkout time in the bathroom?Deans eyes travel down the hall to the bathroom door and he shakes his head. I havent and I dont want to.Hi, Im Lila, she introduces herself and offers her hand. You must be Ellas brother, Dean.Dean is vaguely amused and shakes her hand. Yeah how do you know Ella?I was her roommate, she responds, pressing her hand to her chest, faking being offended. Didnt she ever mention me?We dont talk that much. I eye the bathroom door again and my stomach twists. We need to find Dad.Im not looking in that bathroom, Ella, but if you want to, go ahead. With legs flimsier than wet noodles, I walk down the dark hallway and stop in see of the door, having a flashback of the day my mom died. The door was closed and the house was soundless, except for the running of water. My hands tremble as I open the door.The room is bare, the tub empty, and the tile floor is clean, except for a tenuous stain. There are no towels on the hooks and the mirror on the wall across from me shows my reflection. My chromatic hair is curled perfectly in place, my lips are lined with gloss, and my green eyes are broad and reveal everything.Dad isnt in here, I tell him, unable to look away from the mirror. Are you surely you didnt hear him leave the house?He could have left and I just didnt hear him, he answers. But when has he ever left the house quietly before?I quickly slam dance the bathroom door, like Im trying to put out a fire, and race back down the hall. psyche needs to find him. Did you try and call him?Of course. Im not a moron. He rolls his eyes and nods. And he didnt answer.Lila shifts her tilt and forces the uncomfortable conversation elsewhere. So you play the drums, Dean?He motions to his drum set in the shopping center of his small room with dark blue walls. The floor and bed are cluttered with boxes and the curtain is pulled back, allow the sunlight spill in. I used to, but I dont much anymore. I have work and a fiance.Fiance? Lila and I say simultaneously.Yeah, as in were engaged. Dean rolls his eyes and goes back into his room. Its what happens when ii people date for a really long time.Why didnt you tell me? I ask, following him into his room.He picks up a small box and drops it onto the floor. Do you really care that I am?I carefully nudge the box out of the way with my foot. Youre my brother. Of course I care.But its not like weve ever really gotten along, he points out. I havent til now talked to you for a year. God, I didnt regular know you went to college until a week ago.Hes right, which is sad. I tho know him, he barely knows me, and Im starting to think I barely know me, too.Does Dad know youre engaged? I ask. Were you at least planning on singing him?Even if I told him, hed just forget the next day. He empties a dresser drawer into a large open box and then aligns the drawer back into place. You know how he is. Christ, I dont even think half the time he knows that you and I dont live here anymore.He still deserves to be told, I say. Hes not a bad guy and you know it. He just has problems.Problems that fucked up our childhood. He kicks a box out of the way with force and it crashes into the wall. You do realize that how we grew up wasnt normal. God, even Micha had it easier and his dad bailed out on him, but at least he had a stable mom to prefer care of him.Umm Lila pokes her head in the room. I think Im going to wait outside for you, Ella.God, Id forgotten she was even there and she just heard all of that.Okay, Ill be down in a second, I tell her and she leaves readily. I wander around Deans room, taking in the films he has up. I think we whitethorn have just scared her to death.Dean picks up his drumsticks and places them into a large duffel bag. Okay, I have to ask. How did you end up being friends with her?She was my roommate and we just sort of bonded. I shrug, picking up a photo of Dean and his friends on a sunny beach. It was taken during his Senior Field Trip and he looks happy.You bonded, he accuses. The girl looks like a spoiled princess.I eye his preppy clothes. So do you.First off, Im not a princes s and Ive earned what I have, he says. It wasnt just handed to me.Maybe she did, too.Did she?I hate to give him the benefit of being right. No, her parents are pretty well off.He looks at me with that stupid arrogant demeanor he gets when I admit hes right. Well, there you have it then.Shes nice, I protest. And she doesnt ask a lot of questions.It may seem like you need to keep things to yourself, he says, putting a blanket into a box. But its not healthy. You need to find psyche you can let it all out to. Otherwise youre going to lose it.My eyes roam to the window where the edge of Michas house is visible. I think I already did.Deans forehead creases as he drops a handful of guitar picks into a trunk. Lose it? Or talk to someone about it?Both. I back toward the door. When are you heading back to Chicago?Hopefully by tonight. No offense or anything, but this place brings back way too many unpleasant memories. bear witness to say good-bye before you leave.He doesnt respond and I do nt wait around for an answer. That was probably the long-lasting conversation that weve ever had and I have a feeling it may be our last for a very long time.