Chapter 49: Returning Home
The silence was unbearable. There they were, just sitting and staring. No one was talking, everyone was thinking. Ellie took a deep breath.
"I should probably be getting home. I'm probably already in a lot of trouble."
August nodded.
As she was nodding, the phone began to ring. Lindsay lifted herself off the floor and answered it. She talked to the caller for a few minutes and hung up the phone. She rejoined the group. Everyone was looking at her.
"What?" asked Lindsay.
"Well, who was it?" asked August
"Does it matter?" she replied with an evil grin.
Everyone nodded.
"Fine, if you must know, it was Zac. He wants to know if he should come back over. I told him yea."
Ellie looked panicked. She stood up quickly. Taylor rose with her.
"I can't stay here. I can't talk to him right now!" she said with a terrified look on her face.
Taylor put his hand on her shoulder.
"Calm down Ellie, no ones going to make you stay. Don't worry."
Ellie took a deep breath and calmed down.
"You're probably right Tay. But I should go anyways."
With that, she turned and walked up the stairs and out into the dark night. She sucked in the crisp air and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She rubbed her arms to get some heat to them. The nights were getting colder, and she was without a jacket. She slowly stepped down from the steps and began her walk home. She cut through some yards to save time. When her house was in view, she began to dread entering the house. She shook her head and walked slowly towards the house. She heard a voice call her name, and looked around. She couldn't see anyone, so she shrugged and walked into the house. All the lights were all off, so she quietly made her way up to her room.
***Meanwhile***
"Mom, I'm going back to Lindsay's." called Zac
"Zac! Shhhh! The kids are asleep."
"Sorry mom."
"Its ok sweetie, are you staying the night there?"
"Yea, I think so. So are Tay and Ike."
"Ok, just stay out of trouble."
"Don't worry, I will." he said with a devilish grin.
"You tell that to Tay and Ike, ok?"
"I will. Bye."
"Bye, have fun!"
Zac nodded and walked out the door. He glanced down the street as he reached the end of his driveway. He saw a shadowy figure walking slowly towards Ellie's house. He looked closer.
"Ellie!!" he called out.
Ellie looked around for a minute and continued to her house. Zac sighed and began walking to Lindsay's house. When he reached it, he opened the front door and quietly walked downstairs. The picture before him was Isaac, Lindsay, Taylor and August talking in a circle. He grinned. He took a deep breath and took a flying leap towards the group. He landed on the pillows that were placed in the middle of the group, much to the surprise of the 4 sitting there.
"Miss me?" he asked.
Laughing, August and Taylor shook their heads. Acting disappointed, Zac began to get up sadly. Laughing even harder, Taylor motioned for him to stay.
"S...so...sorry man, that was too funny!"
Zac grinned
"I know."
Once the group stopped laughing, Zac got serious.
"Tay, did you happen to talk to Ellie?"
Taylor exchanged glances with each person in the room and nodded.
"Well?"
Taylor sighed.
"Well, she says she's real confused right now. And she's not in a very good position. See, Zac, she really really likes you, but theres a problem."
Zac was silent.
"Whats the problem?" he stuttered.
"Well, she's moving Zac. She's leaving."
Zac's face lost color.
"M..moving? To where?"
"Cleveland."
"Cleveland!!! As in Ohio?!?"
Taylor nodded.
"I'm really sorry Zac."
Zac held his head in his hands. Tears started welling up in his eyes. He put his head back and took a deep breath.
"It'll be fine. She'll be back." he said, trying to reassure himself.
"I won't be for long" he said strongly.
Taylor exchanged a glance with Isaac but stayed silent.
© 1997 August_Mayer@hotmail.com
Get your own Free Home Page