Friends?
Ellie was on her way to art class, carrying a large canvas, a box of old and sporting her large headphones as usual.She had a huge project coming up at the end of the month worth 50% of her grade and Ellie had become so familiar with procrastination that she was weeks behind. She loved art of course, but she was going through what her art professor Marlene would call an 'art block'. Ellie didn’t see it like that, to her, she had just lost her passion just like she she always did. Ellie was what you could call a -gifted kid burnout- she was one of those wise-beyond-their-years kids with so much potential, she used to get good grades, participate in school sports and according to all her social workers was a ‘natural born leader’ who would succeed with the proper grooming. But all good things come to an end and as she got older (and more opinionated) all the praising turned into people saying she was difficult to work with and was going down the wrong path. She often got into fights in high school, adults always thought she was in the wrong because who could ever believe a kid who looked like her was getting bullied by her peers.
"Can’t believe you finally showed up.” Someone abruptly pulled off her headphones, which caused her to elbow their stomach as a reflex. Unfortunately this someone was Jesse.
”Shit, Jesse what did I tell you about sneaking up on me!” She yelled, helping him up from his folded position.
”I should never do it, lesson learned.” He wheezed, trying to stay upright.
Ellie rolled her eyes and continued to walk to class. “Uhh can I help you?” She asked, noticing that he was still following her.
”Did Dina happen to drop by yesterday?”
She froze for a second and tried to keep an unbothered expression. “A Dina came by yesterday, can’t be sure if it was your Dina.”
”Ok did she look like this?” Jesse stepped in front of Ellie, forcing her to stop and look at the picture of Dina he was holding up on his phone. She was smiling widely and holding up a peace sign to her face next to Jesse who was kissing her on the cheek.
Ellie almost gagged at how perfect they looked together. “Small world I guess." She shrugged nonchalantly.
"Wait really?"
"Yes Jesse that was her, what’s it to me?”
“No need to get crabby-“ Jesse, stepped out of her way and continued to walk alongside Ellie. “Did she seem pissed?”
”Don’t I seem pissed.”
”It’s a simple yes or no answer Ellie-“
”She seemed- tired? I don’t know we didn’t really talk about you.”
”You talked to her?”
”I took her order so I kinda had to.”
”Why didn’t you call me?"
"How was I supposed to know who she was?"
"Ok just tell me exactly what she said-"
”Look Jesse I really have to get to class,"
"Wait but-"
"No offence but what goes on with you and your girlfriend is your business, not mine.” She asserted and strode down the hallway.
I can’t believe his Dina was really that Dina. Ellie thought to herself whilst setting up her work station, she sat at the back of the class, hoping that she could avoid having to talk to anyone.
”Ellie, I’m so glad you’ve finally decided to grace us with your presence!” Marlene declared as she entered the classroom.
Shit. “Yeah- wasn’t feeling well.” She muttered, with a raspy tone.
Marlene just smiled and shook her head, ”You’re gonna have to come up with a better excuse than that, but that’s something we can discuss after class.”
Ellie felt the eyes of the rest of the students glue to her and slid on her headphones to drown out the rest of the world. She stood in front of her blank canvas, frustratingly trying to find an idea for her project. Her eyes wandered around the rest of the class, everyone else seemed to be doing just fine, some had beautifully painted portraits, others with life size sculptures and Ellie had nothing.
“Art block is very common amongst great artists you know?” Marlene interrupted her thoughts, signalling for her to take off her headphones.
Ellie sank into her chair and sulked, ”Thanks but I have a hard time believing that.”
”Ellie, you’re a very promising artist, if you would just turn up to class and try a little harder-“
“You must be blind if you think there’s anything promising about this-“ She smacked her canvas with her hand and crossed her arms.
”I’m serious you’re talented.”
”Bullshit.” Ellie, apologetically glanced back at Marlene’s stern expression. “Sorry I mean- I don’t think so.”
”Well I do, you just need to step out of your shell and do things that excite you!”
”No I like my shell, it’s very peaceful here."
Marlene sighed and briefly rested her hand on Ellie’s shoulder- “You’ll figure something out, the world is full of inspiring things.” She returned to the rest of the class and left Ellie with her naked canvas.
——
Art class was finally over. Ellie groaned as she stretched out the knots in her back, it was sore from sitting for too long. She had spent the lesson trying and failing to start her project, her previous attempts were scrunched up and piling up in the trash. I need a break from this. She stood up, retrieved her belongings and was about to make her escape, reaching for the door but Marlene called her up to her desk. Ellie reluctantly turned back and stood impatiently in front of her desk.
”So Ellie, will I be seeing you in class tomorrow?”
”I don’t know maybe?"
”Ellie, we can’t keep going on like this-“
”Look I tried my best-“
”I know,"
”So why can’t you just give up on me already?"
"Ellie, I didn’t bring you here to talk about your project- just look at this.” Marlene slid over a pamphlet.
”Trip to Paris?” Ellie raised an eyebrow and frowned.
”I think you need a change of scenery and Paris is known for their amazing museums.”
”Paris is for weird people who have money and believe in love.”
”Well all expenses are paid and nobody is forcing you to fall in love with anybody.”
”Nice offer but I’m good.”
”Just think about it, okay?”
“If I say yes will you let me go?"
"As long as you mean it-"
"Then fine I’ll think about it."
"Good, I’ll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah sure," Ellie turned and stepped out the door. She walked down the hallway and tried to forget the terrible morning she’d been having. Is she insane, me? In Paris? She thought. She continued to complain to herself, completely unaware of the world around her and staring intensely at the ground.
”Boo!” A voice bellowed out from the corner.
Ellie stepped back in fright and almost tripped over her laces.
”And we meet again.” An elated Dina smiled whilst holding out her hand.
Ellie blinked at her, half surprised, half confused- what is she doing here?
”This is where you shake my hand dummy!” Dina reached for Ellie’s hand and shook it enthusiastically. “There, now we’ve officially become acquainted.
“Uh-“
”I have to say I was a little offended when you didn’t text me after I left you my number!” The black haired girl teased.
”Why exactly are you here?"
”I go here obviously.”
”I figured- but I mean how did you know I was in there?”
”I didn’t, I was just walking by and recognised you, you seemed so tense so I thought I should wait for you!”
”And you decided to lurk in the shadows because…?”
”Did I scare you?”
”No- no way it’s just- that’s weird.”
”You’re weird."
"Ok I think I’m sensing that I should go-"
"You can’t. I have to take you somewhere-"
"I barely know you-"
"I know you’re Ellie and you know I’m Dina, what else is there to know?"
”That is an extremely concerning way of thinking-“
"What can I say? It’s how I roll."
Ellie started to think of her list of excuses, hoping that she could find a way to escape this awkward interaction, "Well nice see you again but I have to… work on a project!"
"What kind of project?"
"Just something, you don’t need to know-"
”Oh no, you’re coming with me.” She asserted with a glint of determination with her eyes.
”What if I actually do have other plans?”
”Do you?”
”I could.”
”Wrong answer, come on neighbour-“
Before she knew it, Ellie was being dragged away from campus by the raven haired beauty from yesterday. Dina absentmindedly led Ellie out of the schools parking lot, strolling just a few steps ahead but glancing back every few seconds to make sure Ellie hadn’t escaped.
”Does- does Jesse know you’re here?” Ellie suddenly asked, filling the void of silence.
”So you figured out who I am?”
”Yeah kinda impossible not to.”
”I hope you’ve only heard good things about me.”
"Uh let’s just say i’ve heard things…"
"Understandable, maybe I can change your mind about those things."
”But Jesse-“
”Fuck Jesse right now, I’m officially a free woman!”
”What does this have to do with me?”
”Come on, I literally have no other friends to do this with, please just come with me.” Dina stared up at Ellie with her round puppy dog eyes and jutted out her bottom lip.
”F-fine just don’t look at me like that weirdo.” Ellie looked away, flustered.
”Hell yeah always works!” She grinned.
Hell yeah? Who is this girl?
“Do I at least get to know where we’re going?”
“You really ask a lot of questions.”
”Well if Im being taken to get kidnapped and murdered I want to prepare myself now.”
”Dark- but don’t worry I’m not kidnapping you.”
”So what is this exactly?”
”Hey, don’t forget you still owe me for spilling coffee on my favourite shirt.”
”Oh yeah… sorry about that.”
”All will be forgiven as long as you be a good girl and hang out with me.”
Ellie felt her heart skip a beat, “You really shouldn’t make a habit of going out with strangers you just met.”
”Well we’re neighbours aren’t we?”
"What the fuck am I getting myself into?" Ellie muttered under her breath.
Dina lead them towards a bus stop and sat down on a bench. Ellie awkwardly stood next to her, she hadn’t been out with another girl for a while.
“I’m not contagious.” Dina waved Ellie over.
Ellie cautiously sat next to her, “We have no proof of that yet.”
“Wow creative and funny? Where’s Jesse been hiding you?”
”About Jesse- are you two okay?”
”Pfft-“ Dina looked down at the ground and played with her hair. “You know as much as I do at this point.”
”But you’ve gotta try right? You guys are perfect together or whatever.”
”Did he say that?”
”Uh- basically yeah.”
”If this is what a perfect relationship is, I don’t think love is for me-“ She trailed off.
”Well can’t argue with you there.”
”You don’t believe in love?”
”Nope, how could I? It’s all fake bullshit, you learn that pretty quickly when you grow up in foster care.”
Dina tilted her head towards Ellie, “I’m sorry.”
”It’s fine.”
”Well… Are you and Jesse close?”
“Oh yeah basically like brother and sister, we lived in the same neighbourhood for a while.”
”So I have nothing to worry about-“
”Oh definitely not, I would never date Jesse in a million years, trust me.”
”Good to know-“ Dina’s stare lingered on Ellie for far too long for Ellie’s liking.
”Would you stop with that?”
”Can I borrow your phone for a sec?”
“Why would I let you do that?”
”Because if you don’t I’ll just keep staring at you.”
“F-Fine whatever-“ Ellie handed over phone whilst Dina smiled triumphantly. She began typing something in and nodding.
”What are you doing?”
”Well since you apparently don’t know how to save my number yourself I though I’d do it for you-“ She handed back the phone, satisfied.
Ellie seized it and looked through her contacts, "You saved yourself as Hot babe, seriously?”
”Pretty fitting don’t you think?.” Dina shrugged.
”That’s so gross.” Ellie faux gagged.
Dina playfully rolled her eyes and stood up- “Come on, bus is here,”
The bus was overcrowded, Ellie and Dina were squeezed together, sandwiched by two other guys. A pungent sweat odour punctured the air and the sound of loud chattering erupted from every direction.
Ellie looked down at Dina who was contently scrolling through her phone, “You couldn’t have picked a less busy time to kidnap me?” She voiced into her ear.
”Still not a kidnapper- and how could I have known that everyone was gonna be here?”
"I don’t know you seem like the type to have this all figured out-"
"Maybe you should stop basing your opinion on what type of girl you think I am-"
”Whatever-“ Ellie seemed to be paying attention to something else, her face suddenly turned cold.
”Oh come on isn’t this fuuuun?“ Dina teased, poking at Ellie's ribs.
Ellie didn’t hear what she was saying, she was distracted by the guy standing suspiciously close to Dina.
“Earth to Ellie?” Dina waved her hand in front of Ellie’s face but her expression didn’t change.
The guy was ogling Dina’s chest and his hand crept closer to her waist. Ellie acted without thinking and used her free hand to pull up Dina’s top.
”Uh Ellie?”
The creep was relentless so when the bus stopped, Ellie placed her hands on Dina’s shoulders and switched places with her, she gave the man a piercing death stare which made him recoil and step off the bus.
Dina was slightly confused, "How did you-"
"Stay close to me.” Ellie breathed in Dina’s ear. She pressed their bodies together and used her tall frame to shield her. Dina gazed into Ellie’s stern green eyes and followed her instructions right up until they got off the bus.
——
”Thanks for what you did back there, it was very… chivalrous,”
”No big deal, I just hate creeps like that.”
”No really, you’ve got quite a glare, I wouldn’t wanna get on your bad side.” Dina slightly nudged Ellie’s shoulder.
”Yeah well years of training-“
”No need to be so humble-“
”I think you’re just easily impressed.”
”No I’m pretty sure I almost fell for you there.”
”You’re not funny.”
”Who said I was joking?”
”Keep getting on my nerves and I’ll have to use the glare on you too.”
”Damn I wouldn’t want to be the guy you reject.”
”Guys don’t ask me out anyway, not that I want them to.”
"Really?” Dina looked genuinely shocked. “I mean good on you but I never would’ve thought that.”
”I don’t think I have the look that screams i’m-desperate-for-a-boyfriend.”
”And I do?”
”No but you’re-“ Ellie scrunched up her eyebrows, scrambling for her words, “Easy on the eyes.”
”Wow thanks grandpa,”
”Fuck off-“
Dina threw her arms up in front of Ellie and stopped infront of a bright red store with a sign that read “The Music Warehouse.” “We’re here!” she squealed.
”A music store?”
”Yep bet you’re happy you came along now!”
“Don’t get too excited.” Ellie reached for the handle.
“By the way Ellie-“
”Yeah?”
”You’re not too bad yourself.” Dina responded and sauntered through the door.
Ellie wasn’t sure why but, she felt the need to take a brief moment to fix her hair in the reflection of the store window before following Dina inside.
If there was a place that could describe all of Ellie’s favourite things, The Music Warehouse would be it. She almost couldn’t contain her excitement as she looked around the spacious store (and Ellie rarely gets excited) Several vintage guitars hung off the walls, all in various styles and colours, there were numerous vinyl records organised in large shelves and a considerable amount of instruments were scattered around; trumpets, pianos, drums, it was like an orchestra had vomited all over the place.
“So, am I awesome or what?” Dina smirked, knowing that Ellie was internally freaking out.
”How did you find this place?” Ellie’s eyes darted all over the room, unable to pick where to go first.
”I used to come here by myself all the time, I stumbled across it when I got lost one time-“
”Are you always getting lost or something?”
”Thats not the point. As I was saying, I found this place and I come whenever I need to relax.”
”That’s really surprising…"
"Well either way I knew that someone like you would appreciate this-"
"How exactly did you figure that out?"
”That’s a secret for another day, let’s go!” Dina intertwined her arm with Ellie’s and pulled her towards the vinyls.
Ellie skimmed through the artists along each shelf, she picked up Green Day’s American Idiot and admired the track list.
“Look what I found!” Dina shimmied as she held up a TV Girl vinyl.
”Not bad. Do you have a record player?”
”Uh duhh, I like to feel like an 80s hottie whilst I clean up around the house.”
”You could’ve just said yes-“
”But that wouldn’t have been interesting!” The black haired girl responded whilst walking towards the display of guitars.
Ellie contently followed, “Man I would kill for one of these!” She complained, stroking her finger along one of the electric guitars.
”No way, you play?” Dina turned to her enthusiastically.
”Yeah a little, not perfectly though-“
”You may just have become the coolest person I know!”
”I seriously doubt that..”
”You have to teach me something I’ve always wanted to learn-“
“Uh sure I guess-“
”Ok so far you owe me a coffee and a guitar lesson, this friendship is proving to be very beneficial for me-“
Friendship?
”So, you said you usually come her alone- what about your other friends?” Ellie asked, strategically trying to change the subject.
”It’s not really their thing, there’s not a lot of people I can really share my interests with-“
“Not even Jesse?”
Dina’s face fell slightly but she tried to force a smile through it, “Jesse’s great like probably the nicest guy ever but… I don’t know…”
”But you guys have known eachother since high school right?”
”Yeah that’s the problem, I think a lot’s changed and now that we’re adults I don’t feel as strongly as I did back then… Highschool relationships are always really rushed and intense-“
"Makes sense."
”You’d be the only one to think that, all my friends are telling me to just keep trying and everything will -eventually fall back into place- I don’t even know if that’s what I want-“ Dina sighed and looked back up at Ellie, “It’s like, should being in a relationship have to take this much effort?”
Ellie hesitated to say what she was really thinking, she didn’t want to work against Jesse, she knew Jesse was a great person but she didn’t want to give false advice, especially since Dina seemed to genuinely need it. “I think that if you like someone, being with them shouldn’t feel like a chore?”
“Very poetic. But enough of the serious talk, let’s buy this stuff-“
Ellie felt slightly guilty for pushing Dina for information and continued to follow behind her. They walked up to the cashier, Dina bought her vinyl and Ellie decided to go with a Kate Bush poster for her room. They exited the store and walked along side each other in silence.
”Sorry if I overstepped…”
”It’s fine, your advice was kind of helpful, I have a lot to think about.”
”Well sorry to cut this short but I have to get home and start my project…”
”It’s fine I gotta bounce too, I have to get the last of my stuff from Jesse’s-“
”Bounce? Who says that?”
“Only hot people obviously,”
“More like weirdos-“
”Who knew you were such a comedian?”Dina held her hands on her hips and shook her head.
“Everyone. People tell me I’m funny all the time.”
“Not sure they mean it.” She chuckled cheerfully in a way that made Ellie feel slightly weak in her knees for some reason. “Ok I really have to go now but today was really fun!”
”Yeah- it was…good.”
“Good? Note taken I guess I’ll have to step it up next time-“
”Next time?”
”Obviously, we still need to get coffee and arrange the guitar lessons, I never forget peoples promises.”
”I dont think I promised to do any of those-“
”I think you did- anyway, I’ll see you later Ellie!” Dina beamed at her and started to walk away but turned around one more time- “You better text me!” She yelled and practically skipped away, disappearing as she turned a corner.
——
Ellie dragged herself to her bedroom and dropped her stuff in the corner of the room. She reluctantly changed into her pyjamas and threw herself onto her undone bed. She was about to go to sleep but remembered what Dina had said earlier. I should at least ask if she got to Jesses safely.
Ellie: Hey it’s ellie today was pretty cool
Hotbabe: well well well if it isn’t my new favourite person
Hotbabe: can’t believe you actually texted me
Ellie: i just wanted to make sure you got to jesse’s safely
Hotbabe: yep still at jesses im listening to some music while i go through the bathroom
Ellie: are you okay? after the dude who tried to grope you on the bus and everything
Hotbabe: i’m fine i didn’t even realise it was happening because you swooped in to save me so fast
Hotbabe: wish i could get help with this cleaning though
Ellie: well if it makes you feel better Kate Bush is chilling on my wall, she says she wishes you luck
Hotbabe: and you call me a weirdo
Ellie: that’s because you are one
Hotbabe: don’t forget you ruined my shirt
Ellie: are you going to use that to guilt trip me forever?
Hotbabe: depends, when are we getting that guitar lesson happening?
Ellie: you were serious about that?
Hotbabe: i’m always serious can’t you tell
Ellie: no i barely understand anything you say
Hotbabe: i know not everyone has the brain capacity to understand the great Dina Woodward
Ellie: i can imagine
Ellie: i don’t understand why you’re being so pushy about hanging with me we met yesterday
Hotbabe: i guess i’ve got a psychic good feeling about you
Ellie: and what could that be
Hotbabe: idk but i really want to find out
Ellie: why
Hotbabe: because there’s something interesting about you
Ellie: good luck with that i don’t really do friends
Hotbabe: that’s fine ellie i like a challenge
Hotbabe: and i always get what i want.
Ellie locked her phone and held it to her chest, her heart was beating strangely fast and she couldn’t understand why.