Jesse's proposal
“Late as usual Ellie.” Joel ridiculed, tapping his wrist.
”Sorry sorry, my alarm didn’t go off.” Ellie scurried behind the counter and threw on her apron.
”Save the excuses, just do what you need to do.”
“Jesse here yet?”
”He’s in the back, help him unload the boxes will ya?”
”Yes sir!” Ellie shuffled into the kitchen and hesitantly approached Jesse. “Hey Jesse.”
”Oh Ellie you scared me!” He jumped back, holding a large box of trays and new cutlery.
”You need a hand?” Ellie offered, picking up another box. “Sorry about being so pissy yesterday by the way.”
”Don’t worry about it, I shouldn’t have pestered you about Dina-“
"Still I could’ve been a bit more helpful-"
Jesse placed the heavy box on the floor and placed his hands on his hips, "Enough with all the apologising it’s making me feel sick-"
"Ok ok just saying," Ellie smiled, appreciating how understanding he always was.
"Anyway, Dina isn’t even my girlfriend anymore so I should probably just give up, right?"
”Once again, I’m not the person you should be looking for answers from-"
”Fair point.” He sighed.
”Customer!” Joel yelled out.
The two exchanged an irritated look and hurried out to the counter.
“Hi Ellie!”
“Dina?” Jesse declared, astounded.
”Jesse." Dina replied, monotonously. She leaned against the counter, playing with her rings. “So if I remember correctly you owe me a drink?” She smiled at Ellie.
Ellie awkwardly glanced at Jesse and then back at Dina. “Uh sure-“
"Drink? What is she talking about?"
"From the other day, I accidentally spilt her order-"
"You know I could’ve made one for you,"
"Thanks but I think Ellie's got this covered-"
"Uhhh I think I should let you two talk this out in private." Ellie backed away awkwardly.
"No, there’s no reason you should go-" Dina responded.
"What exactly is going on here? Since when do you two know each other?"
"We don’t. Not really," Ellie muttered, trying to stop a dispute from breaking out.
"Why does this concern you?" Dina snapped.
"What Dina means is that she just happens to be… my new neighbour?"
"What? As in she just moved out of my place and into yours?"
"I wouldn’t word it like that-"
"When were you going to tell me this?"
"Oh come on it’s not a big deal, she didn’t have to tell you-" Dina interjected.
"I’m not saying it’s a big deal but it’s information that I feel like I should’ve known."
"Don’t be so dramatic Jesse-"
"Ok why don’t I get that drink ready and you can go take a seat Dina-" Ellie pleaded.
"If you insist." She responded and sat in a free booth.
As soon as Dina was out of earshot, Ellie turned to Jesse, "Before you get mad let me explain-"
”Woah Ellie relax I’m not mad-"
"You’re not?"
"What is there to be mad at?"
"Uh… I don’t actually know-"
"Exactly, just tell me what I missed-"
"Tell me where you want me to start-"
”Well have you been hanging out with her?”
”Only once yesterday,”
”No wonder why she wouldn’t tell me what she was up to yesterday- why didn’t you tell me?”
”Well it wasn’t exactly planned she kinda just showed up-”
”That’s definitely typical Dina, but there’s something about this I just don’t get-"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, what is she doing here right now?”
”Probably to make you jealous, think about it I barely even know her. Why would she come over here just to say hi to me?”
Jesse nodded and thought for a moment- “I guess that makes sense-“
”I hope you’re not gossiping about me!” Dina called out.
The machine hissed and Ellie picked up the cup- “Sorry about that- here’s your drink, no spilling this time.”
”Thanks!” Dina joyfully picked up the cup and took a long sip. “Wow, this is amazing!” She moaned.
”It’s just hot chocolate, nothing extraordinary-"
"Maybe it’s extraordinary because you made it-"
"Anyway…" Ellie deflected, trying to cut Dina off, "I have to get back to work, it’s really boring so you should probably just go-"
”Wait- when do you get off your shift?”
”Me?” Ellie pointed at herself, slightly confused.
”Yes you, we still have guitar lessons to do.” Dina responded as if she was stating the obvious.
”Oh…let me ask my boss.” She replied and discretely signalled for Jesse to follow her.
“Well, that came out of nowhere,” Ellie stated, leaning against the kitchen table.
”Yeah no shit, what do you think I should do?”
” I think she just needs space right now,"
"Is being broken up for over a month not enough space?"
"She just moved into her own place, she might be loving it now but soon enough she’ll realise how much things suck when they start to change-"
"I don’t know, Dina's pretty stubborn."
"Please, I give it two weeks until you’re back together.”
”No I- why? Did she say anything?”
”Make that one week.” She reassured.
“Maybe…” Jesse seemed to be in deep thought, his concentrated eyes suddenly widened, as if he had just had a Eureka moment, "I just had a great idea-"
"That really scares me-"
"I think you guys should be friends, you should go with her.”
”What?"
” It's about time you made some new friends.”
”Is that really why you want me to go?” She raised one eyebrow, not buying any of his crap.
”Are you assuming I have an ulterior motive?" Jesse fake gasped.
"Just spit it out-"
”Ok fine you got me, I just want to know what Dina's thinking right now."
”Meaning….?”
”Ask her some questions, see if I still have a chance?”
”You sure she won’t just catch on?”
"I'll owe you forever-"
"I don’t even know her like that Jess-"
"You’ll just have to pretend to get along with her for a little while, nothing too serious-"
"You’re overestimating my skills right now-"
”Please try, for me?” Jesse dramatically put his hands together and pleaded for Ellie to say yes.
”Ugh fine I’ll try my best.” She groaned.
“Thanks El you’re a life saviour, I’ll tell Joel you had something to do!” He quickly hugged her and got back to pick up the boxes.
Ellie turned back and let out a heavy sigh. How did I get stuck in this?
"I guess I’m ready to go?”
”Great I can’t wait to see your place!” Dina squealed.
”My place?"
“Obviously, I just moved in, my place is completely naked-"
“It’s not really uh ready for people to see-“
”Come on Ellie, what would be the neighbourly thing to do?"
”Is it too late to convince you to move out?"
"Pfft no way in hell, now let’s go!" Dina exclaimed, she was unexpectedly strong and pushed Ellie out of the store.
—
Dina’s car had a sweet strawberry scent and was the perfect warm temperature to fight off the cold from outside. Ellie stared into the rearview mirror, unsure of what to say. Of course, Dina broke the silence. ”Let’s play a game-“ She suggested.
”A game, what are we, children?” Ellie sneered sarcastically.
”Loosen up, you’re the one who always complains about the fact that we don’t know each other well, so let’s get to know each other!”
"Remind me why I’m supposed to get to know you-"
"Do you think it’s just a coincidence that we’re neighbours?"
"Where is this going…?"
"I think it’s fate,"
"Are you fucking with me right now?"
"Look Ellie if you’re too chicken-"
"I’m not chicken-"
"You so are!"
”Fine, what kind of game were you thinking?”
”A simple one, two truths and a lie.”
”No way-“
”Come onnnnn it’s the best ice breaker and I’m curious about you, you’re kind of mysterious-“
”What if that’s how I wanna be?”
”Don’t act like you’re not dying to know my juicy secrets too-"
Ellie thought back to her deal with Jesse, this would be a good opportunity to see what she’s thinking. She considered. She reluctantly nodded as Dina had won her over. ”Fine but you’re going first.”
”My pleasure-“ Dina contemplated for a moment before starting, “I once fell off a skateboard and tripped on a knife, I’m deathly allergic to mangos and I fainted when I met my first celebrity crush.” She put on a stone-cold poker face as Ellie tried to figure out the lie.
”Are you cheating already? The skateboard and celebrity ones can’t be true-"
”Well let’s just say I never skated again…”
”No way! How does that even happen?”
Dina chuckled and tried to hide her embarrassment, “I have no idea, I really wanted to be one of those skater girls, my skateboard slipped right from under me and I fell on my knife.” She admitted.
”Why the fuck did you have a knife on you?”
”I don’t know the girl in the tutorial I watched had one too! Don’t question me-“
”That is so ridiculous-“ Ellie mocked.
"You don’t understand she was so undeniably cool, kinda like you actually-"
"Don’t try to push your embarrassment on me-"
”Whatever-“ Dina jokingly rolled her eyes and punched Ellie's shoulder.
”Wait so what was the lie?”
”I’m not allergic to mangoes, I love them!”
“So that means… I need to hear the fainting story-“ Ellie insisted.
Dina rubbed her forehead with one hand and shook her head, “It was a dark day for 13-year-old Dina-“
“How bad could it have been?”
”Well the Hunger Games Mockingjay part 2 had just come out and I was obsessed obviously-“ She physically cringed at the memory, “I was at the airport, me and my parents were coming back from our skiing trip and there I am washing my hands in the gross airport bathrooms when who should walk out of the stall behind me but THE Jennifer Lawrence!”
“You’re kidding…” Ellie held back a laugh.
”Nope there she was and I was so in shock that my nose started bleeding and next thing I know I woke up in the hospital!” Dina giggled.
”I can’t even imagine what that looked like-"
”Try imagining what it felt like- and the worst part is I never even got her signature!”
"Glad you have your priorities straight-" Ellie joked.
"Always."
“Wait… so your celebrity crush?"
”I was very embarrassingly head over heels for both Katniss and Gale, not my proudest moment.”
”You never seize to surprise me.” Ellie realised.
”Ok your turn-“
”I don’t think anything I have to say could beat that-“
”Ellie don’t make me beg.”
”Actually, I wouldn’t mind seeing that-“
Dina shot a pointed glare at Ellie.
”Fine fine let me think-“ “Uh my favourite colour is red, I hate coffee and I don’t know how to ride a bike.”
”Are you fucking serious?” Dina protested.
”What-“
”You’re so boring, try harder!”
”It’s that or nothing-“ Ellie crossed her arms.
”Don’t you know how to have fun?”
”I gave you my three statements what more do you want?”
”I literally just told you my most embarrassing moment, we’re supposed to be getting to know each other. Try. Harder.” somehow Dina spoke in a demanding tone that was impossible to say no to.
”Shit ok- uhh I once broke Jesse’s nose, I almost drowned at my pool party on my birthday and I impulsively cut my hair short after getting gum stuck in it in the 9th grade.” She blurted.
”Ok that’s better…” Dina bit her lip as she thought of her answer.
”I’m gonna go with gum one!”
Ellie triumphantly shook her head, “Nope, it was the Jesse one.”
”Man, that was pretty good-“
”Satisfied?”
”Very." She smiled, "So tell me about the pool party!”
”Not much to tell, I couldn’t swim-“
”But you still had the party at a pool?”
”I don’t know I was a kid and everyone else was doing it at the time-“
”Wow Ellie the follower, surprised you haven’t always been a rebellious delinquent.”
”Very funny.”
”Ok then what’s the story behind the gum?"
”Ok that one wasn’t my fault, some other kid put gum in my hair and instead of point blank fighting him and risking getting kicked out, I just cut it off-“
”That is so badass- "
"I wouldn’t call it that, it came out super uneven and weird so I had to get it fixed by a hairdresser and she cut it even shorter-"
"So any reason you decided to keep your hair short?”
” It's lighter, easier to manage, I don’t know if I would’ve liked to keep it long.”
”Well I’m glad you didn’t, it suits you like this.” Dina reached over and flicked Ellie’s hair.
”Uh thanks-“ She cleared her throat, “So did you really think I would’ve broken Jesse’s nose?”
”It sounded possible, I know I want to sometimes-“
“Still not open to going back to Jesse?”
”Im feeling pretty good by myself right now, plus I have you.”
”What do you mean by that?”
”I mean I’m glad to be making a new friend and I know you are too.”
”And did you read my mind to figure that out?”
”I didn’t have to.”
”Whatever this game is stupid, can we listen to some music or something?” Ellie blurted.
”Sure let’s see what’s on-“ Dina flicked through the radio stations and perked up at the sound of a song. “Oh my God, I love this song!” She exclaimed, humming along to Put Your Records On.
Ellie watched as Dina theatrically lip-synced the lyrics and bounced around to the melody of the song.
”I know you know the lyrics Ellie.” Dina broadcasted whilst speaking into an invisible mic.
”No I'm good you can have this one-“
”Come onnnn-“ Dina brought her hand to Ellie’s lips and prompted her to sing into her balled-up fist. Ellie shook her head and gently pushed her hand away. “I guess you’ll just have to continue to listen to my sweet vocals!” She continued to sing at the top of her lungs.
With the way that she was being bathed in the sun and smiling so brightly, Ellie almost felt like she was watching a scene from a movie.
”You’re loving this aren’t you?“ Dina grinned.
”What no-“
”I can’t hear you-“ Dina turned up the music, drowning out Ellie’s voice.
Ellie rolled her eyes and looked out the window, "Oh we’re already here-"
“Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun?” Dina smiled, unbuckling her seatbelt.
——
”Like I said before, it’s kind of a mess so don’t mind it-“
Ellie swung open the door and hung hers and Dina’s coats on a hanger. Dina excitedly looked around, the apartment was decorated with several sketches of landscapes, posters of the solar system and what looked like a shrine to Ellie’s favourite female celebrities. It was small but cozy and you could tell that it was Ellie’s.
“Wow, you’re really talented!” Dina exclaimed, taking a seat on the couch.
”Thanks but these are all rough-“
”If these are rough I’m excited to see what you trying hard looks like.”
“It looks like that-“ Ellie pointed to her blank canvas and sulked.
”Not feeling inspired?" Dina took a seat on the couch, crossing her legs.
”You could say that, it all used to come so easy to me but…"
”I get that,”
”What’s your major?”
”Acting,”
”Wow that really suits you-“
”Right? I just have a natural movie star face.” She posed.
”More like you’re really dramatic.”
”Hey, that’s actually a compliment in the theatre world.”
”I’m sure it is… so how’d you get into it?”
”Childhood passion? I’ve always loved performing for other people, you should’ve seen me in my 8th grade musical- you’re looking at the star of our production of The Little Mermaid.”
”Wow it’s almost like looking at royalty.” Ellie taunted sarcastically.
”You practically are, being a head cheerleader is nothing to joke about.”
”Wasn’t that years ago?”
”Oh Ellie, that kind of fabulousness doesn’t just wear off,"
”You’re relentless-“
”It’s what makes me special,”
”Yeah I’m starting to pick up on that-”
“Well anyway, what’s a girl gotta do to get some guitar lessons up in here!” Dina declared in a very inaccurate Boston accent.
”First stop talking like that.”
”Sorry.”
”Ok here-“ Ellie passed the guitar to Dina.
“We’re only learning chords? Are you serious?”
”We have to start with the easy stuff-“
”But I wanted to play something fun.” She whined.
“You’ll play something fun once you learn the basics.” Ellie shuffled along the sofa next to Dina and reached over to put her fingers in the correct position. “Ok so these are called frets-“ She explained. “If you put your fingers here and strum you’d be playing a G chord, try it-“
Dina clumsily dragged her fingers down the guitar and dropped her shoulders when it didn’t sound right. Ellie reached over for a small black pick that was lying on the table and handed it to Dina.
”Don’t give up so soon, look-“ Ellie wrapped one arm around Dina’s hip to reach the waist of the guitar and the other reached around the neck, she rested her hands on Dina’s, guiding her to the correct spots. “Ok that’s perfect now just gently brush the pick down the strings-“
Dina followed, this time it sounded slightly better which instantly made her perk up. ”You’re a great teacher.” Dina replied and turned her head to face Ellie who didn’t realise how close they had been sitting.
”Um- right so let’s try to learn this,“ She moved back an inch and awkwardly ran her hands through her hair.
"Yes ma’am.” Dina mockingly saluted to Ellie.
Ellie crouched down in front of Dina, she showed her each chord and adjusted her positioning when necessary. Something about the way that Dina seemed so focused on getting it right was really admirable. Dina slightly stuck out her tongue and scrunched up her eyebrows as she navigated her way through the chords. Cute. Wait what? No- I mean-
“Am I not doing this right?” She sighed.
“Huh?”
”You looked like you zoned out, am I that bad?”
”No no of course not, it’s a work in progress but it’s good for a beginner-“
”You promise?”
”I promise, now let’s try to put it all together.”
”Ok but don’t laugh-“
“I won’t-“ But Ellie already felt a smile creeping up on her lips.
”Ellie I swear-“
”I- promise I won’t laugh-“ She wheezed.
”You’re already laughing-“ Dina complained as she reached over for the pillow behind her.
”Sorry ok I’ll be serious now.”
“You better or I’ll use my secret weapon.” She threateningly held up the pillow to Ellie's face.
Ellie lowered the pillow and raised an eyebrow, ”Is that supposed to scare me?”
”Wasn’t that obvious?"
”Dina you’re about as intimidating as a teddy bear.”
Dina fake gasped and threw the pillow towards Ellie. “I’m just going to pretend that was your way of calling me cute.”
Ellie rolled her eyes, “There’s no stopping you huh?”
”You already know the answer to that.” Dina beamed.
”Ok come on just play-“
”Can't you play something for me?” She pleaded.
”I don’t usually play in front of people-“
”You had no problem putting on a show for me the other day!”
”In my defence, I didn’t know you were there!”
”Please, serenade me like one of your French girls-“
”I don’t think that’s the line.”
”C'mon show me! show me! show me!” Dina chanted.
“Maybe some other time, I’m rusty-“
”Boo, no fun” Dina pouted.
Ellie saw this as a perfect segway for her plan, ”I'm pretty sure Jesse could teach you though-“
”Why do you keep bringing up Jesse?”
”Do I…?"
”Stop, you’re starting to sound like my friends-“
”That’s a bad thing?”
”Yes. I’m so tired of hearing his name-“
”So if-“
”No more questions.”
”But-“
”So help me God Ellie-“
"Ok just tell me-"
Dina pushed the guitar aside and climbed on top of Ellie, pushing her back onto the couch. She brought her hand up to Ellie's mouth to stop her from talking.
Ellie's eyes widened as she took in the scent of Dina’s coconut hand cream, she tried to say something but her voice was muffled.
”Are you gonna stop with the Jesse questions?”
Ellie silently nodded.
Dina inched closer, staring into Ellie's deep green eyes, "Do you promise?" She whispered.
Ellie quickly nodded once again, avoiding Dina’s piercing eye contact, she cautiously removed Dina’s hand from her mouth, “Sorry-“
”You’re forgiven.”
“So could you-“ Ellie gestured to the way that Dina was still straddling her.
”Oh right-“ She rolled off and sunk into the couch next to Ellie.
Ellie felt her heart thump and hoped that Dina couldn’t hear it. Can you shut up? She thought as she anxiously tapped her chest.
“You know, I’m really thankful to finally be making friends with someone like me.” Dina suddenly voiced.
Ellie turned her head and faced Dina’s perfect side profile. “Like you?”
”I just have a feeling that we're going to get along well-”
"Kinda weird considering we're like polar opposites."
"Don’t they say opposites attract?"
”You really make me uncomfortable sometimes.”
”You started it with your Jesse questions, I should get to ask you something in return.”
”Fair, shoot.”
”How come I barely see you on campus?”
”Because I don’t come to class.”
”Why not?”
”I just don’t want to.”
”Why?”
”Isn't this supposed to be one question?”
”I’m only asking because now that our guitar lessons over I don’t really have a reason to see you anymore and I guess there’s no chance of us hanging out on campus either.“
"You know you can get actually professionals to teach you to play guitar?"
"Do I have to spell it out for you? I’m trying to say that I only wanted to learn so that I could hang out with you-"
"You wanted to hang out with me?"
"Do you just want to hear me say it again?"
“No. Well, maybe but it’s just unexpected,"
"I’ve always wanted to live next door to a friend, just imagine all the sleepovers, walking to class together, movie nights-"
"I think you’re expecting a lot there-"
”You know Ellie, with the way you keep rejecting me if didn’t know any better I’d think…”
”You’d think what exactly?”
”Don’t tell me you’re hiding a secret double life where you’re a barista by day, super vigilante by night!”
”Yep you’re definitely a theatre kid.” Ellie mocked, flopping the pillow on Dina’s stomach.
”That reminds me-“ She bounced up to a seated position and crossed her legs, “I have to learn my lines for the auditions we have coming up!”
”Auditions?”
“Yep, we’re doing an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet- not the most original play but I’m really excited!” Her eyes lit up in a way that made Ellie’s heart race.
”Who are you trying out for?”
”Who else but Juliet?”
“The girl who drinks poison for her boyfriend?”
”It's called acting for a reason, I would never do half the stuff she does-”
“I don’t know, I can totally see you being a mess over some guy-“ Ellie teased.
”Are you kidding? I know better than to let a man make me question my self worth-”
"You’re telling me you wouldn’t give it all up for a good looking guy-“
"Maybe a good looking girl…" Dina grinned.
"Forget I asked-" Ellie rolled her eyes.
Dina laughed and checked the time, "Oh shit-" She stood up and stretched, “It’s getting late so I should go-“
Ellie still had her head back on the sofa, she looked up at the raven-haired girl who was already putting on her shoes, ”Uh Dina-“
”Yeah?”
”About what you said- you know hanging out more and stuff-“ Ellie started hesitantly, ”Uh- I- if you need someone to help you with your lines I wouldn’t mind lending you a hand…”
Dina finished putting on her shoes and smiled, she reached over and ruffled Ellie’s hair- “You’re sweet,” She walked to the doorway and waved back, “I’ll text you whenever I need help,”
”Cool-“
”Great it’s a date, see ya around neighbour!”