Work Text:
“Bye Warner! Tell your mother I said hi! Have a nice long weekend!”
“Elle, why do you insist on screaming out the window at this guy?”
“Love, Paulette.”
“Okay... All I’m saying is that if a guy I loved called me stupid in front of a room full of people, I wouldn't exactly be drooling over him.”
Elle turned from where she had been leaning out of the window. “Paulette, I’m not drooling over him. I’m just being friendly.”
“Sure kid. I still say you can find someone better than him. Hey, what about that Emmett girl? She seems nice,” Paulette said, sifting through the flashcards that Emmett had helped Elle make.
“What about her?” Elle asked. Paulette paused, searching Elle’s face for something. She evidently didn’t find anything, because she turned back to the cards. Elle sat down next to her.
“It’s nothing. Nevermind. Let’s get back to studying.” Paulette started to read off one of the definitions before Elle’s door slammed open, revealing a wide-eyed Emmett. “Paulette! I didn’t realize you’d be here. That probably seemed rude…”
“No, no, you’re fine. I was just wrapping up here anyway,” Paulette said, grabbing her purse. “I’ll talk to you later, Elle. Have fun girls!” With that, plus the wink she gave Elle when Emmett wasn’t looking, Paulette bustled out of Elle’s room and kicked the door shut behind her.
Emmett turned to the sound of the door shutting, oblivious. “That was weird.”
Elle snorted, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, it was.”
Emmett turned back and stared at her for a moment, both of them silent. Emmett cleared her throat. “Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to go out and get something to eat? Callahan is being especially bitchy and I could use a hot meal after running to get him coffee all day.”
“Sure!” Elle said, smiling, “I just need to shower and find something to wear.”
“We’re not going anywhere fancy. I’m just wearing this—” Emmett pulled at her corduroy jacket “—Hell, I don’t think I even own clothes as nice as you’re wearing right now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Of course I am. You don’t need to get all dressed up.”
“Okay then. Got a place in mind?” Elle asked.
Emmett nodded, a glint of excitement in her eyes. “Then lead the way!” Elle said, looping her arm in Emmett’s. Emmett did, and before she knew it Elle was face to face with a gritty-looking diner.
“Are you sure these people have food serving licenses? This place looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since it was built,” Elle said, looking at the tables with disdain. “They don’t even have tablecloths.”
“Who needs tablecloths? They have charm !”
“They also have asbestos,” said Elle, “I’m not eating here.”
“Elle, wait, please?” Elle had been ready to walk away, but Emmett grabbed her arm and looked at her imploringly. How could she say no to that face? “Alright, okay, fine. I’ll eat here, but the food better be good.”
“Oh, it is.”
It was. Elle ate more than she had ever wanted to, but she had no regrets. For a greasy diner, their food was seriously addictive. Once they were back in the car, Elle hinted at getting ice cream and, to her delight, Emmett picked up on those hints. Elle was ecstatic. She hadn’t been to an ice cream parlor since before Warner broke up with her.
Elle paid for the ice cream. “You know, you really didn’t have to do that,” Emmett said after they had found a place to sit.
“I know.”
“I’m not a charity case, Elle. I invited you out,” said Emmett.
“This—” she gestured with her ice cream cone “—isn’t charity. You bought dinner. I bought dessert. Now we’re even. That’s not charity, that’s how friends are supposed to treat each other. And we’re friends. So yeah, I’m gonna treat you to the things you deserve. Especially since you give up so much of your time to help me study.”
“I like studying with you,” Emmett said softly. Elle grinned and grabbed her hand.
“I like studying with you, too! And I like being your friend. Even if you can be a little defensive sometimes.”
Emmett was staring at their joined hands. Elle disregarded this and continued. "And anyway, I like doing good things for people. Even if it's just buying ice cream. Especially since I like being with you! I'll repeat it over and over again if I have to. I'm not spending time with you as pity, I genuinely like y—"
"I'm gay."
"What?" Elle had been thrown off guard by the sudden and unexpected outburst.
"I just wanted you to know. Before you started talking about how great of a friend I am."
Emmett had dropped their hands. Elle noticed this, and reached out again, not grabbing, just offering. "That doesn’t change what I was saying at all. I like you, Em. A lot. You’re my friend.”
Emmett softly placed her hand in Elle’s. Elle looked down at this tender movement. Elle placed her other hand on top, cradling Emmett’s hand in her own. Emmett looked up from where she had been staring at their hands.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“I know. But I want to.”
“Well then, I want to thank you ,” said Elle, “for all that you’ve done for me so far. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
“At a diner?”
“No, Emmett, you know that’s not what I mean.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Good. Now let’s go home. I need to get under a blanket. That ice cream was freezing.”
Emmett let Elle lead the way back to the car. “You know,” Emmett said, “if you wore more clothing, you wouldn’t be so cold. It’s January, we just had ice cream, and you look like you’re ready for a day at the beach.”
“January is a perfectly good time for ice cream. Plus, I’m always ready for a day at the beach.”
“I know. That’s one of the many reasons I like you .”
“One of the many? How many are we talking about here?”
Emmett shook her head, “Don’t get me started.”
“Oh, we have time. Go ahead, spill.”
“Nope. That’s gonna have to be for another day. Now, let’s hurry up and get home, I’m freezing,” Emmett said, walking away.
Elle stood there for a second, watching Emmett leave, before rushing to catch up with her. “Hey! Don’t leave me behind! I have short legs!”
“Grow taller then.”
“Oh, I am so going to kill you Emmett Forrest!”
“If you can catch me.”