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Caroline Gold lay sprawled on her bedroom floor, gazing up at the stars through her skylight while chatting on the phone with her best friend, Elliot Peterson.
“I’m telling you, Blondie, that girl from science was totally checking me out,” Elliot insisted.
Caroline rolled her eyes. “Right, right. She was staring at you because you’re hot, and not because your hair was on fire. Totally.” Her voice dripped with playful sarcasm.
Her tail thumped against the carpet in time with her heartbeat, the soft rhythm filling the room.
“Oh, shut up. That had nothing to do with it,” Elliot huffed, his tone tinged with embarrassment.
Caroline laughed, light and carefree, and they slipped into an easy silence. When Elliot spoke again, his voice was softer, almost hesitant.
“Hey, Blondie? Can I tell you something?”
Caroline hummed, nodding instinctively even though he couldn’t see her.
“Uhm. I just wanna say… thanks. For, like, sticking around, y’know? Most people don’t really… do that.”
Her ears perked up, and her eyes widened slightly. “Oh… yeah. ‘Course, silly. You’re stuck with me.”
Elliot chuckled quietly, and Caroline felt her cheeks warm. The moment passed, and soon they were back to joking about their new history teacher, placing bets on how long it would take Elliot to make her quit.
They talked until sleep overtook them, voices growing softer and slower until only the sound of their steady breathing remained.
Caroline loved these nights—talking to Elliot until exhaustion won out. He meant everything to her, even if he could be a bit of a pain. He was her anchor, her confidant, her partner in mischief, and she made sure to be the same for him. She wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world. ♡︎