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It was the Friday before her senior year officially started and Elle was experiencing a crisis.
She had already bedazzled all of her notebooks and binders. Color-coded her pencils from the brightest shade of pink to the darkest in her stationery organizer. Even finished her vision boards of her seasonal looks for this year. Everything that Elle needed to do for the new school year had been done already.
Upon hearing of her boredom, her dad had suggested she go for a walk.
"But it's raining." Elle had noted helplessly
"It's only a light drizzle! Bring your umbrella along and you'll be okay." He assured her
She still wasn't sure about this. Where was she going to walk to? All her favorite shops weren't in walking distance and she had already visited them this week. There was nothing for her to go and do.
"Where am I supposed to walk to?" Elle asked her dad
"Just…walk." He replied as if it was the most obvious answer
"Just…walk? Without a destination?" Elle inquired skeptically
Her dad laughed lightly to himself, his bespectacled eyes no longer trained on his newspaper.
"Yes, exactly. It's a peaceful thing, think of it as self-care." He told her
The gears in Elle's mind turned at his words. Maybe getting outside wasn't such a bad idea after all. Fresh air could be good for her lungs, and possibly her mind.
So Elle found herself walking down the streets of Seattle without a destination. Her pink miniskirt and cropped top paired nicely with the oversized raincoat and patterned rain boots she wore. The whole look was in various shades of pink, making Elle stand out against the grey Seattle environment.
As her rain boots made small splashes into large puddles, her mind began to nag at her for having a lack of clear destination. She tried to convince it that walking aimlessly was the same as doing a mud mask or yoga. It was just another form of self-care.
But now she was a few blocks away from home and the rain was starting to pick up—a lot.
Elle was quite familiar with her surroundings and she knew the closest place that she could seek refuge in was much closer than her house. So as the rain began to pour down, Elle threw caution to the wind and began to run.
Her hot pink rain boots splashed in the puddles on the gray sidewalk. The cotton-candy-colored umbrella she had brought along did little for her right now though. To her dismay, the wind had decided to make a guest appearance.
Not only was it now pouring rain, Mother Nature felt the need to blow her tears right into Elle's face. Thankfully, her mascara was waterproof.
As Elle bolted through the streets of Seattle, she briefly considered that her destination might have closed early due to the weather. Then she remembered that this wasn't LA—people weren't scared of storms—or plaid.
Finally reaching the tiny record store, Elle folded her umbrella that had long ago stopped being useful. Pushing on the old door, Elle entered the hole-in-the-wall establishment.
A familiar scent of cardboard and hints of not-so-legal substances filled Elle's nostrils. Quickly gazing around, she let out a sigh of relief at the lack of customers in the store. The idea of anyone seeing her with drenched curls made her begin to go into full panic mode.
"We're closing in five, owner's got something going on today. If you're gonna buy something, do it quick." Elle heard her friend Liz's familiar voice call out from behind a cardboard cutout of some famous band.
Elle walked towards the sound, poking her head around the display. Her hair was dripping wet and despite the flawless setting spray she had adorned this morning, her makeup was beginning to smudge slightly.
"I think the weather hates me." She greeted Liz with a dramatic pout
Liz's eyes met hers, and for a millisecond they were filled with surprise. It didn't take long for them to promptly shift back into Liz's classic nonchalant gaze.
"I'm sure it's nothing personal. Was probably just upset you didn't bother to check it before you left." She replied, standing up from where she had been crouched down
"I would never do such a thing! Purposefully go out on a day forecasted with a downpour in this outfit? As if." Elle informed her
Liz snorted, crossing her arms. She stood for a moment, adjusting the cardboard display mindlessly. Elle couldn't help but notice how her hair fell in perfect curls around her face. She knew they weren't due to some in-depth routine. When she had asked for her hair-styling process, Liz had laughed in Elle's face.
"Seems you still ended up with drenched clothes." Liz observed, moving away from the cutout to lean against the register counter
Elle looked down at herself. The miniskirt she wore wasn't too noticeably soaked. She couldn't say the same for her top though. It seemed her pink-tinted clear raincoat had done little to keep it dry. That's what Elle got her leaving it unzipped in the name of fashion.
"Not a chance you have a pullover I could borrow?" Elle meekly asked, raising her eyebrows in curiosity
Liz let out a long sigh, tilting her head to the side mimicking being in deep thought.
"I don't know, it may not match the rest of your look. What if it threw off your aura?" Liz feigned concern, a smirk on her face
Elle moved to stand next to the girl, playfully elbowing her with a shining smile on her face.
"Lucky for me I just read up on Cosmo's latest article about incorporating unconventional pieces into your daily wardrobe!" She replied cheerily
Liz rolled her eyes and pushed off from the counter. She disappeared behind the register briefly, then reappeared with a maroon sweatshirt, casually tossed it to Elle.
"Don't lose it." Liz instructed
Elle held the wrinkled garment out in front of her to examine it. The graphic was faded but originally appeared to be in black. It was supposed to have a band name written on it but due to its worn nature, Elle couldn't make out what it said.
"How vintage chic!" She commented
"So…did you come here just to steal my clothes or do you have another reason?" Liz asked, an eyebrow raised
Elle held the sweatshirt as she explained to Liz how she had been dying of boredom today—which was a novel concept to her—so her dad advised her to go for a walk. Of course, after checking his bazillion newspapers for the weather and finding no reports of a downpour.
"And I wasn't expecting Mother Nature to have just watched Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet and shed her tears on all of us." Elle finished her story, gesturing to herself still drenched from the rain.
Liz flipped through a row of records, occasionally pulling one out to place it in a different spot.
"Mother Nature is so wise, she should know no matter how you adapt that story, those two are gonna have a tragic ending." Elle continued to fill the silence
There was another beat of silence as Liz adjusted the alphabetical labels in one bin of sale records.
"Spoiler much." She replied to Elle
Elle snorted, crossing her arms at Liz's usual attitude.
"Nice try, you almost made me feel bad considering I do have a track record for accidentally spoiling things out of excitement. Everybody knows Romeo and Juliet ends sadly though." Elle told Liz
"It's still tragic! I mean, I will be the first to admit they were highly irrational and did things way too quickly…but they were under pressing circumstances!" She continued
As Liz finished checking the record displays for any discrepancies, she stayed silent. Finally adjusting one last label, she looked up at Elle.
"Well, as much as I love…whatever this conversation is, I have to close up the store." Liz stated, beginning to move about the space to ensure other store items were in order
"Oh…right…" Elle replied in a defeated voice
She didn't look forward to the walk back home in the pouring rain. Or the feeling of boredom that would overcome her when she arrived at her house, right back where she started at the beginning of today. She fidgeted with the sleeve of Liz's sweatshirt, still having yet to put it on.
"Well, I should probably give you your sweatshirt back. No sense in putting it on if I'm just going to go out and get drenched again." Elle said, holding out the sweatshirt to Liz
The girl moved from the row of freshly re-ordered records to grab a step ladder. Making her way over to one of the neon signs above the 'New Releases' bin.
Liz walked past Elle, not taking the sweatshirt. She seemed too focused on finishing her closing tasks.
"How's Donna?" Elle asked, hoping the question would break Liz's trance
The dark haired girl stood on the tips of her toes to try and reach the off switch for the sign. She did however, seem to register Elle's question and dignified it with a response.
"She's good, probably cooking some rainy day meal right now." Liz answered, still attempting to reach the off-switch for the record store sign
One of Donna's home cooked meals sounded wonderful right now. Even better, getting to discuss the latest issues of Cosmo with her! Of course, Elle couldn't just ask to come home with Liz. It was rude to invite oneself over, even if Donna had told Elle she was welcome anytime.
Standing behind Liz, Elle noticed the girl catch herself as she almost lost her balance. She had still failed to reach the off-switch for the glowing sign. Seemingly coming very close a few times, then having to re-adjust so she wouldn't fall.
While Elle had seen all 47 episodes of ER starring her dad's up-and-coming actor friend George Clooney, she wouldn't know what to do if Liz fell and hurt herself.
"Liz, none of the medical dramas I've watched have covered how to care for a friend who's fallen off of a stepladder!" Elle informed her in a panicked voice.
"Very dangerous up here, all three feet of distance." She responded with a smirk
Elle found herself staring at the girl's side profile. Liz had one of those faces that made her messy hair look intentional. It was an admirable quality, Elle wished her hair looked that perfect when it wasn't properly styled.
"Yeah but if you fall you could sprain your ankle." Elle pointed out
She began instinctively moving closer to the girl. What Elle Woods could possibly offer in regards to help was beyond her, but she felt the need to stand near her nonetheless.
"Got it!" Liz quietly declared in triumph as the sign flickered off
Elle gave a few small claps in celebration at the mini-accomplishment. She let out a breath as Liz began to come down from the stepladder. Only to notice the shoelace of her boot had come untied.
Elle's eyes widened as she moved down a step and the loose lace caught onto the ladder.
Everything happened all at once. Elle found herself acting before thinking. Liz falling backwards, Elle moving to catch her.
Suddenly Ella was gripping both of Liz's upper arms with her perfectly manicured hands. The hems of her short sleeved band tee ghosted the back of Elle's hands. She couldn't help but notice how soft the skin of the girl's arms were. What kind of lotion did she use? And how often did she apply it?
Liz's back pressed into Elle's chest, the blonde having moved close on instinct even if Liz didn't need this much support.
Elle found that her head had come to hover over Liz's shoulder. The light smell of incense radiated off of the girl. Not her top scent choice of course, but something about the way Liz wore the scent was captivating to Elle.
She didn't move as Liz lowered down off of the last step of the ladder, both feet now on the ground.
"Thank goodness I was here! You could have broken a bone!" Elle insisted, still holding onto Liz
Elle was too busy coming down from her adrenaline rush to notice that she hadn't moved. All of her years taking partially calculated fashion risks had not prepared her for crisis situations such as the one that had just occurred.
"Comfortable?" Liz asked, bringing Elle back to reality.
Her face turned to meet Elle's still hovering above her shoulder. This close, Elle was able to notice the unique shade of brown Liz's eyes were. She would have to find out what the shade was, it would make for a great belt color!
"Right, sorry." Elle responded as she backed away, Liz's words finally registering in her mind
"Thanks for that though," Liz told her, "I owe you one."
Elle smiled and gave a dismissive wave, insisting that's what friends do for one another. Her and Liz were friends after all, even closer now since both of their love lives had taken a turn and half of their friend group had moved away.
"I should probably get going. It looks like it's somehow raining even harder out there." Elle observed, making a single step towards the door
"I could drive you home." Liz offered
Elle turned to face the girl as she locked up the store's register.
"Oh that would be great! You'll have to let me give you a message for your mom when you see her. This month's Cosmo issue was—"
"Yeah…I don't think you want me trying to pass on your Cosmopolitan thoughts." Liz interrupted Elle's ramblings
"You know, I think you may enjoy it! If you would ever read an issue." Elle insisted
"I think I can live without filling out a quiz for my soul's signature scent," Liz replied
"At the very least you must tell Donna I've missed her." Elle stated tenderly, bringing a hand to her heart
"You could tell her yourself, she'd probably love to have you over for dinner." Liz mumbled
"Really?" Elle's eyes lit up at the suggestion
"Don't look you're about to meet Madonna. It's just my mom's cooking," Liz said with a deadpan expression, absentmindedly twirling her keyring around two fingers.
Elle laughed at her words, stepping aside and allowing her to lock the shop door from the inside.
"Well, your mom's cooking should be famous," Elle replied
Liz opened the shop door, allowing Elle to step out under the small covering hanging over the outside entrance. Opening her umbrella, Elle waited for Liz to close the door, then ensure it had locked properly.
When the door was proved to be properly secure, Liz slung her backpack over her shoulder. She began the short walk to her car without bothering to adorn a jacket or deploy an umbrella.
"Did you not bring an umbrella?" Elle questioned, letting her own pink umbrella fold out.
Liz stopped a few steps ahead of Elle, letting the rain fall onto her.
"Nope," She replied with a smile.
Elle rushed up to her, moving the umbrella in an attempt to cover both of their heads.
As they both began to walk, staying under the umbrella proved to be quite the challenge. It required the both of them to walk shoulder-to-shoulder, meaning Elle was in constant contact with Liz.
This would have been fine if Elle didn't have a specific way of walking. She put purpose into every step, manifesting a bright future with even seemingly minute actions like walking.
Liz walked at a much slower pace for a reason that was beyond Elle. How was she not in a hurry with this downpour? It almost seemed as if she was relishing in it.
This difference in pace meant Elle was constantly having to readjust her pace. Causing the two of their shoulders to bump awkwardly. It made the walk back to Liz's car feel decades long.
"That's the seventh time you've bumped my shoulder Elle," Liz stated, turning her head to face the blond
"I'm sorry! I am having to readjust my usual walking pace to accommodate for…"
"For my lack of speed?" Liz finished the statement, raising a brow at Elle.
"Well….you could walk a little faster." Elle admitted.
Liz scoffed while rolling her eyes, but she did significantly pick up her pace. It didn't take long before Elle was opening the door to Liz's beat up car and sliding inside. The leather was peeling and it smelled vaguely of old cigarette smoke, but it was Liz's.
She had stuck many stickers to the dashboard and had a large booklet of CDs tucked under her passenger seat. A bright pink air-freshener Elle had gifted her hung from the rearview mirror. It was the most color this car had, the hot pink color sticking out like a sore thumb amongst all the grey and earthy tones.
Truthfully Elle didn't understand why Liz kept it hanging there. It had been ages since she had received it, the thing was probably long worn out by now. Elle wanted to believe it made the car smell slightly of bubblegum for the first few days it hung but that probably just her imagination.
Wrapped up in thoughts of air fresheners, Elle did not notice Liz already pulling into her driveway. The drive from the record store to her house was quite a short one.
Elle got out of the car, rushing onto the porch of Liz's house for protection against the pouring rain. Of course, Liz took her time retrieving her bag from the back seat of her car. Then casually strolling up to the door, again spinning the keyring around her index and middle finger.
"You could've rang the doorbell." Liz informed Elle
Right, she could have rang the doorbell. Why hadn't she rang the doorbell already?
"I figured you could just unlock it." Elle quickly replied
Liz hummed in response, unlocking the door. Elle noticed the black nail polish on a few of her fingernails was chipped. She'd offer to re-paint them sometime soon.
Stepping into Liz's house, Elle felt herself appreciate the warmth of such a home. It wasn't something brought on by temperature, but instead warm lighting, worn furniture, and the faint smell of a home-cooked meal.
"Mom, I'm home!" Liz called out, walking towards the kitchen.
Elle followed her, leaving her umbrella leaned against the wall to dry.
"I tried this new tomato soup recipe, I hope it turns out well." Donna pondered aloud when Liz entered into the room.
Elle was captivated by the smell of food. It occurred to her she hadn't eaten since breakfast and could really use a meal. Leaning against the counter, she eyed the two barstools. Liz had just sat on one and the other had been pulled out.
Liz had pulled the barstool out for her, how kind!
"I'm sure it will." Liz told her mom with a small smile.
Donna asked Liz how work was, still turned away from both of them adding spices to a pot.
Elle for once in her life enjoyed being an observer instead of an active part of the conversation. Seeing Liz so…agreeable…was rare.
"It was fine. Some guy who was high tried to give me two quarters telling me they were worth five bucks." Liz recounted the day's events.
"Oh, and Elle's here." Liz added casually
Donna turned around with a large smile on her face.
"Elle! It's been ages." She greeted.
"Mom, you two saw each other like three weeks ago." Liz commented
Setting down her spice container, Donna walked over to embrace Elle.
"It's good to see you too Donna! I was just telling Liz how much I missed you. We've got a new issue of Cosmo to catch up on!" Elle spoke cheerfully, embracing Donna
"Elle, your clothes are soaked!" Donna exclaimed, pulling away from the embrace.
"Oh I didn't even think to ask before hugging you! Your top isn't silk, is it?" Elle questioned with concern.
Donna laughed in response to Elle's question.
"No, it isn't, but I appreciate your concern." She told Elle
"But you really should get into something dry. You'll catch a cold…." Donna said, "…or worse, your skin will wrinkle up."
Elle gave a dramatic gasp and Liz snorted at her theatrics.
"Well, unfortunately I did not prepare for a wardrobe change today." Elle told Donna as if she was confiding a deep dark secret.
"Hm….I'm sure we have something lying around here that you could wear. At least while your clothes go through a cycle in the dryer." Donna offered, her face pensive as she moved to check on her pot of soup
Elle followed the woman's gaze around the room. It landed on the hallway that led out of the kitchen and her expression grew even more thoughtful.
"Mom," Liz stated, a hint of threat in her voice
"What?" Donna asked innocently, "she has nothing else to wear."
Elle looked between the two of them, they seemed to be communicating via facial expressions. Well, their faces didn't really change at all…so it was more like eye-to eye communication.
"Uhm, Liz…think you could be my translator? Not exactly fluent in the Miller eye contact language yet." Elle joked awkwardly
Liz let out a deep sigh, then got up from her seat. She exited the room, disappearing down the hallway.
"Are you guys secretly mind readers? I mean my mom and I know each other pretty well but we've never had a conversation with just her eyes!" Elle expressed theatrically to Donna
"No, no mind reading here. I think Liz thought I was looking down the hall and thinking of her closet." Donna explained
"I was trying to remember if I had any of my old clothes left still lying around. But I don't think I'll need to worry about that anymore." She informed Elle with a small smile.
As if on cue, Liz came back into the room and tossed Elle a bundle of clothing. The pieces landing in Elle's perfectly manicured hands.
"Liz…these are yours?" Elle asked tentatively
"No, they actually belong to the lizard that lives in my walls." Liz replied with a deadpan expression
Elle gave an exasperated sigh, looking at the dark haired girl.
"I don't want to wear your clothes. What if I stain them? Or stretch them?" Elle questioned with concern.
Liz shrugged, moving to grab a cup from one of the worn wooden cabinets.
"They're just clothes." She replied, turning the sink faucet.
"Just clothes?" Elle exclaimed, putting her hand to her chest
"They are a part of who you are! Your identity!" She insisted
Liz took a sip of her water, giving Elle an expression that seemed to say 'so?' over the rim of the cup.
Elle gave a defeated sigh, getting up from her barstool. Making her way through the house she had been to many times. Finding the hallway restroom, she entered and closed the door behind her. Peeling off her wet shirt and skirt, she unfolded the clothing Liz had given her.
A pair of old jeans that were worn at the knees and had charcoal sketches on them. Small doodles of stars just above the pockets made Elle admire the charm of such worn pants. Then she spotted the electric guitar Liz had sketched on the calf and gasped. Elle knew Liz was an artist but drawing on denim with a pencil couldn't have been easy.
Elle shifted her focus to the oversized t-shirt with some hand Elle didn't recognize. She began wondering how she'd wear it without looking like she was wearing a sack of potatoes.
Liz had also included the sweatshirt she had originally passed to Elle at the record shop. A nice gesture considering Elle had been in wet clothes for awhile and would probably get a little cold.
Elle put on the clothes and adjusted them as needed. Cuffing the jeans so they sat at a proper length on her and tucking in the large t-shirt. She decided to throw on the sweatshirt since she still had the shivers from being in rainy clothes.
Walking back into the kitchen, Elle stood proudly and gave a flourish with her hand.
"Do we think the shirt looks good tucked in? Or maybe a half tuck?" She asked, lifting the sweatshirt up slightly to show how she had tucked the shirt into her pants.
"You look great, still very much like Elle Woods." Donna assured her, taking Elle's wet clothes from her hands
As Donna exited the room to go deposit said clothing into the dryer, Elle's gaze found Liz.
Her mouth was parted slightly and she had yet to say anything since Elle had entered the room. She took a long sip from her glass of water, her eyes looking everywhere but into Elle's
"Don't tell me…I have something on my face, don't I?" Elle questioned with concern, sitting back on the barstool beside Liz.
"No…just…makeup. Which I assume is intentional." Liz awkwardly responded
A small kitchen timer rang, indicating whatever Donna had been baking in the oven was done.
Elle quickly realized Donna had been baking breadsticks. As she set the pan down next to the pot of soup, Elle admired how delicious they looked. What a perfect thing to pair with tomato soup!
A loud grumbling sound filled the silence in the room. That said noise came from Elle's very eager-to-receive-food stomach.
Her eyes widened in embarrassment at such a thing. Elle had never had that happen before, she was always able to keep things like stomach growls or burps to a minimum.
"Oh, my, gosh! I am so so sorry. I promise it's not as bad as it sounds—" Elle began over-explaining to Donna as she retrieved plates and bowls from the kitchen cabinets.
Elle noticed Liz looking down and smiling to herself.
"You think this is funny? I am experiencing a crisis! I cannot control the sounds emitting from my stomach!" Elle dramatically panicked
Liz let out a snort, then something that could almost be described as a laugh.
"It happens to everybody Elle," Donna assures her, "why don't we make our dinner plates?"
Sitting around the small Miller dining table, Elle relished in the rich taste of Donna's soup. It tasted better than any meal she had ever had, even the ones at the exclusive restaurants in LA.
"Donna! This soup is amazing! I would kill for the recipe." She exclaimed, consuming another spoonful of the soup
Liz mimicked making a call on a phone with her hand.
"Yeah officer, we have a pretty serious murder threat over here." She jokingly spoke into her hand
The whole table shared a laugh at the joke.
Elle reached to the center of the table to the basket of breadsticks. She hadn't noticed Liz was doing the same until her hand bumped Elle's. The metal of her rings cool against Elle's skin.
"Hey, that was my breadstick!" Elle insisted as Liz snatched the one her hand had been hovering over.
"Didn't see your name on it." Liz replied while chewing a mouthful of the bread.
Donna gave her a look before speaking.
"What have I always said about talking with your mouth full." She lectured
Liz swallowed and looked at her mom.
"I'm not five." She replied
There was a beat of silence.
"That whatever you want to say can wait until after you finish your food…." Liz admitted with a defeated tone, answering Donna's previous question.
Elle found it sweet how Donna still doted on Liz even though the girl was nearly an adult. Seeing Liz acting so soft was something Elle had also grown to cherish. Sure, she had experienced glimpses of such softness. But today it felt like she was getting to watch a whole film's worth of footage.
The dinner drifted into easy conversation. A lot of Elle and Donna comparing their various quiz answers from the latest Cosmo issue that had just released. There was a particularly dicey article they also tore apart as well.
Then it moved to them discussing various tv shows and their specific thoughts on the various romantic subplots.
Liz would chime in occasionally to feign interest in one of the quizzes they were discussing their answers for. Elle was happy to offer her edition of the magazine for Liz to borrow. Which Liz had to quickly turn down. She informed Elle that if she ever asked for an issue of Cosmopolitan, she was dying and needed to see a doctor immediately.
The dark haired girl did seem to have a little more sincere input on various dramas Donna and Elle discussed. Claiming she would watch them sometimes as a good way to bond with her mother.
"I think she's secretly invested in a few of them," Donna loudly whispered across the table to Elle.
The two laughed while Liz insisted they couldn't gang up on her. That two against one was totally not fair.
With full stomachs and empty dishes, Elle felt the evening coming to a natural close. It was getting late anyways and if she wasn't home soon, her mom would begin to worry.
"Hey Donna, think I could get my clothes now? I hate to rush out so soon after dinner but my mom, well she worries." Elle politely explained.
"Of course! I'll go grab them, the dryer's had plenty of time to go through at least a cycle," She spoke, partially to herself though it seemed.
Elle turned to Liz standing in the kitchen doorway, her keys in hand.
"Does your dryer often take a whole evening to dry a load of laundry?" Elle asked thoughtfully.
"Sometimes. It has a mind of its own," Liz replied, absentmindedly.
She was somehow be staring right at Elle but still seemed so detached.
Donna entered into the room with a wry expression on her face. Wringing her empty hands, she turned to the girls.
"It seems the dryer is being difficult again. We may have to hang your clothes and let them dry the old-fashioned way." Donna explained
Elle looked to Liz who had an unreadable expression on her face.
"Oh it's fine! I can put them back on and just wear them on the way home! I don't want Liz to have to temporarily part with her clothes and—" Elle began to insist with concern.
"Just wear them home Elle." Liz interjected quickly
There was a semi-awkward moment of silence where Elle was staring at Liz, as if telling her through eye contact she could retract the offer. She also noticed Donna looking between the the two of them.
"I'll be sure to send Liz with your clothes the next time you two meet up." Donna assured Elle
Elle of course bid Donna a very caring goodbye with a long hug. While Liz simply gave a small wave and a 'love you Mom'.
As they exited the house and made their way to the car, Elle assured Liz that she would take great care of her clothes.
"You won't even remember I borrowed them!" Elle cheered, buckling her seatbelt
"Honestly, you could never return them and I'd probably not remember you borrowed them." Liz replied, starting the car's engine.
Elle gave a small gasp and put her hand to her heart.
"I would never steal another girl's clothes. Especially when they belong to a friend!" She insisted
Liz gave a subtle roll of her eyes as she made the drive to Elle's place. Aside from occasionally asking Elle for clarification on directions, the car ride was mostly silent on Liz's end.
Elle of course filled the silence, as she always did. As always in Liz's car, there was the faint sound of a CD playing as well. Elle commented on Liz's unique music choice.
"My car, my music." Liz had shrugged as she replied to Elle.
Her tone wasn't aggressive or standoffish, simply just matter-of-fact. This didn't stop Elle from offering to bring a CD from her collection the next time they went on a car ride together. She yammered on about the different various pop artists that filled her collection and a few limited edition CDs she had been able to score from Madison's dad.
But there were a few moments where even Elle's talking lulled and her eyes noticed the way Liz gripped the steering wheel so tight her knuckles were turning white. A stark contrast to how casually she leaned back in her seat. An anxious driver of Elle had ever seen one, but clearly an anxious driver who doesn't want to let on that they are.
"Liz,"
"If you wanna switch the CD the booklet is under your seat," She replied, eyes focused on the road.
"Are you always this anxious when you drive?" Elle asked in a forward manner, noting the girl's mannerisms.
Liz shrugged casually but Elle noticed her hands loosen around the steering wheel. Her eyes became less wide with focus and shifted to casually observing the road ahead of her.
"Can't risk crashing with precious cargo." Liz joked, nodding her head toward Elle.
"You know you can relax a little, you're a fine driver." Elle assured the girl, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Elle watched Liz let out a long breath, Elle’s hand still resting against the worn material of her band tee sleeve. Normally, such a gesture would have ended contact after a second or so but this time, it did not. Elle kept her hand rested on Liz's shoulder, her bright pink nails a sharp contrast to the gray of the girl's top.
When they pulled into Elle's driveway, she couldn't help but notice Liz's eyes widen for a fraction of a second at the size of her house.
"I'll have to invite you in sometime when it isn't so late. You haven't even seen my room yet, have you? Or met Bruiser!" Elle noted all of these things quickly and with much excitement.
Liz gave her a small smile, lifting one hand off of the steering wheel to wave goodbye to Elle.
Elle stood outside of the car, giving her a small wave back. It was hard for her to believe that Liz had never even stepped foot in her house or even met her dog best friend! Elle usually found herself over at Liz's place for the sake of visiting with Donna and giving Liz unsolicited praise and ideas for her zines. She knew Liz's room pretty well by now from spending time with her. it surprised Elle she had never had some sort of sleepover with Liz. If this was LA, Elle would have long ago
"Liz, we've been friends for almost a year now and have yet to have a sleepover!" Elle stated with dramatic realization, still standing outside the car
"Sleepovers aren't really my thing." Liz replied, drumming on the steering wheel
What a novel concept, Elle had never met a girl that didn't like sleepovers. Even Shanon and Kimberly indulged in such stereotypical girlhood activities.
"A sleepover's what you make it, Liz!" Elle cheered, still standing on the damp pavement of her driveway.
"How philosophical." Liz replied
"Well anyways, I better be getting inside. I'll see you at school on Monday!" Elle beamed before bidding the dark haired girl farewell with an emphatic wave.
Elle unlocked her tall front door, the foyer meeting her with its familiar scent of home.
She closed the door behind her, setting her bag down on an entryway table.
"Elle! You're back!" Her mom greeted, stepping into the entryway to embrace her
"I'm sorry I didn't call. I kind of got…swept up in some unexpectedness." Elle apologized sincerely.
Her mom pulled away from the hug, still holding Elle at arms length. She looked down at her with a warm smile.
However, said smile quickly faded into horror when she saw Elle's clothing.
"What are you wearing?" Her mother whispered feverishly.
Elle let out a small laugh, it hadn't occurred to her she'd have to recount the events of today in order to explain her wardrobe choices.
"It's a long story." Elle answered
Her mom's small smile returned and she ushered Elle to follow her.
"Well, your Dad just made the best calming blend of tea. How about we share a cup and you tell me about your….excursions….?" Her mom proposed
Elle agreed, excited for a cup of relaxing tea. Throughout all of today's chaos, Elle hadn't noticed until stepping into her own home the feeling of giddiness that had surrounded her since stepping into the record shop. Her heartbeat was seeming to slow noticeably too, Elle was surprised she didn't notice its unusual pace sooner.
Liz had a way of doing that to her, though. Pulling her into direction that she'd never imagined herself going. It was great for her personal growth to experience new things! She often enjoyed accompanying her friends back in LA on their excursions. But she never ended those days feeling like this.
Maybe it was the Seattle environment that was causing it. All that rain had to have some sizable impact on a person, especially someone like Elle. She rationalized her thoughts while fidgeting with the sleeve of Liz's sweatshirt. Which, she couldn't help but notice smelled faintly of the lavender incense she had noticed the girl wore.