POV Ella
The plink of the card echoes in my ears even as Keith's door slams shut.
My body turns cold even as my pulse gallops. My mouth dries as the silence of the house echoes around me.
So I can't even get basic human courtesy.
I remember how he glanced at Eliana after our kiss, as if to make sure she was alright. I bet he would be far more courteous and kind if Eliana were here instead of me.
I move towards the table.
So, he wants to stay as far away as possible.
I pick up the card he so cruelly threw my way.
I bet it has more money than I've seen in the last two years. I scoff. Is this what he thought I wanted?
Maybe, he doesn't care what you want, a voice whispers in my heart and it seizes. My grip tightens on the card until a cut brings me back to myself.
"Ouch!"
I loosen my grip and walk towards my room, even as my palm stings and a drop of blood wells up.
Fitting, that I should cut my palm as he cuts my heart.
I open the door and stop short yet again, feeling like a bicycle with a broken wheel.
Did I die and go to heaven?
The room is huge, and immaculate. A huge double bed takes centre stage, furnished in silken beige sheets, with a mattress soft as clouds. A desk sits by the window, all my college books stacked neatly on the shelves to the side. I notice how there are only my college text books, and a pinch tightens in my chest.
Could my collection of books be any more meager?
I spot a door to the side and head towards it.
Probably leads to the bath, I think, until I open the door. There, before my very eyes, is spread a closet bigger even than Eliana's. Rows of designer clothes, shoes and bags — in all colors for all occasions — all in my size, I realise as I check the tags. Eliana's eyes would pop out of their sockets if she knew what I own now, I think snidely, before crashing right back to earth.
Dad would quickly buy her a bigger one. And by Ingram standards, this is possibly the smallest they could get away with giving me. My heart sinks.
I'm reminded of the card I still hold, and walk deeper inside. I should at least put it away safely. I look for my old things, and find them all tucked away on a shelf in a corner. My suitcase and purse along with my wallet sit next to the small pile of my clothes, my old jewellery box neatly placed by its lonesome in its own shelf. I slip the card in my wallet, feeling dirty somehow for having held so much money.
That's all of my worldly possessions. I don't feel comfortable owning any of these things.
I was never given things unless it could benefit my family in some way, and I've never really had any personal money left over to buy anything but bare necessities.
An itch develops between my shoulder blades and I quickly grab my ratty old sweats to get ready for bed.
I head to the only unexplored door.
I enter the marble bathroom, no longer able to muster any surprise at the immense luxury I'm witnessing. There are products on the shelves here I'm not even aware existed.
I quickly strip and head towards the shower, staring at the million levers and panels.
I press a button and yelp as suddenly steam explodes near my feet. Cursing, I turn it off, hesitantly turning a knob that feels safe.
Cold water rushes from a slit above my head before I can think. I gasp as I break out in gooseflesh, cursing to high heavens. I shampoo and wash as quickly as humanly possible before grabbing a towel on a rack nearby.
Thank God for small mercies.
I find my way back to my bed and slip into the covers, clean but frozen.
My stomach grumbles, and I remember Keith's words about food in the fridge, but I can't muster the strength to get out of bed. I close my eyes and the soothing scent of jasmine envelopes me. I breathe it in as I slowly drift off, thinking of Keith's silver eyes boring into mine as he threw his card my way.
I blink my eyes open and find a pair of silver ones gazing deeply into mine. There is a soft intensity to them that captivates me instantly. I look down to deep red lips, getting closer to mine. A thrill thrums through me. His breath smells of cinnamon and vanilla, and my mouth waters. My heart hammers in my chest. He raises a hand and places it on my neck, tilting my face closer. My breath catches in my throat and my lips part. His lips are a whisper away from touching mine, when his face suddenly shifts into a snarl.
He pushes me away with disgust and recoils, as if touching me is burning him. Pain slices through me, and I raise a hand towards him, as if to stop him.
"Don't touch me!" he screams. "You're not Eliana!"
I feel like every bone in my body has splintered at the same time. I can't breathe, but I manage to whisper, "No, I'm Ella." I take a few steps towards him, but he backtracks like I'm trying to get my pound of flesh from him.
"Please," I continue, barely able to spell the words, "don't leave me. I'll be good. I promise. Please…"
I reach out for him once more, but he pushes me away with a repulsed look.
Bang!
I wake up with a jolt, heart hammering, to find tears streaming down my face.
It was just a car back-firing, I tell myself. That's why you got scared. That's why you are crying. I take a few deep breaths to steady myself, studiously ignoring the lingering echoes of disgusted silver eyes.
I silently get out of bed and wipe my face. I tentatively step out of my bedroom.
What should I say when Keith steps out of his room? Should I wish him good morning? Ask about his day maybe? Or how he slept? Perhaps I should cook him breakfast?
I tiptoe out and feel myself deflate. There, on the nook, lies evidence of a quick unfinished breakfast. I turn towards Keith's room, wanting to, I don't know, at least acknowledge each other's presence, when I hear the main door snap shut.
I stand there, open-mouthed, wondering if my heartbreak echoes louder than the silence.