“I think it’d be fun,” he spoke, growing more fond of the idea as he spoke. James didn’t necessarily have a home in Philadelphia; it was where he grew up, and where his parents had raised him, but it was not the place where he would find permanent happiness. He hadn’t made any good memories in that city in years, not when he’d lived alone. All the memories he had in that city were with his family or Aylee. When he thought of home, James thought of the way he’d felt growing up, the invincibility that youth had given him, and the belief that he was capable of everything. If he could revisit that city again, maybe he could revive those feelings that had so easily driven him.
“I know. I can’t have a legitimate professional career with a criminal record,” he sighed, looking mildly disappointed. “I’m flattered that you would bail me out, though. Hopefully you’ll never have to.” James tried not to dwell on that possibility for very long. He could practically hear his parents’ tone, like he was a disobedient child, but they weren’t around to punish him anymore. He wondered how long his lack of self-control would continue.
James cocked an eyebrow, clearly amused by her question. “That’s a difficult question to answer. I’d be arrested, probably. With no bail money.” James leaned against the kitchen counter, considering a reality without her. It didn’t take him long to realize it wasn’t something he wished to consider, despite how soon it would become true. He’d be lying if he said he’d be content without her in his life, not after knowing her so personally. James smiled to himself, reminding himself how thankful he was to be friends with her. “What would I write about?”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to make it this time?” He asked, his mouth spreading into a grin. James graciously grabbed the painkiller bottle. “I’m still not convinced that you actually know how to make coffee the right way.” His eyes lingered on her a bit too long until he forced himself towards the balcony. He tugged the balcony door open, relieved once the air covered him. James paused, mesmerized by the skyline. Los Angeles was not home to him, but Elliot had somehow made it one. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, quickly popping it between his lips. “We should go out tomorrow.”
“That’s very rude, I’m trying to do something nice for you here.” But he wasn’t wrong. It was either too strong or too weak and in the end she always opted to pick them both up coffee from a nearby shop. At least that was foolproof but it was too late now to make the trip. She was pretty surprised that he suggested them going out tomorrow. Normally she was the one to start whining about wanting to go to some party she had been messaged about. “Absolutely. What’re you thinking? Bar, party? Afterwards we can go to that diner we like.” She suggested. “Maybe the beach.”
Elliot was more than excited. She was glad for the shift in their mood, grateful that anything that had been said wouldn’t have any long standing affects on their relationship. She wasn’t ready to be without James just yet. If anything she had said to him made him feel as though he shouldn’t be around, she regretted it. Elliot was thankful for the few moments alone that she had in the kitchen, taking it as a chance to pull herself together. She didn’t want to dwell on his self-destructive behavior or the uncertainty of their relationship.
She pulled down two mugs from the cabinet, preparing their cups as the coffee finished brewing. After cleaning up after herself, she brought the cups out with her, placing them on the small table. She smirked at the sight of the cigarette, knowing well that she would end up stealing a drag here and there. It wasn’t a habit, but somethign she had picked up when making idle conversation outside a venue with other club goers or in times of great stress.
Her gaze followed his, smiling gently as she took in the sight of the city skyline. It served as a reminder as to a few of the reasons she had stayed in California even when there was nothing left for her there. “How can you look at that and want to go back to Philadelphia?” she asked, not really expecting an answer. Elliot knew this was a temporary situation, but it got her wondering just what she could do to get him to stay in Los Angeles. Stay with her.