See You Next Summer
-Ellie Williams x Female Reader
Chapter 4 part 1: Motion Sickness
Masterlist/Synopsis
Previous part - Next part Word count: 10.5k+
Warnings: ANGST, loss, reader and Ellie are of age.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
Her jade eyes pull you in, heavy-lidded and warm like the sunlight filtering through the curtains. She’s propped on her elbow, her face above yours, the slender fingers of her free hand draw slow lines up and down your bare side.
You study her face, mapping every freckle as you always did. Examining the soft curve of her mouth, her slightly chapped lips.
This isn’t the Ellie you know.
Her jaw is more prominent, her shoulders more muscular, and her hair a darker auburn. She’s older and she touches you confidently, as if she has a million times before.
Ellie’s gaze is unwavering, steady in a way that sends heat rushing through you. Her touch is slow, deliberate, as if she’s memorizing the shape of you with her fingertips.
Her hand moves lower, grazing the hem of your panties, fingers resting at the edge of the fabric.
Your breath hitches.
Ellie chuckles quietly.
“Excited aren’t we?” Her voice low and rough. Teasing you before her lips lower to yours, kissing you softly.
“You know I never make you wait too long.” She whispers as her fingers hook around your panties, gently pulling them off.
Slowly she begins to trail kisses down your chest, then your stomach, spreading your legs by placing them over her shoulders; her hands moving to grip your hips.
Your back arches in anticipation as you feel her warm breath over your
***CLANG***
Your eyes shoot open as you’re pulled abruptly from your dream.
"Sorry,” Abby whispers as you hear her bend down to pick up whatever she dropped on the floor. You don't say anything, nor do you roll over to let her know you're awake.
Your body tingles from the ghost of her touch. Your breath heavy, lips slightly parted, like you might still taste her on them.
Your brows furrow only slightly, unsurprised at what you had been dreaming. You always seemed to have similar dreams as summer approached, like your unconscious mind was hungry for her.
You close your eyes again, wondering if your dream will resume, forcing yourself back to sleep as you listen to Abby quietly shuffle around your studio apartment, packing her bags.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
Ellie sighs and leans heavily against the kitchen counter, her gaze locked on the duffle bag by her apartment door. She’d packed it three days ago but hadn’t been able to bring herself to touch it since. Her stomach churned with regret, a tight, bitter knot forming in her chest as she gnawed on her lower lip.
Joel passed away last fall.
She regrets not spending any of the last five summers out at Lakeview. Though her heart longed to blame you, her brain kept reminding her that the choice was hers.
She hadn't seen you since that night.
She'd received texts from you and the rest of the friend group from Lakeview but one by one she blocked each contact as the texts came in.
She'd eventually come to regret doing so, annoyed at her teenage self for sending such a harsh message to her former friends. But she had too much pride to unblock everyone and make amends on what would've seemed like a one sided grudge.
She didn't like to think of it as a grudge. Ellie had no problems with her friends, her frustration was directed at you. She had planned to end your friendship after that summer, knowing she couldn't remain just a friend. What she witnessed made her feel sick, used, and led on by you summer after summer.
Looking back, Ellie felt like the clichéd lesbian best friend stuck in an unrequited crush— the one everyone joked about but never took seriously. She’d played her part too well. Every time you smiled at her, laughed at her jokes, her chest tightened with hope, and every time she saw you with someone else, it twisted into something darker. She thought she’d made peace with it, but the familiar sting crept up her spine now, the same bitterness prickling behind her eyes
Undoubtedly her emotions were mixed about returning to Lakeview, but she wanted to for Joel. She was full of regret, bluntly telling him no the past five summers every time he'd ask her to come with him. Ellie wanted to go back to feel closer to him.
And to prepare the property for listing.
Ellie hoped you'd moved away to another city, far away from Lakeview. She hoped her former friends moved on from Lakeview too. She hoped everything about Lakeview had changed except for Joel's cabin.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
The Sun was almost completely set as Abby takes the final highway exit towards Lakeview, you were about 10 minutes away from your cabin. It’s July 6th, your parents have been out for the last couple of weeks, eagerly awaiting you and Abby's arrival.
You'd been back to Lakeview every summer after high school, though more sparingly. Visiting every second weekend or so as you balanced your new found adult freedom in the city and relaxing beach days with Liv in Lakeview.
Abby moved to Vancouver after finishing her bachelor's degree. She got accepted into UBC for medical school and was starting her second year this fall. She'd been visiting you the last two weeks and was joining you in Lakeview for a week before returning to Vancouver.
You and Abby had been together for the last five years, on and off though for the last couple of months.
You love her a lot, which is why you wanted her to visit regardless of the rockiness. Besides, you both knew it was the distance that was driving the wedge between you. When you're together everything is well, so you're cherishing the time you have with her.
"Almost there bub," Abby gently rubs your left thigh.
You glance at her warmly, the darkening yellow and orange sky casting a hue on her cheeks. Pieces of her blonde hair hung loose from her braid, framing her face.
"You excited?" She squeezes your thigh, "a whole summer in Lakeview, just like old times."
You shrug, "yeah, but this time I'll be working."
"Hey, Potenza's had you working." Abby chuckles.
You roll your eyes in response, "you know what I mean."
You graduated this past spring and luckily for you, you landed a remote marketing internship.
The tires crunched over gravel as Abby pulled onto your darkened street, the familiar route sending a mix of unease and nostalgia coursing through your body.
Of course you’d heard about Joel’s passing last fall.
As the cabin came into view, your eyes instinctively flicked toward Joel’s porch— where his truck should have been parked, where his worn chair sat empty. Your heart tightened at the sight of it, the emptiness a stark reminder of how quickly life could shift.
"Abby!!!!" Your mom's muffled voice screeches from the front porch as Abby pulls into the driveway.
The rest of the night was spent around the bonfire as Abby caught up with your parents, telling them all about her adventures out in Vancouver. Like paddle boarding in English Bay passing by sea lions perched up on rocks. It's all so exciting to them, having rarely travelled out of province, since most 'vacations' were spent here in Lakeview.
Maybe that's why it's so hard for you to leave. You went to school at your local college, got your own apartment in your home city, vacationed to Lakeview all your life. When Abby asked you to move out to Vancouver once you'd graduated, you couldn't say yes, so you brushed the idea to the side. You knew it frustrated her but you didn't want to think about leaving all of this behind.
-
“Ready babe?” You call to Abby as you close the lid on the medium sized cooler full of drinks and snacks.
“Yup,” Abby says as she makes her way down the stairs from your bedroom, “lemme grab that.”
Abby takes the cooler in one hand and moves to pick up your beach bag.
“Nuh-uh” you swat her hand away, “you gotta let me carry something,” you chuckle as Abby rolls her eyes.
“It’s not heavy for me,” she smirks.
“It’s not for me either,” you shoot back with a smile, as you sling the bag over your shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Abby leads the way out the front door of the cabin and down the porch steps. The two of you were meeting Liv at the beach.
Your attention fixes on your phone— texting Liv you were on the way, your arm latched through Abby’s as she led you down the driveway.
“Hm, somebody’s at Joel’s cabin,” Abby comments.
Your head snaps from your phone as you see an unfamiliar black Subaru parked in the gravel driveway across the street.
Slowing your pace, you watch intently for any movement within the cabin. Deep down hoping that Joel would nonchalantly walk out onto the porch with a cup of coffee in one hand and a wood carving he’d been working on in the other.
You knew that wouldn’t happen.
“Must be someone here to clear out—” your sentence is cut short and with a sudden jolt of anxiety as you see a somewhat familiar figure step out of the cabin with a large box, making their way down the porch steps.
Your eyes fix on them, your brain taking a moment to piece together who you were looking at.
Her eyes met yours for only a split second before her gaze averted and she turned the corner, walking towards the backyard.
Your breath caught a sharp hitch in your chest as a mix of emotions poured over you.
It stung, she looked right through you as if you were nobody.
You shouldn't care, it shouldn't bother you. You knew this would likely happen one day.
“Ellie’s…. Back?” Abby whispered as you pass Joel’s cabin.
“I—,” you clear your throat, attempting to gather yourself, “I don’t know— I guess?”
Abby bit back a scoff, her arm stiffening as you held onto it. She clears her throat instead but doesn’t say anything.
Silence fell over you both as you walk the familiar route towards the beach.
You weren’t sure what to say. Abby wasn’t stupid, she saw how upset you were when Ellie had blocked you on everything and didn’t return to Lakeview after that summer.
“Is that why you wanted to spend the summer here instead of in Vancouver with me?” Abby attempted to sound nonchalant but her tone was laced with accusation.
“What? No. I didn’t even know she’d be here.” You spit as your brows knit together.
Abby lets out a sarcastic huff “yeah, right.” She mutters under her breath.
Your arm drops from hers as you stop walking.
“What’s your problem?” You spit, annoyed.
“I don’t have one,” Abby’s pace slows to a stop as she turns to look at you.
You stare at her, waiting for a real answer to your question.
Abby rolls her eyes, “it’ll just be hard, so far away and you’re here with…” she trails off.
“With?” You ask impatiently, “I haven’t seen or spoken to her in five years.”
“And why is that?” Abby’s brows now furrow, “y’know you were always real vague about what happened between the two of you.”
You cross your arms, the words stuck in your throat for a moment.
“We were friends and then we weren’t, okay? People end friendships sometimes.”
Abby scoffs, “that ‘just friends’ stuff worked when we were younger, I’m not so naive now.”
You’re taken aback for a moment.
“Do you hear yourself? Younger. You’re chastising me for being an emotional teen, hurt over the end of a friendship. A FRIENDSHIP.” You emphasize.
It was a friendship. You repeated in the back of your mind.
Abby fell silent, her gaze avoiding yours.
“Do you think I’d invite you here to stay the week if I had whatever you think I have planned out? Be fucking for real Abs.” You’re annoyed, but deep down you understood where she was coming from.
You watched as Abby took her bottom lip into her mouth.
“Sorry.” She mutters quietly, her eyes now meeting yours.
She reached her hand out towards you, which you take and continue making your way to the beach.
-
“I’ve missed you guys so much, ugh. Catching glimpses of you every other weekend or so like the past few summers has not been enough,” Liv says with a small smile as she dips a piece of cantaloupe into the Greek yogurt set out on the beach blanket. “Thank god you’re here all summer.”
“Yeah, it’ll be just like old times,” you chuckle, popping a couple blueberries into your mouth.
You feel Abby tense up but choose to ignore it.
“Why don’t you stay for the summer Abby? Prettyyyyy pleaseeee?” Liv whines playfully.
Abby chuckles in response, “I gotta go get ready for residency,” she shrugs, “I mean, I offered y/n to come for the summer and you could’ve tagged along.”
You roll your eyes, she’s never gonna let that go.
“Ahhh sweet, but nothing beats Lakeview,” Liv lays back in the blanket, folding her arms behind her head.
Abby pulls her lips into a tight line, indicative of disappointment that only you catch. You place your hand on her thigh comfortingly.
She takes your hand into hers, giving it a light squeeze. “I’m gonna go take a dip,” she says before getting up.
You watch Abby walk towards the shore, ensuring she’s out of earshot.
“Thanks for the heads up.” You say in a low tone, your eyes still fixed on Abby.
“What?” Liv props herself up on her elbows.
“About Ellie,” you look at her, not buying that she didn’t know what you were talking about.
“What about her?” Her brows furrow.
“Wait— you don’t know?”
“Know what?” Liv says slightly annoyed, trying to understand what you’re referring to.
“She’s here.”
“Where?”
“Here!”
Liv sits up and starts looking around the beach.
You roll your eyes, “no stupid, she’s at her cabin,” you nudge Liv’s shoulder playfully.
“No fuckin’ way.” Liv’s jaw drops in disbelief.
You shrug, “I thought you would’ve known before me.”
“She blocked me when she blocked you didn’t she,” Liv huffs, picking up a strawberry from the fruit platter.
“You didn’t walk by and see her car?”
“How am I supposed to know what she drives,” Liv shrugs, “I mean— my cabin’s on 5th when am I ever walking down 2nd unless you’re here.”
She was right.
“Yeah— sorry. I’m just, shellshocked or— I don’t know.”
You both went silent.
“Are you gonna—”
“No.” You cut her off before she could finish, knowing what she was about to ask.
“What if she tries to—”
“She won’t.” You cut her off again.
Liv examines your expression for a moment. “I mean— it’s been 5 years maybe…” she trails off momentarily, “maybe she’ll at least tell you why she disappeared, I think she at owes you that.”
Your eyes met Liv’s, “she doesn’t owe me anything,” you shrug, “all of that happened when we were kids. We’re strangers now.”
Liv slowly nodded her head in understanding, you were right.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
Ellie’s jaw clenches uncomfortably as she turns the corner of Joel’s cabin towards the backyard. Scolding herself for not taking a quick glance outside before stepping out onto the porch.
“Fuck.” She mutters to herself.
She knew she’d run into you eventually this summer, but she had hoped it would be from a distance, allowing her the chance to avoid you completely.
And of course the giant blonde was with you. Somehow she wasn’t surprised that you were still together.
Ellie had spent the last week cleaning out the cabin, sorting through Joels things to prepare the cabin for photos and listing.
She had been having trouble sleeping since arriving in Lakeview.
On the first night she found herself sitting in the backyard nursing a bonfire and drinking beers, letting the quiet press in on her. The inside of the cabin felt suffocating, filled with ghosts she wasn’t yet ready to face.
Joel’s books, his tools, the unfinished wood carving still sitting on his worktable. All waiting for him to come back.
"He should be here." Her voice wavered before taking a swig of what had to be her fifth or sixth beer.
Her eyes burned as she gazed into the fire. She didn't know what time it was but she knew it was late.
"I should've been here." The words were quieter, bitter on her tongue. She drained the rest of her can and threw it into the firepit.
Her grief swallowed her entirely, forcing her to feel every bit of what she had tried to ignore for months as summer approached. The regret, the guilt, the unbearable ache of knowing she could never get the time back.
She wanted to scream but the sound never came.
Her throat was tight, her fists balled up resting on her knees. The weight in her chest unable to loosen. She let her head tip back, staring at the endless stretch of stars above her. The same stars she used to look at with him when they'd sit around the fire. Where she'd tell him her shitty puns and he'd give her that shitty fake laugh that echoed into the trees.
Now all she could hear was the rustle of leaves in the wind and crackle of the dying fire in front of her.
She fell asleep outside that first night.
The next morning, with an aching head and sore back, she forced herself inside and started packing Joel’s things. Each item she placed in a box felt like another piece of him she was losing. She kept the most important ones, storing them in the shed, promising herself she’d take them home when she left.
She intended to have the place sold by autumn. Which would give her enough time to grieve in Joel’s favourite place and then leave it behind once and for all.
~
Ellie placed the large box on the top shelf of the metal storage rack in the shed, letting out a big sigh before locking the shed back up.
Her mind drifted back to you. Your eyes, your expression when you saw her, like you’d seen a ghost.
She gnawed on her bottom lip.
It’s like Ellie was a ghost to you. And she intended to keep it that way.
-
“You take anything in your coffee?” The soft spoken brunette waitress asked as she poured coffee into Ellie’s mug on the table.
Ellie’s attention was focused on her laptop in front of her, “uh— no, I’m good,” she pulled her lips into a semblance of a smile as she glanced at the waitress to the right of her, “thanks.”
The waitress nodded in response before hurrying away to look after her other tables.
Joel refused to ever get wifi in their cabin, which Ellie was now cursing him for with having to do all of this work to it ready for sale. So she finds herself in this new coffee shop— new as in, wasn’t here the last time she was here— every other day for a couple hours.
She feels stupid for having to comb through Quora and Reddit, searching 'how to sell a cabin' like a dumb ass.
“Should’ve asked the old man for a ‘what to do if I die’ manual, fuck.” Ellie mutters to herself as she rubbed her right temple.
She had trouble sleeping the night before and found herself up at 7am. Restless, she decided to come to the coffee shop to do some research.
“You ready to order?” The waitress’ voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“Oh— uh. Not hungry, I’m good with the coffee.” She gestures to the barely touched mug in front of her.
The waitress squints slightly, examining Ellie’s face.
“You new around here?” She asks bluntly.
Ellie was taken aback, she hadn’t expected such a soft spoken person to be so….. forward.
Ellie scratches the back of her neck, “not really, I used to come here when I was a kid but haven’t been back in….. a couple years?” She said in an unsure tone, she’d frankly forgotten exactly how long.
“Interesting….” The brunette rolled her lips together as she thought.
Ellie chuckles slightly awkwardly, “..what?”
“I thought I knew everyone in town.” She shrugs.
“You probably do,” Ellie shrugged, “you know Joel?”
“Yeah! Scruffy old man?” The waitress smiles.
“Yeah,” Ellie chuckles “that’s my old man.”
“Oh so youuuu must be Ellie,” she smirked, “he’d talk about you all the time, how good you were getting at guitar, how he was trying to get you to come down here to visit. I was starting to believe you didn’t exist,” she chuckles, “haven’t seen him since last summer though.
A pang of regret hit Ellie’s chest, “yeah,” she responded quietly, “he passed last fall.” Her gaze fell to the full coffee mug.
The girl was speechless for a second, “I am so sorry.”
“No it’s fine— you didn’t know.” Ellie’s eyes met hers reassuringly.
The air was awkward for a moment
“I’m Dominique by the way.” The brunette held her hand out towards Ellie, “you can call me Dom.”
“Ellie,” Ellie’s lips formed a tight lipped smile as she shook her hand.
“If you ever—,” Dom took a moment to find her words, “if you ever need a friend,” she pulled out her notepad and jotted her number down, “here.” She placed the piece of paper on the table beside Ellie’s resting hand.
Ellie looked at the phone number then back at Dom “thanks.”
Dom offered a warm smile before hurrying off again to tend to the rest of her tables.
A couple hours later Ellie was over whatever she had tasked herself with doing, deciding to pack up her stuff and walk back to the cabin.
The Sun was hot and not a single cloud was in the sky. It was only about 11am, Ellie mapped out the rest of her day in her head.
Lunch.
N64– for old times sake.
Chop wood.
Bonfire.
Sounds like the perfect day, Ellie thought to herself.
As she approached her cabin she saw a figure sitting in one of the patio chairs on the porch.
Liv?
She stopped in her tracks, fighting every urge to turn the other way.
At least it wasn’t you. She tried to look on the bright side.
She sighed, relenting forward as Liv’s head snapped up from her phone.
“Ellie?” Liv’s voice sounded the same as it did all those years ago.
Ellie forced a smile, she had nothing to be mad at Liv about. She reminded herself.
“Hey,” Ellie replied, a bit awkwardly as Liv stood from her seat extending her arms out.
Ellie stepped up the stairs and rigidly wrapped her arms around Liv.
“I’m so sorry about—”
“It’s fine— thanks.” Ellie said, still locked in Liv’s embrace.
Ellie cleared her throat as she began to feel the hug going on for entirely too long.
Liv let go of her, “sorry, it’s just been so—”
“Long. I know.” Ellie scratched the back of her neck.
Liv was silent for a moment as she examined Ellie’s face before a smile crept across her lips.
“You’re so different,” she began to scan Ellie from top to bottom.
Ellie didn’t think so but then she thought back to herself 5 years ago. Her hair was now shorter in a cut that resembled a mullet. Her once scrawny frame now filled out with muscle after taking weightlifting up as a hobby. Her face probably more weathered by the summers in the hot Sun working in construction to get herself through university. A couple more tattoos up her arms. She was different.
“Yeah, you too.” Ellie chuckles. Any tenseness that radiated between the pair soon dissipated. “You wanna come in?”
Ellie set a glass of water on the coffee table in front of Liv.
“Thanks,” Liv smiles before silence fell over the two.
Ellie took a seat in the arm chair across from Liv, resting her elbows on her knees she looked at Liv intently. She wasn’t sure if Liv was visiting just to visit or if this was some sort of confrontation.
Maybe both.
“So,” Liv began, “what have you been up to?”
“Well, uh.” Ellie sighed, leaning back into the chair as she crossed her arms, avoiding Liv’s piercing gaze.
She knew she was asking about the last 5 years.
“I was just down at the coffee shop trying to figure out how to sell this place—”
Liv let out a huff of air, resembling an almost sarcastic laugh. “You know that’s not what I meant,” her empathetic gaze meeting Ellie’s steely green eyes.
Ellie averted her stare out the window pausing for a moment.
“Here and there.” She shrugged nonchalantly.
“Clearly not here,” Liv said softly. She had known Ellie to be somewhat closed off before but this was a level she’d never seen. Granted, she hasn’t seen the girl in years.
“I’ve missed you.” Liv offered a gentle smile.
Ellie’s eyes returned to hers, the corner of her lip twitching as her mind flashed to past summers spent in Lakeview. They really were good times.
“I’ve missed you too,” Ellie said quietly.
Liv's eyes remained locked on Ellie, expectantly.
Ellie avoids her gaze as the two go silent for a couple of moments.
"Why did you block me?" Liv finally asks.
Ellie takes a moment to think about her words.
“I don’t know,” Ellie’s breath caught as she struggled for words, “I shouldn’t have... It was stupid. I’m sorry.” Her apology felt clumsy, like it didn’t come close to explaining what she really wanted to say.
“Look, you don’t have to tell me why," Liv's voice softened, "I just… I’ve been worried about you, El. All these years, I’ve been wondering if you’re okay."
Ellie chuckles, “Aw Liv, worrying about lil old me?”
Liv rolled her eyes, “well yeah, you kinda went MIA.”
Ellie pulled her lips into a tight line, “yeah,” she scratched the back of her neck, “I’d say sorry but, if Joel hadn’t—” a lump formed in her throat, cutting her off involuntarily. Her gaze returning to the window, her eyes fixing on your cabin across the street. Ellie clears her throat. “I wouldn’t be here right now and you probably still wouldn’t have heard from me.”
The room went silent, Ellie’s eyes meeting Liv’s once again.
“What happened?” Liv asks bluntly.
Ellie bit her bottom lip, pondering how to respond.
“Nothing.”
Liv didn’t say anything, waiting expectantly for Ellie to continue.
“We were kids, it doesn’t matter. It’s been so long.” Ellie crosses her arms.
“So it wasn’t nothing?” Liv decides to pry.
Ellie rolls her eyes, “Liv, quit it.”
Liv scoffs almost playfully, “you know you can tell me right.”
Ellie knew that wasn’t true. She couldn’t tell Liv anything. Besides, whatever happened 5 years ago, whatever she saw, and however it made her feel. It didn’t matter.
Ellie rolled her eyes, “drop it Liv.”
“Fine.” Liv leaned over to grab her water, taking a sip. “You still with Cat, by the way?” She asked curiously.
Ellie shook her head, “nah, we broke up a couple weeks after I got back from Lakeview the last time.”
“Why?”
“You’re gonna have to buy me a couple drinks if you’re gonna be interrogating me like this.” Ellie teased, avoiding answering her question.
“Sorry, I know I’m prying,” Liv chuckles, throwing her hands up before pausing for a moment. “We're having a barbecue on Friday. You should come.”
Hah, right. Ellie thought to herself.
Liv could see the look of reservation on Ellie’s face.
“If nothing happened that last summer, then why not show up?” Liv raised an eyebrow, her voice gentle but firm. “What’s stopping you?”
Ellie’s eyes flick to meet hers. Liv knew exactly how to get under her skin, even after all this time. Ellie didn’t want to go but knew if she stayed away, it would feel like she was admitting something. And that simply wasn’t something Ellie was willing to do.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
“You what?” Your eyes shoot to Liv as you abruptly halt mixing the bowl of pasta salad in front of you.
Liv shrugs, her hands full of ground beef as she forms a burger patty, “she’s my friend, yenno.”
“Yeah,” you scoff, “your friend who blocked you on everything and went ghost for years.” You continue stirring, annoyed.
“She’s been through a lot in the last year, and who knows if we’ll ever see her again after this summer once the cabin is sold.”
You stop stirring again, your gaze returning to Liv.
“She’s selling Joel’s cabin?”
She nods in response.
A pang hit your chest that you forcefully ignore. You went all of those years without seeing her and you could go a lot more, you convinced yourself.
“Whatever, just—”
You weren’t sure what to say.
-
As the night progressed you began doubting that Ellie would even turn up at the barbeque. It just wasn't in her nature to turn up somewhere after being gone and not talking to anyone for 5 years. But then again, how would you know?
Most of Lakeview was at Liv's for the barbeque. The young adults all hanging in the backyard while everyone's parents and the older crowd mingled inside the cabin.
"So Dom, how's the coffee shop?" Your eyes fixed on her across the bonfire.
Dom was a couple of years younger than you. Her family bought a cabin in Lakeview a few summers ago. You weren't close but you'd see her every so often on the weekends you visited throughout university. Her parents became pretty good friends with yours and Liv's.
"Same old, same old" she offered a smile, "we just started serving matcha."
"Finally!" You exclaim, "I'll for sure be down there to work after Abby leaves." You feel Abby's hand stiffen on your thigh as you glance at her.
Her face reads annoyance. You briefly wonder why mentioning her leaving would annoy her so much.
"I'm gonna go get another drink, you want anything?" She says quietly, pulling her hand back from your lap.
You shake your head, "I'm fine, thanks."
Abby gets up and makes her way up the back deck's steps towards the door of the cabin that leads into the kitchen.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
Ellie slowed to a stop a few cabins down from Liv’s. The sky above an inky black, with only the faint glow of the moon casting silvery light through the trees. She could see the bright, warm lights spilling out of Liv’s cabin windows, the faint sounds of laughter and conversation drifting toward her. But instead of comfort, it only made her feel more like an outsider.
"That’s a lot of people," she mutters to herself, her heart pounding in her chest. She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans, trying to steady her shaking hands. She didn’t belong here— not anymore. Every face behind those walls was a reminder of a life she’d left behind. Joel’s life. A life she was desperately trying to reconnect with.
Seeing you was the last of Ellie's worries. Her heart raced at the thought of facing the friends Joel had cherished. She doesn’t know these people anymore.
She relented forward.
The porch creaked beneath her as her hand hovered over the doorknob. With a shaky breath, she twisted the knob and opened the door, stepping inside. The lively chatter gradually hushed as everyone turned to see who had entered. Ellie instantly felt all eyes on her, Joel’s friends quietly beginning to move from their seats to offer Ellie their condolences.
“Oh, Ellie,” she heard your mom’s familiar voice, their eyes meeting briefly as Ellie nervously shoved her hands into her pockets.
Your mom hurried over, arms wide open. "I’m so sorry," her tone woven with sadness.
Ellie accepted her embrace, clearing her throat to speak but the words wouldn’t come. Her eyes began to sting, forcing them shut. It was like every memory she had of Joel in Lakeview flashed through her mind in a split second. His death hadn’t hit her like this before, surrounded by the community Joel was once a part of.
Ellie tightened her arms around your mom as a single hot tear slid down her cheek. Your mom rubbed her back in comfort.
“Thank you,” Ellie sniffled, gathering herself as she let go. She quickly wiped the moisture from her cheek.
One by one, Joel’s friends began to rise from their seats, offering their condolences. Each handshake, each pat on the shoulder, brought another wave of stories about Joel. Ellie listened as they talked about summers she hadn’t been a part of— nights spent by the fire, early mornings on the lake. She smiled, even laughed at some of the stories, but there was a pang of regret beneath it all. She wished she had been here. She wished she had shared more of those moments with him.
Despite the sadness, there was comfort in hearing how loved Joel had been. It was like a small piece of him still lived on in these people, in this place. She hadn’t expected to feel that.
"A great man, he was." Liv's dad nodded as he patted Ellie on her shoulder, Ellie had been catching up with the older crowd for about half and hour. She'd almost forgotten that you'd likely be here somewhere.
Ellie nodded, her lips tugging into a small, grateful smile. "Yeah, he really was." "Why don't you grab a beer and head out back, the kids are all out there." Liv's dad suggested.
Ellie chuckles quietly at Liv's dad referring to everyone as kids still.
"Ah, perfect," Liv's dad's eyes flicked toward the back door, "here's Abby—hey, Abby! Look who it is," he called, gesturing eagerly as he made his way toward the kitchen.
Ellie stiffened, her shoulders tensing as she instinctively shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans. Forcing herself to look in Abby’s direction, she braced for the inevitable.
"Oh." Abby’s voice was flat, the hint of reluctance unmistakable as her eyes landed on Ellie.
"Hey, Ellie."
"Hey." Ellie offered a tight lipped smile, feeling her stomach knot as Abby’s attention already began to drift elsewhere.
Without further acknowledgment, Abby turned to the fridge, pulling it open. The sound of bottles clinking against one another filled the awkward silence.
"Grab Ellie one of those," Liv's dad chimed in, oblivious to the tension as he gestured toward the beer.
Abby hesitated for a moment, then grabbed two bottles. Holding both in one hand, she wordlessly offered one to Ellie who took the beer carefully from between Abby’s fingers.
"Thanks," Ellie mutters, her gaze fixed on the bottle, refusing to meet Abby’s eyes.
"Mhm." Abby grunted softly, already turning toward the back door. The exchange had been as brief as possible, and Abby’s impatience hung in the air.
"Abby, bring Ellie with you," Liv's dad called after her, his tone cheerful, but it only added to the discomfort as he turned to head back into the living room.
Ellie rolled her eyes subtly, the tension in her body rising. She finally looked up, catching Abby’s gaze, but her face had no emotion. “I’m fine,” she said curtly, her voice sharper than intended. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
Abby’s brows furrow in irritation, though it was hard to tell if it was directed at Liv's dad or Ellie. "What, you’re just going to stay in here?" Her tone was more accusatory than she likely meant it to be.
Ellie shrugged, her grip tightening around the beer bottle. "Just give me a second."
Abby’s lips pressed into a thin line, shrugging as she turned away, making her way toward the back door.
Ellie let out a sigh as the door shut behind Abby. She cracked open the beer and took a long, reluctant sip. Forcing herself to move, she walked toward the back door and peered through the window.
The yard was filled with familiar faces, most of them lost in conversation or laughter. Julia was on the deck chatting with Dennis, and Gabe was with a group of guys huddled around the beer pong table. Ellie’s gaze quickly found you, seated by the bonfire, with Liv on one side and Abby on the other. Her stomach clenched. Some things, it seemed, hadn’t changed at all.
Then she saw Dom which for some reason comforted her.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
"But they weren't real," you roll your eyes at Liv.
"They were real! They just weren't really singing," Liv chuckles, she's been nonstop gushing over some boy band duo from the 80s who were caught lip syncing.
"Villi Manilli sounds like the name of a boyband that wouldn't actually sing," You chuckle as Abby returns and settles back into her chair beside you.
"It's Milli Vanilli!" Liv rolls her eyes.
You chuckle at her ridiculousness before glancing at Abby, her face looks tense, "you okay?"
Abby nods silently in response.
"Ellie's here," Liv whispers, you don't look, but you now knew why Abby was tense.
From the corner of your eye, you watch Ellie on the deck chatting with Dom, her posture relaxed but her smile not quite reaching her eyes. Dom leans in, laughing at something Ellie says, but Ellie’s gaze seems to flicker, distant, as though she’s only half present in the conversation.
You can’t help but notice the way her fingers fidget with the edge of her beer bottle, a subtle tell you remember from all of those summers ago. She’s keeping up the small talk, but it’s clear— at least to you— that something else is weighing on her.
Dom leans closer, brushing her arm against Ellie’s, and a wave of discomfort twists in your stomach. How long have they been talking like that? When did they even get close?
Abby’s hand is warm on your thigh reassuringly. "You don’t have to talk to her," she murmurs, low enough that only you can hear. She must've noticed you staring. Shit.
You nod in response, Abby was tense but you appreciated that regardless of the situation she grounded you like always.
"What's that song again?" You force a subject change, "Blame it on the Rain or something?"
"Oh my god, yeah that's my mom's favourite Milli Vanilli song," Liv giggles.
Some time passes and you haven't been able to become unaware of Ellie's presence in the yard. You begin to wonder if she's seen you yet or if she's trying as hard to ignore your existence as you'd expect her to.
"Sweetie!" Your mom’s voice, slightly louder and slurred, carries across the yard; pulling you from your thoughts. You cringe a little, already guessing she’s had a few too many glasses of wine.
"Hey! Come over here!" She waves you over with enthusiasm, but then her eyes land on Ellie, who’s standing on the other side of the yard talking to Dennis. "Ellie! Oh my gosh, Ellie, honey, come here too!"
Your stomach drops. Ellie freezes, her gaze darting to you for a second before her expression hardens. You can tell she’s debating whether to pretend she didn’t hear or to actually walk over.
But your mom’s already waving frantically, and Ellie reluctantly starts making her way toward the deck.
You glance at Abby, who doesn’t say a word but raises her eyebrows knowingly. You stand up, feeling your body tense up with each step toward the deck, memories swirling in your head—those summer nights playing Mario Kart with Ellie, staying up until the early morning, the two of you laughing until you cried.
Ellie’s footsteps are heavy behind you as you both make your way up the stairs to the deck, and for a moment, the distance between you feels like years rather than steps.
“Look at you two,” your mom beams, putting an arm around each of you, her wine glass dangerously close to tipping. “You used to be inseparable—staying up all night with those video games! What was it again? Mario Kart, right?”
You catch Ellie’s quick, nervous glance at you. The corner of her lips twitches as if she’s remembering too. “Yeah, something like that,” she mutters.
“Princess Peach and Bowser,” you murmur, a half-smile tugging at your lips despite the awkwardness of the moment. The weight of nostalgia presses down, memories of racing down Rainbow Road playing in your mind.
Your mom gives you both a squeeze, completely oblivious to the thick tension hanging in the air. “Those were the days, huh?”
“Yeah,” Ellie says, her voice quieter than before, “they were.”
You feel Abby’s gaze burning into your back from across the fire, and for a second, all you can think about is how much has changed since those nights. The awkwardness swells between you and Ellie, both of you standing there, unable to move, your mom happily rambling about the "good ol’ days."
And then as quickly as it started, your mom waves you both off. "Go enjoy yourselves! I’ll see you kids later!"
Ellie’s eyes meet yours briefly— enough for you to see something flicker there, maybe regret, maybe longing—but she quickly turns and heads back toward the yard without another word.
You return to your seat by the fire between Abby and Liv.
"Jesus Christ, that was awkward," Liv whispers.
Abby clears her throat, cutting through the tension. She shifts closer, leaning in to catch your eye. "I was thinking the three of us could go to Potenza’s the night before I leave. You know, for old times' sake." She forces a smile, glancing between you and Liv.
"Yeah! I think that’s a great idea," Liv quips cheerfully.
You nod, staring into the flames. "Mm, yeah… sure."
A beat passes, and Abby glances at Liv before reaching over to squeeze your hand. "Remember how we’d always end up sharing that ridiculous brownie sundae? And then you’d steal all the whipped cream." She chuckles, nudging your shoulder, trying to draw you back.
You give her a faint smile but find yourself slipping into silence, your gaze drifting back toward the yard where Ellie had been. You’re only half-present, picking at the label on your drink bottle, your mind slipping to moments you’d thought you’d buried.
It was one of the last times you hung out with Ellie alone before the formal that summer, five years ago.
The fire crackled softly, sending warm embers floating into the night sky. The smell of charred wood and grass lingered in the air as you pulled Ellie’s hoodie tighter around yourself.
She sat across from you, perched on the old wooden bench Joel built near the fire pit, her guitar balanced on her knee. Her fingers moved effortlessly along the frets, plucking out a familiar tune.
“That song again?” you teased, tilting your head as you watched her.
Ellie didn’t look up, but you caught the faintest smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “I like this one.”
You did too, though you’d never admit it. You’d heard her play it a hundred times before, humming along without thinking. This time though, she started singing.
Her voice was raspy yet soft, shy at first, but it wrapped around the night air like it belonged there. The melody settled over you like a warm blanket.
You closed your eyes, the quiet strum of the guitar mixed with the distant sound of crickets in the trees.
“You're gonna fall asleep on me, aren’t you?” Ellie murmured, amusement in her tone.
Your lips twitched into a sleepy smile. “No.”
Ellie chuckled, low and warm. “Liar.”
"Hey," Abby’s voice is a bit sharper now, snapping you back. “Are you even here right now?”
You blink, forcing yourself to look at her, though it feels like swimming through fog. "Yeah, yeah. Just... spaced out."
Abby crosses her arms in slight frustration as she sits back into her seat, "whatever." she mutters.
-
The cabin is quiet when you and Abby get back home, the soft hum of crickets outside are the only sound cutting through the stillness. Your parents were still out partying at Liv's.
Abby heads straight to the bathroom, her footsteps heavy on the hardwood floor. You hear the faucet running, followed by the soft creak of the bathroom door closing. Alone in the room, you let out a breath you didn’t even realize you’d been holding.
Your eyes drift to the window, where the moonlight filters through the trees, casting a soft, silver glow across the bed. It reminds you of all those summers here— back when things felt simpler, when the nights were filled with nothing but laughter and late-nights with Ellie. Your stomach tightens at the thought of her, standing across the yard with Dom earlier, as if the last five years hadn’t meant anything. Like she could just waltz back into Lakeview without a second thought and little to none acknowledgement of you.
The bathroom door opens and Abby steps out, her face freshly washed, damp strands of blonde hair framing her tired eyes. She doesn’t say anything at first, just crosses the room and pulls back the covers on the bed.
"You okay?" you ask softly, already knowing the answer.
Abby sits on the edge of the bed, her back to you as she lets out a long sigh. "I don’t know," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are you?"
You swallow hard, not sure how to respond. You sit beside her, the bed creaking slightly under the weight. The two of you sit in silence for a moment, the space between you feeling bigger than it ever has. You glance at her, but she's looking at her hands.
"I’m fine," you lie. "It was just… weird seeing her again." You decide to address the elephant in the room.
"Yeah." Abby’s voice is tight, guarded. "Weird."
You can feel her watching you now, even though you’re not looking at her. The tension between you and Ellie hadn’t gone unnoticed, not by Abby, not by anyone. Except your drunk mom.
You know she’s waiting for something—some kind of reassurance or explanation—but the words stick in your throat.
You turn to face her, but she’s already lying back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The dim light from the bedside lamp casts shadows across her face, making her look farther away than she actually is.
“It’s okay if seeing her again messes with you.” Abby says quietly.
“It’s not like that,” you insist, but the words feel thin, fragile. The memories of Ellie, of everything you’ve tried to move on from, feel too close, crowding the space between you and Abby.
Abby rolls onto her side, her back facing you now. “I just don’t want to lose you,” she whispers, her voice small and tired.
You stare at her back, the ache in your chest deepening. You want to say something, to tell her that she doesn’t have to worry. But the words feel too heavy, too uncertain, and you can’t bring yourself to say them out loud.
Instead, you reach out, gently placing your hand on her arm. “You’re not going to lose me, Abs,” you say softly.
-
You wake up to the sound of the early morning birds, their soft calls filtering in through the slightly cracked window. For a moment you lie there, your eyes shut, remembering last night.
You roll over, reaching for Abby, but your hand meets cold sheets. Frowning, you blink the sleep from your eyes and sit up. The room is dim, the morning light just beginning to creep in through the curtains, but it doesn’t take long for you to notice the packed bags sitting by your bedroom door.
Abby is standing by the dresser, folding a few last pieces of clothes into her bag. Her movements are slow and careful, as if she’s been at this for a while, trying not to wake you.
It doesn't take long for her to notice that you're awake.
"I didn’t want to wake you," she says softly. She offers a small, forced smile.
"What're you doing?" You ask softly, though, you know exactly what she's doing.
Abby nods, glancing down at the half-zipped bag at her feet. "I think… I think it’s best if I go back early."
You sit up, almost confused, but weirdly not at the same time.
"Is it because of last night?" you ask, your voice cracking slightly. Nothing even happened last night, you think to yourself.
Abby’s face softens, but there’s still a sadness in her eyes. "No, it’s not just that." She sits on the edge of the bed, leaving a small gap between the two of you. "I just… I feel like you need time. Time to be here, to figure things out. And I don’t want to keep pushing."
You feel a knot tighten in your stomach. "Abby, you’re not—"
"I know you care about me," she cuts in gently. "And I care about you, too... But I don’t want us to fall apart because I didn’t give you the space you needed."
"What makes you think I need space?" a faint tinge of anger grows within your chest.
Abby’s gaze flicks up to meet yours, and for a moment she is silent.
"You don’t have to say it," she murmurs. "I can feel it. It’s like you’ve been somewhere else since we got here… even before Ellie showed up."
Her words hit you hard, and you want to argue, to tell her she’s wrong. But deep down, part of you knows there’s truth in what she’s saying.
Silence blankets over you, she places her hand on your thigh. You stare at it, the warmth of her touch grounding you once again, but it’s not enough to chase away the ache in your chest. You want to say something— tell her to stay, that you can fix this— but the words won’t come.
Abby sighs, pulling her hand back as she stands up again. "I’ll call you when I get back to the city, I fly out to Vancouver tomorrow morning," she says softly before pausing for a moment.
"I’m not... I’m not giving up on us. I just think we need this time apart."
You shake your head before you can stop yourself. You don’t want time apart. You don’t want space.
"Abby..." your voice barely above a whisper.
She looks at you, hopeful for half a second.
But you don’t know what to say. You want to ask her to stay, but you can't.
Instead, you nod—even though everything inside you is screaming not to.
You both stand, and Abby pulls you in, holding you tight. You bury your face into her shoulder.
"I love you." You whisper softly into her chest.
"I love you too," she whispers back before kissing your cheek.
She gives you one last, lingering look, as if she’s waiting for you to stop her. But when you don’t, she picks up her bags, her steps slow and deliberate as she heads toward the door.
“I’ll see you,” she says quietly, and then she’s gone.
You sit there, staring at the empty space where she was just standing, the morning light creeping further into the room, making the silence feel even more suffocating.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
"No fuckin way, you guys broke up?" Liv's jaw hangs open in shock.
You look out your bedroom window as a pang hits your chest. It's a couple days after the the barbecue and you've barely left your cabin since Abby left. You didn't reply to any of Liv's texts and even worse, you've been neglecting work. You told your boss you were sick and would get caught up on your tasks as soon as you were feeling better.
You finally gave in and let Liv come over, hoping that talking to her might make things feel a little less heavy. Maybe after, you'd be able to focus enough to get some work done.
“No, we’re not broken up,” you mutter, “just… taking some space, I guess.” You keep your gaze away from Liv's.
Liv shakes her head, "I just don't understand why she thought leaving early would be better for you guys, like, shouldn't she want to stay and, like fight Ellie to the death for you." She says almost sarcastically.
You roll your eyes, annoyed. "Liv, I'm gonna need you to drop the Ellie thing."
"Well, that's kinda hard when Ellie is the whole reason Abby left."
You're not sure how to answer.
Liv thinks for a moment, attempting to put herself in Abby's shoes.
"Maybe Abby leaving is her way of seeing if you’re really all in.," Liv says quietly, her eyes cautiously meeting yours.
You bite the inside of your cheek.
"And honestly,” Liv hesitates a bit before continuing, “are you?”
A heavy silence falls between you, and you’re not sure if it’s a question you’re ready to answer.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
The bell above the door chimes softly as Ellie steps into the coffee shop, her shoulders slumping under the weight of the day. The air inside was thick with the scent of roasted beans and warm spices, a small comfort against the unsettling emptiness she felt from sifting through Joel’s things back at the cabin. She ran a hand over her face, resisting the urge to just turn back and walk out.
“Back so soon?” Dom says from behind the counter, a hint of playfulness in her tone that made Ellie pause. Her eyes lifted, meeting Dom’s. “At this rate, you’ll be getting a plaque on one of these tables.”
A couple of days had passed since Liv’s barbecue, and Ellie had been swinging by the coffee shop almost daily, mostly to escape the cabin she stayed cooped up in.
Something about stepping outside felt off. She couldn’t tell if it was the risk of running into you or the weight of Joel’s memories scattered around Lakeview she wasn’t quite ready to face.
Ellie’s lips curved slightly, and she took a step toward the counter, shoving her hands into her jacket pockets. “Guess I’m single handedly keeping this place in business,” she mutters.
Dom chuckles, grabbing a mug and setting it down.
Ellie took a seat at the counter, watching as Dom poured a fresh cup of coffee. She waited, half expecting the usual routine of small talk, but Dom just leaned back against the counter, her gaze soft and steady.
“Rough day?” Dom asked after a beat, her voice quiet.
Ellie nodded, hooking her fingers into the handle of the mug, "something like that."
Earlier that day Ellie had spent hours combing through the old photo albums Joel kept at the cabin, each page filled with snapshots of their former lives in Lakeview. In one, she and Joel stood knee deep in a lake as they held up their fishing poles, grinning from ear to ear. Another captured Joel at the campfire, a crooked smile on his face with his guitar across his lap.
And then there were the photos with you. One showed the three of you out on the lake—Joel steering the canoe as you laughed, while Ellie leaned over the edge, pretending to tumble into the water. Another caught you and Ellie sitting on the cabin’s front steps, laughing at some joke out of her pun book, your shoulders nearly touching as if you’d never grow apart.
“Sorting through things." Ellie sips her coffee, pulling herself from her thoughts.
Dom nods, her expression soft as if she understood without Ellie needing to explain. She shifted a little, folding her arms as she leaned on the back counter. "Wanna hang later? You can show me that guitar Joel gave you."
Ellie let the invitation hang in the air, part of her resisting the pull, the other part craving the simple connection after days spent mostly alone in Joel's cabin. She took a slow sip of coffee, savoring the warmth.
"I don't really play for people," Ellie shrugs.
Dom raised an eyebrow, her smile warm but playfully challenging, “well aren't you mysterious."
Ellie chuckles softly, "mysterious is a stretch," she fidgets with her mug in front of her.
Dom nods, letting the smile linger but dropping the playful edge in her voice. “Fair enough,” she said, her tone light. “Just know the invite stands, if you ever feel like it.”
Ellie’s eyes flick up to meet Dom’s, “I’ll keep that in mind,” she replies, a touch more sincere than her usual tone.
Dom taps the counter lightly with her fingers. “Good,” she said simply. She took a step back, picking up a tray with a small smile. “No pressure.”
Ellie gave a slight nod, watching as Dom moved to help another customer. The silence left behind felt oddly comforting.
"C'mon kiddo just one song?"
Joel nudged Ellie's shoulder with his own before holding the guitar he got her for her 15th birthday out towards her.
Ellie rolled her eyes before reluctantly taking the guitar by its neck, "I don't like playing for people." She'd only been playing a couple months.
"It's just me," Joel shrugged as he grabbed a log from the pile beside him, tossing it onto the bonfire. "You're gonna have to get rid of that stage freight somehow, don't you wanna play that thing for Lily one day?" He teased.
"Refill?" Dom's voice pulls Ellie from her thoughts.
Ellie blinks, the warmth of the memory fading from her mind. She exhales slowly, placing her mug down in front of her. "Oh— uh yeah, thanks," she mutters, watching the coffee pour. "Uh— I'm down to hang if you.. still want to." She scratches the back of her neck.
“You changed your mind quick," Dom chuckles as she checks her watch, "I’m off soon.”
The bell above the door rings just then, pulling both Ellie’s and Dom’s attention to you as you walk in, laptop in hand, clearly ready to work. You glance over, making brief eye contact with Ellie and then Dom from across the shop.
Dom waves cheerfully, "Ready for that matcha latte?" she calls with a friendly grin.
You manage a nod and a tight-lipped smile in return as you settle at a table, deliberately facing away from Ellie.
Ellie clears her throat, her gaze fixed on her now full mug.
"Let me whip up her latte, and we’ll head out,” Dom says with a soft smile.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
Why was your chest burning? You felt fucking stupid, sitting there, with your stupid fucking laptop waiting for your stupid fucking matcha latte. FUCK.
Is this what Ellie did with all of her time? Come hang out at Dom's work all day? The only coffee shop in town with Wifi? Where you'd have to get your work done all summer. Fuck!!!
You wanted to get up right then and there but you couldn't, you told your boss you'd have all of your tasks you were behind on finished by 6pm.
“Here ya go, hun,” Dom’s sweet voice snapped you out of your thoughts, “on me, just in case it tastes like shit,” she chuckles, setting the matcha latte down with a warm grin.
“Thanks, Dom.” You forced what you hoped was a genuine looking smile.
“No worries! I’m heading out really soon, so if you need anything, Nadia’s around here somewhere, alright?” she said, her tone easy but sincere.
Your eyes met hers briefly, a hint of heat warming your ears. “For sure, thanks again,” you murmur, wrapping your hands around the mug.
With a final smile, Dom headed back behind the counter and into the staff room. You tried to focus on your laptop, grounding yourself in the warmth of the mug and the work in front of you. But your eyes couldn’t stop flicking at Ellie, her back turned to you. You wondered if she felt your presence in the same way you felt hers.
A couple minutes later Dom reappeared from the back, grabbing her bag from behind the counter and glancing at Ellie with a small nod, signaling she was ready. You averted your eyes, but part of you wanted to watch them.
As they approached the door, Dom tossed a wave your way, "enjoy the latte!”
You forced a nod and a faint smile, trying to keep your expression neutral, but your gaze betrayed you, flicking to Ellie for a second too long. Her eyes met yours briefly before shifting back to Dom ahead of her. It was clear she hadn’t meant to look your way, but something had slipped for just a moment. You caught her eyes long enough to search for something behind them, anything at all. But whatever was there vanished just as quickly, replaced by the same unreadable, cold look you’d come to expect.
The door chimed as they left, and you watched them through the window. Dom was already laughing at something, nudging Ellie playfully, while Ellie walked beside her, hands deep in her jacket pockets.
This gave you flashbacks to past summers all those years ago. The game of cat and mouse between you and Ellie. You didn’t need to see this to know how it would play out. Ellie laughing with Dina, leaning into Cat, filling spaces you didn’t allow yourself claim. You’d done the same with Jesse, Abby, anyone who wasn’t her. It was all just… recycled.
Time was never on your side— or at least, that’s what was easier to believe. But maybe it wasn’t time that kept pulling you and Ellie apart. Maybe it was you. The choices you made, the ones you didn’t.
You weren’t sure if you even wanted to talk to her. If closure was something you were really looking for, or just something you told yourself you should want. But did it matter? Ellie had already decided. She wanted nothing to do with Lakeview and seemingly nothing to do with you.
Her cold stoic glare read anger and somewhat resentment from across the coffee shop. Resentment for you? Or resentment for something bigger? You weren't sure.
You're still not certain exactly what you did that made her disappear but at the same time you're not stupid. It felt like your fault. And you feel guilty for driving her away from Lakeview. For making her miss those summers.
Joel wasn’t here anymore. Ellie was back in Lakeview without him. How had you not thought about that first? Before all of the cat and mouse bullshit. She’s not here for you, she’s here for Joel.
You swallowed, gripping your mug tighter. Maybe she really did hate you. Maybe she had every reason to.
⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆
a/n: Hey yall, sorry this took soo long hahaha. And sorry the story is not over yet smh. I started writing with the intention of having one final chapter but I kept going and going and going lmao. I found it hard to just wrap it up quick and I felt it would do a disservice to the characters. Also I just love writing angst LOL. Not sure how many SYNS enjoyers are still here but I appreciate all of you who are!!!! Next parts are coming very soon.
As always, thanks for reading and feel free to scream in my inbox <3
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