Caught By Her Eyes

Into the Deep End

Michael was late pulling up to Ellie's house.

She stood at the end of the driveway, shivering in the cool spring air. Her new black dress was snug in all the right places, but didn't offer much warmth.

She'd paired it with her favorite, fondly faded black Converse. There was a new pair of sparkling black stilettos laying untouched in her bedroom floor. As badly as she wanted to lean into this new bad girl persona, her anxiety longed for some familiarity and she allowed herself to find comfort in it.

Her newly dyed copper hair was woven back in a waterfall braid. Slick black lines were perfectly angled around each eye. Dainty silver chains hung from her neck and wrists.

Ellie looked so unlike herself, Michael missed her house and had to double back. As he climbed out of the car to get her door, she waved him away and hastily climbed in on her own. He hesitated in shock, hanging half out of his door before quickly retreating back in.

He awkwardly cleared his throat, suddenly very conscious about the location of his hands. Ellie's silky smooth legs were bare and within arms reach. He longed to run his palm long her pale skin just to see how soft they were for himself.

Instead he quietly said, "You look beautiful. I had no idea you were planning to go all out for this. I feel Seriously under dressed." He ran a hand over his favorite band tee, chuckling softly.

"It's no big deal" She answered without looking his way. "I was just craving something different today."

Mark's house was less crowded than the previous weekend. Ellie felt empty just wondering which faces wouldn't be present inside.

Michael was holding her door open, avoiding looking too closely at her revealed skin. Even in all their time together, he had yet to see this much of her since they were kids. Ellie knew he was trying to be respectful, but the behavior irritated her.

She ignored his offered hand and strutted off to the house alone. She hadn't even made it through the front gate before she felt the first pair of eyes raking over her slowly. Her lips broke into a small smirk as she worked a her hips a little more into her walk. She came here to be seen.

Michael was following behind her, glaring at every person who glanced her way. He felt so unlike himself, totally out of control in this situation. A sense of unease was creeping over him.

For a person so opposed to change, Ellie dived straight into the deep end on this one.