West Heights

Research Partners

Eleonore,

I twisted and turned around my bed unable to sleep. I have been crying for quite awhile now my eyes hurt and I'm pretty sure they looked like they've been stung by a bee right now but I still cannot sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see him. The boy I love. I couldn't help but think how much time I've wasted waiting for him to finally give in and talk to me when he's already probably screwing someone behind my back.

I got up and grabbed my duvet, I wrapped it around me as I made my way to the balcony.

My friends heard about the incident and they've been texting me about it. All of them were trying to apologize about it. Said they've known about Olivia and Mason, yet they do not know how to tell me. Zac even tried to call me plenty of times until he gave up and explained everything he knew through a long text message.

Apparently it is true that Olivia is someone Mason's dad wanted him to see. Said it was his boss's daughter and that the girl had her eyes on Mason for quite sometime now. Zac said Mason's dad forced him to try and see if him and Olivia would work out and from what I saw I think things are going pretty well with the two of them.

The cold wind blew past me making me shiver. I sunk on the floor and I lean my back against the wall. Hugging my duvet tightly around my body.

I guess this really ends everything. My first love ending up to be a tragedy. How come everything in my life turns out to be a tragedy. When did I ever become this dramatic?

I sighed and got up. I went downstairs to the kitchen and poured myself some milk. I finished it on one go before passing by the living room. There I saw Vaughn on his phone. I forgot Isabel forced him to stay the night since it's already past curfew. He saw me and he sat up.

"Hey." He said softly as if he was afraid he will wake someone up. "You okay?" He asked. I couldn't really make up his expression since it was dark but I guessed he was worried.

"Can't sleep." I whispered.

"Wanna talk about it?" I looked at him for the longest time before giving in. I sat on the couch beside him while he scoot over to put some distance between us.

I let out a deep breath and looked at him, I can't barely even make out his face because of the dark.

"I was just thinking about things. I just can't believe Mason did that to me. After everything we've been through together and I also can't believe my friends knew and-", I paused as my voice cracked. "I can't believe they hid everything from me." Tears started to pour and I instantly felt worse thinking I am burdening someone I just met with my problems. I am also surprise how easy it is for me to open up to him. 

"Hey." Vaughn whispered moving closer. He put an arm around my shoulders before gently pulling me to him. I almost got drunk in his warmth and the faint scent of his perfume. "I know I'm not in the right place to say anything since I just got here and I barely know a thing or two about you and Mason." He whispered softly. "But one thing I know is that he didn't deserve someone like you and you don't deserve to be treated that way." I cried even harder upon hearing this, he pulled me even closer and let my face rest upon his chest. "I think your friends had their best intention deciding to hide those things from you. You should talk to them about it when you're ready."

I closed my eyes and let myself calm down on the sound of his heartbeat. He's probably right about my friends. We all grew up together and they will never hurt me on purpose. I don't know how long we've been in that position when I eventually stopped crying.

"Thank you." I whispered before gently pulling away. I pulled my duvet closer suddenly feeling cold. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess. You just came back and I already-,"

"You don't have to worry about me. I have four sisters, I understand." He said, cutting me off. I looked at him in confusion.

"Four?"

"Yeah, Kat and Kelly were still on Iceland." Vaughn explained.

"I see. How old are they?" I curiously asked, the whole town thought it's just the four of them.

"Kat and Kelly are both 6. They're twins." He said and I think he was smiling.

"That's amazing. How do they look like?"

"They look so much like Carmen." Our conversation went on going about his family and mine. I don't know how long we've been talking until I finally got too tired and decided to retire upstairs.

When morning came Vaughn had already gone home to shower and change. Isabel said she offered to lent him some of Michael's clothes but he politely declined. Isabel was completely impressed about how kind and polite Vaughn was and I couldn't help but share the same sentiments about the new guy. I never would have guessed that Vaughn would be so kind.

Mike and I walked to school as usual. Getting a car for us is out of the question because our parents died in a car accident. It was traumatic for the two of us.

When I came to school people were giving me looks. Probably because of the bruise that I didn't even bother to hide.

"Elea!" Joey was the first one to approach me. "I'm so sorry." She said as if she was about to cry.

"I know." I said softly not wanting to meet her eyes. Still she hooked her arms on mine and continued to walk beside me. "Please tell me I'm still your best friend." This time she was now full on crying, not caring about the people looking at her like she'd grown two heads.

"I don't hate you. Stop crying people are gonna think I made you cry." I said trying my best not to laugh. Joey sniffed and quickly wiped away her tears. "I won't talk about it since I know you don't want to talk about it. But if ever you want to talk about it we're here." She said in one breath. I gave her a small smile.

"Mind if I walk with you?" I jumped when Vaughn suddenly appeared beside me. I sighed and smiled, I caught his eyes staring at my cheeks and for some reason I felt my face heat up. Joey was at awe beside me.

As we walk to class the stares and the whispers only got worst. I also overheard someone saying that Mason was suspended for a week and was banned from playing at the game tonight. The school has zero tolerance when it comes to bullying which might explain the long suspension. That's if what I am hearing is true. I wonder who reported the incident. I didn't plan on doing so because this might affect his shot for his scholarship.

"Don't mind them." Vaughn said probably pertaining to the people talking. Classes went by surprisingly smooth, but I wasn't prepared for lunch. I'm not ready to face everyone just yet. I ditched the cafeteria and decided to have lunch at home. Vaughn saw me leaving and he immediately got up.

"Where are you going?" He asked worriedly.

"Home." I said flatly.

"You're cutting class?" He asked in surprise probably knowing just how grade conscious I am.

"No, I was just planning to have lunch at home. I'm not ready to talk to everyone." Vaughn nodded in understanding. He continued to walk with me and I looked at him in confusion.

"Vaughn, you know I appreciate all of the things you have done for me so far. But you don't have to do this all the time. I don't want to bother you anymore." I regretted it the moment it left my lips. Vaughn looked at me with a frown seemingly annoyed.

"First of all, you're not bothering me and second who said I'm not enjoying myself?" He said finishing off with an amused look.

"Why are you so good to me?" I sighed in defeat.

"We're research partners remember?" He teased before urging me to go out.

Vaughn and I got into his car and I watched him with a small smile as he drive. "What?" He asked, finally noticing my stare.

"I just didn't expect you to be so kind." I said with an emphasis on the last word.

"Yeah?" He continued to focus on the road.

"Like for real, I didn't think we'd actually be friends." I confessed.

"And why is that?" He asked throwing a glance at me with a smirk plastered on his lips.

"Well you guys seems like snobs." I snorted.

"What?" He chuckled softly. "We just don't like hanging around people we barely know." He said to their defense.

"Sounds fair." I shrugged. Just in time, Vaughn pulled over a café. I quickly got off my seat beating him from opening the doors for me again. He c****d a brow at me before opening the doors to the café for me. I smiled and rolled my eyes.

"Just goes to prove chivalry isn't dead huh?" I laughed which I quickly regret as I felt a sting on the side of my face.

"Vaughn!" The guy behind the counter chimed.

"Brandon." Vaughn quickly went over and hugged the man. "This is Car- Eleonore." He said, beckoning me to come over.

"Brandon. Nice to meet you." The man said with a kind smile. He too looks gorgeous in his long brown hair and dazzling blue eyes.

"Nice to meet you too." We sat on one of the tables out front. I ordered a clubhouse sandwich while Vaughn only had some coffee. We talk about random things just like normal friends do. I was having a great time. I couldn't lie about that. Vaughn's presence alone helped me let my mind off of things. He doesn't seem too guarded around me anymore. 

And just like that. Hanging out at Brandon's café became our daily routine. Sometimes Brandon would eat with us if it wasn't too busy at the shop. Vaughn's presence alone helped me let my mind off of things. He doesn't seem too guarded around me anymore. He was smiling and laughing more often which made him appear more human to me. 

"Don't you have any other friends to hang out with?" I asked him one time.

"I do like to keep to myself incase you haven't noticed. People are just too friendly around me because they want something from me and I don't want that." He said with his face so serious I was almost intimidated by it.

"Why are you friends with me then?" I asked with a smile.

"Well..." He started after resting his chin on his knuckles. "You're not too friendly and you're not stupid. You don't want me but I feel like you need me." He said as his amber eyes stared deeply into my jade ones. I stared back as I pondered at his last sentence. It took me quite awhile to break out of trance.

"You said I'm not stupid." I grinned. "Are you finally admitting I am smart?" I teased pretending to dismiss the latter. I was conflicted. It was hard to admit but I do want him. The problem is that I cannot comprehend how I wanted him. Do I want him as a friend? Or was it something more? It scares me that I might be needing and wanting him right now because I was just using him and I don't want to be that kind of person.