Cinderella...Ish

18

"So, what were you two up to?" One of Colin's buddies said

"I needed something that fell behind my dresser and I couldn't lift it. So I made him lift and move it" I said

"Oh.." The kid said

You know, i'm really good at quick white lies. On the fly. Tons of practice with cruella. We all sat in the living room and the guys left as time went on. Now it's just Colin, John and I.

"Would you look at that sky" Colin said

"I think it's gonna be cancelled tonight" John said

"You know. I'm pretty sure you're sober enough to go home" I said

"Wow, you don't want me here" He asked

"No" I replied, The two boys looked at me and I laughed "I'm kidding"

They both shook their heads and I cuddled up with the blanket. Again, our AC works very well so it's chilly in here.

"So uh, El. Were you actually wearing pants last night?" John asked

"No, I was wearing shorts" I replied

"Uh huh" John replied

"She's looking for a man. And that's all that was out there last night" Colin laughed

"Hey, i've been good on my own" I said looking at him

"Guess you were teasing everyone then" John said

"How!" I said

"Booty shorts" He shrugged

"Hey, that's the first time i've gone with out covering the massive soon to be scar on my leg" I said

"Oh. I didn't even notice" John said

"Cause it was dark. And it's hot outside. Figured no one would notice. I haven't worn shorts at all" I said

"I just realized that. You don't even wear shorts around the house" Colin said

"I got an ugly ass scar that I don't want to show" I said

"Can I see it?" John said

"Nope" I replied

"I haven't even seen her surgery scar" Colin said

"Hideeee" I laughed

They both laughed and we heard the front door shut. Then foot steps. The three of us looked at each other then over by the hallway where Kate showed up.

"Well damn, i'm just getting stared at" She said

"Hi babes" I smiled

"Hey. The rodeo is cancelled tonight" She said

"Damn" The boys said

"It's also starting to rain" She said

"You want to help me clean up outside?" Colin said looking at John

"Sure" John replied

The two boys stood up and walked out the back door, then Kate sat next to me.

"So, how was his party last night" Kate asked

"Good. I made them all pancakes this morning and John and I talked. Him and Cassie broke up" I said

"Really? When did that happen?" Kate asked

"The day after the rodeo. Apparently she got a ride home and was all pissed. But she likes me so that's about it" I said

"So, are you going to date him now" She smirked

"b***h, no" I laughed

"Why, you even said you might have feelings for him" Kate said

"Okay. But that was how long ago. I went almost 6 months with out talking to him. Yeah I missed the kid, and I liked when I would see him. But.. I don't know" I said

"You think you'll go back to how you two were?" Kate said "You guys were having a ball when we were in Texas"

"I don't know. He came in my room this morning and we were chatting. It's fun to joke around with him. But.. ugh. His friends always get pissy, and then I feel bad" I pouted

"Yeah, you got along with them the last few months though" Kate said

"Cause I wasn't talking to John. He pretty much said his friends were excited him and I weren't talking so they can try and get with me. He always says all these guys are into me and.. I don't want that" I said

"What do you mean" She said

"I don't know" I replied shrugged

"You okay?" Kate asked

"I got my period this morning" I pouted

"Aw you're emotional" She laughed

I shrugged and she leaned on me, then Colin and John came inside.

"It's windy as hell" Colin said

"You guys are soaked" Kate laughed

"It's pouring" John said

They both sat down and I have cramps on top of residual pain. I'm also slightly depressed. I don't know why. Over thinking at it's finest. I only get like this once a month, and on bad days, but that's besides the point. I am blaming my period for the fact that I want to cry.

"My head hurts. I'm gonna go chill in my room... in the dark" I said

"You want me to come?" Kate asked

"Yeah" I nodded

Getting off the couch, I walked to my room and flopped on my bed. Oh, rib pain. I heard the door shut and felt Kate sit on the bed.

"You okay El?" She said

"I don't know. Flopping on my bed was a bad idea. But now i'm over thinking and I don't know. Why do periods make me emotional" I said

"You're not as bad as me" She laughed

"True" I nodded giving her a half smile

"What's going on though. Was it cause we were talking about John?" She asked

"Guys are dumb." I huffed

"Ohh mood swings. But elaborate" Kate laughed

"Oh shush" I chuckled "But, why does he tell me all these guys are into me. They are obviously not. Then again he even said I was hard to talk to. But we didn't get along at first. But does everyone think i'm hard to talk to? Surely they do now because of what happened with what's his face. Seriously I can't remember his name" I said

"Gavin?" Kate said

"Yeah. Did that make people think i'm a w***e. Harry said they don't think that. John said they don't think that. But John also said they might be making stuff up to deter other guys from trying to talk to me. But no one really talks to me. Well, I don't try and talk to them. I have my small circle and probably do come off as hard to talk to" I said

"Babe. No one thinks you're a w***e. You are far from it. And you are not hard to talk to. John somehow got to you. And you two never got along. So that should be a sign that you are not hard to talk to" Kate said

"See but even John said he was hesitant to message me at first cause i'm hard to talk to" I said

"Did he say that?" Kate asked

"I'll show you the messages." I said

"El. Babe. You are the easiest person to talk to. It just takes some time. It takes me some time to open up too. Ask Tommy. When I first met him family, I was scared shitless. Now we get along like I am family" She said

"You two are practically married, you are family" I huffed

"Okay. Now, do you think you and John are going to be more then friends" Kate said

"He's only dated blondes and dirty blondes so probably not. Plus looked at me, i'm-"

"I swear to god if you finish that sentence, i'm going to bet your ass" Kate said cutting me off.

"NOTHING" I yelled and smiled

"Get over here" Kate said

She lounged for me and I hopped off my bed. She tried to climb over my bed and I ran over to my door and out. Then Kate continued to chase me around the house. I ran around the island and jumped over the couch. Thankfully, only John was on the couch and Colin was in the chair he always sits in. I swear his imprint is in that chair. I tried to run back but Kate knocked me onto the couch.

"You're lucky we are out here so I can't beat your ass" She said

I laughed then realized everything hurts.

"Oh. Running was a bad idea" I groaned

"Oh yeah. You're broken" She said

"Go take more meds" Colin said

"Can you get them" I said looking at Kate

"Dresser?" She said

I nodded and laid on the couch. My head was right next to Johns lap too.

"You good over there?" I heard

"I hate pain" I groaned

"Aren't you good with that though?" I heard, probably John

"Most of the time, but this is consistent pain." I said

"Here babes"

Sitting up, I took the bottle from Kate and got a glass of water from the kitchen. Taking the meds, I sat back on the couch between Kate and John.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Colin asked

"I should probably head home" John said

"I came here to chill" Kate said

"You can stay if you want" Colin said

"It seems like Ella wanted me gone earlier" John laughed

So then everyone looked at me.

"I have no comment" I said

The three of them laughed and I got a phone call. It's Bobby. Now why in the hell is this kid calling me.

"Hello?" I said

"Hey. What are you doing tonight?" He asked

"Enjoying this rain storm" I said

"Do you want to get dinner tonight?" He asked

"What?" I said

"Me and you. Dinner" He said

"You went home with a girl last night. Why don't you go with her" I said

"Because i want to go with you. You're not talking to anyone" He said

"But you are" I laughed

"So" Bobby huffed

"No. Bobby. Go with the girl you're talking to. Don't be a player" I said

"How am I a player?" He said

"That's a dumb question. I gotta go" I said

Hanging up, everyone looked at me and I looked at John.

"Your friends.. are stupid" I said

"What did Bobby want?" John asked

"He wanted to go out to dinner tonight." I replied

"I thought he was talking to someone" John said

"He literally went home with the girl he's talking to last night" Colin chimed in

"I know. I told him to take her and he said no he wants to take me cause i'm not talking to anybody" I laughed

"Jeez. John. Your friends need to get their s**t together" Kate laughed

"I can't with them" John sighed

"Well, what were your plans if you left here" Colin asked

"Go hang out with them" John replied

We all nodded and watched tv while sitting in silence for a little bit.

"Hey Colin. That girl you brought to the dinner. Are you guys friends.. or?" Kate said

"She's my girl friend actually. When you guys went to Texas." Colin said

"Wait? Really?" Kate asked

"I thought I told you that?" I laughed

"No. No you didn't" She replied

"Whoops" I laughed "I'm the only single one in the house now. Sometimes I get the house to myself.. and sometimes I need ear plugs"

Everyone laughed and I shook my head.

"It's not that bad" Colin said

"Oh really now. I can't even go to Kate's half the time cause she's probably doing the same with Tommy since she doesn't answer for the longest time" I laughed

"I mean.. I'm not denying it" Kate laughed

"Poor Ella" Colin said

"What about you John. Do you have this problem?" I asked

"Nope. My older sister is married and has a house and it's just me. So hey, if you ever need to escape you can come on by" He said

"I might take you up on that offer" I smiled

"Mhmm. You might just start doing what you're trying to escape from" Kate laughed

I smacked her shoulder and the boys laughed.

"Like I told John earlier. My body and any kinda of physical activity don't mix" I said

"Wait wait wait. And why did that come up" Colin asked

"We were talking and he said lets go back out before they think something going on" I shrugged

Him and Kate looked at each other then looked at John and I and nodded.

"I hate both of you" I said

"Oh, I gotta call Tommy back. You mind if I go in your room?" Kate asked

"Go for it" I replied

She stood up and walked towards my room then Colin's phone started ringing.

"It's the weekend. What does work want on the weekend" He groaned

Colin also left the living room, leaving just John and I. I wonder if talking to him about maybe being more then friends is a good idea. Well he did just get out of a relationship. Yeah not a good idea.

"How are you feeling?" John asked

"The pain meds kicked in so not that bad" I replied

"So, you can go on trail rides right?" He asked

"Yeah. A nice slow walking trail ride" I sighed

"Hey, you'll get back to racing. Just have to take it easy for now" He said

"I know. Just, Gypsy likes to run, and we can't" I pouted

"True. But the more you take it easy and don't try and push yourself. The faster you'll get better and the sooner you'll get to run again" He said

"Yeah" I said sighing

"Do you want to go on a trail ride this week? Just me and you" John asked

"Yeah, that sounds fun" I smiled

"Would you maybe. Want to get dinner after as well?" He asked

"Right from the barn?" I laughed

"Yeah why not" He replied

"I'm going to smell and most likely be covered in dirt" I said

"So? I'll be all sweaty and smelly to" John said

"I like how I got asked to dinner by two different people in the span of a couple hours." I laughed

"Well you said no to one. What about me?" He asked

"Could I come home and take a shower first?" I asked

"Yeah why not" John shrugged

"Okay. Yeah, dinner after would be nice" I smiled

John smiled and I leaned on the kid. He kissed my forehead and I felt my heart stop for a hot second. You know, my dad did that to my mom all the time. I don't know if it's just a guy thing like 'oh she's leaning on me let me kiss her forehead' or if it's? I don't know. I've seen Tommy do it to Kate a couple times but my father always did it. Every time my mother leaned against him he would kiss her forehead. Again, I don't know if all guys do that, but I always thought of my parents when I saw that.

"You comfy?" John asked

"Yes. Yes I am" I replied

"Why'd you sigh then?" He laughed

"Huh? Oh nothing, just thinking" I said

He doesn't need to know.... but this kid pries stuff out of me. I might just embarrass myself who knows.

"About what?" He asked

"Nothing." I said

"Ella" John said

"John" I replied

"What were you thinking about. While being all nuzzled in my shoulder" He laughed

"Nothing that you need to know about" I said back

"Well, I wanna know" He replied

"That's nice. You'll laugh at me" I chuckled

"What, did it have something to do with me kissing your forehead" He laughed

"Maybe" I said

"I won't do that then" John said

"No" I said quickly, he chuckled "It's not that"

"So, you didn't mind that" He said

"No, I... Ugh, why can I never say nothing is wrong" I sighed

"Because you're always lying when you say that" John laughed

"Can I not have secrets?" I replied

"Nope. Now spill" He said

"My dad used to do that to my mom all the time" I sighed

"What, kiss her forehead?" John asked

"Yeah. And I never really see people do that. Once in while yeah but, my dad always did it, when ever my mom leaned up against him. He did it to me sometimes too but still. It just reminded me of that" I told him

"Oh" John said

I heard foot steps and quickly sat up. Pulling my phone out, I just started scrolling through i********: and answered a few snapchats. Colin and Kate both made their way back and I laid on Kate's lap.

"Hey there" She said

"Hi" I smiled

"Comfy?" She asked

"Mhmm, i'm tired" I said

"It's like 2. How are you tired" She laughed

"Because my body hurts" I pouted

"Well, lets go take a nap" Kate said

"I'm down" I replied

"Have fun" Colin laughed

We both got off the couch and I gave John a small smile. Then Kate and I went into my room and laid on my bed.

"So are you actually tired, or is your period f*****g with your emotions" She laughed

"A little bit of both" I said pouting

"Did John say something?" She asked "Cause i'll go kick his ass if I need to"

"No. Well, no. I was leaning on his shoulder cause, I don't know, he's comfy. And he kissed my forehead and it just reminded me of how my father always did that. And I never really see people do that. And he asked, I tried to say nothing but this b***h always gets me to tell him. I don't know if it's him, or me, but he always does. And I don't know. Then you guys came back so I sat up" I said

"He is single, so you don't have to hide if you're cuddling up with him. s**t, I know you guys kissed a few times, so I would love to see you two happen" Kate said

"I know but he just got out of that relationship. I don't want to be like, oh you're single, mine now" I said

"Girl you have to do that. What if another girls comes and swoops in" She laughed

"That's fine. It just means him and I are suppose to be just friends. Maybe i'll find other guys who won't be a complete douche bag." I said

"Fine. Your phone buzzed... Ohh it's John" Kate said

She handed me my phone and I did in fact have a message from John.

Hey, you okay?

Yeah, just tired

I set my phone back down and Kate was smirking out me.

"What?" I asked

"Well, what did he say?" She asked

"He asked if I was okay" I replied

"You know, he cares about you. That kid always wants to know if you're okay. And if you're not he's always there. Why don't you go on a date with the kid" Kate said

"Well while you two were making phone calls. He asked if i wanted to go on a trail ride then get dinner after this week" I said

"And what did you say?" She asked

"I said yes" I laughed

"Good. Maybe I'll make Tommy take me out so I can spy" Kate said

"No. He knows what you look like and.. no" I laughed

"Well I don't know where you guys are going so" She laughed

"And you're not going to find out till after" I said

She just smiled and we both took a nap. Waking up it had only been an hour and this storm is wicked. There was really loud thunder and lightning and Kate and I jumped out of my bed and ran into the living room. Colin and John were watching a movie.

"How was your nap" Colin laughed

"Good" Kate said

"Rudely woken up by this storm" I pouted

"Well, come watch the movie with us" John said

Kate and I sat back on the couch and I leaned back.

"Does your power go out with storms?" Kate asked

"That one storm it did" I replied

"Other times it hasn't. But we have a generator. And gas somewhere" Colin replied

"Good thing we got outside cleaned up" John laughed

Colin laughed and we pretty much spent the rest of the day watching movies and jumping at the loud thunder and bright lightning. Overall it was fun.