Darkest Desires

Chapter 11: Tell Tale part 2

***

Text notifications popped up and I was hesitant for a moment before checking.

Damien: hey. Where are you?

Elena: work. I'm kinda busy right now(-:

Damon: I can't stop thinking about you, can I take you home after?

I looked at the message not having a response. I don't know why a part of me had no interest in seeing Damien. Today I only thoughts of the boy that was in between my legs last night. Not only because of the s*x but the mystery behind his life. Maybe somehow I could untangle myself from his web and I'd be set free.

I placed my phone back into my pocket and grabbed my small apron off the hanger in the employee lounge. My break was over and the ice cream shop was currently under staffed because Andrew who's name I learned a few minutes had decided to bail last minute. I didn't mind that he was gone, he gave me the creeps and not the tolerable kind I got from Ethan. More like Ted bundy creeps.

I would have pestered Lily to come work with us just for the mean time but she was also unavailable.

The reason she came over this morning was because she came to tell me she was leaving for two weeks. Apparently she was going to visit her dad she was dreading the entire trip knowing full well she'd have to tolerate her step mom who was just about 6 years older than her. I sympathised with her but encouraged she go atleast she still had both her parents. What I'd give to see my father again.

I brushed off the melancholic feeling and headed out the door.

"yo freckles handle the cash, I'll handle the orders, I have new girl who should be coming in at any moment now!" James yelled as he whooshed by me heading into the freezer. I refrained from retorting to his use of freckles and rolled my eyes instead. I was sure he went to get more blueberry cheesecake it was our hottest seller and also my favourite ice-cream flavour.

I inwardly groaned at the long queue of giddy kids and angry teenagers. I took in a long steadying breath and started punching in the orders, collecting money and trying fight against the onslaught of bitchy quips that wanted to escape my mouth.

Having good customer service was something I had to learn the hard way, because no matter what the damned customers do they are always right.

Two hours later and the 1pm to 2pm ice-cream rush was over. I was seated in the small employee lounge on the only bean bag chair, getting caught up on my reading. I was reading the story of Tracey Whitney for what must have been the tenth time but it was too damned good to not want to reread. A message bubble popped up and I was thinking it would be another text from Damien which I was ready to ignore. But my stomach flipped when the E initial showed.

Ethan: where are you ?

I blinked a few times trying to digest the question. Why did he want to know where I was? Did he want to show up here? The last thing I needed was him coming here after what happened between us. I was still trying to process the whole thing but then again I needed answers. Not to mention I was rewarded a mystery about his life. I typed back a reply.

Elena: why?

"I can help you with that" I looked up and stared at my new coworker, when she walked in through the doors the last thing I thought was that she was going to be working with me. She never looked like she needed the money, everything she owned screamed loaded. Plus if lily found out, I had no idea how she was going to react.

Sophia was nothing like I thought she was. In all honesty I never thought she was the kindest person in the world. Not that I judged people that easily, but then that's the kind of reputation you get when you're friends with Natalie. Ever since that time Natalie and I fought I watched as she stood by and let her friend torment lily and I. She might have not been inclined to help me or anything and maybe I shouldn't have held it against her. But if I was the one watching lily torment and make someone's life a living hell I sure as hell wasn't going to stick around for it.But anyway what did I know about their relationship?

"uhm I'm sorry what do you mean?" her icy blue eyes gestured to my neck and I nearly choked remembering the marks lily had tirelessly tried to hide.

"I know a thing a two about hiding hickeys" she smiled warmly and walked over to her locker. She had a cute black tote bag with a big butterfly on it, from which she retrieved a few make up items. A brush, some foundation, powder, primer the works.

"oh Uhm thanks, I didn't think they'd show" I offered awkwardly. Feeling kind of embarrassed by the entire situation.

"yeah they aren't the easiest things to hide sometimes, do they hurt? Someone really did a number on you cause they look painful" she gave me a knowing look. And I did my best to not have flashbacks. She placed everything on the little table near my seat and knelt down beside me.

"I know this must be awkward. You and Natalie don't necessarily like each other and I'm her friend but that doesn't mean I approve of the things she's done" I wasn't expecting this to be the topic, but carpe diem I guess.

"well it's not like you're to blame, you seem like such a nice person how are you friends with her?" I questioned.

"Maywhite is small, you're kinda forced to be close with people here. Natalie was my first friend and we grew up together. She wasn't always bitter you know. But everyone has a past" Natalie wasn't always bitter? I nearly scoffed at her words. Being a b***h came automatically for her.

"I've always envied what you and lily have" she sighed as she rubbed some foundation on her hand testing out the shade. It matched my skin tone and I was pleased. Gently she started applying it with her brush. I crocked my neck to the side to give her better access.

"really? How so?" I remembered her admission

"you always seem so unbothered by the world. No matter what Natalie decides to spread, no matter the rumours. That's real badass" she gleamed showing her neat teeth that presented a gorgeous smile. She was a really beautiful girl. A solid mix of attractive and elegant, there was a certain grace about her. One that would easily pull any man. Her icy blue eyes gave her a seductive gaze, she had long dark hair that highlighted her rather pale skin and don't get me started on her body. There's really something about Latina hips, she was just about my height but obviously taller than me.

"and what's more badass is you always stood up to Tobias. Not to mention Ethan and Natalie. You're no pushover and that's really cool"

"thanks I guess. I never knew you paid any attention to all of that"

"yeah I know I'm just usually on the sidelines observing. If I was being honest I sorta had a secret crush on you. Not in the homo type of way but just how you weren't torn down by these guys" crush! Was she kidding. How could she possibly mean that? Was she really that miserable with Natalie?

"well. I wasn't going to let them get the satisfaction they wanted. I know better than that" I offered. I knew for sure I couldn't let Natalie be the end of me, Ethan on the other hand...

"it's pretty cool. Plus you have an actual friend by your side. The only reason people want ti be close to me is either to f**k me or get a hold of my parents money"

"isn't Natalie your friend?" I was baffled they were always together, the perfect trio. I couldn't quite remember the other girls name but she wasn't always around the way Sofia was.

"I guess. But Natalie and I are inclined to be friends. We are both on the cheerleading squad. She's cheer captain being her friend is a must"

"you don't like it?" I looked at the longing look on her face. A part of it told me she was miserable in her own world.

"no I actually don't. It's a lot of make believe."

"hmm I see"

She finally finished and offered me a mirror to inspect her work. I grabbed it from her hand and held it in my own taking a look.

Wow! It looks better than what lily did. Of course I wasn't going to tell her that.

"thank you so much"

"you're welcome, are you leaving soon? I was just about to head out maybe we can walk out together" she was smiling expectantly. Sofia really must have been desperate for company.

But a part of me thought about how she was obviously just a lonely girl with people who practically liked her because of what she could offer them.

"err. Sure" I got up from the bean bag and discarded my watery ice-cream in the bin. I gave her a shy look before I headed over to my locker and got my little handbag that only contained my house keys. I peered over my shoulder and searched for my phone. I spotted it near the table and immediately it rang.

I saw the name and decided against better judgement by not answering it. I'm sure Damien was wondering why I was ignoring him but I just didn't have the stomach to look him in the eye today.

"so I heard Lily and Tobias are together" she gave me sheepish smile slightly shrugging as she pulled strands of her top.

I gave her a bemused look, I wasn't quite sure how to respond knowing full well her and Tobias had history.

"don't worry I'm not a jealous ex or anything. I just always had a feeling that he liked her. There was a time last year when we were hanging out at this house. I wondered into his room and found this little box where he kept all her drawings. It just solidified my theory" what! Tobias kept the drawings? Did lily know this? I always thought he would destroy them after stealing them I never would have thought he'd be sentimental enough to keep them.

"oh I had no idea he bothered to keep them. I guess everyone could see it expect themselves. And yeah they are together" I shook my head in realization that it took all these years for those two to actually realize they had feelings for each other.

We both made out way through the doors, we had said goodbye to James who promised to lock up for the day. I was so exhausted from work and also the fact that my body was in subtle pain from the night I had had.

"I'll see you tomorrow" Sofia muttered embracing me in a tight hug before she ran off to the other direction. I was surprised by the action and blinked a few times to remind myself I actually wasn't delusional.

I turned the other way the sun was setting and the walk back home wouldn't be treacherous. I was barely ten steps in when I saw the motorcycle and figure that stood next to it. But the worst part wasn't even the fact that Damien was here. It was the car that was practically next to him that made me go weak in the knees.