Morning After
440 Words
Chapter Thirteen: Morning After
Eleanor woke to a soft stream of sunlight warming her face. Prom had been perfect—more than she ever imagined—but now, reality crept back in. Her phone buzzed with a dozen messages: Jasmine, her dad, even one from a blocked number she suspected was Miranda.
She stretched, still in her dress, and laughed softly at the memory of slow dancing in Ryan’s arms. But her joy was short-lived when she opened Jasmine’s text:
“Turn on the news. Now.”
With a sinking feeling, Eleanor turned on the TV in her room. A local reporter stood outside a convenience store with crime tape behind her.
“…Ryan Carter is wanted for questioning in an incident that took place early this morning. Police say the suspect was seen leaving the area shortly after an altercation occurred. No one was seriously injured, but witnesses identified him as being involved.”
“No, no, no,” Eleanor whispered.
Her heart pounded. She didn’t believe it—couldn’t. Not after last night. She tried calling Ryan, but it went straight to voicemail. She threw on jeans and a hoodie and ran out the door.
---
Ryan sat in the abandoned skatepark, hood over his head, fists clenched around a crumpled energy drink can. He didn’t mean for things to go so far. A guy had mouthed off about Eleanor—called her things he couldn’t repeat—and Ryan had snapped.
He didn’t think it would end up on the news.
His phone buzzed endlessly, but he couldn’t bring himself to answer. He didn’t want Eleanor to see him like this. Not again.
---
Eleanor found him just after noon. She pulled up in her dad’s car, heart racing, and stepped out without a word.
He looked up slowly. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“You think I’m going to run now?”
Ryan stood, his shoulders tense. “I messed up, Ellie. Again.”
“You lost control. That doesn’t make you a monster.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“I know. But you can’t protect me by destroying yourself.”
Silence fell.
“I’ll turn myself in,” Ryan finally said. “But I need you to believe me when I say—I’m trying. I really am.”
Eleanor stepped forward, wrapped her arms around him. “I know, Ryan. And I believe in you. We’ll face this—together.”
As sirens wailed in the distance, they stood there, a storm of emotions raging between them. It wasn’t over. Not yet. But they were still standing.
Still fighting.
- Writer
