Eleanor opened the gate to her apartment and removed her shoes. The two-bedroom place was the one she called home, shared with her best friend Alessia for the last four years, filled with countless memories
As she walked inside, she saw Alessia sitting on the couch with an oversized hoodie and using her phone - probably texting her boyfriend.
Alessia said without looking up from her phone, "You are late."
Eleanor sank beside her on the couch, grabbing Alessia's glass of juice. "I had a long day," she muttered, taking a sip before setting it back down and sinking deeper into the cushions. She hugged a pillow to her chest, too tired to even move.
Alessia noticed every move but didn't say anything. It wasn't new — they always stole each other's food and drinks.
Finally, Alessia put her phone aside, leaning her head on one hand as she turned toward her friend. "Alright, what happened this time?"
Eleanor groaned, half annoyed, half dramatic. "There was this girl, okay? She was practically leaning over the counter! And Frederick was smiling at her! Smiling! I swear, I wanted to pour that hot coffee right on her head. Her nerve!"
Alessia couldn't help but laugh. She knew her best friend too well — Eleanor had a possessive streak and didn't like people touching what she considered hers, whether it was her things… or someone she liked.
Alessia chuckled and ruffled her hair," Just tell him already, or are you waiting for him to be snatched by others, huh?'''
"Don't say that.'' Eleanor glared at her friend.
Frederick is her first crush, after all. Seeing him smile at someone else was already enough to drive her insane — and the thought of him with someone else made her feel even worse. Never in her life had she imagined herself acting like this over a guy.
"Alright, alright. Go wash up, I'll heat the food," Alessia said, grabbing Eleanor's wrist and practically dragging her off the couch.
Eleanor groaned but let herself be pushed toward her room, mumbling under her breath. What if someone really did steal him? No. Don't think like that. She shook her head as Alessia shut the door behind her.
"Fifteen minutes!" Alessia yelled from the other side.
Eleanor stripped down and stepped under the hot shower. The water ran down her skin, washing away the tiredness clinging to her all day. She closed her eyes, letting herself breathe, the sound of water filling the silence. She stood under the water for exactly 10 minutes while closing her eyes.
She opened them again and turned off the shower before stepping out. As she was drying her body, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her. Her black hair clung to her neck while her eyes roamed over her body and settled on her right thigh, where a delicate butterfly tattoo with a broken wing rested. She caressed it gently before moving her fingers towards her left side of her stomach, where a small phoenix was inked. These are not just tattoos; they are her stories, which she is scared of telling anyone. Not even Alessia knows... her closest and only friend.....
"Eleanor! Fifteen minutes are up!" Alessia knocked on the door, breaking her thoughts.
"Coming!" she called back, quickly changing into her nightwear before walking out to the kitchen.
Alessia was setting the table when Eleanor joined her. "Help yourself," she said.
Eleanor sat down, her stomach growling at the smell. "I'm starving," she said, licking her lips. She thanked Alessia before digging in.
Alessia smiled quietly, watching her. No matter how many times she cooked, Eleanor always thanked her. Probably because she still couldn't even boil water properly.
It had been seven years since their friendship began — seven years of shared laughter, fights, and secrets. Both of their families are good friends. And Eleanor was sent to their house when she was 15 years old. Alessia was 18 at that time and since then they have been friends....
"We're going to the villa tomorrow," Alessia said, glancing at her. "It's Mom's anniversary. And before you say anything, you're coming. No excuses."
Eleanor kept chewing and nodded lazily. "Sure. When did I say I wouldn't?"
Alessia didn't reply, only raising a brow. She'd heard that before — and every year, Eleanor always ran the other way, and every year she made an excuse at the last moment. God knows if she's allergic to her family or what!!
Alessia put her fork down as she looked at Eleanor seriously,'' I am going to tell my family about Andrew tomorrow. So please, I will need your support.''
Eleanor did not reply this time as she looked at her friend in the eye before asking,'' Are you really so serious about him?''
''Yes, I can not think about my future without him,'' Alessia replied without batting an eye.
Andrew is Alessia's boyfriend, and they have been dating for the last 4 years. He is the Ceo of A: Line, a well-known company in the fashion industry. It is not yet globally recognised, but it is still a popular brand locally. Alessia has studied fashion as well and is a freelance fashion designer. They met through their circle, became friends, and started dating. They have a lot in common, including their interests and hobbies, and Alessia found someone who understands her, and they hit it off well.
Whether her family would accept him or not was another story, but Eleanor knew how much he meant to her.
Eleanor rested her chin on her palm, a teasing glint in her eyes. "You're making me jealous. I thought you loved me the most."
Alessia laughed. "Of course I do," she said, smiling softly.
Eleanor smiled back, shaking her head at her best friend's lovesick grin.
After dinner, Eleanor washed the dishes while Alessia went to her room early. The apartment went quiet again — just the soft hum of the city outside.
Eleanor sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone for a while. Then her screen lit up with a name she hadn't seen in a while — Mother.
She stared at it for a few seconds, her thumb hovering over the screen. Then she sighed, locked the phone, and set it face-down beside her.
"Not tonight," she murmured to herself, pushing the phone away before heading to bed.