Thank You El.

We decide to go to the motel first and get that situated, that way we know exactly how much money we have left to spend. We only plan on staying for one night since we do have an actual house that we already pay rent for and live in, so the cost is only $70. This leaves us with $46 to get some food.

"I’m going to leave my phone here so bring yours," I say. I just don’t want the hassle of bringing it with me and feeling like I need to check it every five minutes for the rare chance that he’s actually going to text or call me. I make sure that I have my wallet and she has her phone and then we head to the nearest food place.

We stumble upon a late night IHOP that we can eat for a little while without, hopefully, getting strange looks. The hostess set us in a booth that was near the door but still far enough that we couldn’t be seen.

"Hello ladies! Welcome to IHOP! I’m your server, Melinda. What can I start you beautiful ladies off with today?"

"Hello! I would like a Sprite please," I say. I always get Sprite because if their Sprite is nasty, then their food must be horrible.

"Hi. I think I would like some coffee?" I raise my eyebrows at Eleanor’s choice in drink today. She usually gets a cold drink, whether it be tea or a soft drink. "I’m a little bit angry so I want a fiery drink to suit my anger," she says. The smile on her face reflects this idea almost perfectly.

The server quickly returns with our drinks and Eleanor immediately begins pouring packets of the sugar into her coffee. The girl likes her coffee and tea like she likes her men: charming and passionate. I take slow sips of my sprite as I try to focus on the situation happening in front of us. I don’t want to be reminded of the negativity that clouds us after we have this glorious meal.

"Alright. Are you ladies ready to order?" she pulls out her notepad and grabs the pencil stuck in her hair. "Can I have the three piece chicken meal with fries instead of tater tots?" I say. Once again, I always get a chicken meal at new places because if they can’t make a good chicken meal, then there is no hope. Can’t you tell how optimistic I am?

Can I have the 4 large chocolate chip flapjacks with 3 strips of crispy bacon and a side order of hash browns?" This time the lady joins me with a large eyebrow raise as El finishes her order. Melinda takes our menus and scurries off to the back. "Is there something you need to talk about," I hesitantly ask her. She seems like she’s binge eating and I’m not too sure why.

I began reviewing everything that’s been happening lately and nothing indicates for her to be this upset right now. She slowly looks up at me, "No why would there be?" This was the classic sign of a girl who is totally not okay but also doesn’t want to talk about it right now.

"I actually went swimming today. I almost killed a guy but I got into the pool and swam for a bit," I say to lighten the mood around us. She offers me a wide grin and pulls her phone out of her purse. "I just remembered a way that we can get back in our house. I left my window unlocked and I’m sure Louis is too dumb to realize it. After we finish up eating, we can go to the hotel and get our stuff and then go back to the house." I look to her almost as if I want to confirm that she’s okay. There’s obviously something bothering her about the house, or rather the people in it, yet she’s fine with going back there tonight. We haven’t even been away for 2 hours and they haven’t even tried to reach us. Plus we already bought the hotel room and I don’t like wasting my money. "Unless you tell me what’s wrong with you, this situation isn’t changing. You can go back to the house but I am staying at the hotel. I will return in the morning so I can get some clothes but I am not staying there tonight." Before she has a chance to reply, Melinda comes back with our food and finds some blueberry sauce for El.

We began eating in silence, both of us at a standstill for words as she continues to not answer my original question. "I’m going to go to the bathroom real quick. I shouldn’t be long." I dab my mouth free of any crumbs as she stands to leave. Something is definitely wrong with her and I wish she would just tell me.

Notes

hi lovelies!! countdown to college 25 days... dun dun dun