Becoming Ella: An Opposites Attract Romance Page 21
Right as I am finishing my last coat of mascara, I hear her car rolling to a stop in front of my house. I rush out of the bathroom and make sure that I have everything I need in my purse, and give myself another once over. I hope that the weather cooperates with my hair today because the last thing I need when I (hopefully) see Will at the fair tonight is my hair to be three sizes bigger from humidity.
I rush out to Violet, and she rolls down her window and squeals.
"Look at you, hot stuff!" she screams, laying on the horn appreciatively.
I do a little twirl for her, and she goes crazy, applauding, wolf-whistling, and hyping me up much more than I deserve.
"Damn, my best friend is hot," she exclaims as I throw open the passenger door.
"Oh, stop," I laugh.
She chuckles and turns the AC a notch higher, instinctively knowing that I don't want to chance my hair getting any frizzier. Violet starts to back out of my driveway, fiddling with the stations.
"Will is going to adore you in that dress," Violet smiles.
My happy mood falls a little. Who knows what tonight will bring? Violet sounds so sure that Will will want to get back with me, but who knows? He could already be halfway across the country.
Violet notices my down look. "Hey, come on. We both know that he'll get back with you. You're the hottest, smartest, nicest, bestest person in this whole world. If he doesn't want to get back with you, then I'll have to snatch you up for myself."
Violet quickly leans over and pecks me on the cheek. Her compliments warm my heart, and once again, I am fully aware of how amazing my best friend is. No matter what happens, she will always be by my side.
"Now, what are we listening to today? Podcast? News? Sports? Station?"
I laugh. "Since when do you listen to podcasts?"
"Since I discovered that not all podcasts are boring as hell! There are podcasts on literally everything. Here, let me show you."
She starts going through her app and reading out various descriptions of podcasts to me. During this, we are pulled over on the side of the road. I just smile — this is why it's going to take us until at least nine-thirty to get to the shop, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
By the time we pull into the shop's parking lot, it is nine forty-five. A little later than I expected, because Violet made a detour because she had a craving for bagels and cream cheese that she had to fulfill.
Normally I would be stressed at her doing that, but honestly, it was interesting because I've never been to this town before. And the bagels are delicious.
Also, realizing that it's something that Will would have done puts things into perspective. Not everything in life needs to be a straight shot — you can take detours and enjoy them.
The shop outside is green, and the front double doors are a bright metallic purple with sparkles. It looks horrid and like a place I would never step foot into ordinarily, but it also looks like a place that would house lucky troll dolls. So right now, it's exactly the place I need to be—Big Al's.
"What a place," Violet comments, parking in the closest spot.
Besides a black Jeep off to the side, our car is the only other one in the parking lot. If it were dark, this would be the perfect set up for a horror movie.
"It looked like on the website they had a lot of different trolls," I say, opening my door.
"Then it's exactly where we need to be," Violet says, opening her door too.
I already told her my plan. I knew that it was a good one because of her reaction. She usually thinks my plans are boring, but when I told her my plan for tonight, she didn't have one thing to add. She just said that it was brilliant.
I open the door, and a waft of incense drifts back at me. Inside, the plush carpet is the same color of purple as the doors. The short entryway leads to a silky red curtain that both Violet and I push through. I can't help the gasp that falls out of my mouth when I see what's on the other side.
"Wow, this place is incredible," Violet says, voicing my thoughts.
A magical thrift shop is the best way to describe it.
"Can I help you find something?" a deep voice asks, off to the left.
Violet and I turn, and there is a big man, presumably Big Al, standing behind a glass case that spans the entire left side of the shop. He's tall, at least six feet, probably mid-twenties, tattoos spanning all of his visible skin besides his face, and he has dark, intense eyes that match his dark brown hair.
I watch as Violet's eyes go wide as she takes him in, and it makes me smile. That look is only reserved for cute boys; I recognize it quickly. Big Al seems oblivious to it.
I realize that he asked us a question and is waiting for the answer. I clear my throat.
"Hi, sorry, I called the other day. I spoke to Big Al, is that you?"
The man shakes his head. "No, I'm his son. But what can I help you with?"
"I called asking about some trolls. You know, those lucky troll doll things? I called, and Al said that you guys have a ton."
Big Al's son nods, a smirk on his face. "Yea, we do have a large collection."
He leads us to the back of the shop, and Violet keeps giving me looks, clearly interested in Big Al's son.
Big Al's son takes us past a knight in armor and a wall of posters with cartoons from my childhood. This place really does have everything you could want but nothing that you need. It's brilliant in an odd way.
Big Al's son steps behind a case near the back of the store, and when Violet and I step up, I can see that all the rows of the case are overwhelmingly stuffed with trolls. Trolls of every shape, size, hair color, body type, and outfits. Some of them are in original boxes, and some of them are in sets.
"Wow, you really weren't kidding," Violet says, glancing at Big Al's son.
He nods, not backing down from her eye contact. For the first time since we came in, he smiles.
"What's the occasion?" he asks, looking straight at her.
I watch Violet's face flush. There is already so much tension between the two that I feel like excusing myself so that they can have their moment.
"My friend, here, is trying to win a guy back," Violet says.
I shoot her a look, and she shrugs, not seeing the problem with being so blunt with a stranger we just met minutes ago.
Al's son turns towards me, and he raises his eyebrow. "Trolls are the way to a man's heart? I always thought it was food."
I shrug and flush. Maybe this was a stupid idea after all. Maybe Will will also think this is stupid, and then that'll really be it. Or perhaps he won't even show up tonight, and all of this will be for nothing.
"Special man," Violet fills in, saving me from the awkwardness.
He smiles and nods, "Well, take your time. As you can see, we have quite the collection."
I nod. "Thank you."
He starts walking off to the side and disappears behind purple velvet curtains. As soon as we can't hear his footsteps anymore, Violet gets close and squeals in my ear.
"Did you see him? He is so freaking hot," she gasps, pinching me on the arm.
I jerk back. I would be annoyed, but the look on Violet's face is so cute, and I did see the way that he was looking at her. Although I haven't forgotten her last recent heartbroken texts over UnoGuy.
"You should get his number," I say, starting to look through the racks.
I look for trolls that will catch Will's attention and that I think he would like.
"Get his number?" Violet asks, seeming genuinely shocked that I would ask her that.
That's how I know that her attraction to him is serious. She never gets flustered around boys. She has always been the one to ask guys out and not have a single problem doing it.
"Yea, get his number," I say, kneeling so that I can better see the lower rows. "He was staring at you. He's probably interested. Just ask him if he wants to get lunch or something."
"Go to lunch or something?" Violet asks with even more disbelief in her voice.
"I know. I just…I don't know."
She plops down next to me, and together we search through the trolls. I see her look towards the velvet curtains multiple times.
Half an hour later, I have four trolls.
I never thought that trolls were so much money, but I shell out close to a hundred for all of them.
After Big Al's son is done checking us out and we are almost out the door, he yells, "wait!" after us. We stop, and I feel Violet stiffen by my side. She turns, and Big Al's son hands her a piece of paper. I watch as her cheeks go bright red.
"Let's do lunch," he winks.
Her face heats even more. I don't think I've seen her go that red since she sat in milk the first day of sixth grade. Violet nods and lets out an awkward guffaw, which for once, I am glad to hear her do instead of me. Once we are in the safety of her car, she squeals again.
"Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh," she exclaims, holding the piece of paper proudly between us.
His name is scribbled across the bottom.
"Noah," she says, tucking the paper into her wallet.
"I wouldn't have pegged him for a Noah," I say, buckling up. "He seemed more like a Tyler or a Toby. Something T, you know?"
"Nah. Noah suits him," she says, also buckling up.
Her face is still red as we pull out of the parking lot and make our way home.
As we get closer to home, I get more nervous. What if Will didn't even check his email?
24
It's a little after one by the time we get back.
I told Will to get to the fair around two. I haven't gotten an email back, so I don't even know if he's coming. I hope he does. I hope that tonight goes exactly the way I want it to.
Violet drops me off at the front of the fair. There is already a swarm of people gathered at the entrance, even more than there was the last time Will and I were here.
"You sure you don't want me to come with you?" Violet asks, flipping a guy off as he honks at her.
The place we're stopped technically isn't a place you're supposed to park, so I know that we have to keep this short.
"I'm sure. Besides, you already have plans for tonight."
After Violet and I got home, she texted Noah.
She had squealed in delight when he texted back right away, saying that he didn't want to wait for a longer, more appropriate time to take her on a date. That he needed to see her tonight. Violet had said that even though text, he sounded hot, which I had to admit he kind of did. He had this alpha-male kind of vibe about him.
The man behind us honks again. Instead of ushering me out of the car and moving on, Violet rolls down her window.
"Calm the fuck down! Go around me, asshole!" she shouts, flipping the guy off again.
I can see from her rearview mirror the angry look on the guy's face as he stomps on the gas and speeds around us. A couple people on the sidewalk clap and give Violet a thumbs up as she closes her window.
One of my favorite things about Violet is that she isn't scared of anyone or anything. She's a tiny person, but she acts like she's eight feet tall.
"Thank you so much for helping me today. You're the best friend ever," I say, giving Violet a quick hug.
I try to pull away quickly because we really shouldn't be parked here, but Violet pulls me tighter against her, drawing the hug out.
"Babes, anytime. You're my best friend, and I'll always be here for you."
She pecks my cheek again, and I feel better.
"I love you," I say, opening my side door.
"I love you more!" she shouts back.
Violet pulls away from the curb and speeds into the rest of the traffic. I get myself in line and watch her car driveway, anxious to be alone. I'm nervous but hopeful, my stomach a flurry of emotions.
In less than ten minutes, I have my ticket and am at security. They don't even make a face when they see what's in my bag, but I still feel embarrassed when they prod each troll with their stick.
Once I am safely through security with my trolls, I set out through the fair. I need to leave these guys places where Will will look, even though I gave pretty clear instructions in the email.
The first spot I decide on is a lemonade stand. I ask the vendor if I can get some help tying the troll to the top. They give me a weird look, but they are younger teenagers, so they really don't care. They give me the tallest stool they've got in the booth, and I tie the troll up pretty high.
The troll that I put up there is the tamest one. It is a light brown color and has wild pink hair. It is also wearing a red and pink striped shirt, which helps it stand out against the yellow and green lemonade stand. I hope that Will will notice it.
I go through the rest of the fair, tying trolls to vendors that let me and lead to where Will and I left off at the fair, in front of the animal stalls.
My plan is that he will follow these trolls, and then he will come right back to where we left off. We can talk, and then we can finish out the rest of the fair like we should have the first time.
Or maybe he won't come at all. Perhaps all of this is tragically stupid, and I've made a massive fool of myself. Maybe I'll have to collect all of the trolls at the end of the night in shame.
Even though those feelings of doubt course through my stomach, by the end of my setup, I plop myself at an empty table near the barn we left off at.
It's one-thirty on the dot, which means that if Will is coming, he should be here soon.
I people watch to pass the time and soothe my anxieties.
I go back to my email again, reading over the message I sent last night.
Hi,
I know that you might not want to hear from me, but I want to see you again. If nothing else, just to explain myself. I'm sorry for the hurtful things I said the last time we were together. I said a lot of things that I didn't mean. I was scared when I said them.
I've done a lot of thinking, and I'm not as scared anymore. I want to make it up to you and apologize face to face.
Please meet up with me at the fair tonight. I'll be at the spot where things went wrong the first time. This time, I'd like to do them right.
— Ella
25
I recheck the time. It is nearly two o'clock now. The pit in my stomach is growing. I can feel anxiety clawing at my sides.
I wonder where Will is. For all I know, he could be halfway across the country. He always said that's his favorite part of owning a van. He can go wherever he wants, whenever. Maybe he wanted to get away after what happened between us.
Maybe the email address I sent my letter to isn't really his email address. Maybe he has a virtual assistant, and so it didn't really get to him. Maybe now Will and his virtual assistant think I'm stupid.
All of these anxieties whirl through my head. I nearly jump out of my skin when my phone buzzes against my leg. My heart races, thinking it might be a text from Will.
When I look at it, my heart sinks. It's not Will. It's Violet asking me how everything is going. I text her that there's no sign of Will yet, and she immediately texts me back with a sad face.
I feel bad that she's texting me in the middle of her first date with Noah. I should tell her to get off her phone and enjoy herself. I'm a big girl; I can handle myself.
Before I can type that out, she texts back telling me that if I need her, she's just a phone call away and that she'll drop everything, no questions asked. I smile, text her it won't be necessary, and put my phone back in my bag.
In fifteen minutes, I should call it. Accept defeat, take the trolls down, and go home. Start the process of moving on. Realize that Will and I aren't going to be a thing, just like I knew all along.
But instead of it being because we are two different people, it's because my fear held me back from being with him.
I take a heavy breath and bite down hard on my lip. I am not going to cry right now.
To the left, I see a couple come out of the barn. The guy twirls the girl around, dancing with her to the live music playing a couple booths down. She is laughing, a grin so huge on her face that her cheeks must hurt. He is looking at her with so much love that it makes me a little sick to look at them.
Thinking that Will used to look at me that way not too long ago slices through my chest.
The guy scoops the girl up into a bear hug, and I can hear her laugh all the way over here. People part around them, some staring in annoyance and some looking at them like they're two cute animals at the zoo. Regardless of how people look at them, they make way for the couple and their love.
I am so caught up in staring at the couple that I barely register the bench moving beneath me until it dips further to the right, and I am caught off balance. I startle, and then there is Will.
In front of me.
Sitting with me on the uneven bench.
"Will," I breathe, almost like I can't believe he's really there.
"Ella," he says, smiling at me.
He's dressed in a light blue button-down shirt with small white polka dots. His hair looks freshly styled, perfectly swooped back and to the side, held back by black sunglasses. The sight of him takes my breath away. He's always looked amazing, but he looks especially great right now.
My mouth flails as I try to come up with something to say. I have rehearsed this moment in my head so many times in the past twenty-four hours, but nothing sounds like a good option now.
I probably look stupid.
Will looks at me expectantly.
"Sorry," I say, my cheeks hot. "I didn't think you would actually come."
Will smiles, not as big as I'm used to, but it still sends heat through my body. "Of course I came," he says. "Sorry I'm a little late. I was on the other side of Wisconsin when I got your email."