Our Autumn Fire

Twenty-Five

    The front door of Elliot and Wesley’s home burst open and Hayley led Alicia and Andre through, incessantly blowing on the noisemaker she had in her mouth. Cassidy followed cautiously behind them, trying to avoid Elliot if he was around.

    Wesley welcomed them in and thanked them for coming to help him set up his “Freedom Party” as Hayley had put it. He didn’t really want to throw a party for something so silly as being proven innocent, but Hayley had been on his case and had even gotten Elliot to side with her. Eventually he broke down and invited friends, family, and the teachers he worked with to join him for a night of good music, relaxation, and great food.

    No one had arrived yet, but people were due to come by within the hour, so the gang got busy setting up a few decorations and adjusting the light for the proper ambience as well as getting the carefully selected playlist of escape and freedom themed songs.

    “Where’s Eli?” Andre asked while pinning a colorful streamer to the wall.

    Wesley replied from across the room as he adjusted the lamp. “Oh, he had to run to the bank and deposit a check. He should be here in a bit.”

    “Speaking of being here, isn’t that the girl you went out with? The secretary?” Andre was looking out the window to see the first few guests beginning to arrive.

    “Why do you guys always give me shit about her?” he replied smiling.

    “‘Cause look at her! She’s fine!” Andre emphasized the last word.

    “Look at who?” Alicia teased.

    “Oh you, baby. I was just telling Wes here how you’re going to be the best looking on at this entire party!”

    Alicia gave him a sassy smile. “Mhmm.”

    “Hey!” Hayley complained. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

    “Oh, um. I mean, you look good to ‘Ley.”

    “What about me?” Cassidy added.

    “Yeah you too! All three of you are like Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena.”

    “Then who’s Helen of Troy?” Alicia crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the ground giving him a playfully angry stare.

    “Just give up, man.” Wesley advised.

    Andre sighed and they all laughed just as Bolt, Desiree, and Edward walked in. Others soon followed, and the party was in full swing. Cassidy was glad but surprised to see that Elliot had not gotten back.

    “You can’t just keep thinking about him, you know. Especially after what he did. That was seriously a dick move, and Wes agrees with me.” Hayley consoled her.

    Cassidy sighed but agreed. “Yeah, I know.” She twirled the strand of hair that fell across her face. “I just didn’t expect him to blow up like that.”

    “Why don’t you go talk to that guy?” Hayley pointed to one of Wesley’s co-workers, an undoubtedly handsome man… with white hair.

    Cassidy giggled and hit her friend. “Shutup. I go out on one date with an older guy and you hold it over me for the rest of my life!”

    “That sounds about right.” Hayley gave her a happy grin before going to retrieve some chips from the kitchen.

    Cassidy sighed and watched the people at the party enjoying themselves like she should be. As she scanned her eyes across the room, Elliot walked him and they held eye contact for a nanosecond before she looked away and he ducked into the nearest crowd. She sighed again and watched Hayley joke around with Wesley.

    “I can’t believe more than half the people in this room still think you’re gay!”

    “I know, right?” Wesley waved his arm and spilled his drink on the floor in excitement. “Oh crap.” He rushed to grab some paper towels and dabbed the floor to absorb the wetness.

    Hayley crouched down to help him, but she tripped and fell right next to his face. They both laughed and lay on the floor for a minute catching their breath.

    “Thank you.” Wesley turned to her and sincerely expressed his gratitude.

    “For what? I wasn’t even really around to help you with all this. And I should have been.” She sighed. “You shouldn’t be thanking me. I’ve been a horrible friend.”

    Wesley shook his head. “You had your own things going on, but I’m not thanking you about the school thing.” He put his hand on her upper arm. “I’m thanking you for being my friend, and for having faith in me without me ever having to say anything.”

    Hayley put her own hand on his chest. “You don’t need to thank me for that.”

    “I want to.” He looked at her deep grey eyes and smiled.

    She smiled back and leaned her face closer to his.

    Wesley moved forward in response, and both their eyes closed as their lips touched.

    Almost immediately they pulled away.

    “Okay, that was gross.” Hayley backed away and stood right back up.

    “Yeah,” Wesley shuddered involuntarily and stood up as well.

    “Let’s just pretend that never happened.” Hayley suggested.

    “I’m totally okay with that,” Wesley agreed. “So…” He struggled to find a new topic.

    “Hey fellas!” Elliot came up behind them and put his arms around their shoulders. “Did I just see a little bit of smooching action?”

    Wesley was going to deny it, but he knew he was caught. “Yeah…” He looked to the ground he had just been lying on. “That’s never gonna happen again.”

    “Dit-toh!” Hayley added in.

    Elliot gave them both a smirk before erupting into a fit of laughter. Hayley and Wesley couldn’t help but laugh with him, and the awkwardness passed as if it had never been present.

    Still hanging on their shoulders, Elliot looked over at Cassidy who was staring at the three of them.

    “You should talk to her, you know.” Wesley advised.

    Elliot sighed. “I don’t have anything to say.” He pulled his arms back and the other two faced him.

    “You’ll find the words,” Wesley reassured him.

    “Maybe.” He glanced over where Cassidy had been seated, but she was no longer there. “I’m gonna get some fresh air.” He left the others to mingle and exited the front door to watch the street from his porch.

    “Meow,” Tartar called from the grass beside the house.

    Elliot looked over at the dark shape with bright eyes that was without a doubt the small striped tabby who had become somewhat of a confidante for him. “Hey buddy.”

    The cat looked at him without moving.

    “You think I should talk to her don’t you?”

    “Meow.”

    Elliot sighed and leaned his back against the wall. “I just don’t know what to say. She was right, but I totally screwed up when I yelled at her.” He sighed again and ran his fingers through his hair. “I mean, how do you face someone after you completely tore them apart in public like that?”

    “Meow.”

    He looked over at the cat who had walked onto the park and curled up next to his feet. “Maybe you’re right.”

    “Meow.”

    Elliot smiled sadly and watched the fireflies light up in the empty street.