Night Walker

Chapter 1

"It's true, I swear!" Elliot thrashed around, his dark-brown hair falling slightly against his forehead as his round glasses slipped lower and lower down the bridge of his nose.

He had been talking with his hands for the past five minutes, nearly knocking over his drink twice. "My auntie's boyfriend's, sister's cousin said it happened to her!"

Rosalie slowly lowered the piece of fruit she'd been holding. She stared at him for a moment, then she blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

"That's the most ridiculous sentence you've ever said."

Elliot's mouth fell open.

"How?"

"Because you somehow managed to name four people who aren't even related to you."

"They are related to me!"

"How?"

"Through marriage."

Rosalie's eyes narrowed.

"Your auntie's boyfriend's sister's cousin isn't related to you."

Elliot paused.

"Yes, she is."

"No, she isn't."

"She could be."

"That isn't how family works."

"It is in my family."

Rosalie stared at him like she was trying to decide whether he was genuinely stupid or just committed to the argument.

"You don't even know the woman's name."

"That doesn't mean she's not related to me."

"You literally just said your auntie's boyfriend's sister's cousin."

Elliot pointed at her.

"Exactly!"

"That proves my point!"

I couldn't help but laugh as Elliot threw his hands up in frustration.

"You guys are missing the point!"

Rosalie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and I saw a mermaid when I went to the beach last week." She exhausted.

Elliot's entire expression changed, his eyes widening behind his glasses.

"You did?"

His voice was filled with genuine wonder as he turned toward her, completely forgetting the argument he'd been making only seconds ago.

Rosalie stared at him.

Then a grin slowly spread across her face.

"No, stupid."

She laughed, taking her pointer finger and thumb together before thumping his forehead.

"Don't play like that." He rolled his eyes.

"You're the one who said it!"

"And you're the one who believed me."

"I hate you."

He groaned, turning toward me with an exaggerated look of betrayal.

"Why is she even in our friend group?"

Rosalie's mouth dropped open.

"Oh, excuse me?" She placed a hand dramatically against her chest.

"I've been nothing but kind to you." He pouted. "You've been bullying me since freshman year."