unconditional

chapter twenty fifth

"I'm going to head home." Ella says as she turned around to Victoria.

I see Charles opening his mouth so I say "I can take you home." I noticed myself slurring at my words, not realising how much I really drank that night.

"I think you've drank way too much, Lando. Thanks for the offer though" Ella replies with a smile.

I nod in disappointment, she was right but I wished I could take her home, more than anything.

"I could take you? I'm getting tired and only had one drink" Charles said, Ella responsed with a small nod.

I couldn't get mad at him, he was right, he barely drank so he was the only person to take her home. I nod at Charles in approval and he gives me one back.

I look at Ella as she walks closer to us, she opens her arms up and gives me a hug goodbye. I just wanted her to stay in arms forever. "I'm so sorry about everything tonight. Thank you for sticking up for me," Ella whispers into my ear. I don't say anything back, I just hugged her tightly, for what felt like a long time. But not long enough.

They both wave goodbye and I watch as they both leave through the dance floor, Charles guiding her as they go.

The rest of night just felt miserable without her. I couldn't stop thinking about her, hoping she was okay.

I started to just drink a lot, and as I headed to leave an hour later or so, a girl with long blonde hair and a bright smile kept trying to talk to me. It was clear that she knew who we all were, she kept shoving her phone in my face for my number. Eventually, I just gave in. I kept thinking of Ella as I spoke to this girl named Georgina, but I couldn't just wait for a girl who was already with someone else. Ella doesn't want me, so I guess I need to want somebody else.

I woke up with yet another painful headache, this time with a girl in my bed. I struggled to even remember her name, I had to check my phone contacts. Georgina. Why couldn't this be Ella in my bed?

I check my texts to see Daniel asking me to go his yacht in the afternoon. I was definitely excited to go, especially since we wouldn't be able to do this again since we are heading to Spain the next day. Georgina woke up and immediately wrapped her arms around me, I smiled at her, but I honestly just wanted her to leave. I felt bad for bringing her back, but to be honest it was clear she was using me and I guess I used her.

She asked me what my plans were for today and I stupidly told her about going to Daniel's yacht. She asked to come and I couldn't think of an excuse to say no, so I said yes. A part of me hoped Ella would be coming, Victoria was definitely coming so she had to. Maybe if she sees me with another girl, she'll realise I'm the one she wants and that she needs to leave whatever guy she was with. But I guess that's just false hope. But who knows?

We get to the yacht and only Daniel was there, I introduced him to Georgina. He looked at me, his eyebrows raised, he looked disappointed in me. But who cares. We all sat down on the boat, Georgina decided to sit on my lap. Despite the fact that there was all the space in the world for her to just sit down.

Then, Daniel looks over onto the pier and starts waving his hands as he starts walking to the side of the boat. I hear footsteps and giggles, instantly knowing who it was.

There was Ella, in a white bikini, she looked unreal. As soon as we made eye contact, her cheeks flushed with red like they always do when she gets embarrassed or nervous. That's when I realise that Georgina was still sat on my lap, I panic and move so she gets off of me.

Victoria greets me with open arms, I stand up and go to hug Ella, she whispers a hello to me with a faint smile. I go back to sit next to Georgina, and Ella and Victoria sit opposite us with Daniel.