Between the lines • a between us sequel (Ellie Williams x female oc)

𝟐𝟑 • 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗐𝖾𝖽 𝗆𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾

Abby

It was a rough night. Not much sleep, and the sleep I did get wasn't of quality.
I felt bad about breakfast- about how I let that woman get the best of me.
As much as I didn't like her, I knew she wasn't trying to 'ruin my life' even though it definitely felt like that at times.
She had this quality about her... a special charm or spell... I don't know. I can't pinpoint it, but as I've said before, I can understand Skyler's weakness for the girl.

I reach over, grabbing my phone and glasses from the nightstand, and unplugged the device from its charging port.
Adjusting the glasses to my face, and making note of the increasing blurriness, I squint at the text message on the screen.

11:57 p.m

Ms. D - how's Skyler doing?

Confused, I rubbed my eyes under the lenses, and when that didn't help, I wiped my glasses on my shirt thinking they were smudged and that's why I wasn't comprehending.
Except, they weren't dirty and my eyes weren't that beyond help just yet.

The first thing I do is text Skyler. I didn't want to come off worried or overbearing, but I'd be lying if the worst possible scenario didn't come to mind.

It was a simple good morning, and I waited for a response, thinking she'd reply right away as she often did when she wasn't at work, but given it wasn't even 8 in the morning...
I could be waiting awhile.

I considered texting Ellie, but would the kidnapper really say anything other than she's perfectly fine and safe and not already across the border by now?

My fingers tangle through my hair as I combed through it, and impatient frustration brewing.

"Fuck this."

I clicked Skyler's contact, and held the phone to my ear.

Once, twice, three times it rang, and just as I thought I'd get her voicemail, she picked up.

"Hello?"

Quietly, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey... uh... are you okay?" I asked guilty. While I'm over here thinking something terrible happened, her groggy morning voice basically screamed how big of an idiot I was.

"Yes..? Are you okay?"

She genuinely sounded concerned, and I felt like an asshole...

"Yeah... shit, I'm sorry-" I sigh into the phone, sitting back down on the bed, "I got worried. Donna texted asking how you were doing, and I didn't see it till this morning. Are you sick? Or is Ellie-"

"No, no, I'm fine. Ellie's fine..."
I hear rustling on the other end, her voice dropping to an almost whisper,
"We just had plans that ran late last night s'all."

I stop. I think.

Oh.

Oddly enough, I found myself smiling. Sure, it stung and stung might be an understatement... but I didn't want that kind of relationship with Sky- the jealous and bitter kind all because she moved onto someone else...
In my mind, nothings changed. I still loved her as a friend and want what's best for her, but more than anything, I want her to be able to tell me things, even the things she thinks I didn't want to hear.

"Damn, she must've wore you out, huh?"

"Huh?!"

Skyler's voice pitched an octave, or 2, 3... immediately toning it down a notch as to not wake the still sleeping Ellie I assumed.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

I chuckle into the phone, her reactions truly felt worth the stern talking to later.