Collecting Polaroids |Slowburn|

Chapter 23

I looked up at the sky and smiled. It was a clear night, just the right conditions to see the meteor shower. 

"Why stars?" Elliot asked suddenly. I turned to look at him, only he was already watching me curiously. I stared at him for a few moments before sighing. 

"When I was 12, I met this girl," I began, walking back to the door and sitting down against it. 

"Her name was Marleen. She was so crazy, like she would do insane things. Always looking for adventure. This one time she jumped off of my roof into the pool. We immediately became really close and I couldn't imagine life without her," I faltered, squeezing my eyes shut. All the memories came rushing back. I felt Elliot's hand on my bare knee, gently rubbing circles. I intertwined our fingers, feeling a bit better knowing he was there. 

"We planned our entire futures together. We would go to UCLA, get degrees in humanities. And then travel to every country and help other people around the world. Get married, be each others' maid of honor, have kids. It was really a stretch because we were only in high school then," I laughed, thinking about it.

"She seems like an amazing person," Elliot spoke. I opened my eyes, blinking away the tears. He gazed at me with an emotion I couldn't place. 

"She was," I whispered. "Marleen wanted to go to a party. It was hosted by some popular guy, she was completely obsessed with him. And I didn't want to go because we didn't even know the guy. But Marleen was hell bent on going, so she went without me."

I stopped for a moment. I could feel my throat starting to burn from holding back the tears. 

"It's okay," Elliot murmured, pulling me to his chest. My wet hair pressed against my cheeks as he held me against him. And I cried. I cried for the first time since that night. It hurt so bad, as if someone reached in and squeezed my heart. 

"I can't," I sobbed, holding onto Elliot as if he would disappear. "It was my fault, I should've been there. I should've stopped her. It should've been me."

"Shhh, just let it out," Elliot whispered, stroking my hair. 

I don't know how much time had passed before I calmed down. Elliot was still gently twirling my now damp hair between her fingers. 

"I'm sorry," I whispered, looking up at him through my lashes. 

"Don't be, you've held it in too long."

"I know," I mumbled. Then I realized I hadn't told him what had happened. 

"September 12, 2018. She died after 2 days in the hospital due to alcohol poisoning."

I felt his chest move as Elliot did a sharp intake of breath. 

"I'm sorry. But there's nothing you could've done Isla. Trust me when I say that."

I nodded slowly, letting my eyes travel up to the sky. The stars twinkled against the dark background. 

"She loved stars. Every Friday night Marleen would sneak out and meet me on my roof so we could watch the stars. I knew almost every constellation in my area by the time summer was over. "

"That's amazing," Elliot murmured and I turned too look at him. His chiseled jaw tilted towards me as he gazed up into the dark night. 

"I'm sorry," he said after a moments silence. "I shouldn't have been so rude to you that night. When you told me about the stars."

"It's okay," I whispered. I leaned my head onto his shoulder and relaxed, keeping a lookout for shooting stars. 

A few moments later I saw one. A single bright streak shooting through the pitch black sky. 

"Look! Did you see it?"

"Wait where?" Elliot asked, his eyes darting from side to side. 

"Hold on, you have to focus so you can only see the stars."

We were silent for a few more minutes before Elliot pointed to his right.

"There's one!"

And indeed, there was a fiery orange colored streak dancing across the sky.  I could feel my heart race as more and more began to flit through the darkness. My fingers tingled and a warm feeling spread through my chest. 

"Thanks for staying with me. I know you're not used to being in situations like this," I whispered, biting my lip shyly. I felt Elliot shift beside me as he stood up, pulling me to my feet. I watched my feet shuffle nervously as I stood in front of him. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me to him. I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck in a hug. 

"Is this how a hug works?" he asked, amusement in his voice. 

"Yup. You're pretty good at this," I giggled. "I always knew you weren't a hardass."

I heard him scoff before pushing my shoulders back. I snickered as he crossed his arms. 

"You sure about that," he asked, flexing his muscles. 

"Oooh I'm so scared," I mocked, sliding open my door. "Bonne nuite, Mr.Macho."

"Bonne nuit mon amour."