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It was dusk by the time I got home after meeting my estranged friends. It was saddening to see so much of bitterness, pain and fights between them. I really hope Stef and Adam stop accusing each other but discuss their problems calmly and openly with each other without any form of insinuation. They are best friends first which makes it a more sensitive matter.

I sat down on the front porch of my house. I didn't wanna go inside. Ever since Katherine had started living here, I just couldn't shrug off the feeling of how this house didn't count as a home to me anymore.

I was facing the same situation Devon had all these years and yet it was hurtful that he claimed our lives weren't similar...

I closed my eyes shut. My mind went back to Stef and Adam. I really wanted them to be happy together like before. They were two of the most amazing people I knew. I didn't want to lose my friends.

They weren't sure of getting into a relationship on the first place. I was the one who insisted they should....so it is all my fault that there is so much of turmoil between the four of us now?

I-I feel so lost and alone....

"You're not alone, sweetheart."

I snapped my eyes open to see Devon standing at the gates wearing denim jeans and a white swag shirt with a charming smile lighting up his face. He looked impeccably handsome.

"Never think you're alone, Eleanor," he sat as he came over and sat down alongside me on the porch. "I am there with you like your shadow everywhere you go. You can empty all your pain and anxieties into me."

I was dazed looking into his eyes that held so much of depth for me. I felt peace and bliss in my heart as he held my hand.

"It's not your fault, Eleanor," he spoke affectionately again, "We all want the best for the people we love. But sometimes things don't work out. You didn't see the future so you shouldn't blame yourself for the problems between your friends."

"You're saying this because you want to make me feel good," I said.

"Nope. I'm saying this because it's true," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips that soothed me completely.

I leaned towards him and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I placed my head against his chest and wound both my hands around him and we hugged tightly/ I snuggled deep into his arms letting his warmth spread over every inch of my being.

"I don't want to lose you," I whispered.

"You won't lose anybody you love and care for," said Devon, kissing my hair.

"I feel like I've been given every precious thing in the world whenever you're with me," I said, listening to his heart beats that were music to my ears.

"You can count on me always, Eleanor. Everything that has to get to you has to pass through me," he said fondly.

I parted from him a little and gazed up at his smiling relaxed face. "Why can't you and I be like this always without any stress and complications between us?" I asked, looking into his pristine blue eyes.

Devon continued looking at me with all the adoration in his eyes.

"Eleanor!"

The sudden voice that called out to me from behind shook me off completely. I found nobody sitting next to me. My heart was beating fast. Devon was nowhere around. I had been hallucinating him all this while.

"So good to see you back home dear," said Katherine as she sat down next to me holding two glasses of ice cappuccino with straws in both her hands. "Why are you sitting outside?"

"Nothing. Just like that. The weather is quite good today," I tried to smile politely.

"So it is for sure!" her face lit up into a big smile. "Today seems to be like a lovely start to the spring season."

"Yeah."

"Here, have this, one for you," she cheerfully handed me one of the glasses of the chilled beverage, "and one for me. And now that we are settled, I cannot wait to know how your day was and everything about your school!"

"My day was good, thanks, and if you don't mind, I would really want to go upstairs to my room. "

I placed the glass of cappuccino aside, rose up to my feet and headed indoors.

"You must be hungry. I have made sandwiches. Shall I get it to your room whilst you freshen up?" I heard her call behind me as I was climbing the stairs.

I stopped on my tracks and half-turned to look back at her. "I was at my friend's place all this time so I'm not hungry."

"Oh-okay.."

"Thanks."

As I pushed the door open to my room, I was left startled. My room was clearly not how I had left it in the morning which was in a messy state. Instead everything was spic and span, properly arranged. Like every stuff had its own place.

I bounded downstairs and in the kitchen where I saw Katherine near the counter.

"Do you want anything, Eleanor? The sandwi---"

"Did you touch my stuff?" I asked, perhaps more loudly than I had intended to but I couldn't contain the irritation building inside me.

"I-I did...I thought maybe you'd like it...but I'm sorry if that upset you.." she said in remorse.

I spoke, trying to be as good as possible with my tone and words. "The thing is I don't like people unknown to me touching my stuff and that too in my absence, especially the stuff that Devon gave me. Those are extremely personal to me and I'm hardcore possessive about those. I'd appreciate if you understand."

"I'll keep that in mind. And don't worry, I didn't touch any of Devon's stuff. They were already kept carefully," she said kindly. "There is chicken pot pie for dinner. Heard from your father that it's one of your favs. Hope you like it."

I looked at her undecided. Why was she being so damn sweet? It was getting on my nerves. Couldn't she just drop the fucking act??

"You honestly don't have to be so nice to me," I said. "My father already loves you a lot and even then if you want to impress him or gain his trust or whatever, I will tell him nice things about you. Just don't force yourself into doing anything for me."

Katherine looked upset. "I'm not forcing myself into anything, Ellie, I mean Eleanor. I really want us to bond."

"Why?" I reacted at once. "Why is it so important for you to get along? I will be gone off to college in a few months. You will have all the world's time with my father alone 'cause I will be coming to meet him only during vacations. Hence, I don't see any necessity for us to bond. "

"I'm not only grateful for Eron but also for you, Eleanor," she said, her voice cracking with emotions. "I want to build fond memories with you before you go off to college. I want us to get along really well when you come over for vacations. I want you to not only stay in touch with your father when you're away but also with me....l-like a family...."

What the hell! Who did she think I was? A five year old kid who wouldn't understand that all of this was too good to be true? It had been hardly a few days she arrived and she actually expected me to treat her like she was one of the most closest and the best person to me.

She makes me wanna be sure as hell that there's some fucking hidden motive under that nice and genuine facade of hers!

I clenched my fists tight at my sides and had opened my mouth to make my thoughts vocal to her when through the corner of my eye, I saw Papa walk in the house.

I turned to look at him. He looked startled, his eyes crossed over from a frustrated me to an upset looking Katherine. And he immediately might have figured out what the matter was. I found it hard see sadness take over his eyes. I found it hard to see him hurt.

I released my hands from the fists and turned to Katherine again. "Thanks a lot. I love chicken pot pie. Can't wait to have it for dinner."

I smiled a little. She looked at me gratefully.

***

It was indeed a good weather. I let the breeze play with my loose curls while I sat on the front porch of the house drawing aimless patterns on the ground with my right foot when Papa walked over from behind and sit beside me.

"Didn't speak to you properly since I came. Bad father, ain't I?" said my father lightly but his eyes looked at mine apologetically.

"No issues, Papa," I smiled, hugging his arm in assurance.

"I'm sorry, honey, I shouldn't have brought Katherine here just like that....should've told you well in advance about her. I know you're still shaken by the suddenness of everything...." he paused before speaking further,

"When I'd left for this business tour, I'd absolutely no clue that after so many years I would find someone like her. We went out on a couple of dates, spent some interesting nights together," he winked boyishly and I immediately burst out laughing. Papa joined in too. "Yeah, so glad that you've turned eighteen and I can talk you about these stuff."

I laughed some more but settled down again as he spoke further, "It didn't take me long to realize that I surely wanted her in my life. I didn't know how to tell you this. It seemed weird actually 'cause you should be the one getting all nervous to tell me about the person you're dating, not the other way around! But I'm sorry again, Eleanor."

"You shouldn't be sorry about finding happiness, Papa," I said meaningfully, "So... you are gonna marry her, aren't you?"

"We clicked instantly, the moment we saw each other," Papa said fondly, "Like I haven't been so sure about anything in my life before---oh wait, I was when I chose that maroon color bicycle with a spooky dragon helmet to gift you on your 6th birthday--"

"7th birthday, Papa and I absolutely loved it! It was fun to scare Gran to nuts wearing that. She used to get so annoyed," I laughed remembering those wonderful memories.

"Yeah, right, 7th birthday...It's been so many years, honey..." he sounded nostalgic but happy, "On your first birthday, I had brought a creamy white vanilla cake but your round little nose had instantly turned red seeing it. We got a chocolate cake then and thank god your cute chubby nose turned pink again, " he said, playfully pinching my nose.

"So that's how I came to hate vanilla and love chocolate!" I giggled.

"Glad you told me this, Papa," I smiled lovingly at him. I hadn't come across pictures of my first birthday in any of my birthday photo albums. When I had asked Gran about it, she said they didn't have a camera then.

"So this Saturday, I'm thinking soccer. Are you in with me?" he asked in a jolly manner.

My eyes brightened up. "Ofcourse I'm in but....."

"Don't worry, I will not ask Katherine to come along and make it a whole bonding thing between you two," he laughed, "Not that kind of a father. It will be just the two of us like old times. Katherine wouldn't even want to interrupt."

"Papa, I'll-I'll try to get along with Katherine..." I said meaningfully.

"You will? Look, I don't want you to do that if you don't want to. It's completely your choice."

"I love you, Papa," I said fondly.

"I love you too, honey."

***

I sat at the dinner table with Katherine and Papa. She served chicken pot pie to us with a lot of cheer and fondness. I complimented her for its great taste and watched her face lit up with happiness. She was chirpy and bubbly throughout like it didn't even seem she was faking it all. She made Papa laugh. They looked at each other like they were deeply in love...And yet, I fucking didn't know why I felt my skin crawl with a weird uneasiness.

"Uh, Katherine...." I began hesitantly drawing her attention to me.

"Yes, Eleanor?" she smiled softly.

"I'd be happy if-if you'd accompany me to shopping tomorrow for the Prom night which will be held in school soon." I was about to go with Stef but never mind now.

"I'd love to," she said in delight, "Thank you so much Eleanor. It really means a lot!"