-CHAPTER 7- 

"I'm sorry. Theo's not here." 

As if it was a tragic news, it bolted in her mind. "What? No, you're lying." She denied. "Tell me." 

Matthew admitted that his tone was unconvincing but it was his truth. He immediately think of ways to sound believable. "Why wouldI lie? I'm not good at that." 

Ella crossed her arms and gave him a blank stare. She never thought of being this upset early in the morning. 

"I bet my balls, Theo is not aroud." Placing his hands on his apron's pockets, Matt wondered how is she in denial for this. She is really desperate, I really have to call this dude. He thought. 

Ella rolled her eyes and gave up eventually. The sigh indicates her loss for this day. Why so sudden?  Flashes of potential reasons for Theo's dissaperance was on her mind rent free for the next few minutes. She also had no choice but to order her morning cup. 

Despite of the promos, the prices are searing painful for her purse. At least for her. Dumbfounded, Ella was still on her mind as she feel in line with other costumers. 

Matthew was skillfully processed her drink, pouring the freshly heated Toffee mixture for Ella's Iced Cold Toffee in Medium size. 

Waiting for her drink, she corssed her legs and decided to take a glance at her wallet. That boosted her anxiety, Ella's budget was on the edge. Never though of settling for a mediums size. 

Gotta be thrifty. Relax Ella, you'll get that pile of dollars soon.  

"Classic Sweet Macchiato for Ella. Here's your drink. You can call me Matthew. Keep Grindin'" In a complete sentence, Matthew purposefuly served her order. He didn't expect that she would roll her eyes in his charming smile. Impossible. Expressed in defeat. 

Her dead  and bired stares shifted into something casual. "Thank you." Ella stood up smiling and walked out of the cafe. Meeting the bright sunlight she walked for a few miles to calm her anxious mental state as she sipped in her plastic straw. 

Where the hell he could be? Did he ran away from me? Was I too annoying?  I think I did really pissed off and left in boiling blood. 

Her thoughts was ridiculous. 

Stepping out of the cab, her overthinking period was vanished into thin air and quickly replaced her rush to the class. Ella was lucky enough to catch up. Kath and Lynn are also waiting for her to death. She quickly take her seat with her coffee. 

Her coffee, from The New York Grinds Cafe. 

That realization can make an bulge and widen. In panic, Ella effortlessly hid the cafe's logo using the free tissue in her cup. By all means, Kath and Lynn shouldn't know where she had been. 

"Is that a New York Grind's drink?" Kath already saw the logo that aquired her mixed thoughts and reactions. That's really something for her. 

Lynn also noticed her coffee cup as well. "Wow that looks expensive." She didn't hesitate to sip for a while without her permission, Lynn was suddenly thritsy. "That's a good Toffee order." 

Kath wants to ask. "Ella did you-

"I met my Aunt there, she ordered for me." It was a lightning defense for her. They both nod and eventually Kath took a quick taste from the expensive and well done drink. Ella, however, is not comfortable lying. She has to be honest for at least, she was also certain that there will for her to say anything.

An activity was tasked to the whole class, a company financial statements and reports. Divided into five groups with each distinct category reports, their output must be well discussed, computed and eveluated in able to their rubrics. All of them already presumed that this is a heavy morning period. 

They prepared their calculators, mechanical pencils bond papers and other necessities. Lynn, Kath and Ella were lucky to be in the same group. They formed their circles and start their activity as soon as they got the assesment sheet. 

Grace, their leader assigned them one by one and quietly started their works in full investment of attention and focus. 

Write, erase, and calculate, the cycle goes on and on and they were delighted as they progressed as a group. It reminded her again why she chose this course and field. Seeing all the numbers organized, well computed was fair enough to invest thoroughly and study on this University. 

While Kath is on full focus filling up the 'total' labeled column, Karen spoke to her in discrete. 

"Have you heard about Greg's party? That hot jock from the engineering department, he's holding a rich-ass party in his villa. Are you guys told to come over?" Karen was full of anticipation and indirectly boasting. 

Kath's anticipation also popped and turned to her. "Actually I was also invited. Have you seen the villa? I bet everything will be expensive as fuck." She grinned and lciked her lip while indulging hersefl on mental images, 

Lynn overheard the girls. "Well if isn't the great Karen who's fond on parties, of course you would come." She finally leaved her attention and put her focus on the chit-chat. 

Ella was listening to them and she decided to join in. "Parties huh? When?" Crossing her arms, she gently rubbed her bicpes and confidently joined. 

Her chest felt elevated, Lynn smiled. "I bet it would be fun for us room-mates to drink sometimes. Greg's villa will be a blast." They all scoffed quitely. 

And that's when Ella formulated her honest alibi. For Theo.  

"Actually I was invited by Greg's blockmate, he said it'll be nice to bring a date... it was awkward and I was like 'yah sure, like getting to know each other sort of thing' Trevor has been chatting me for weeks." Kath spilled her tea that made everyone intrigued, Karen even gasped in astonishment. 

Curious yet contained, they wondered about the guy he mentioned. Was he hot? Rich? Smokin? Kath just bit her lips because of excitement. She just used to things like boys who come and go and parties. 

With the thought of getting a 'partner' to the upcoming house party. An idea sparked within her like a bulb. That's it. Her perfect alibi flashed before her eyes. 

Elbow on table and palms on her nape, Ella boasted. "Seems like everyone is bringing their partners, guess I'll blend in." She was brazen at the moment. 

"Ella Parker, and 'boyfriend'?" Lynn emphasized what she heard, it was tto digest such phrases for a girl like Ella. What's the real fuss huh?  

Kath leaned closer to their circle. "Telle Ella, who's who?" Her curiosity was on the top, it was unexpected for her ears. It's been ages since Ella engaged in opposite sexes. 

Ella consistently smiled in their reaction. Her confidence bloomed and stared somewhere before continuing their activity.

Yes, it was Theo. She suddenly thought of hiring him to accompany her. And a perfect chance for the hookup. And the next thing she will knew, hello cash. 

"I do look forward to that man of yours."  Lynn poked Ella's elbow with hers before realizing something that made her gaze widen. "Ow shit! Few minutes left." Her exclamation made the rest of them fasten up their work that was eventually mixed with distinct laugher and a mix of comedic panic. 

Turns out, the whole class was also eavesdropping for the past few minutes. A stern and serious mood apparently occupied their atmosphere. 

Few ticking clocks passed, first two groups were early to wrap up. Ella's group followed suit

After the class, they stepped out of their room. The laughters followed and was produced by their girls. Remembering how they fucked up the activities, the giggles that was aching to be released and Ella can't stand seeing them. 

Fuck the classroom's chit-chats. Lynn was highly embarrassed because earlier was done in a rush. The three ladies continued towards the department's exit and planned for a quick munch. 

"How about for a quick rice bowl?" Kath, with a starving stomach, suggested while clinging with Ella. With a plan on her mind, she actually planned to treat her girls. But that plan was ruined when a voice interrupted their walk. 

"Ella!" It was Megan. Three of them recognized her.

Ella was pointing at herself to make sure that it was her name. Megan smiled and fixed her maxi dress from running. "Hello ladies, can I borrow perhaps Ella for lunch?" They tension went awkward for a while, so as their facial expressions. Megan was honestly aware that it is unexpected, she just felt the urgent need to talk to her new friend. 

Silence followed the mood in contrast from earlier. Megan didn't receive a response for the hot minute, not until Lynn answered. "Of course you can. Why so sudden." Casually saying it with a smile. 

"We need to talk about the stuff... from last week's. Just you know, catching up." That wast the finest reason she could ever sustain. Megan sounds convincing. 

Kath sighed and smiled, finally taking the time to understand. "It's fine. Ella should be right here for the next period though." Her arms clinged at Lynn's. "Tootles!" She said as she dragged her afterwards. 

+++

Megan reserved a seat for two in a cozy and enclosed resto near the campus, an Asian-cuisine. As soon as thier orders were served, the two girls dig in to their bowl of goodness. It was obvious for them both that waiting starved them. 

Rice bowl, toppings and a bonus order of red wanton beef noodles that they both shared. Ella may find it hard to believe that she finally tried to have lunch with someone other than her girls, it's was a good grief that Megan was welcoming enough for a person like her. 

As soon as Megan gulped in her cold water, she cut to the chase and asked her about Theo. She just have to make sure that Ella did well. "The New York Grinds, how did it go?" Blinking, her curious gaze focused on her as she devour a spoonful of fried rice. 

After silently compliementing how well seasoned their meat was, Ella casually answered as well. "About that... something actually happened?" 

Megan was a about to eat another spoonful when it paused mid-air. "What happened? You didn't find him? How come you didn't-

"Theo. Theo was the name is it? Fortunately I did meet him." Megan's mouth rounded in awe. They both exchanged their smiles. 

"Well girl, I think you did it! So what does Theo look like? Do you find him....."

"Interesting? Of course he is." Ella admitted. The girls covered their mouths and modulate their chuckles as they converse. 

 After sipping on her drink Ella continued and described him. "It was the cafe's anniversarry when I went there. Everyone was smokin hot actually, the guys wore nothing on top aside from tehir custom aprons." Megan did recognized that 'tradition' of the cafe, Ella explained the rest of what she saw. 

Ella nods as if she was boasting. "He was actually the show stealer because of his crimson red hear. And when I tell you, I got really hooked and find him hot. Literally." Eyes widened, she really mean every word. 

"I mean, his body can tell. Hot figures don't lie. Told ya." While chewing, Megan listened to some more, they apparently shared the same level of anticipation. 

"But yeah I guess he was eally 'good' at it. Unfortunately, I visited him this morning and guess what?" Ella can't even put her spoon down. 

"Uh, what happened?" 

Her eyes lips closed and inhaled the aroma of their orders. "Theo wasn't around. Like, no signs of him. What could go wrong huh?" Reading her expression, Megan was also clueless. Surely she didn't get to experience that. 

"Are you kidding me?"

"No. Why the hell would I?" Ella denied while chewing. "Besides, I'll make sure to visit again. I'm certain that there has to be a reason for his absence."

Megan nods in agreement. "You should. I mean, at least you can gain a spot...for him to hit your 'spot'." She cracked a dirty one, that made Ella almost choked in her water. 

Ella go on with her embarrassing episode in The New York Grinds. From her terrible search for Theo and her unbelievable brazeness on her thinking out of desperation. Megan as well was embarrased, making the two of them laughed. 

"That was super embarrassing, I am relieved that I didn't get to see that." Megan shared the same feeling that Ella has. 

After Ella telling the side of her story after for a few moments, she decided to share Megan her alibi. 

"Honestly, I'm really certain that I'm being too secretive to my roomates. I don't want them to worried." She sighed after that. 

In curiosity, Megan tilt her head. "Why don't you tell them, as if it'll gonna harm them." That made sense for her, but Ella worries for a thing. 

"I mean, I already saw Theo before I could even know about him. But I don't know exactly, I just trust my gut and tell them when things are well again." Her worried intonation slowly dissolves. "After... I get deflowered." 

"You wanna do this, do you?" 

Tables have turned and she was petrified. Ella gulped and formulate her response to Megan's. That made her think thoroughly from the moment that she sipped on her water. 

Blinking a few times to get a hold of her self, she answered. "Of course I am. I just..." 

Mental blocked. 

She ca'nt even admit it to herself. Confused. In-denial. Trapped. Strangled. Clueless. Her relections are absured in the spur of the moment. "You just what?" 

Regaining the lost air and pressed it on her diaphragm, it quickly cured the sanity. "To tell you honestly, I really want to this before... I finish college. I mean it's an experience and finally decided to gave it a try. I was actually hesitant to tell you that, I'm sorry." Another lie Ella spat. She pretentendher fake intentions in dealing with Theo. Good grief, that was the smartest of her. 

Megan nod in a pouty lips. "Well, that made sense. To tell you, Theo really hates it when he founds out that bitches are just up for the money."

Ella silently nod as if she was happy to know that. "So by the way, I actually plan to make him my made up boyfriend for the upcoming of someone's house party. And that will be my excuse to be... fucked." 

Chewing the last spoonful of fried rice, the blast of its flavors and Ella's idea both made her eyes expanded. "Now that is fucking genious. Swear, perfect alibi." She tried her best to convince that her idea was great. She doesn't want Ella to doubt herself. 

The tissue pat gently on Ella's face after finshing her hearty lunch. It is her call for a good strong can of acid soda, she was thankful enough that Megan included to cans from her purchase. Her lips arched in to smile by that thought. 

Their cans met the in the mid air. "Cheers." They both chanted. Megan never felt so good dissovling the food with a gulp and of course gaining and helping naive friend. 

Megan encourage Ella to tell more about the party nad how she will do her alibi. She was more than willing to all of her ideas. The rest of their lunch was full of laughter, teas and shorts gossips; completely lost on their train of thought. Ella enjoyed the unexpected lunch with a stranger that shet met a few days ago. 

She felt bad for lying by twisting her intentions. 

+++

With the help of country slow-rock music, Theo find his trip to Wyoming seamless and therapeautic. It's the time of the year that he could get to visit her mother's home town. Even the ride in the cab itself.

It was his request to open the car's window to collect some fresh air. It rushed in his well pronounced nose, shredding his throughts away from the city. 

Stress. Work. Women. Sex. 

It gaves him the adequate warmth and solace. Just what he needs on this occassion, all dedicated to Marie's death anniversary. 

Theodore and all of his cousins are resposible for her secret burial. She was meant be buried back in London by his father's orders, his word swere always absolute. Theo recalled the difficulties in moving her corpse, which he couldn't fathom how humiliating that situation was. 

It's hard resisting to visit such memory. And that made him loathe even more for the people involved in his mother's death. Putting himself into a constant blame is something that he deserves. Shame, regret, anger, and pain. He kept it all in his chest. 

Discharging his luggage from the vehicle's trunk, his cousins were waiting on a metal gate in a simple residence. 

Home. 

"Theodore!" It was Conner, closest buddy. He's Theodore when he's in Wyoming, beloved friends and family get to call him by that. He smiled adn waved back as he apporached them. The reunited little family exchanged their pleaseantries when they got in. 

Theodore obviusly can't believe that he arrived seven-thirty in the morning, he checked his wrist watch. He took off his bomer jacket that revealed another layer of sweater as his shirt. The back landed comfortably on the vintage desiged sofa. 

"I see you're half and hour early." Conner commented while fixed the curtains to infuse more fresh cool air in their living room. 

That made him chuckled. "Well, guess who's just excited." 

"Well, I think it is." Daphne stood up from the single sofa and offered him. "Should I make you coffee?"

"No, please. It would be better if I'll make the coffee for all of us here, my thing." Theo offered gladly and voluntarily which made the lady's chest delighted. 

His expert hands handledthe kitchen for a moment and analyzed the given ingridients. Looks like chai related drink for this morning. He declared. 

Two shots of espresso with ice, sugar syurp and a chai concentrate for him to shake everything. Topped with whipped foam also mixed with the concentrate. He made this every cup for all of them. 

They all enjoyed the drinks in a cozy balcony of westerin fresh nostalgic air, surrounded by trees and glipmse of moutains, morning never felt so good for them. They enjoyed catching up especially from him. 

Well Theodore deicded to refrain from talking to his city life because he's here for her mother, they all laughed and complimented how well done their coffee was. Some of them are also preparing for breakdast and their little trip as  they visit the grave.  

A cooked native Turkey, he didn't see that coming for breakfast. Continuing their shared stories they also disscussed with Conner with their plans for later. Fishing, market shopping, and local luncheon trip. 

All orchestrated to relieve the painful stress of yestedays. 

Stress from yesterdays. That repeated in Theodores thoughts, remembering what he stressed about yersterday. A woman. 

She was a nosy and cocky one, Ella. The one who didn't fail to stress him off by being persistent in a very unfortunate date. Solid annoying while asking for sex. 

That made him recall her. The slightly colored fibers of her hair hit by the sunlight and falls perfectly at her back. With the eyes of a main character that he hated staring but somehow it gives justice to facial figures. Just the right placements of jaw and lips who produced words that boiled his blood. 

But still. Pretty.