CHAPTER SIX
oovi.
ALL THE WAY FROM THE BEGINNING

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IN THE BACK of Audrey's Diner, behind the swaying doors, Elizabeth stood towards the right of the back of the room. Finally working part-time, Liz for two years had been living on the small paychecks she'd been given by an old man that owned the beat-down diner. Upon working there, she still oddly remembered the interview for the job-opening. The first impression of him wasn't something Liz could easily forget however. He was an older man, in his later forties, and maybe early fifties. However, he had this charismatic side to him, but to say the least, it creeped Liz out.

It wasn't anything new when he tried striking a conversation whenever he saw the younger girl working behind closed doors. Liz would be washing the dirty plates and forks, and he'd somehow show up right next to her when doing so. It become a known thing, and sooner Liz figured out a way to get her out of that situation. But even for as long as she has been working there, he always seemed to get on her nerves the same way.

Finishing off the last plate, setting it on top of the drying racks besides the rather larger sink, Liz dried her hands on the white apron on her brightly orange work uniform. It was a plain and simple dress, but Liz didn't like the color. It just didn't suit her skin tone very well.

Liz made sure to look around quickly before walking over towards the swaying doors that led out and into the dining area. She held a white cloth in her hand, grabbing a spray bottle of cleaner from on top of the shelves before exiting the kitchen. The diner wasn't too filled, but it was enough that made her feel comfortable. She stepped through the small gateways behind the counter, going over towards an empty booth. Cleaning the tables, she hummed softy to the music from the jukebox, singing the lyrics of Ritchie Valens song, We Belong Together.

The diner was hardly ever crowded, and only contained the few people who actually knew of the place. But it wasn't overbearing, and that's what Liz liked about it after all. Even if she had her moments with her manager, it all could be swept under the carpet because her paycheck said otherwise. Liz even managed to befriend one or two co-workers. They weren't close, or shared personal information about their lives, but it was mutual conversation when needed.

Liz continued to walk from table to table, occasionally skipping tables since they were occupied by customers. Walking back over towards behind the counter, she settled her cleaning products down for just a moment.

"Excuse me miss, could you help me out?"

"Yes of course," Liz urgently replied, turning around quickly to the voice behind her. "What can I get for you?" Liz started to say, before nearly tipping over herself. Her eyes grew wide, a smile beginning to beam on her face.

"Yes, I'd like to see my best friend if you don't mind. I heard she works here. And maybe a coffee too," Elle spoke, her arms crossed as they bent on top of the shiny white counters. Liz admired her best friend, the girl just a few feet away as her head rested calmly in her hand. Liz rushed out from behind the counter, embracing her friend in a tight hug. The two laughed together for just a few seconds, enjoying each other's presence.

"Elle, you— you look so beautiful a-and.. why are you here? When did you get back? I thought you were on your tour." Liz was nearly breathless, ecstatic yet confused and why Elle had planned on seeing her that day. She took a quick glance over her. From her curly hair pulled back by a bandanna, her denim tight jacket and high-waisted shorts that greatly showed of her figure. And the brown stringed boots that ran up from her feet to under her knees.

Elle had recently been busy with her music for nearly a year. From constant songs being produced by her management to her suddenly going on her first tour. She didn't know exactly where she'd gone, but she wouldn't be surprised if she crossed state from state. Liz, however, was just glad she was able to see Elle again.

They both agreed to sit near by a booth, Liz insisting she payed for both of their coffees. Liz placed the plate of milk and sugar in the middle of the table, the two now sitting across from each other. They sat in silence for just a few seconds, Liz looking around once in awhile to see if her manager had come by. She saw her co-worker, Jane, walk back into the kitchen.

Elle let out a heavy sigh, leaning backwards into her seat as her smiled brightened once more. "Liz, where do I even begin," she first started off, her head shaking in disbelief. She had a glint of excitement in her eyes though, shoulders shaking a little as a small giggle came out.

"All the way from the beginning," Elizabeth stated, her warm cup of coffee still in her hands. She listened to every word and detail of what Elle had to say, intrigued by her story line. Liz already knew how Elle met her record producer, Mark Hoffner, which was that night two years ago in their local college pub. He agreed to help produce Elle's first original, Baby Rue, which became a total success due to their different style of music taste fitting into one.

Later on, Mark helped her find a small team of musicians that helped her songs become even more of a hit. However, Elle decided to keep her stage name as Poppy, because she still considered herself as a solo artist. To begin with, Elle at first wasn't too keen about adding a few more people into her songs. She even sought advice from Liz a whole back. Elizabeth thought of the idea as something new, but urged her friend to do what she thought was right. Because in the end, it was Elle's career on the line.

However, a year later, Poppy's songs became more listened to on the radio, and became quite a hit. Poppy and her team were even sought out by multiple radio show hosts and small concerts to perform a song or two of theirs. They became widely known after that, and just a few months later, were already on a country tour of the United Kingdom. There, she performed nearly every week in each different state. Elle even mentioned small stories of the world trip, and how much different it was living in a bus than in a dorm.

"And now, I'm sweetly back in London, England. Nothing like being home," Elle finished off. Liz smiled at her friend, feeling the utmost respect and love for how she's made it this far.

"You have the quite the story to tell," Liz innocently joked, sitting forward as her arms rested on the table in front of her. "Really, Elle, I'm proud of you. I mean, at your age, look how far you've already made it. You have so much more ahead of you."

Elle smiled at her best friend, taking a sip of her almost empty coffee. Liz noted it, standing up to go grab so more. "Here, let me get you more," she offered.

"No, sit down. I wanna hear your story." Elle held out her hand, placing it on Liz's arm as she signaled for her to sit back down. Elle sat up, making herself comfortable once again in their little booth.

Liz scoffed a bit, hesitantly sitting across from her once again. "I don't think you'll get as much from me," she softly spoke. "I'm just a diner girl."

"Oh, come on. What's Lizzy been up to? How's your artwork?" Elle playfully added the nickname Liz dreadfully hated, Liz rolling her eyes a bit as a small smirk formed on her lips.

"The same as it already has been. Nothing new to begin with," Elizabeth bluntly spoke. It was true after all. Liz had been the same person throughout the two years. She couldn't say the same for Elle, though.

Elle tilted her head to the side, looking slightly unamused at the girls behavior. "That's it? I'm sure something has changed for the time being." Elle tapped her fingers on the table, trying to find a way to beat-around-the bush for the question she was about to ask. But she just couldn't help but ask blankly about it. "What about the drummer?"

Liz knew exactly where she was going with this, and didn't really like it from the start. She knew what happened between the two, and it hurt to say the least, but everything between them was gone. Instead, she furrowed her brows, shaking her head a bit as she leaned forward a bit. "Who?"

"Playing dumb doesn't work with me, Lizzy. You know who I'm talking about," Elle admitted, crossing her arms along her chest.

Liz sighed a bit, shrugging her shoulders. This earned her a groan from Elle. "You know, the handsome young lad with blonde hair and drum sticks? He played—"

"I know who he is," Liz quickly claimed, looking down at the table. Two years, she thought to herself. Elizabeth felt completely stupid for a man like Roger to get under her skin. She tried. She tried to catch the attention of his for a long time. But not only had he become famous for the new band he played in, but he was way over the top for him to even think of her. Of course, she noticed how much time and effort she put into seeing him than him seeing her. It hurt, a lot, but it was something Liz needed to get over.

Roger Taylor was just another boy for the books. She regretted the hook up with him, the time she spent drinking with him, and the time she fantasized over him. She was a fool in her freshman year of college to even think she'd go anywhere with him. How could I have ever been so stupid, she would repeatedly say to herself every night.

She pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, looking up as she smiled. Liz could tell Elle knew it wasn't genuine, but she tried reassuring her friend anyway. "That was so.. two years ago," she tried persuading. "It's long gone now though. It was fun while it lasted, but everyone needs to grow up sometime." Her voice faded a bit as she spoke her last sentence, pursing her lips together as she still contained to smile.

Elle noted the change of tone in their conversation, and it definitely wasn't something she was going to forget. A set of silence floated between the two, each of them in their very own thought. However, it was Elle that was more concentrated on Liz's face, debating the idea in her mind on whether to say it to her friend or not. The harder Elle thought about her idea, the more wider she began to smile.

"What's Elle thinking about this time?" Liz pointed out, not only trying to stray away from their precious conversation, but to hear what she had in store. "I'm beginning to worry whether I should've asked."

"You most definitely shouldn't," Elle commented. "Because," she trailed off, leaning in as her hands spread among the table. "I've been invited to an after party. It's just a small get-together with a few other bands, not that very big. And knowing you, I know you don't fancy big and brash and beautiful parties."

Liz looked at her confusingly, silently waiting for her to continue.

"So," Elle continued. "I've also been told that I may or may not be allowed to take a very special guest along to accompany me with." With bright and widened eyes, Elle looked deeply into Liz's. "And I may or may not be looking at the very special guest right now."

Liz took a moment for her words to process, before nearly chucking to herself. She began to shake her head, leaning back in her cushioned seat. "Oh no, no, no, no. Definitely not me."

"Oh, why not?" Elle complained, her face changing from dear excitement to doubtful and worried. "Do this for me, Liz. You said you'd always be there for me. I know outings like this isn't your type of thing, but it's good to go out for a while."

"I've been out," Liz defended, abruptly stopping her small fit of laughter.

"Besides this," Elle motioned around, still staring directly into the eyes of Liz's. "I appreciate you coming to my older concerts, I really do. God knows I needed the support from someone as great as you. But I'm asking you for just this one time, Lizzy. One more time. Please come to the after party with me."

Elle began to give her the infamous puppy dog eyes and pouting lips, continuing to beg with her saddened facial expressions. Liz couldn't help but laugh, still shaking her head in such disapproval. "Not this time."

Elle didn't listen, only looking more sad as she now tilted her head a little. "Begging on my knees, is that what you wanna see?"

"As much as I would love to, I would also like to keep my job if that's alright with you," Liz whispered, remembering that she was still on shift. She looked around the bend of the booth, noticing that her manager still wasn't in sight. She sighed heavily to herself, her two fingers pinching the bridge of her nose to relieve the stress that was beginning to become overbearing. She didn't want to say yes, but she didn't have the heart in her to say no. Thankfully, it was Friday, meaning she didn't start class until Monday morning. Still, Liz hasn't been out in a while.

She lied to Elle because she couldn't bare with the embarrassment. She's been so riled up in work and her studies that she never gave time for herself to finally sit down and relax and maybe have some fun. She knew she would overthink the whole thing though later on, and wanted to know now whether it would be worth it later on or not. Looking up at Elle, the girl still pleading with a desperate look, she bit the inside of her cheek.

"The parties tonight?" Liz questioned.

"Nine, but it's fun to be fashionably late," Elle joked. "So, what's the deal? I really want you to come Elizabeth. Just one more time."

Liz wanted to think this through further, but the little voice inside her head insisted she go ahead and do so anyway. It was ultimately one of the biggest regrets she felt once she told Elle "yes". The girl practically engulfed her in a hug once more. Liz didn't see such a big deal on a small after-party Elle invited her to. It was just going to be another night wasted on alcohol by her hard-earned cash. Nothing else was bound to happen at the party, anyway, Liz tried telling herself. Though, the abnormal feeling in the pit of her stomach told her otherwise.

- heyo!

wowza it's been about two months. but it feels great to be back. im super sorry for my absence, and if you've read my message board, you'll see the reason why.
( it's long, and i won't bore you with details. so if you're actually wondering why i was gone, you can go check that out. )

anyway, this chapter wasn't the greatest, but i was just so excited to get back to writing this book i couldn't wait any longer. last chapter went on about liz's relationship with roger, so i didn't really go into super depth into this chapter because let's be honest, ya'll already know.

i just have so many good ideas for this book that i just can't stop where i was before. now im able to admit that this book will be regularly updated like before!! so thank you for those who still stuck around because boi do i have treats for ya'll in the next chapter. thank you again for those who still read this book and have faith. you guys have a special place in my heart.

what did you guys think of the chapter though? make sure to leave a comment about what you thought about it and don't forget to vote!!

thanks guys (: