An entire week had passed, and the pair Elias and Candice hadn't heard from each other, not a peep. Candice slowly became worried that the date was just a fluke, and could possibly be just a one-time thing. But whether she wanted to believe that or not, she couldn't— everything had seemed too real.

She was even becoming impatient because she thought he could've at least sent a text or something that allowed her to feel at ease that he wasn't avoiding her.

Candice sat on her bed, Midas in the chair across the room, already in their session of their brotherly-sister bonding time. It wasn't a fixed schedule, but at least once a week, the two found each other and talked about what was on each other's minds. Well, Candice did most of the talking.

"Was it all a fluke?" She blew her hair from her face as she sighed into the fluffy sheets below her. "I mean— it was like the best date ever and he just... not calls?" At this point, Candice was becoming more frustrated with herself rather than Elias.

She knew that she was being unreasonable but she pushed the unwanted thought to the back of her head.

"Maybe he just forgot," Midas shrugged as he spun in his chair. His hair was getting longer than usual, and it showed since he didn't have it in his usual man-bun. It was long and undone pass his neck and on his shoulders.

For once, Candice wished that Midas had meaner thoughts about Elias than he did now. Usually, he even hated to bring up his name, and now he was practically defending him!

"Forgot? It's been a week, Midas. You make me sound like some type of science project that he left on his desk and forgot to carry to school," His sister grumbles. She pursed her lips as she reached across and grabbed her tub of ice cream, sticking the spoon beside the container right inside the creamy, frozen substance.

"Family issues probably," Midas continues to defend.

Candice drops her spoon abruptly, "Okay, whose side are you on?" She starts. She picks back up the spoon and continues to eat. "On the other hand, I suppose that could be it but..." She trails off.

"But nothing," Midas sits up. "I have a suggestion," He states sarcastically. "Why don't you call him?"

Candice drops her eyes in guilt and shame, "W-Well obviously because... be-because—"

Midas tsked to show his disapproval, "Because of nothing, equality right? Isn't that what you girls preach?" He turns around to face the computer, his face away from Candice's gaze. "Why can't the girl call the man, hm? Some fucking pride you guys have," He grumbles unhappily.

Candice paused and lied in silence for a few seconds, surprised at her brother's words.

Midas gritted his teeth and lifted his head, already feeling bad for raising his voice and cursing at his sister.

"Look, I'm sorry," He mumbles in defeat as he pushes his long-sleeved shirt above his elbows.

Candice remained silent for a split moment before she spoke, "Are you sure we're talking about my problem here? What's going on with you?"

Midas sighs as he looks at his sister. Candice notices the thoughtful look on his face as he stares back at her. Candice knows that Midas was finding it hard to express anything to her. He wasn't good at that type of thing. He hardly ever talked about himself and his feelings really.

He sighs before answering her, "Yesterday when you and I went to lunch and you went to the bathroom, this girl... she was at the table behind you, by herself and reading a book. She was just—" He rubs his chin looking distracted. "She was a sight," He clears his throat and sits up once again. "Blonde hair, blue eyes, you'd know it was her if you see her, just by that description."

Candice wanted to refrain a smile from breaking out on her face so she bit down on her turtle instead.

"I asked what she was reading, she's a little weird, shy possibly, but she was nice, and quiet, which was nice cause talking just annoys me," He shook his head a small moment in disapproval.

"Does Middy have a little crush?" His sister jokes as she bounces on the bed.

Midas' cheeks lit up in what appeared to be a blush as his sister leaned forward and assaulted them with her fingers.

"Stop that," He murmurs embarrassingly.

"Really Midas, I've never seen you like this before," Candice mentioned.

Midas rolls his eyes and crosses his arms, "Let's not big a big deal outta this, okay? It's just that—"

Midas is interrupted by the ringing of a phone. Candice's eyebrows furrow as she realizes the familiar sound of her ringtone. Reaching over to her phone, her eyes slightly widen as she catches sight of Elias' name.

"Answer it," Midas suggests as gestures to her phone with his chin.

Candice bites her lip, her excitement deteriorating, "No, no, keep talking," She orders as she places a hand below her chin.

She knows her brother doesn't open up a lot, never really, as she mentioned before. He has problems confiding in anyone and now when he finally is, she doesn't want him to stop.

Midas looks at her with pursed lips.

"No, Midas, seriously, go on," She advises.

The phone continuously rings and Midas refrains from talking due to the noise.

He stands up and smiles tightly, "Maybe later—"

To show her determination, Candice grabs her phone and puts it on mute, Elias' cute picture still staring straight at her. She throws the phone on the other side of the bed and smiles proudly at Midas as she motions for him to sit back down; now.

With that, Midas sends her a small smile and sits back down, informing Candice on how they exchanged numbers, and how she said that she would call, but yet didn't, highlighting his frustration with why he was annoyed at Candice's situation.

"Hey," Candice whispers softly.

The low rumble of Elias' voice passes through the phone as he speaks, "Hey."

There was silence as the two relished in each other's voices.

"So, how's it been these last couple of days? With your family?" She inquires as she twirls a strand of hair around her finger.

"Hm?" He starts. "Oh, good good. Look, I'm sorry for ghosting you, it's just been hectic, that's all. With the vacation and a few personal problems back at home—" He sighs.

Candice furrows her eyebrows, "Anything I can do to help? At all?" Elias could hear the worry seeping through her voice. It warmed his heart.

He settled on replying with, "Oh no, it's fine," He rumbles. "Nothing major to worry about. How are you, Candice?" Somehow, Elias managed to deepen his tone when he asked the latter. Something told Candice that there was more to his question than he let on.

Candice feels her lips tweak up at the corners, "I'm fine, I was just waiting until it was my turn, you know, after Brittany and all—"

Elias couldn't control the chuckle that rang past his lips; it was hearty and wholesome.

"I see," He laughs, his voice coated with raspiness. "How's BJ?" He asks, referring to her pet, stuffed turtle.

She looks to BJ on the other side of the bed and giggles, "Yeah, she's fine, a bit under the weather, but fine nonetheless."

Both smile on each side of the phone.

There was a comfortable silence for a while before Elias swallows and speaks, "So listen," He starts. "I may have an opening on my very busy schedule..." Candice bites her lip to refrain from smiling, "We could go out."

Candice pauses and thinks before she replies, "Actually, um," There's a pause on the line. "My parents are going out together on Wednesday, and my brother maybe meeting up with some girl— wanna maybe meet up... at my room? If you're up for it, that is."

Elias slackens his collar from around his neck as he swipes his tongue on his top row of teeth, "I mean, sure— we could go out before then too."

Candice nods excitedly before realizing that Elias couldn't see her. After voicing her reply, the two began to make plans with Anthony and Angel to meet up somewhere. For the same reason, the pair couldn't wait until Wednesday had arrived.

Elias and Candice met up with Anthony and Angel a few days after. They decided to go to the beach, and for a reason unknown, Leon couldn't make it.

They were all enjoying themselves, splashing water at each other, and just being teenagers under the blaring, hot sun.

Candice was upon Elias' shoulders and Angel on Anthony's when they hear a voice, "Hey," It speaks. At the sound, the clouds seemed to have hidden the sun and the sky became grey; thunder rolling angrily. "We have got to stop running into each other like this, Dankworth,"

Behind Louis are the boys who were with him the last time that Candice saw him— Ryder and Kenneth.

Candice's eyes widen and before she could quickly look down at the sand beneath her feet, Louis spots her and catches her gaze, "Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?"

As he speaks, his eyebrows furrow and he takes a step closer, close enough for Elias to intervene and step in front of Candice, letting him know without words— to not come any closer.

Louis stops as his lips raise, "Relax, Dankworth, I'm just looking," He leans over to the left to catch a glimpse behind Elias. "I feel like I know her— Have we slept together?"

Elias grits his teeth in anger, his left eye twitching uncontrollably, "Watch it, Hamilton," He seethes.

Louis raises his hand in mock surrender, "Just a question, geez," He mumbles as his eyes take a quick glance at Anthony and Angel before looking back to Elias.

"What are you doing here, Hamilton?" Elias rubs a hand over his face. "I can't seem to lose you, offense."

Louis ignores the end of Elias' snide remark as he looks around at his surroundings— at the children playing in the sand and in the water with their parents, "It's public property, man, last time I checked," He shrugs.

Anthony speaks up for the first time, "That is correct. Public property, but as of now, you're in our private space," He gestures to a small imaginary circle surrounding the group of four.

Louis smirks, as he runs a wet hand through his hair, "Touché." Louis says as he glanced at Candice for the last time. He looks the group over and lets out a small grunt of amusement before walking away.

Kenneth and Ryder follow them.

Hey!

Vote.

Word Count: 1813

~TheOfficialSinner