Tunnel Vision

Tunnel Vision

Chapter One

Ellen Pov

"Uggh. Why do you girls have to be so difficult?" I say as I storm into my friend’s house after school

"Hi Ellen. Sure you can come in. Have a drink “Jen says as I walk to the fridge and take out a diet coke from her fridge.

"Why can't girls be easy?" I say becoming even more frustrated.

"We have heard this conversation a billion times and it's getting boring actually.” Jen says as she takes a seat on the couch next to me.

"I have done the whole prince charming romantic thing and she keeps saying no."

"Ellen it’s been two years already give it a rest will you.” Why don't you chase around some other girl in school? We will graduating next year Ellen find another girl and have some fun. "

"Are you crazy? I don't want another girl. I want her. Only her. Forever her. “I say as I start pacing around the living room.

Jen starts to laugh hysterically, "Ellen you are the one crazy. Your life revolves around her and she's turned you down fifty times."

"Please Jen help me out. I know you're friends with her too. Just tell me why she won't go out with me. "I say pleading practically on my knees for her.

"I can't tell you what we discuss. It’s between me and her." Jen says as she walks away from me.

"Jen I know you're friends and straight but she is beautiful, hot, smart and I can't stop thinking about how she will look in my bed. Is it wrong that I want her as my girlfriend?" I say smiling to myself.

"Woooh. Too much information Ellen." Jen says smiling. "I don't want to be between whatever is going on between you.”

"Please Jen help. I only got only next year to get her. "

"Fine. Don't ask her anything this month. Don't even say merry Christmas to her. You meet her at the store you wave and leave the store immediately. Wait until the new year."

"Seriously I said help me not help her get rid of me." I am now getting annoyed.

"Shut up and listen. For the next five months you will ask her out twice each month. If still says no then leave her alone. She doesn't want you. Concentrate on your comedy and application to college."Jen says.

"What about prom night?" I ask still praying she will say yes.

"If she says yes well good for you. If she says no you will still go but alone she may change her mind. If she doesn't forget about her chances are you may apply to different colleges."

"Thanks Jen. I will still need you help in planning on how I will ask her out." I said hugging her.

"Sure. And please after five months no more of this talk."

"Okay. I promise."

"Now leave. She's coming over to tutor me. I don't want to have incomplete homework."

"See. Told you. She's smart."

"Oh God. Get out now." Jen says pointing towards the door.

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

That was two and a half years ago. I didn't get her even after I asked her out another ten times. I had a tough time convincing Jen to help me out the other ten times. It was finally in November when Jen finally convinced me to stop chasing her around and so I did. I dated a few girls but none of them could get me to feel like she did so I took dating off my to do list for university. The other things on my list were comedy and school. I did my comedy at a small club and I got accepted into the University of New Orleans.

Comedy was going great for me but school not so much. I had just been assigned to a tutor to help me with my grades. I was heading towards to meet my tutor in classroom number 103. I opened the door to the class and there sat the object of my affection but as Jen would put it object of my obsession.

"Hi" I say as I walk into the room.

"Ellen. What are you doing here?"

"I go to school here and I guess you are my tutor." I say as I take a seat.

"Ooh yeah of course. Ummhh shall we start."

"Sure."

We study for two hours and in that time she doesn't make any eye contact with me and she keeps a relative distance away from me. Once she is done teaching me I try to make small talk with her.

"How have you been?” I ask her as we both pack our books into our bags.

"Ellen please don’t. I have a girlfriend." She says.

"Ummh I am not asking you out. I am just trying to make small talk as friends. We can be friends right?"

"Friends sure but nothing more." She says sternly much to my disappointment which I should be used to by now.

"Can you give me your number? “I ask and I see she is trying to think of a polite way to say no. "Not for that. Incase one of us can't make it to a session then we can let the other one know."

"Give me yours then and I'll text you when I can't make it." She says taking out her phone.

"Sure." I give her my number and I turn to head towards the door.

"Hey El."

"Yeah."

"I'll see you around?" She says smiling which throws me off a bit.

"Yeah. Bye."

"Bye."

I walk towards the parking lot and get on my bike. I live just outside the university about a fifteen minute drive. Once I arrive at my place I put my things down and call Jen. It rings a few times before she picks up.

"Hi Ellen. What's up?"

"I meet Portia.”I say all excited

"You meet in school?"

Smiling to myself I say,"Yeah. She still looks beautiful. More beautiful than before."

"I didn't think you guys would meet. It’s a big uni."

"Wait you knew we were in the same school?"

"Yeah and before you ask she asked me not to tell you and besides we agreed not to talk about her again."

"Why did she ask you not to tell me?"

"You should ask her not me."

"Ugghh you are not a really helpful friend." I say.

"Well in that case I won’t tell you what I noticed after you stopped chasing her around. Bye." She hangs up the phone.

I frantically try to call her back and she ignores me the first five times but picks up on the sixth.

"Learnt your lesson?"

"Yeah. Please explain what you mean?"

"I think she has been hiding her feelings for you. She asked about you all the time. I tried to set her up with you but she would get cold feet after a while she started dating jerks to forget you. So I think she really likes you hell I would even say she loves you."

"Really??You think she loves me?"

"Yeah."

"So I should go back to asking her out?"

"I am sure she told you she has a girlfriend already."

"Yeah. She thought I was about to ask her out after our session."

"She is playing defensive. Just be her friend and she will come to you. Be patient her girlfriend is a real jerk."

"Okay thanks for your help."

"Any time. You two will make a good couple. I have to go now."

"Thanks once again. Bye."

"Bye."

I went into my bedroom and lay there trying hard not to be overly thrilled that portia may be in love with me.

Portia Pov

Sitting in a cafe waiting for my girlfriend to arrive as my mind is filled with thoughts of Ellen. She is always late for our dates and am getting frustrated more now that I keep replaying Ellen's smile in mind.

"Hey babe. Sorry am late." She says as she finally walks in.

"You are always late. Where the hell were you?"

"I said am sorry. Jesus why do you make everything such a big deal.” She shouts at me.

"I have to go." I say.

"Wait am sorry. Please stay and let me make it up to you."

"I have to ..."

"Please am really sorry."

"Okay."

"Can I kiss you?" She asks me knowing I hate being kissed when am mad.

"Yeah."

She stands and comes next to me and kisses me.

"Am really really sorry."

"You are forgiven. Let’s just enjoy our date."

"Okay."

She keeps talking but I never really listen to her. I find myself making a mental comparison list between her and Ellen. In the end I find it that Ellen has more pros than Kelly has but with the way I have blown her off today and for the past years I know that there isn't a chance for me to do anything about it.

"Hey.You okay?"

"Yeah sorry just school stuff on my mind?" I lie to her.

"Okay. So are going to come to my party?"

"When is it?"

"This weekend. My parents are away so I am throwing one."

"I can't am sorry. I have an essay to research and write on." Another lie.

"It's okay. You are kind of a book worm."

"What I just like reading you don't have to mean about it."

"Sorry." She says as she places her hand on mine and rubs her thumb in circles. "Am just trying make you smile."

"Ellen makes me smile without trying." I say.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." I take a breather thankful that she didn't hear. "Can you walk me back to the dorm?"

"Anything for my girl."

She walks me back to my dorm room arm in arm as we talk about random things.

"Thanks." I say once we arrive at the dorm.

"Anytime." She leans forward and kisses me.” I’ll call you later.

"Okay."

She leaves and I go into the room that I share with Lizzy.

"Seriously what the hell do you see in her?" Lizzy asks as soon as I fall back face forward onto my bed.

"Please not today. I can't think straight."

"Thought that was the point of being gay."

She says and we both fall into laughter.

"But seriously what's bugging you?

"I meet someone from my high school years."

"This someone has a name?"

"Ellen."

"Ahhh. That explains a lot. So when do I get to meet her."

"You don't know anything about her to understand what going on." I say a bit loudly.

"Calm down. Jen told me who she is after you mentioned her a couple of times when we went out drinking."

"Why didn't you ask me instead?"

"You couldn't think straight so to speak but you did keep saying over and over that she is hot."

"Well she is." I say as I picture Ellen with that beautiful smile of hers.

"Okay. What are you going to do about her this time?"

"I don't want to cheat on Kelly but ..."

"She already cheated on you. You need to think of yourself first. She isn't even a good girlfriend but from the sound of it Ellen is way better."

"In her defense I haven't done anything sexual with her."

"That doesn't give her the right to cheat on you."

"We are in a relationship that means give and take."

"Portia, she takes way more than she gives. She isn't the best for you."

"Can you order something for us to eat I'll go shower."

"Okay but please think about it."

"Okay."

I take a shower and try to keep off my mind away from both Ellen and Kelly. Lizze orders chinese for us and we spend the day talking about her and her boyfriend.

Chapter Two

The next day my thoughts are filled with Ellen and what Lizzie said about her. I decide to let my guard down and text her.

Hey. You awake?

I wait for around fifteen minutes and I feel a vibration on my chest. I smile once I see that Ellen's name on my screen.

Yeah just from the shower. Who is this?

It's Portia. Do you want to grab breakfast with me?

Ummh sure. Where at?

We could go at the cafe across the school.

Okay give me ten minutes. I live off campus.

Okay text me when you arrive.

I feel something. Something that I can’t explain when Ellen says yes to my invitation but then I start to panic. I panic because I have no idea what to wear. This is the first time we will be hanging out alone.

Ellen Pov

I am ecstatic when Portia texts me first. That she wants to just hang out with me hopefully without any friends and even more that she wants it be on outside school related capacity.

I put on my classic signature look. A pair of blue pants paired white t-shirt and a pair of Nike shoes and head out to meet Portia.

10 minutes later I arrive at the cafe.

Hey. I am here.

Okay. Grab us a spot. I’ll be there in a minute.

Okay.

I grab us a seat and order us coffee and pancake

As Portia said she arrives in less than a minute.

"Hey."

I get up and hug Portia.

"Hi. Thanks for coming."

"Well. I won't want pissing my tutor off when I really need her."

She smiles a bit and sips her coffee as she looks at me.

"How did you know how I take my coffee?"

"Ummh. You ordered when I met you and Jen at the coffee shop back in high school years."

"Oh okay. So what have you up to since high school?" She asks taking another sip of her coffee.

"Nothing much. I got accepted here obviously." I say and she laughs a bit.

"Yeah I kinda knew that already. What else apart from school?"

"Well I do comedy at a comedy club a few blocks away from my house."

"That’s good you sure know how to crack some ribs up. Girlfriend?"

"None. Waiting for the one to come around."

"So you have met her already?"

"Ummh. Yeah."

"Well she must be really dumb not to want to be your girlfriend."

"I won’t describe her like that. I think she's smart, beautiful and will be an amazing actress one day." I look into her eyes before I continue. "I think she is scared too but in truth has no reason to be so until then I’ll wait for her to come around.

She smiles once again before taking her coffee once more.

"Can I come watch your comedy sometime?" she asks.

"Yeah but only if you finally allow me to watch you in a play."

"Nooo."

"Jen watches you act all the time. Why can’t I come for a single play?"

"Well you are different from Jen and besides I don't want to embarrass myself in front of you."

"I doubt that will happen but I’ll let you come see me. However if we will continue being friends you are going to have to invite me even if it’s for a single play."

"Maybe one day I’ll invite you for more things other than a single play." she says smiling as she reaches for my hand and rubs it with her thumb.

Just as I was about to respond I heard someone call Portia's name.

"Portia. I thought we were meeting for breakfast." A girl says as she kissed Portia on the lip and wrapping on hand around her waist.

"Ellen surprised me with breakfast." Portia lies which surprises me and confirms to me that is the girlfriend.

"Yeah am sorry about that we just reconnected after a pretty long time."

"It’s okay. I was running late so thanks for keeping her company."

"No problem. I’ll let you guys enjoy your breakfast."

"Bye Ellen."

"Bye Portia." I say and leave the cafe, heard to the bike and drive to school.

Portia Pov

"Who was that?" Kelly asks sounding a bit suspicious

“That’s Ellen a friend from high school. We lost touch so we were just reconnecting. I lie for a second time and I don’t have any regrets in my mind.

“Okay. So will you come to my party or are you still planning on studying?” She asks as she takes a bit of her pancakes which she had earlier ordered.

“Sorry I have to study. I’ll call if I can be able to squeeze in some time.”

”Okay. I have to go to work now.”

”I thought you had the day off.”

”I did but decided to take an extra shift because I don’t think I’ll be up for it on Sunday.”

“But we had plans and you didn’t think about asking me if it was okay.”

“Am sorry I was really looking forward to the party. I didn’t think about it. We will just reschedule for Sunday if you are free.”

“Am not. You should have asked me first.”

“Am sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I’ll make it up to you but I really have to go.”

“Fine. I am already late for class.”

“Am really sorry.”

“It’s fine. Go to work before you are late.”

”Okay. I love you.”

“Bye.” I respond choosing to ignore her last words.

She leaves and I stay at the coffee shop for a while.

Thanks for covering for me.

I text Ellen feeling the urge to talk to her more. I wait for a while as I think of what I want do on Saturday since I really don’t have to study.

No problem. You okay?

Yeah. I just sometimes wonder if I’ll ever get the same amount of love I give out.

Someone out there will give you a greater amount than you ever dream off.

I just want to meet her already

May be you already have you just don’t know it yet.

I just feel tired. I just want to rest my head on someone without having to worry about their intentions.

I have a show on Saturday. Come watch. I promise to cheer you up.

Okay. Just don’t make fun of me.

Never will I do that. You may feature in my monologue though if that’s okay.

It’s fine. You need another tutoring lesson.

Yeah. I am free at three.

I am free at two. No afternoon classes so you can just come to my dorm room after your class.

Sure. What’s your dorm name and number?

It’s West wing room 15.

Okay. I’ll see you then. The professor  just walked in. Got to go. 😞

It’s okay. See you at three. Bye.

Bye. Text me if you need to talk though or need anything.

Sure.

I go to my class as usual and try my best to concentrate. My thoughts lately have been running in circles between giving a chance with Ellen or taking another chance with Kelly. My feelings for Ellen have grown since high school. At first I just thought it was a crush on the most popular school clown and dancer but now seeing her still again still being the clown that she will always be that I noticed there was something a little different. She seemed more focused on something which was rare especially for college students. That drew me more to her especially since I need to change my life a bit. I always was contented with my life but at certain time I always knew I could have a little more in it. Time flies and before I know it it’s three and I am already panicking waiting for Ellen to arrive. I change into a comfortable short and sleeveless. I start cleaning around making the study space more presentable until I heard a knock on the door.

“Hey.” I greet Ellen once I open the door.

“Hi.” She says back. A few seconds pass by before she speaks again.

“So are you going to let me in or are we studying in the hall way?” She asks with a smirk on her face.

“Right. Sorry. Come in.” I say as I take a step back to let her in the room.

“It’s okay. So where’s your roommate?” She asks placing her college bag on the couch.

“She is still in class. She should be back in about two hours. Can I get you something to drink?”

”Cold water will be fine. Can we rest for a while am just from class and I feel extremely tired.”

“Okay. A thirty minute break is cool with you?” I ask taking a sit next to her.

“Yeah. That’s perfect.”

“You can fall asleep. If you want too. I don’t mind.”

”No. I would just be grumpy when I wake up.”

“That would be a sight to see. How about we watch one episode of my favorite comedy?” I ask as I look for the CD.

“Friends. Cool that’s my favorite too.”

“Guess any episode.”

“Twelve.”

“Twelve it is.” I say as I place the CD disk into the DVD player and press play taking a seat next to Ellen.”

As we watch the comedy I lean more and more towards Ellen and lets me lean into her until I am resting my head on her shoulder and before I know it my eyes are shut when the episode concludes.

Ellen Pov

When I feel Portia start snoring a bit I laugh as that becomes my next favourite sound from her besides her talking and her laugh. I watch another one and a half episode just to ensure that she is deep in sleep before I move. I take her in my arms and carry her to the bedroom. I place her on the right bed since I can decide which bed looks more to her personality. Once she is on the bed I cover her and then head to the sitting and take my books. I sit on the left bed and start writing my comedy jokes as I await for either her to wake up or her roommate to arrive so that I can leave. I write for about forty five minutes before I hear the dorm room door open. I sit and wait for the person to come into the bedroom.

“Excuse me. What are you doing here?” A girl with brunette hair asks.

“Hey. I am Ellen and ….”

“Wait you are Ellen. The Ellen DeGeneres. Like Portia’s Ellen is so amazing Ellen?”

“Ummh yeah unless there is another Ellen around I don’t know of am it.” I say and before I know it she is on top of me in my lap hanging me.

”Oh My God. Did you just hook up with portia on my bed?”

“No no. She was supposed to be tutoring me but she fell asleep. I assure you she is fully clothed under the cover.”

“What a shame.” She says.

“Are you going to tell me your name or are you going to just top me?”

”Sorry. I am just excited to finally meet you. I am Lizzy Portia’s roommates and one of her best friends.

“It’s nice to meet you Lizzy. I need to get going.” I say as I look at her.

“Please stay and have dinner with us.”

“I have to…”

“Please.” She interrupts me before I finish. “Portia would love it if you stayed over.”

“Okay.”

“Great. Let’s leave sleeping beauty. You can help me out.”

“Okay.”

Saturday night.

I am at the comedy club about to come on stage and there is still no sign of Portia and Lizzie. I had extended the invitation to Lizzie as we talked on Thursday. I check my texts one more time and see that neither have texted. I go up stage do my act and then leave immediately afterwards. I go back to my place and start making some dinner when I hear my phone ring signaling an incoming text. I put in my password and see that its s Portia’s text.

Please come get me at 1270 Park side. Hurry.

 I quickly take my keys and head to the address she sent me. When I arrive there I see that it was a college party going on so I text her letting her know that I had arrived

Am here. Where are you?

I stand outside looking around for Portia when I see her emerge from inside the house crying and being followed by her girlfriend behind her.

“Take me away from here Ellen.” She says trying to control her sobs.

“Okay.”

“Portia wait. It’s not what you think.” Kelly says grabbing Portia by the arms.

“Let me go now!! We are over!! I never want to speak to you again!!!” Portia says pretty angry which is definitely the first time I have seen this side of her.

“Listen to me. I never….”

“Let me go!!”

“Hey let her go.”

“Stay out of this.” She shouts at me which drives me mad too.

“I said let her go.” I say as I push her away from Portia. “I am here for her and we are leaving.”

I turn back to Portia, take her hand in mine and led her towards my bike.

“You okay?” I ask and Portia suddenly breaks down more than before.

“Take me home.” She says quietly.

“Okay. Just hold on tight though I’ll go as slow as I can but you have to hold on to me.”

“Okay.”

We get on the bike and drive her back to her dorm room.

“Can we just go to yours instead?”

“Okay.”

I drive us back to my place and lead her into my room.

“I live alone so don’t worry about someone else.”

“Okay.”

“I think you should get some rest first. Let me show you the bedroom.” I say.

“Feel free to use anything around here. I am just going to grab some few things. You can have the bed and I can sleep on the couch.”

“No. Please stay with me. I don’t want to be alone.”

“Okay. You can change into this.” I say handing her a pair of shorts and shirt. “I’ll change in the bathroom. You want something to eat.”

“No. I just want to sleep.”

“Okay. I’ll knock before I come in.”

“Okay.”

I head out and change. I try to give her a few minutes alone but I really just want to hold her and make sure she will be okay.

“You done?”

“Yeah come in.”

“You sure you want me in bed?”

“Yeah now come in and hold me. I need to just forget this day.”

“Okay.” I get into bed, hold her and she starts crying once again. I hold her tight southing her until she falls asleep.

Chapter Three.

Morning came in fast too much for my liking. I turn and I see Portia peacefully sleeping cuddling next to me with her head resting slightly on my shoulder. I maneuver my way out of her hold and make my way into the living room/kitchen. I put on some music on my phone and head out for my usual morning run. I ran for about one hour and when I can back Portia was still asleep. I prepare some breakfast for us and as I was about to set the table I heard my door creak open.

“Morning.” I say when Portia finally comes into my view.

“Morning.” She replies back. “Thanks for yesterday.”

“No problem. I am going to take a shower first am pretty smelly.”

“You should have breakfast with me first.” She says smiling a bit.

“You sure? I don’t want to spoil the morning freshness.”

“Yeah. So please sit and let’s have breakfast.” I take a sit and we eat the eggs and toasted bread in a peaceful and comfortable silence.

“I am going to call Lizzie and you go take a shower.” She says once she is done with eating.

“Are you always this bossy when you wake up?” I say earning a smack from her on my shoulder.

“Ouch. That hurt.” I whine and she smiles.

“Just go shower.”

“See you in a bit.”

Portia Pov

While Ellen takes her shower I call Lizzie and explain to her what happened and where I was. She was not surprised that I said I was going to stay at Ellen’s for a bit. Once done with Lizzie, I call Jen and explain to her the same thing I did to Lizzie. She offers to come visit me at Ellen’s but I tell her that I will be fine with Ellen around. I then clean up the dishes as I wait for Ellen to be through with her bath. I sit on the couch once done and the silence is overwhelming which cause me to break down. I cry for a bit until I feel Ellen’s arms around me. She takes me in her arms and somehow I find myself sitting on her lap cuddling into her burying my face into her neck as I take in her vanilla scent.

“Ssh. It’s okay. I got you.” She says as she wraps her hand on my back.

“I am sorry. I am such as mess.” I say trying to control my sobs.

“Don’t be. You are fine. I am here to take care of you.”

“Thank you.”

“You want to tell me what happened? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want too.”

“Its just …..”

“It’s okay say anything you want to or say nothing at all. I’ll be here with you.

“I found Kelly having sex with another girl. She said that I was supposed to call first like I said.”

“I am sorry that she hurt you. She must be crazy not to faithful to you and even crazier for choosing another girl over you.”

“But I haven’t done anything sexual thing with her from when we started dating?” I say as I start crying once more.

“Portia look at me.” She says as she places her hand under my chin. “No one should ever make you feel unworthy and not respected. She should have waited for you until you were ready to take that step and if she couldn’t she should have let you know from the beginning.”

“You make me sound like an angel.” I say as I chuckle a bit.

“You are one. Don’t sell yourself short. You deserve only the best and will find that there’s a best for you.”

At her words something in me clicks and I find myself learning forward trying to capture her lips but she stops me before I do.

“I don’t think that is a good idea right now.”

“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have.”

“It’s okay. You should stay with me for a while because am sure Kelly will look for your dorm.”

“You sure it’s okay. I don’t want to adjust your lifestyle.”

”My lifestyle right now is to take care of you. I’ll give you to a key to my place and I can take you to school every day. We just have to work out which days I’ll be able to take home after school.”

“Okay. Can you take me to the dorm so that I can pick a few essentials?”

“Yeah but later on in the day. The chances of running into Kelly will be slimmer. We can go shopping in the meanwhile.”

”Okay.”

“You actually have to get off me and take a shower if we are going out.”

“Jerk. I was savoring the moment. How are you going to carry the shopping bags while you drive the motor cycle?”

“I’ll take care of it. You just take a shower and grab whatever clothes you want from my closet.”

”Okay.” I say and as I get off her lap she grabs my arm and pulls me back into her lap.

She pecks my lips and then kisses my fore head and says, “You will be okay.”

I peck her lips back and look at her. “Promise.”

“I promise.”

I peck her lips once more before proceeding to get off her lap.

We go shopping around after I am done with my shower. She is sweet and funny as always trying to keep my mind off of Kelly which I am able to do until we see her sitting outside my dorm.

“I don’t want to speak to you. Leave now.” I say to Kelly.

She stands and tries to grab me in her arms but I step back and stand near Ellen.

“Please Portia. I am really sorry. Please just give me another chance.”

“We are through. I want nothing to do with you. You cheated on me again.” I say and take Ellen’s hand in mine and move towards the door but she stands in front of Ellen.

“Take your hands away from my girlfriend.”

”In case you missed the memo, she isn’t your girlfriend so move out of the way.” Ellen says

“Have you been sleeping with her? Is she your new girlfriend now?” She asks me completely furious.

 I bring my hand up and rest it on Ellen’s shoulder as I look into Kelly’s eyes and say, “She is my girlfriend and I have every intention of sleeping with because unlike you some people know how to be faithful.”

Before I now it Ellen has bent over as Kelly is beating her up.

“Stop!!! Please stop!!!” I shout at Kelly as I put some distance between her and Ellen. She leaves but not before hitting Ellen once more. “We are definitely done.” She says and she leaves.

“OMG Ellen please please be okay.” I say as I kneel and check on her. “Hold on to me and trying to get up. Let’s head into the dorm.”

Luckily Ellen is able to get up and walk we head into the dorm and place her on the couch.

“Where does it hurt?” I ask as I stand above her with my hands cupping her face.

“I think she broke a rib or two. I’ll be fine though.”

“What? I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten you involved.” I say as tears start pouring.

I feel her arms come protectively around me. “It’s really fine. Don’t cry. I promised to take care of you and that’s what am doing. Please stop crying.” It takes me a while before I can calm down.

“Finally. Get me some ice.” She says which makes me smile. I peck her lips and go to get her some ice.

“Take my shirt off.” She says and I look at her with smile.

“I am not sleeping with you just yet.”

“It’s okay. I’ll wait. I do need help with the shirt.”

“Okay.” I take her shirt off and place the ice on the bruised area.

“That okay?”

“Yeah its fine. You can sit on my lap if you want to.” She says as she looks at me.

“I’ll hurt you.”

“You won’t. Now come here.”

I take a sit on her lap as I still hold on to the ice and she plays with my hair.

“Portia?”

“Yes Ellen.”

“Do you want to go out with me in a month’s time?”

“Yeah. I’ll be happy to.”

One Month Later

I hear a knock on Ellen’s door where I have been staying for the past one month. Ellen has been a great friend to me always trying to cheer me up. I have been helping her with her studies and her grades have improved over time. She has tried to convince me to let her see my play but hasn’t succeeded yet but I have seen a couple of her comedy nights which have been hilarious.

“Hey.” Ellen says once I open the door.

“Hi. Let me get my purse.”

“Okay.” She replies and I go grab my purse. Ellen had asked me out yesterday after her comedy night to which I said yes.

“So where are you taking me?” I ask her as I grab her hand in mine.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Come on. Just tell me.”

”Nope. I have been planning this for way too long.” She says as she opens the car door for me.

“Fine.”

She drives us in silence as I rest my hand on her knee. She finally stops at a restaurant and gets out of the car to open the door for me.

“Here we are. I wanted to take you to The Finer but it was fully booked so I hope you like this instead.”

We walk in and when we have finally seated I say to her, “Ellen, that’s a very expensive restaurant. I just want simple things so no more of expensive stuff until you propose.” I say smiling to her.

Ellen looks at me shocked and says, “Propose? What makes you think I’ll be the one proposing?”

“If you know what’s best for you, you better get down on that knee.”

“You are lucky that I love you and ….” She trails off realizing what she has revealed.

“What?” I ask in shock but I somehow I always knew that she did.

“Nothing.” We should order something before the kick us out.

“You just said that you love me or are you lying to me.”

“No. I do love you but I know you haven’t been always been attracted to me so I don’t want pressure you.”

“Okay. Let’s order.”

We order and talk about anything and everything. I should just tell her but I am scared. This is Ellen though she would never hurt me. Tell her already.

“Ellen… I …. I have always been attracted to you. I was scared and ….”

“Portia. You don’t have to…”