Chapter 4: F-boy

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. I wasn't even hungry, I was just jet-lagged and cranky and wanted to be left alone until my flight home at the end of summer. Unfortunately for me, that wasn’t a viable option, so I forced myself to sit up. This bed sat higher than my one at home, so my feet dangled, just an inch shy of hitting the floor.

Juda’s door across from mine swung open, and I heard his footsteps descending the staircase right as the front door squeaked open. A quick pair of quiet footsteps, followed by slower, heavier ones, echoed through the small house. That must be Anna’s husband, Mark, and their youngest, Connor. Looks like I’m about to be the last one at the table, but I didn't care. All I felt was pissed off and exhausted, like a toddler who missed her nap. Dinner was gonna be great.

I forced myself out of bed and left my room after turning off my light and mostly closing the door. The house was small enough that I didn't have to think too hard to remember which way the kitchen was, and it helped that I could already hear some light banter coming from the direction I was headed.

The second I walked in, all eyes were on me. Thankfully, the conversations didn't stop, so I didn't feel too awkward. Unfortunately, though, there was only one open seat, and it was next to, you guessed it, Juda. I wasn't about to make a scene on my first day. I had to make good impressions, and first impressions always last, so you have to make them count.

I walked around the table to my seat and sat down as quietly as I could. Part of me was subconsciously trying to be as invisible as possible, but I also knew I was the stranger in this house. After all, it’s been almost two decades since I was last here. The second I sat down, it was a mad dive for the food, which was neatly centered on the table. I didn't get a good look at it. I didn't have time to, so I was in the dark on this one.

“Are you kids serious? Save some for our guest,” Anna scolded. She turned to me and smiled. “Sorry about them, sweetheart, I promise there’s plenty to go ‘round.” And there was. After the little reenactment of a Civil War massacre, everyone at the table, except me and Anna, had food piled high on their plates. Chicken and green beans and mashed potatoes. Okay, I can do this. It’s not anything weird. Anna waited for me to take as much as I wanted before serving herself.

Conversations started to die down a little once everyone started eating, giving plenty of room for everyone to direct their questions and attention to me. Great.

“So, Elodie,” Mark started to say. My name sounded foreign in his mouth. “I hear you’re trying to get into Yale.”

“Harvard, actually,” I corrected him politely, “and yeah, that’s the plan.” I started eating, and oh my god. My mom never really cooks, but now that I’ve had an actual home-cooked meal, I don't think I’ll ever be able to go back. I quickly noticed Anna’s eyes trained on me. Geez, I wasn't in the ED unit. She didn't have to watch me like a hawk. I’m glad I didn't have to pee because guaranteed, she wouldn't have let me go “just in case.”

“And you’re going for writing, right sweetheart?” Anna chimed in. I opened my mouth to answer, but she cut me off. “Oh, I remember your mother telling me all about the stories you wrote when you were little. Ever since you could talk, you were making up stories and acting them out for whoever would listen.” I laughed with her a little, but my laugh was more forced than anything. Truthfully, writing has been, and always will be, my passion, but writing doesn't pay the bills. I need to go into a more practical field. I’m not sure what, but I know I’ll have to decide on one soon. I refuse to end up like Mom.

“What hobbies are you interested in?” Maggie asked. I smiled, glad she changed the subject from college.

“I love to write, and I paint a little. Reading is also something I do a lot,” I told her.

“I think I still have some canvas and paints in the shed out back. You’re welcome to use those anytime you’d like,” Anna smiled.

“Are you sure? I don't want to intrude-”

“Don't even worry about it! No one here uses them anymore anyways,” Anna reassured me.

“Okay. Thank you so much.”

“No problem, sweetheart.” A comfortable silence settled in the room, and all that could be heard was the squeak of forks against plates and the occasional shuffling of a chair.

“Now, while everyone’s here, we should lay down some ground rules.” Mark said. Okay, this was more my speed. If I was gonna stay on this family’s good side, I had to know my place here. I sat up a little straighter, ready to take mental notes of what I should and shouldn't do.

“As riveting as this conversation will be, Elodie and I better get going, or we’re gonna be late,” Juda announced, standing up before grabbing the back of my chair, waiting for me to get up so he could pull it away. I furrowed my brow and shot Anna a confused look.

“Juda, we have to set boundaries first-” Anna began to say.

“And you said it was important that she makes friends. Well, that’s what we’re going to do, right, El?”

“Um…” I looked between Anna, who looked frustrated, and Juda, who had a smirk on his face. Everyone here knows he’s gonna win this one, so why argue?

“Fine, but come straight home after. Keep an eye on each other, you two. No one goes anywhere alone.” By that, Anna meant “don't leave the psych patient on her own or she’ll kill herself.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know the drill. El, is your jacket in the closet?”

“Yeah, it’s the black hoodie,” I told him as I stood up. Juda immediately left to grab both of our jackets, and I was left with the rest of the family.

“Be careful with him. You’re not the first pretty girl he’s taken, and you sure as hell won't be the last,” Maggie warned before stuffing more mashed potatoes in her mouth.

“Margaret!” Mark scolded. She just shrugged and rolled her eyes.

“Don't say I didn't warn you,” Maggie mumbled. Noted. Okay, so I was going god knows where with a fuckboy at night? Great. Love this idea.

“Ready?” Juda asked, standing right outside of the kitchen.

“Yup,” I replied, meeting him there. He smiled at me, handing me my hoodie.

“Just in case it gets cold,” he whispered. My heart fluttered in my chest. Oh wow. Okay, no. I can't do this. He’s obviously a fuckboy who thinks he can get whoever he wants. We’ll see about that.