a little laugh goes a long way

Ellie was in the laughter zone all the way there. It didn't hit her that they were actually going to Elliot's place first before he dropped her off. After all, Eric wasn't going to pick her up. She didn't think. He did have to work. It would be all right. But was this all right?

It felt awkward yet brilliant to her. Suddenly, she felt she needed to go to the bathroom. Her stomach was topsy turvy. And this chill of uncertainity covered her with goosebumps. Was this a sign of warning or did she really like being with this dark curly haired guy who was definitely not in school, anymore....

Elliot said he didn't live at home, but he did. Above his parents' garage.

Suddenly, Ellie was lost for words. No more sharing of tales of where's Lily, the girl who liked to hide under tables at the store. She'd hide anywhere to get out of doing anything. Ellie licked her dry lips. Well, sure, it felt like she knew Elliot. Wasn't he the one who practically hired her in the first place and he was always..always nice. He smelled like pumpkin pie, but it might have been they were trying to get rid of all the pumpkin pie candles and he was moving them to the front to get rid of. Anyway, oh he was just like something from the OC. Beautiful teeth, that slight dimple in his chin. Probably had a long time girlfriend. Boyfriend. Whatever. Certainly unattainable. Not that she said she wasn't. That wasn't this was about. That would be so high and mighty of her to mention it now as they were leaping up the steps to his place.

"I want to show you something." Elliot smiled at her as if he didn't let anyone know about something like this but somebody like her.

What would it be? Something unbelievable amazing. Of course, she'd expect no less. He went to the university. He preferred old school art to graphic design. She was beginning to think the more he talked that he was programmed to say these things. Once that conversation was over it was just..so..uh..uh..uh..and she found even that horribly cute. She didn't want to.

So there it was. All that art. His parfolio. Mostly still life. Some things dark and moody like the goth girl in a Madonna pose. Perhaps he knew her, broke up with her. Oh the tales weaving through her head. She hardly noticed when his arm came around her.

She cleared her throat gave him a smile. "Well, who is that?" She stared at the pastel of the girl with the black lips and bewitching eyes.

"Somebody in my head."

"That is so cool." It was the best Ellie could come up with. Truly, he was making it so comfy. It was getting so warm. Fuzzy.

"I'm-" She was trying to figure out a way to go. But as it was from her mutterings, he put on the kettle instead. It looked like she was staying awhile in his studio.