I've Changed

18. permanent

Jae's pov

"What the fuck are you doing?" Ellie opens the door, exposing herself in a hoodie and sweatpants, a low bun in her hair, and glasses on her nose.

"You got my message?" I straighten my back, attempting to appear awake and positive, but I can't help but feel uncomfortable with the way she's looking daggers at me after the previous day's disagreements.

Ellie continues to look at me, scowling and rolling her eyes from time to time, and I fidget on my place, uneasy with the silence that has descended upon us.

"It's fucking 4 a.m.," she grumbles, peering over her shoulder to see if anyone is up. "What.the.fuck.are.you.doing?"

"Uh...um," I stifle my nerves, her sternness with each of her words almost making me flee and sprint back home, but I hold my ground. "We need to talk." I scrunch up my face, cringing at the words I just said. Ellie's expression isn't any better, as her eyebrows are raised and she glares at me to demonstrate her criticism

"This early? No, thank you "She shuts the door quietly, not wanting a noisy sound to reverberate in her house. I take a deep breath and knock on the door once more, determined as I was the last time I was here.

"What? What? WHAT MAKES THIS SO IMPORTANT?" She swings the door open again, her gaze narrowing on me. "I told you to leave me alone, but you're doing just the opposite."

"Yes," I rub my neck awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

"Go back to your girlfriend Jae," she says as she tries to shut the door, which I block with my foot. She peers through the gap before opening the door wide with a blank look on her face.

"You're this close," she says, pinching her index and middle fingers together, leaving a centimetre between them. My eyes widen as I observe her being solemn, her other hand clenched on her doorknob.

"I-I..I'm.."

"I-I," she imitates, rolling her eyes before slamming the door shut again, but I reach out to stop her.

"Jae, I'm going to count to three, because you don't want to know what'll happen if you don't leave my fucking building when I say zero," she says, closing her eyes and taking a moment to calm herself.

"Get ready please..." I cast a desperate glance at her, noting that her features haven't changed. "Don't make me do it."

"Do what?" She scoffs, clearly annoyed by my persistence.

"Ellie Mae," She lifts an amused brow as I get down on my knees. When I give her a "really" look, she shrugs and leans against the door frame for support, a smug grin approaching her lips. "Would you please...get ready," I plead with her, folding my hands.

"I don't think so; you'll have to convince me," she says, my mouth gaping when I see her trying to conceal a smile.

"Ellie, the Ellie Mae Miller, please get ready, preferably before 5 a.m., because I have another surprise for you if you're willing."

"Do I have to go?"

"Yeah, you really must go, so is that a yes?" I smile up at her, hoping that my dimples will add to the allure, but she shuts the door in my face, causing me to sigh. I remain knelt on the hard marble tiles, pondering my next course of action. I'd keep checking the time, afraid that I'd have to cancel, but the door reopened a few minutes later, and Ellie was standing fully dressed.

"This better be good," she says as she steps over me on her way to the elevator, not bothering to help me up, as I deserve. As I wipe my knees from kneeling and stand up and try to catch up to her, I notice her smug smile.