Forever And Always

Chapter 5

Hitting the alarm as it goes off, I jerk awake. I take a deep breath. That dream was so real. It was like I was there all over again. I hate when I have these dreams. Memories resurfacing. I take a deep breath and let it go slowly.

I get out of bed and head to the shower. I stop and wake Lilly on my way to the kitchen. "Lilly" I call to her "Come on, get up." She grumbles as she stalks to the shower. Another day at Hart Publishing. "Hurry Lilly or we are going to be late" I call out.

"I'm coming" she says as she walks out dressed and ready to go. "I hate how much of a morning person you are" Lilly complains as we get into her car. "You make me want to stab you in the face," she says threateningly.

"Wow Lilly, a little violent this morning, aren't we?" I laugh at her knowing she doesn't really mean it.

"Are you ever going to tell me?" she questions me.

"Tell you what?" I respond baffled. I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Come on Ella, about the hot guy who carted you out of the cafeteria with your ass slung over his big beefy shoulder." Lilly declares with a smirk. "I have been waiting for you to tell me and you haven't. Which means you failed your best-friend duties" she states in a totally serious tone.

I laugh at her ridiculous tirade. "What duties are we talking about?"

"You know, the ones that say that you must always divulge all hot guy drama to said bff first. Every last detail." She laughs at the horrified look on my face.

"Lilly some things are just private, but in this case, there is nothing to report. He isn't interested in me at all" I claim in a dejected voice. I left out the whole stalker thing. I felt that she wouldn't understand since I didn't understand myself.

"Yea right Ella, I mean he threw you over his shoulder and stormed off with you. Mickey was frantic when he told me. He thought you were being kidnapped. He wanted to call the police. Lucky for you I am freaking awesome and I talked him down. He totally has the hots for you. I think he is jealous of your mystery man. He told me he was dangerous." Lilly says all this with a little smile on her face, like she's proud of me or something.

"Well he's wrong, it's nothing. I promise when I have something to report I will let you know" I say feeling guilty for keeping things from my friend.

"Fine be that way" Lilly says with a huff as we get out of the car.

Walking into the office we head to our desks and get to work. I see Henry heading our way and I bump Lilly with my elbow and nod my head toward him. She gets this deer in the head lights look on her face before she tells me she is going to the bathroom and she rushes out. I hear someone clearing their throat and I look up and see Henry standing in front of me. "Where did Lilly rush off to? I was hoping to talk to her."

I try not to giggle. "She wasn't feeling well, I think she's in the bathroom." Henry looks so sad at this news I almost take it back.

"She doesn't like me, does she?" He asks in the same sad voice. I decide to try to help Henry out.

"I think Lilly isn't really your type Henry, have you met Maggie in accounting? She is so pretty and super smart. I think I heard her talking about Star Wars. You like that movie, don't you?"

Henrys face lights up at this news. "Thanks, Gabriella."

I see him walking away as Lilly comes back and sits down. She keeps her head down trying to act busy. I laugh at her and get back to work. Work goes by so quick today that lunchtime hits faster than I realize. "Lilly come on, I'm hungry." I call to her and we head to the cafe. As I sit down I hear a group behind me talking.