The Truth Hurts

Chapter 36

Elise's POV

It's weird how things turn out the way you weren't expecting. Everyone has tried to mend the bond we used to have with each other like we had a long time ago. It's only been four months but it seems like a life time ago. It's easy for everyone else to do that, since their bond hasn't really disappeared. Me, however, that's different.

Ever since, they've actually grown closer. They have new inside jokes, new hang out places (besides the Dinner) that I don't know about. Whenever I try to hang out with them, I feel almost like an outsider. I feel as if I wasn't part of the group in the first place.

Willa invited Violet, and I to her house for a sleepover tonight. I'm not as hesitant as I was a long time ago, but still a bit on edge. There was no use in trying to get out of this. My parents would probably make me go either way, and there was no way I was going to tell them what happened.

Because I was finished with packing and still had an hour till I had to go to Willa's, I decided to work on my college apps.  It's better if I get them done now than later. The due dates were coming up soon and I only did three out of the five I wanted to do.

By the time the hour came up, I only finished half of one application. I let out an exasperated sigh and lugged all of my belongings down the stairs and into the trunk of my car, after saying bye to my parents. I pull into Willa's driveway, and knocked on her door.

"Elise!" Willa exclaims, letting me in.

I offer her a smile and made my way to her room to put my belongings down. Violet was already there watching a netflix show I haven't seen before. Well, I guess I wouldn't, seeing as though it's a sign language show. Violet notices me and signs "hi" to which I sign back to her.

"What's this show about?" I sign to her.

"It's a love story" she answers.

The show goes on and when a certain part comes on, Willa and Violet point and start laughing. I cock my head to the side, wondering what they're laughing at. Did I miss something? I couldn't have. I was watching the whole time.

"There it is!" Willa signs, enthusiastically. "Like always!"

I was right...they do have inside jokes that I don't know about. As they continue to laugh, I start to feel a little awkward, seeming as though I can't join in. I decide to go on my phone, and I when I do, I see that there's a text message from Daniel.

Daniel: how's the sleepover going?

I scrunch my eyebrows together, thinking, how he knows I'm at a sleepover.

Me: how do you know?

Not a second later my phone vibrates, signaling that he texted back.

Daniel: lol, did you already forget that my friends are dating both of your friends?

A slight smile snuck its way onto my face at his lightheartedness. As I was about to type my response, Willa interrupted me before I could do so.

"Whatcha smiling at?" She asks with a knowing expression.

I quickly lock my phone as she grabs it out of my hands. She rolls her eyes when she sees the blank, black screen of my phone and tosses it back to me.

"Nothing" I say casually. "I was just reminiscing on old photos"

Surprisingly, Willa bought my explanation and went back to watching the show. She can't know I was smiling because I was texting Daniel. I wasn't smiling because I was texting him. I was smiling at his hummer.