Heartbeats in Moonlight

Chapter 13

"So, back to you and David." Evie said.

Ella made a quick decision. Her feelings were still raw despite the fact the non-relationship was nearly ten years ago. Her best option now, would be to just provide the bare facts, don't give away concerns about how she feels right now or how she felt back then. Because her feelings have not changed. She just learned to hide them better.

So Ella, offered a smile even as her eyes remained pensive, and stayed to the facts, "Well, the fact is that Dad's assistant coach went overboard with accusations."

Evie frowned, looked at each of her two friends again and waited for someone to enlighten her. "What accusation?" Sifted through the recent conversation, and Evie came to the conclusion that Ella had definitely missed crucial information. From talking about Ella fancying David and Ella to some random accusations. Evie thought, Ella stepped over that mine about fancying David and obviously threw them a curve ball. "Your Dad's assistant coach accused who?" Evie scowled. "And why?" Evie huffed. "And you still haven't told us about the kiss. When ..."

Ella ran the tip of her tongue over her lips, seeing that Evie was about to launch another volley of questions. "After the Friday session David came over to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Amelia frowned.

"He came over to tell me that he'd see me when he got back on Monday." Ella stopped again. The scene flashed through her brain. The butterflies' wings fluttered in her tummy, again. A sensation that she thought she had forgotten. But then again, she had shelved awareness and feelings, all because of that situation, 10 years ago. Acknowledging your cognizance of your feelings for someone is not good if you want to ignore that particular someone. David lurched in the back of her mind. Constant awareness of him. But determined not to move him to the front of her mind.

Evie huffed again, "Honestly Ella, you are really terrible at providing details. You are always so, so, so...." The three looked at each other and burst out laughing. This was normal conversation. Amelia always refereed their conversation when they meet. Ella was discreet and oozed confidence, Evie was reticent and quiet and Amelia was conservative and reserved, in public. But when they meet, just the three of them, they talked without restraints.

The three friends were incredibly loyal and protective of each other in public and had no limitations in challenging each other in private.

Amelia said quietly, "Just tell us, Ella." She shook her shoulders, "I knew there was something going on between you and David, but I thought I would leave it to you to tell us when you are ready. But after that bike trip, and after what David said about you and him, I thought I had to ask you for your version. David is a nice guy, a lovely guy. I don't understand why you and him have this thing!" Amelia's eyes tried to see past the wall Ella had put up. Amelia and Evie exchanged looks while Ella looked away.

Amelia and Evie kept their lips sealed, this was the best way to get Ella to talk. They knew that from previous experience with Ella. So, as expected, eventually, Ella said, "He said he wanted to give me something to remember him by." Ella couldn't help but smile as she remembered how ingenuous her reaction had been, and how he'd chuckled at her bafflement.

"That's so romantic." Amelia sighed. "What did he give you?"

Evie did not bat an eyelid as she turned to face her friend, "What do you think?" Evie rolled her eyes at Amelia, who just shrugged and frowned in genuine puzzlement.

Ella turned around and faced her friends. "A kiss." Ella's lips curved as she watched her friends' reactions. "We kissed."

"A kiss!" Amelia squeaked. Ella laughed as Amelia's eyes widened. "Oh. That infamous kiss." Amelia grinned in utter satisfaction. "Aww."