Chapter Fifteen

She didn't know how long she could hold her breath until she finished a whole story in her head and slowly lifted her head from under the water. Opening her eyes slowly, she wiggled her red toes then smiled. The warm bath made her feel as if she was in a blanket that hugged her skin so delicately.

The only thing that disturbed her was the random knocking Henry would put in as he complained he had to use the restroom. "You can go outside in the rose bed!" She called out while lathering herself in lemon scented body wash.

He continued to knock which made Elowen give up. She rinsed her body off and let the water out before drying herself off.

She threw the door open just to be met with the eyes of Kaitlyn Johnson. Elowen jumped out of her skin seeing how pissed the girl looked. "We need to talk."

"Oh... okay. Let me just get dressed. Can you wait in the living room?" She shook her head. "Well, why not?"

"Well," she mocked in Elowen's frightened voice. "Your brother said go to your room and I'd rather that. So lead the way."

Kaitlyn was no more than two inches taller than Elowen. So watching Kaitlyn stare down at her in an intimidating glare only made Elowen rather jump out a window than be near her.

Elowen went straight to her closet in hopes she would be able to get changed before any talking happened. But Kaitlyn sat right on her bed and never peeled her eyes away. "Can I change-"

"I won't take much of your time. I mainly want to say that you have to break up with Philip." They both stood still. Elowen with wide eyes and Kaitlyn with a fake smile. Someone she thought was slowly started to hate was actually just as worse as she's always been. "He isn't good for you."

"But Jane said-"

"Who is she? God? Why listen to what she said? I'm just trying to protect you from getting hurt. He's hit you and said some pretty cruel things behind your back. Women need to stick up for women in this day and time."

"Then why do black women get the ass end of the saving?" Elowen asked Kaitlym who scowled at her reply. "You all knew Philip dated everyone in your group but you still love him oh so dearly. Now that he's found someone he actually likes, you can't stand it only because I'm black."

"Why are you bringing your race into this? It's disgusting enough that he finds you half decent now you're pulling out your "I'm black" card thinking it'll make me feel sorry for how people treat you."

Elowen shook her head. "You're the only person who treat me bad. At least a majority of the school knows how to keep their mouth shut. You're not protecting me but yourself. I make you look bad especially since you can't win. Philip doesn't love you like he loves me."

"What? Philip doesn't love you Elowen! He's manipulating your brain! So just leave him alone and go back to being the quiet black girl instead of thinking you actually fit in with us! You're not white! You'll never be! You'll always be used and abused and that's that!"

Kaitlyn was now on her feet and screaming across the room. Elowen gripped onto her towel a little tighter out of fear it would fall. She then gulped when Kaitlyn stepped closer to her.

"You're not gonna take my best friend from me. You blacks might be good for something one day but you'll never be good enough." She then turned abruptly on her heels causing her blonde curls to swipe Elowen across the face.

She stood there until she heard the front door slam shut minutes later. Elowen rushed to close and lock her door and called Philip immediately.

His mother answered and as usual, Elowen had to say she was Cindy. Apparently that's the girl Philip always says his parents missed. She only hoped when they met her that they would replace Cindy's name with Elowen.

"Philip! The phone is for you! Its Cindy," she sang as the line was passed over.

"Sup, Elo." She could tell he was smiling which made her not want to tell him what just happened. But their first day of a new school year was tomorrow and she knew she would come in contact with Kaitlyn. She would hate for him to have to figure things out in front of the whole school.

Elowen wiped the tears from her eyes and steadied her breathing. Her mother always told her she'd be something special in the world and to never let anyone take that pride from her. But it was her pride that put her in the situation she is now. Always thinking everyone was for her. Ignoring the fact that her skin color put her in last place before she even entered the race. It took Kaitlyn's constant belittling of her to understand that she had it different. No matter how much Philip made her feel accepted. She would always have it different.

"Kaitlyn told me something..." she sniffled. "She says you've been talking trash about me and I just wanna know if it's true."

"What? When did she say this?"

"Just now. She has my home street and everything. Came by here in a fury and told me you didn't love me and that you've been saying things."

Philip scoffed. "I'll handle Kaitlyn. She's just a jealous ex. No need to let her get to your head-"

"Why do you like me Philip? Why do you feel so comfortable with me. Everyone stares us down. You're friends love us together one moment and despise me the next. I feel like it'll never rest. The fear. The threats. Hiding from my family and hiding from yours. Why me?"

"Elowen..." he said after a long pause. "I love you cause those things don't matter. I spent my whole life listening to people tell me what's best as if they knew me from inside and out. I was never happy with any of those girls. Always telling their friends what we did and where. Yeah, they're still my friends and I'll never forget them. But they don't try and understand me. They take what they see on the surface and they run with it."

She got comfortable on the floor and Philip rested his head against the wall.

"But you, I took a leap when I spoke to you. I've never been with someone smart and dedicated. I've never been with someone that I chose. Someone who wouldn't let me take the easy way out. You sat with me through homework that you made me do. You stood by my side when I was angry with you or sad at myself. You loved me Elowen and I love you because you helped me figure out what that is."

She didn't mean to do it but she cried. Full on tears raining down her face and she didn't bother covering her mouth so Philip wouldn't hear. If anything he was glad to know she can break down in front of him without feeling embarrassed or objectified.

"You're so beautiful, Elowen." He spoke in the phone softly.

Tuesday morning, Elowen was a sophomore and Philip was a senior. They met in front of the school and kissed each other confidently before parting ways with their friend groups. Kaitlyn pretended to throw up every time Philip's back was turned but Elowen didn't care. She smiled at her and went on her way.

"Philip and I are celebrating four months together on the fifteenth."

"Four months? You guys have been in love with each since the beginning of last-" Kellie elbowed Marcus' side which made him groan. "Uh... I mean. What are you gonna do? What are the plans?"

"I don't know yet. He hasn't spoke much of it but I know it's going to be some sort of surprise. He's always good at surprising me." She didn't want to admit it but he was also good at forgetting these types of things.

Kellie raised her eyebrows and gave Marcus that look that showed they couldn't wait to hear that story. "Anyway, we all three have gym together! What a good year this is going to be!"

Elowen sighed. "Gym is alright I guess. Philip shares the same period but not the same teacher."

"Well that's because we're not in the same grade," Marcus spoke as if he was talking to a toddler. "Is everything that come out of your mouth going to pertain to Philip because if yes then I'd be more than happy to head to chemistry right now." Kellie nodded at him and he left quickly.

She then wrapped an arm around Elowen's shoulders and pulled her by her side. "So tell me what makes Philip stand out from the rest? Is it because this is a first love thing? People are often known to get attached to the ones they kiss first."

Elowen giggled. "Maybe." She covered her cheeks to feel the heat they were giving off. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone but we did it on my fifteenth birthday."

Kellie jumped back in amazement. "Elowen! I'm your best friend! You kept that from me for that long!" Elowen nodded while biting back her smile. "Oh my god. I want details! I wanna know everything."

Elowen held up a finger to her lips while looking around to make sure no one was tuning in on them. "I'll tell you after school I promise."

"No. You're coming to my house. You, me, and Marcus. We're gonna get deep into this because I can not fucking believe you." Elowen laughed as Kellie pulled her down the hall to their first class.