Scarlet Alice Pendleton

“Scarlet, what’s got you all smiles?” Her mother raised an eyebrow, but the turn of her lips meant she figured a boy was involved.

Scarlet felt a chill run down her spine, she knew her parents wouldn’t approve of an older man, but she forced the smile to stay on her face as she hung up her backpack. “Nothing mom, I’m just super excited to see Elyna.” She hadn’t seen her cousin since the party incident where the house had burned down. She was excited to see her best friend and tell her everything about Nick.

“Hmm, well then it’s a good thing she’s already setting up in your room.” Her mother chuckled and Scarlet knew she that she was lying. But if her mother didn’t ask, she wasn’t going to say anything.

At the mention of Elyna already being here she squealed and rushed upstairs to her room where she found Elyna had set up on an air mattress with all her things scattered around. She herself was sprawled out on the mattress with her earbuds in listening to something. Scarlet could hear the music but couldn’t make it out clearly.

Scarlet smirked before jumping in the air, planning to land on the mattress to jolt her cousin. “Bombs away!” She called out a warning before landing  on the mattress. Elyna went in the air a few inches before landing, staring at Scarlet who was laughing away. At first she didn’t move, but it wasn’t long before they hugging and laughing and suddenly it was like old times before Elyna was shipped off.

“So, got any juicy gossip for me?” Elyna laid back down on her bed with her hands under her chin as she waited for something good.

Scarlet sat up a bit straighter and looked towards her door. It was closed and she didn’t hear anyone in the hallway outside.

“Oh, it’s gotta be super juicy if you’re checking for eavesdropping,” Elyna sat up a little more “tell me!” She begged her cousin.

“Okay calm down, you have to swear you won’t tell a soul though,” Scarlet held up her pinky for a pinky square and Elyna complied. She checked the door one more time before turning back to Elyna with the biggest smile on her face. “I’m dating someone.” She felt her cheeks flush with heat and knew she was turning red.

“Oh my gawd, Scarlet. Who is he?” Elyna asked but before scarlet could spill the beans, Elyna stopped her “wait, let me guess. Charlie?” Scarlet shook her head, knowing Elyna would never be able to guess. “Jacob?” Elyna tilted her head and scarlet once again shook her head.

“He doesn’t go to our school.” It wasn’t a lie exactly, but it wasn’t the full truth since he wasn’t a student.

“Oh? An outside boy. Exciting.” Elyna continued to guess a few names of their old friends who didn’t attend their school. Scarlet had to even stop her.

“He’s not a high schooler. His name is Nick and he works at the college.” She blurted out, though it felt good to finally tell someone about her little secret.

Scarlet expected Elyna to be excited, tell her she was so cool and mature, and getting out of her comfort zone. But Elyna’s face said otherwise.

“Scar, you’re kidding right?” Elyna asked, though Scarlet just stared at her with confusion.

 “No. He teaches there.” She said quietly, wondering why Elyna wasn’t ecstatic for her.

Elyna stared at her, her lips a thin line of worry. “He’s taking advantage of you Scar. You’re so sweet and you don’t see the bad in anyone.”

Scarlet felt a sudden chill went through her, she didn’t feel like Nick was taking advantage of her. He was sweet, and gentle, and they had so much in common. But scarlet wondered if he was and she was falling for someone who just wanted to use her.

“Scar, come to Tidewater with me. He doesn’t have to know where you went and this will all disappear.” Elyna smiled a soft smile and heard Scarlet’s mother call for dinner downstairs. Elyna moved to head down, leaving Scarlet to mull things over.

Something didn’t sit right with her, but she wasn’t sure if it was Nick possibly taking advantage of her or Elyna convincing her to leave the man she loved.

“Mom!” She called out suddenly, shooting up from where Elyna had left her. “I want to go to Tidewater too.” She said as she rushed down the stairs to join her family.