10 CHAPTER 10

"I'm just going to say this once; you really disappointed me tonight", said Killian over the phone,

Lanelle was inside her bathroom, doors locked and phone on speaker. She was not done with that conversation, and she couldn't sleep on it. 

"She's trying to control you, can't you see it?", she argued,

"Eris doesn't want to control me, you are. I know what you're doing, Lanelle. Stop acting like you care about me. I'm just a thing to you",

It was the truth, and it hit a nerve. She had no comeback because it was a fact. It wounded her pride because for so long she thought Killian was clueless. But she was wrong, and she felt embarrassed.

"All men want sex, Killian. You should be grateful that I'm giving it to you", she said.

"You're right. All men want sex, but that's not all. I really like you, and I want us to be something more. I don't want to be a piece of ass to you while you think of some other dude",

Lanelle wiped her hand across her face. Even her butt was starting to hurt from being glued on the toilet seat for hours. It was already a few minutes to midnight and she wasn't close to being sleepy. 

"You don't know that. Maybe I too was thinking about us being something more", she said,

"Well, I think it's time you make a choice; either be my girlfriend, or nothing, not even a sex partner",

Lanelle scoffed, "You know, I can get any guy once you walk away. But do you think you can?",

"It's not a competition. I just don't want to be used anymore",

"Okay then", she took a deep breath, "We're done",

"Thank you"

Killian hung up. Lanelle was left flabbergasted. It seriously wasn't how she anticipated that conversation to go. She expected Killian to grovel and beg her not to leave him, but he was suddenly a new confident man who dodged all her bullets. She could feel an ache born at the bridge of her nose and spreading at the speed of light. Her eyes were still locked onto her phone screen, hoping to receive a call from him with an apology. But minutes passed, no call or text. 

"What just happened?", she asked herself, "Did he really _ no way", she shook her head, "He can't leave me, he's obsessed with me",

Her phone suddenly buzzed and she immediately opened the text. It wasn't from Killian, but Yuster. She groaned with annoyment, 

Hey, did you see Killian's arms inside that shirt? Didn't know we had a hunk in our town. I think I'm gonna make a move on him.

Lanelle's toes curled with anger. It was so peaceful when she was the only woman who paid heed to Killian, but now that she saw signs that women were going to line up to him, it was bitter than the juice of a tree bark. 

"It's all that bitch's fault!", she hissed, "I'm gonna make her leave this town",

She was determined as she thought that would be the only solution to that mess.

…

Eris' alarm rang, but she was already awake, staring blankly at the ceiling. Sunrays penetrated into her room and collected at the corner of the wall like an angel's visitation. She could hear people talk outside, bicycle bells, and waves. But she could also hear the conversation from the previous night. She was no saint. Of course she was hurt, and  she really despised Lanelle. 

…

Sunday morning; town cleaning day. People were gathered, sweeping, recycling, gardening, all things to make their town glow. Some were at the shore, and some were on the streets. The atmosphere was filled with a good mood, laughter and catching up. Only a few were feeling different, and the levels of concern grew after not seeing Eris amongst them for community cleaning.

Killian was the first person to approach Deb. She was her landlady afterall.

"Morning Deb", he greeted,

"Hi, morning", she threw the last trash bag in the truck, "What's up?",

"Did you check on Eris?",

But before she answered, Yuster joined them. Behind her, Meshack was making his way towards them too.

"Hey Debby, Killian", she smiled when she said his name, like she was communicating another message to him which wasn't a greeting, "Is Eris okay?",

"I think she is", said Deb, "I didn't want to bother her, so I didn't check",

Meshack arrived, "I don't see Eris",

"We're all here for the same thing", Killian chuckled,

"Your sister said some of the meanest things to her, Mesh. Even if that was me, I wouldn't be able to show up", Deb spoke, disappointment in her tone,

"Where's Lanelle, by the way?", asked Yuster as she looked around, "She's supposed to be here",

"It's alright. We can excuse them for one day", said Killian,

"She still has to apologize to Eris", added Deb,

"I'll tell her to _", Meshack paused halfway as his eyes caught something else, "Is that Eris?", he asked,

They all turned in sync. And there was Eris in her oversized t-shirt and shorts. She neither had a hat nor cap on. When she spotted them she waved happily. It felt like they were the only ones stuck in the past.

"Hey, she's smiling", whispered Yuster,

"We should too", Meshack whispered back,

And they did. But the more Eris got closer, the more she could see how forced their smiles were.

"You know I can clearly see how fake your smiles are, right?", Eris scoffed, 

"How're you?", asked Killian, the most concerned of all,

"I'm great and ready to make our town sparkle",

"Hi Eris", Yuster spoke, her cheeks turning red with excitement. She was one of those people who'd freak out whenever they saw a celebrity. Although Eris wasn't her favorite, just being in the same place with her was like sunshine and she had Vitamin D inadequacy. 

"Hi Yuster", Eris smiled,

"Come with me. We can clean the office together", said Killian,

"Can I help too?", Yuster blurted out,

Everyone laughed, "Sure, Yuster. Why not?", Killian nodded,

And they left for the office together. A bit further, Lanelle and Duante watched, but their attention was divided. He was looking at Deb and Meshack, she was staring at Eris and Killian.

…

The office was of a small space, so they couldn't all be cramped inside doing whatever they called 'cleaning'. They had to split tasks, and Yuster, that being her lucky morning, teamed up with Killian to water the gardens outside. Eris stayed inside, organizing and dusting. It was a one man's job, and she was really good at it. Now that they were alone, Yuster found it to be the perfect time to shoot her shot. She had nothing to lose.

"Hey Killian, would you mind if I asked you a personal question?", she began,

"Not at all. What are you curious about?",

"Are you by any chance seeing someone?", 

Killian chuckled scoffily. Why did he expect that question from her? He wasn't surprised. It was just funny. They'd been living in the same town for years, but now someone was curious to know about his love life. Previously, nobody even bothered to ask. They all assumed he didn't, because who'd date him? But now, thanks to Eris, he had a spectacle. 

Killian shook his head, "I'm not seeing anybody", he said,

"What about a love interest?", 

"Love interest?",

"Yeah", Yuster nodded, "Someone you like, does she exist?",

Killian went into thoughts. Yuster viewed it as a green light. What was there to think about? If she existed, he'd have said so. And if she didn't exist, he'd have said do too. So, there was nothing to think about.

"She doesn't exist, does she?", she asked with a knowing tone,

But she was a bit surprised when Killian shook his head, "She exists, someone I started to appreciate recently",

"Who's the lucky girl?",

But like a well-trained ninja, Killian dodged her question, "Hey, look at this. We finished watering the garden",

Yuster looked around. Where did the time go? She cursed the place for being too small. If not, she could've had more time to talk to him.

"I'll go check on Eris. Thanks for helping us today, Yuster",

"Oh, my pleasure",

Killian headed inside. Yuster slowly walked away, a little proud of herself for trying.

***