Just a Good Friend

We manage to resist the temptation to sneak back to my house early, partly out of wanting delayed gratification, mostly because I'm not sure if Mum would be back at this point. There's no sign of Trish, or Rouge for that matter, not that I mind getting Elise all to myself.

I learn the origin of Elise's name during our R&R, turns out Mr Monroe met his wife at a charity gala in Champagne, featuring a performance from a famous pianist, they bumped into each other in the crowd and hit it off, they shared their first kiss as their new joint song played. Für Elise. "For Elise" if that's not obvious. Apparently this was a matter of contention in the Monroe family, due to disagreements about the song's nature and origin. Honestly, my main take away from that argument is that upper class people have too much time on their hands.

I explain the origins of mine and my siblings names too, not that Elise hasn't picked up on it, but according to my Mum there'd been arguments about Jasper's name too, my father had pointed out that Jasper can be any colour. I can't prove that's why he's not around, but I wouldn't put it past my mother to **** him for saying that.

"Hmm, maybe I should learn a song about the colour red, it'd butter up both our parents." Elise jokes. Before we know it the final bell is ringing, time to get out of here, time to see if I can sweet talk my mother into overlooking the continued interference in my schedule. And without realising the reason why.

*

"Again? Didn't you visit at the weekend?" My mother asks. We arrived during one of Jasper's visits, so I quietly hope for him to take my side. Alas, no words come to make the job easier. Mum continues writing as she talks, filling out forms and checking numbers, I'm starting to see where Rouge gets it from.

"Well, Elise's parents are away, and I think she gets lonely, I'd feel bad leaving her on her own, she's still new around here." I argue. I know it's bad to lie, but 'I desperately want to rip her clothes off lick honey off her thighs' isn't as strong a point.

My mother sighs, putting down her pen a moment and looking at me. "You get to school on time tomorrow, and make sure you eat. I know you're an adult, but don't make a habit of being away, okay?" She confirms, before returning to her work. "You're a good friend, I'm glad you're looking after that girl." She adds. Yes. A friend. That's all. Absolutely.

"I'll give you a lift, better than you two taking the bus." Jasper chips in. Better late than never. I smile in appreciation.

"Thanks, I'll grab my stuff and we'll set off." I agree, before almost skipping out of the kitchen and up the stairs to my room. Elise has already started packing my things for me, I notice she's wearing the clothes she wore last night, makes sense, honestly, the clothes that we've lent each other at this point is a tangled web. I decide to change before we go, that way I'm only bringing one uniform, I suppose it's all clothes, but still, makes it more straightforward.

I throw off my polo shirt and unzip my skirt, placing it in the wash basket. It dawns on me how quickly I've gotten used to changing in front of Elise, who I notice is watching me intently.

"Oh, don't stop on my account, I'm just enjoying the view." She smirks. Damn, I have the willpower of an Olympic athlete, it's the only explanation I have for not jumping on her right now. I pull on a white t-shirt and blue jeans. It's not exactly flattering, but I don't think I'll be wearing them very long. I grab my over-night bag and lead Elise down the stairs to where Jasper's waiting.

"Long time, no see, stranger!" Jasper greets our guest. I suppose it has only been the one meeting for them.

"Oh, Scarlet, you hired a chauffer for us? I assume so, because I don't know who this is otherwise!" Elise mocks my brother. I can't help but laugh at the response, coupled with Jasper's sarcastic eye roll.

"Have fun girls!" My mother's voice echoes from the kitchen. Oh. We will. I'm certain. We bundle into the back of Jasper's car and make our way to Elise's house, she congratulates him on the baby, he jokes about it not being his, it's all very pleasant. Eventually we arrive in Elise's neighbourhood and she directs Jasper to park outside her house. We say our thanks and go to open the doors to leave.

Then the doors lock.

Jasper sighs before turning to us. "So, I get why you did it, but it was kind of sad to see you lie to Mum like that." He states in a serious voice. Lie? How would- No. Not again. I refuse. It can't keep happening. "Oh, don't give me that look, let me run you through the timeline. One day you show up with a girl who laid out a bully for you, you become inseparable, next thing I know there's been a falling out, you're a mess, and this one is nowhere to be found." He explains, pointing to Elise. "Before I know it, you're chipper as a bird, and you and her are staying at each other's houses every night. I don't need to be Rouge to figure out the missing facts here."

I sit in stunned silence, not only because both of my siblings have now figured out my identity, but because of Jasper's tone. I can't tell if he's upset, or what exactly he's most annoyed about. I try to hold back my welling tears, I wasn't prepared for this right now. Suddenly all the fear dissipates as I feel a hand in mine, I turn to Elise, who gifts me with a soft smile and turns to my brother.

"It's not her fault. We both agreed not to tell anyone yet, I understand you-" She begins before getting cut off.

"Ellie, I'm not angry, I'm happy for you two, I really am, but that's the problem, Mum would be too, and it worries me that either of you think she wouldn't be." Jasper answers concisely. I know he's right, but it's not that simple. "I'm not gonna **** you to come out, Scar, but I just need to know that you aren't hiding it because of Mum's reaction."

"But I am." I answer honestly. "Look, it's easy for you, you're the perfect son, good job, engaged, kid on the way. You're everything Mum wants from us. If I tell her the truth I'm scared that light's gonna go out. I know she'll love me regardless, but that just makes the thought that I've let her down so much worse." I confess.

The car is silent for a few moments after my statement, until Jasper processes the response.

"Fair enough, I can't reason with your anxieties, but I know, and the only disappointment I feel is that you couldn't tell me." My brother says, hitting the switch to unlock the doors. Somehow that hurts more. I should have. I should have told him. In fact, I still haven't yet, have I?

"Hey Jasper." I begin, tapping him on the shoulder, "I need to tell you something." I continue. I try to think of the words I would use. The words I used whenever I imagined coming out.

"I'm... I'm gay. And I've met a girl... And she's amazing, you're really gonna like her. She... Makes me feel like I'm lighter than air, like I've got all the energy in the world and I can't stop smiling. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about me earlier. I was embarrassed, and I never thought I'd meet anyone anyway so I kept it hidden, but I can't keep it secret anymore. I don't feel ashamed anymore because... Because I could never be ashamed of her. I just wanted you to know."

Jasper shakes his head before letting out a low chuckle. "You're an idiot, but I love you." He states, before opening his door and stepping out. I follow suit and he pulls me into a big hug. That's it. I did it. I told someone. Somehow, this hug is all I need to make it worth it. "Hey, don't you slip away!" He barks to Elise as she begins to head to the door, releasing his grip on me.

"Oh, I thought this was a sibling moment, I was just gonna wait inside." She explained quickly.

"No chance." He retorts with a smirk, swaggering towards her. "So, if you were a guy, I could say that if you hurt my sister I'll kick the shit out of you, but you're not a guy, and I wasn't raised in barn. I will say, thank you for looking after my sister, and that my soon to be wife is only going to get bigger and angrier over the next 8 months, so keep it in mind." He finishes with a chuckle. For mortal threats, that was almost adorable. Elise just responds by crossing her heart, before being pulled into one of Jasper's hugs.

We say our goodbyes as Jasper gets back into his car and heads home. My fingers interlace with Elise's free hand as we wave goodbye, before she brings my hand to her mouth and kisses the back of it. I look towards the door of her house, remembering the last time I saw that door, there were definitely ups and downs last time. This time has to be better, doesn't it?