Chapter 5: Eleanor

Eleanor reveled in the freedom of Saturdays, her one day off from work to unwind and indulge in her favorite pastimes. She could spend hours devouring books, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or binge-watching her favorite movie series without any guilt or interruptions. However, the looming monthly family dinner on Sunday cast a shadow over her relaxation, threatening to disrupt her peaceful weekend. She couldn't avoid it without her mom showing up at her doorstep, causing a scene and guilt-tripping her into attendance. Shaking off the dread that settled in the pit of her stomach, Eleanor got dressed in her comfortable leggings and blue tank top, lacing up her sneakers for her morning jog. Usually, her loyal labrador would join her, but it was spending the weekend with a friend of hers, leaving her to enjoy the solo jog. She began her route around the park, savoring the crisp morning air, the warm sunlight on her face, and the sound of birds chirping in the trees. The peaceful atmosphere and rhythmic pounding of her feet on the pavement slowly cleared her mind, pushing aside the anxiety about the impending family gathering

As Eleanor jogged around the park, she felt alive and carefree, savoring the quiet morning hours before the rest of the world woke up. Without her labrador to keep her company, she plugged into her favorite playlist, letting the upbeat tunes propel her forward.

As she ran, Eleanor's mind wandered to the looming family dinner, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. Her family gatherings often felt like a chore, with her mother's scrutinizing gaze and her step dad incessant questions about her relationship with Peter. She pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the rhythmic pounding of her feet on the pavement.

As the music shifted to a lively beat, Eleanor couldn't resist the urge to move her body. She began dancing in the middle of the park, twirling and spinning to the rhythm. Her soft laughter accompanied her carefree movements, and she silently thanked God that it was early, hoping to avoid any witnesses to her impromptu dance party.

But, as she executed another twirl, her face suddenly drained of color. Standing behind her were Cory, one of her beloved students, and Luke, his parent, whom she knew all too well. Eleanor's eyes widened in mortification as she stuttered, "Good mo...morning... oh my, I'm so sorry."

Cory, however, found the situation hilarious. He giggled, adjusted his headband, and began mimicking Eleanor's dance moves. She playfully glared at him, trying to maintain a semblance of dignity, but couldn't help laughing at his antics. "Good morning, Miss Elly!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Eleanor's gaze deliberately avoided Luke's, fearing that if their eyes met, he would burst out laughing, compounding her embarrassment. She lightly tapped Cory's nose, trying to appear stern but unable to hide her affection for her student "Good morning" she replied

Mortified, Eleanor's eyes darted around, hoping to escape the awkward situation. But Cory's giggles and playful mimicking of her dance moves only added to her embarrassment. She tried to compose herself, still avoiding Luke's gaze, fearing his amused expression would send her over the edge.

"Good morning, uh, Mr. Ashton," she stammered, attempting a weak smile.

Luke's deep chuckle finally escaped, and Eleanor's face grew even hotter. She playfully glared at Cory, who was still laughing and dancing around her.

"Cory, stop teasing Miss Elly!" Luke said, his voice laced with amusement.

Eleanor took a deep breath, trying to regain her dignity. "It's okay, really. I was just... um... getting some exercise."

Luke's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Well, you certainly were. We didn't mean to interrupt your... dance party."

Eleanor's embarrassment began to fade, replaced by a warm feeling at Luke's teasing tone. She smiled. "No, no, it's fine. I'm just glad I could... entertain you both, although I'm so sorry you had to see that."

Luke chuckled and said, "No need to apologize, Miss Eleanor! You're just showing us your... um... creative side." He smiled, trying to stifle his grin.

Eleanor's face grew even redder as she tried to compose herself. Not wanting to tease her further he said "Hey, Cory, why don't we let Miss Elly get back to her... dance practice?" He winked at Eleanor, and she gaped she must've imagined it.

As they walked away, Cory turned back and called out, "Miss Elly, you're a great dancer!" Eleanor laughed, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment, while Luke let out another low chuckle, which he quickly masked with a cough.

As Eleanor rushed home, her embarrassment slowly gave way to a smile. She felt a renewed sense of excitement and purpose as she approached her apartment. With a spring in her step, she decided to start her Saturday with a hearty breakfast, followed by a marathon baking session. Maybe, just maybe, she'd even find time to squeeze in a few chapters of her current read. The day stretched out before her, full of possibilities and promise. But little did she know, her Saturday was about to take an unexpected turn, one that would change the course of her day in ways she never could have imagined.

A knock on the door at 2:57 PM shattered the suspenseful silence of the thriller movie Eleanor was engrossed in. She jumped, her heart racing, and called out, "Who is it?" The silence that followed was unsettling, and the second, more insistent knock, made her groan in frustration. Against her better judgment, she opened the door without checking the peephole, and her blood ran cold

Peter, the last person she wanted to see, stood on her porch, his eyes red-rimmed "Elly please" he begged. Eleanor's lips trembled, and she bit down hard, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth as she struggled to contain her emotions. Tears streamed down her face as she begged, "Peter, just leave. I'm begging you." 

But Peter wedged his foot in the gap, refusing to budge. "Elly, please, let me make amends" he pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion. Eleanor's anger and hurt boiled over, and she unleashed a torrent of words. "No, Peter! You don't get to make amends. You don't get to pretend you care. You chose her over me, deliberately hurting me. You know she loathes me, and you still fell for her tricks."

Her voice cracked as she whispered, "I trusted you, and you broke that trust. You had one month to come after me, to fight for us, but you didn't. You chose to stay with her, to prioritize whatever you had with her over our relationship." Eleanor's eyes blazed with tears as she continued, "You don't get to come here now, with your fake tears and your wilted flowers, and expect me to forgive you."

With a surge of adrenaline, Eleanor slammed the door shut, leaving Peter outside, his bouquet of flowers crushed and wilted, a symbol of his failed attempt to make amends.