Eli woke the next morning still replaying the conversation with Sophie over and over in their mind. Her last words, "I don't pretend," kept echoing, pulling at something deep inside them. For the life of them, Eli couldn't figure out what it was about Sophie that got under their skin so easily. She had this way of pushing all the wrong buttons, but at the same time, there was something about her that Eli couldn't shake.
Eli groaned, turning over in bed and burying their face in the pillow. They didn't want to think about Sophie anymore. She was a puzzle they didn't want to solve, someone who seemed to live in a world so far removed from Eli's own. And yet, despite everything, Sophie Bellamy had somehow wormed her way into Eli's thoughts, and Eli hated it.
The sound of Ava's voice from downstairs broke through their frustration. She was talking loudly, laughing, and it was clear she wasn't alone. Eli sighed and reluctantly dragged themself out of bed, throwing on a hoodie and heading downstairs to see what was going on.
In the kitchen, Ava was seated at the table with Max Donovan, of all people. He was sipping coffee, looking relaxed and at home in the Brennan kitchen, while Ava was recounting some story that had Max laughing. The sight of him there made Eli's stomach twist in discomfort.
Max glanced up as Eli entered the room, his charming smile flashing in an instant. "Morning, Eli."
Eli nodded stiffly, feeling out of place in their own house. "Morning."
"You're just in time," Ava said with a grin. "Max and I were talking about the hiking trip tomorrow. You're still coming, right?"
Eli blinked. "Hiking trip?"
"Yeah, the one Lily was talking about at her party," Ava said. "It'll be fun. Fresh air, exercise you could use some of that."
Eli opened their mouth to protest, to say they weren't interested, but Ava was already talking again. "Max is coming too. He knows the trail pretty well. I figured it'd be a good way to get out of the house and hang out with some friends."
Max gave a nod of agreement. "It's a beautiful trail. Not too difficult either. You'll like it."
Eli was torn. The last thing they wanted was to spend a whole day hiking with Max, especially when they could sense Ava's matchmaking tendencies kicking into high gear. But they couldn't exactly back out without seeming rude or antisocial.
"Yeah, okay," Eli said, forcing a small smile. "I guess I'll go."
Ava beamed, clearly pleased with herself, while Max leaned back in his chair, his eyes flicking over Eli with an unreadable expression. There was something about Max that made Eli uncomfortable, and it wasn't just the fact that he was effortlessly good-looking and confident. It was more than that something in the way he looked at Eli, like he was sizing them up, like he knew something Eli didn't.
"Great," Max said with a grin. "It'll be fun. You'll see."
---
The next morning, Eli stood by the trailhead with Ava, Lily, Max, and of course Sophie Bellamy.
Eli hadn't known Sophie would be there, and the sight of her standing just a few feet away sent their heart racing. She was dressed in hiking boots and a fitted jacket, looking more casual than Eli had ever seen her, but still somehow maintaining that same cool, untouchable aura.
"Hey," Ava said, nudging Eli with a grin. "You didn't tell me Sophie was coming."
"I didn't know," Eli muttered, their eyes flicking nervously in Sophie's direction.
Sophie, for her part, seemed entirely unfazed by Eli's presence. She was standing off to the side, talking quietly with Lily, her expression calm and composed as usual. But every now and then, Eli caught Sophie glancing their way, her eyes lingering for just a second longer than necessary.
Eli quickly turned away, focusing on the trail ahead. The group began their hike, the cool morning air refreshing as they made their way up the winding path. The scenery was beautiful dense woods, tall trees, and the occasional patch of sunlight filtering through the leaves. It should have been peaceful, but with Sophie walking just a few steps behind them, Eli couldn't relax.
Max walked alongside Eli, his easy charm on full display as he struck up conversation. "So, how's the art coming along?"
"It's… good," Eli replied, trying to keep things casual. "Working on a few new pieces."
"That's awesome," Max said, his voice smooth and full of encouragement. "I'd love to see more of your work sometime. You've got a unique style."
Eli forced a smile, feeling the compliment slide off them. Max was too polished, too good at saying the right things. It didn't feel genuine, and Eli wasn't sure why they felt that way. There was nothing inherently wrong with Max, but something about him set off alarms in Eli's head.
Ava, walking just ahead, turned to join the conversation. "Max's been talking about broadening his art collection, you know."
"Oh, really?" Eli asked, though they couldn't muster much enthusiasm for the topic. The idea of Max owning any of their art made them feel uneasy.
Max chuckled. "I'm just starting to appreciate it more, that's all. Eli's got talent why not support local artists?"
Before Eli could respond, Sophie's voice cut through the conversation, cool and measured. "Support isn't something you can just buy, Max."
Eli glanced back in surprise, catching Sophie's sharp gaze aimed directly at Max. There was an edge to her words, a subtle tension that Eli hadn't noticed before. Max's easy grin faltered for just a moment before he recovered.
"Of course not," Max said, his tone light but with a trace of defensiveness. "I didn't mean it like that."
Sophie didn't respond, turning her attention back to the trail ahead, but the moment lingered, the tension between her and Max hanging in the air like a storm cloud.
The rest of the hike was quiet. Eli found themselves stuck between Ava's excitement and Max's forced charm, while Sophie remained a silent but ever-present figure just behind them. Every now and then, Eli would glance back, only to find Sophie's eyes already on them, her gaze unreadable but intense.
When they finally reached a clearing near the top of the trail, the group decided to take a break. Lily spread out a blanket, and the group sat down, enjoying the view of the valley below. It should have been relaxing, but Eli couldn't shake the undercurrent of tension that seemed to follow them.
As they sat in awkward silence, Sophie suddenly spoke. "Why do you care so much about what other people think?"
Eli blinked, caught off guard. Sophie's question seemed to be directed at them, though they weren't entirely sure what she was getting at.
"What do you mean?" Eli asked, furrowing their brow.
Sophie tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as she studied Eli. "You're an artist. You create things. But you let the opinions of people who don't matter affect you. Why?"
Eli opened their mouth to respond, but no words came out. Sophie's question hit too close to home, cutting through the layers of frustration and insecurity Eli had been trying to ignore.
"I… I don't," Eli said, though the words felt hollow, even to them.
Sophie's gaze didn't waver. "Yes, you do. You let it get under your skin. That's why you're still thinking about what I said at the charity event."
Eli felt a flush of embarrassment creep up their neck. How did Sophie know? How could she see right through them like that?
"I just....." Eli started, but Sophie cut them off.
"You're better than that," Sophie said, her voice quiet but firm. "Stop worrying about people who don't understand you. Do the work for yourself."
Eli stared at her, stunned into silence. It was the first time Sophie had spoken to them with anything resembling sincerity, and it left Eli feeling exposed, like she had peeled away a layer of their defenses and seen something they hadn't wanted to reveal.
For the first time since they'd met, Sophie's gaze softened, just slightly, and Eli saw a flicker of something vulnerable beneath the surface.
"You're right," Eli finally said, their voice barely above a whisper. "I do care too much."
Sophie didn't respond, but the look in her eyes said enough. It wasn't pity it was understanding. Eli had no idea what Sophie had been through, but for a brief moment, it felt like they weren't so different after all.
As the conversation fell into a heavy silence, Eli couldn't help but feel that something between them had shifted, a line had been crossed and now, there was no going back.