"9:30 PM," Tim says. "I suggest that you and Eli might want to arrive earlier at my place, since he's gonna go to the airport at around 7 PM."
Hearing this, Taylor only became more desperate. Knowing that she doesn't have much time to both convience and explain to Eleanor about Joey. She doubt that the feisty girl would even want to hear a word she has.
"I don't know how to explain to Eleanor about this," Taylor states in a rather desperate tone.
"Think of this as a chance for you to reconcile with her as well. Who knows, maybe after you explain about the situation, she'll eventually forgive you," Tim says while attempting to sound chill. In this situation, he didn't want to make it seem like he is also worried, even though his concern to make his friends all make up is higher than what he's trying to show.
Taylor became silent as she starts to think of how she's gonna explain the situation to Eleanor. To tell her that their best friend is leaving before they even reconcile their relationship as sisters already sounds like a challenge to her, in which she didn't have much confidence to do so. At least, she didn't feel comfortable doing it alone. She thought she could use some help.
"Then can you help me to talk to Eleanor together?" Taylor asks Tim.
Tim turns his head for a moment. He raise his right eyebrow a bit, but then notice that Taylor's eyes are filled with hope, almost seems like she's really in need of his help, which he didn't expected before since he knew Taylor's the type to prefer doing things alone. Yet, he get the hint that in this case, she needs his help to acompany her to talk to Eleanor since they are still cold to one another.
"Sure," Tim says in a both chill and comforting tone. While staring into Taylor's eyes, he sees her gaze slowly becoming more comfortable, which made his heart felt a warming comfort.
A few hours later...
After school...
As Eleanor walks out of the school's exit, she thought about taking the bus today to go home. Her mom is busy and she didn't feel like walking together with Taylor, by that she thought the bus would be a good alternative.
"Eleanor!"
Before Eleanor could take another step, she hears the voice of her sister calling out to her. Yet, since she is still upset and felt that the conversations they had didn't seem to make things better, she just chose ignore her and continue to walk.
"Eleanor, wait!"
"What is it that I have to wait for?" Eleanor blurts out without even turning her head to look at Taylor.
"El, how long are you gonna keep this up?" Taylor asks as she continues to follow her sister from behind.
"Look, I know I was wrong, but this serious, El," Taylor adds.
"Keep all that seriousness to yourself," Eleanor blurts out.
Hearing that, Taylor's hope and confidence starts to shrink upon hearing Eleanor's statement. Tim, who had been walking next to Taylor, took this as a chance for him to finally speak.
"Eleanor, Joey is leaving Los Angeles," Tim says.
Shock, Eleanor suddenly stops with her steps as she turns around with a worried feeling. She meets Tim's eyes who is looking at her with a nervous look. As for Taylor, she didn't dare to meet Eleanor's eyes in this moment, and just look down.
"What was that, Tim? What did you say?" Eleanor asks as she walks up to Tim with a shock and worried face.
Tim starts to feel nervous as Eleanor slowly walks up to him. Her eyes starts to widen as she looks more worried now. He could feel his hands starts to sweat at the intensive moment, yet knew that he needed to help the silent Taylor to say what she needs to say to Eleanor. As a man, and a friend, he has to keep his words and do his action as promised.
"Joey is leaving Los Angeles tonight. He's going to San Diego," Tim says with a heavy heart.
"But...why? What happened?" Eleanor asks in confusion.
"He had a fight with his dad and got kicked out," Tim says.
Hearing this, Eleanor's starts to filled with tears. Her head starts to feel dizzy as her heart felt heavy that it weighted her down. The chaotic feeling made her break down crying, in which both Tim and Taylor bends down to comfort the crying girl.
A few hours later...
6:30 PM...
At Tim's house...
Joey is sitting on the couch. While waiting for the half hour to pass and he would go to the airport. He didn't have any luggage to bring since he didn't bring anything from home, other than his phone and wallet. He didn't bother to pack all his clothes since he was already sick when his father kicked him out just so he could make out with a younger woman without his presence. He figured if that's what the middle-age man wanted, he's gonna let him have what he wants.
"Hey!"
Joey turns his head as he sees Tim entering the house. Yet, he is not alone, since he sees a figure of a girl with brunette hair walking from behind him, though he didn't see her face clear enough since she seems to be hiding.
"Hey," Joey says in a casual manner.
"Someone wants to see you," Tim says.
"Who?" Joey asks.
Tim walks to the side reveal the girl hiding behind him, which is none other than Eleanor. The two enter a deep eye contact, as Joey notice that Eleanor's eyes looked puffy, which broke his heart. He hadn't been talking to the girl after the incident of the video, in which made him sad enough. Yet, seeing her for the last time tonight before he goes to LA in a state where she looked sad, again stings the wound in his heart deeper.
"Eleanor, how are you?" Joey asks.
To be continue...