Less You Know, The Better³

Less You Know, The Better³

Eloise stared at the note both in disbelief and confusion. She was confused since the note didn't make any sense at all and added the photo, why the photo of them? Second, the brunette was in disbelief due to the fact that the note could mean anything, not a clue to what happened to her.

It seemed impossible to the Kingston girl. Absurd even. Aurora Carter was many things, but leaving notes and clues of some sort isn’t something she would’ve done in her past time. Maybe the boys were up to nothing, but making delusional things about the missing girl sending them clues. Or maybe not?

Though the key looked very familiar to her, she just can't put her finger on where she saw it before, but it was a key, there must be hundreds of keys that she saw in the seventeen years she's lived.

“Hey, Lou, we have to go.” The voice of her best friend snapped her away from her messy thoughts. They walked out the door, Austin shutting the door behind them and locking it before hiding the key under the pot of magnolias. “You okay?” He asked when he saw her staring down on the key.

“Yeah, it’s just that this key looks familiar. I’ve seen it before, but I can’t put my finger on where and when.” Eloise answered, slipping the key inside the pocket of her coat before they walked. Their conversation didn’t go unheard by the three boys in the back, it sparked the curiosity in them.

“Where?” Damon questioned, coldly as his arms crossed against his chest. “We need answers, Eloise. Now, spit it out.”

“I don't remember. I've seen a lot of keys, you know? I can't exactly tell you  if that key activates the nukes.” The girl sneered. Does this wild goose chase really matter to them that much? she thought to herself.

Damon narrowed his eyes at her, his hands dropping to the side, “Fuc—”

“Damon.” Jethro chastised, shaking his head in disbelief and Damon huffed, rolling his eyes. “Just tell us if you remember something that can help.”

“Can I ask something?”

“Depends if it's a stupid question.” Elijah said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Yes.” Austin answered, ignoring the reply of the Lincoln boy. “What is it?”

“How long have you been doing this? Figuring out what happened to Rory?” The girl asked, slipping her hands inside the pockets of her coat.

The boys had once again shared cautious looks at each other. They didn't think that telling her too much information would be such a good idea. Though, Damon didn't seem to think so. He was about to speak when Jethro held his shoulder, motioning him to shut up.

Eloise grew more annoyed at their non-verbal communication. “You know what? Don't tell me. I don't wanna know what you devils have been doing.”

Damon's ears perked up. “Now, I have the urge to tell her.”

“Damon.” Austin reprimanded, his eyes narrowing at him. “Stop talking.”

“Halfway through the summer.” Jethro spoke, his eyes chocolate brown eyes meeting her hazel brown irises. “You realize that you can't tell anyone about this, Lou.”

“Don't worry. I wasn't planning on it.” She said, averting her gaze towards the Lincoln boy. “Can we go home now? Paul is going to kill me if he gets home first then I am going to kill you if he kills me.” With that, she walked away from them and hopped inside the black pick up truck owned by her best friend.

“Paul's in town?” Jethro faced Elijah and asked in confusion. 

“Yeah. It's a long story.” Elijah replied before grinning widely. “Maybe you should talk to her. It'll clear the air of this situation you two are in. Make it less awkward, Jet.”

Jethro frowned. “It's not awk—”

“Can we focus on the real situation here?” Damon said, clearly irritated with the current conversation. “This was a waste of time. She doesn't know anything. The plan we have is such a failure.” he said, causing Jethro to roll his eyes.

“Would’ve been better if I was warned that you were bringing her along.” Grumbled Jethro. “Assholes.”

“If it makes you feel any better, Austin just knew parts of it.” Elijah said. 

“Well, we all know that it was a long shot.” Austin voiced, shrugging his shoulders. “Let's just give her some time, I'm sure she'll remember something.”

“Uh, no. We agreed that this was a once in a lifetime thing. I'm not dragging her into this again. For all we know, Rory is being kidnapped by powerful people who can hire people to kill us.” Elijah objected sternly. “I'm not putting my best friend in danger.”

“Finding Rory is the first priority.” Damon imparted. “That's what our priority has been since the summer or have you forgotten?” He asked, his eyes glaring at the Lincoln boy.

Elijah knew it was true. Finding Aurora Carter was their priority and it had always been since that night. Although, he couldn't drag his best friend into some dangerous endeavor. He couldn't and he wouldn't choose between his friends, but he did.

“My priorities changed. We aren't involving Ellie again. I mean it, we're not dragging her into this again when we don't know anything.” Elijah stated, coldly, his hands resting on his hips. “If you guys get her involved, I'm out and I'm taking her with me.”

Jethro let out a sigh of defeat, nodding his head. “We hear you, Elijah. We're not dragging her into this.”

“Good. I need to go and drive her home. I'll see you boys later.” With a curt nod, he left them alone to hop inside his car  and drove away.

Austin turned to face the two boys with a frown plastered on his face. “We need Lou for this and if we get her involved, there's a good possibility that Elijah won't stay. He’s the sheriff’s son, we need him too.”

Jethro kept his eyes trained on Elijah's black pick up truck as it drove further away. “We're not losing anyone.” Jethro stated, his eyes landing on the two. “Because I have a plan. Plus, she has the key. She'll figure something out that'll hopefully be helpful.”

“We're here.” Elijah announced, softly, pulling up two houses away from the girl's house. “I figured that you'd want to sneak back in by using the back door.”

She scowled, narrowing her eyes at him. “I still haven't found my book, Elijah. If we don't find that I'm seriously going to lose my mind and if I lose my mind, I'm going to kill you. Literally.”

“I know. I'm sorry for tonight and letting someone borrow your book without your permission. I apologize for that and I am going to find it. I promise.” the boy offered her a genuine smile.

“Are we not going to talk about what happened tonight? You and your gang finding clues Rory left?”

Elijah shook his head, not wanting to dive into it with her. “Nope. Let's talk about the tension you and Jet had earlier. Oh! Don't forget the eye contact you two made, I sense sexual tension.”

Eloise's face scrunched up in disgust. “Dude, that's just wrong.” she shook her head. “There's no sexual tension, but I'll admit, there is some tension between us. How can you act towards someone after they kissed you and you ran away and moved to California? I never saw him again after the party.”

The annual Last Dance Party was always held during the last night of the school year and always had different themes for each year. It was beautiful, magical, and memorable. Much memorable for Eloise Kingston during the last night of her ninth grade. Dancing and laughing around with her friendly date, Jethro Lewis. The laughing died down a bit when the music for a slow dance was played. 

A huge smile was on Jethro's face as he held up his hand. “Dance with me, Lou?” 

“Better not step on my toes, Jet. I'm already being tortured with these heels, can't you have you torturing me too.” Muttered the brunette as she placed her hand on top of hers and he immediately pulled her against him, making her giggle in the process. Eloise wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. “Can't believe we'll be sophomores next year.” 

“And you're leaving soon. I can't believe you're moving to California next week.” Jethro sighed, his grasp tightening around her. “What would Elijah do without you?”

Eloise placed her head on top of his shoulders as they continued to sway to the music. “That boy would not survive without me.” She pulled her head away from his shoulders before looking up at him, their eyes meeting. “Even though I'm not here anymore, I'm only one phone call away. Don't hesitate to call me because I'm always here for my friends.” she smiled. 

Something about her smile that reached her eyes made him cup her face and lean into her. He pressed his lips against her and her eyes widened in shock as she froze into her spot. She didn't know what was going on. One moment they were talking and now he was kissing her. One of her greatest friends was kissing her. 

The sight of them kissing had caught everyone's attention and that caused them to cheer them on, well, more like cheer Jethro on. The spotlight was on them and people were clapping and whistling loudly. 

Eloise placed her hands on his chest, pushing him lightly. “Jethro. . .” That was enough for him to know that she didn't want this. “I’m so sorry. I really am.”

Eloise pushed through the crowd, grabbing Elijah alongside her and exited, never missing the sullen expression that was plastered on Jethro's face. It broke her heart to him that way, but it was something she wanted to avoid. The confrontation. 

Pushing the memories at the back of her head, she removed her seatbelt. “I better head inside before mom finds out I sneaked out. She might actually send me to Vancouver now.” she said, hopping out of his car. 

“We're to talk about this sooner rather than later, Ellie!” he hollered as she stepped away from the car and gave him a salute.

When the Kingston girl managed to sneak up to her room, she pulled out the key that was shown to her earlier. It's not that she stole it, she was just borrowing it for the meantime. All she knew was that the key was very familiar to her and it sparked the curiosity in her. Though, too much curiosity can kill the cat. 

It was impossible that Rory was leaving them clues before she disappeared, Eloise knew that it was impossible, but she couldn't help but wonder what the boys found to believe that the missing girl was sending them a message. 

“Lou, you okay?” Paul was passing by her room when he noticed the brunette staring at her bookshelves. “Do you. . . wanna talk?” he was hesitant to ask her that one simple question. Of course he was hesitant. Eloise Kingston never really talked to her family about her problems, not for while now at least. There was only one person that she could always talk to in that family, but couldn't anymore. 

Eloise tears her eyes away from the empty space of her bookshelf that contains the Little Women book and her eyes land on her cousin. She shook her head and gave him an innocent smile. She tied her hair into a low bun as she wore the copper wire bracelet. “I'm fine. Just anxious for school and worried if I might pass or incredibly fail.” she replied before walking over to her wardrobe and grabbing a leather jacket. 

“You’re not going to fail, dumbass.” Paul almost flinched when he saw the exact leather jacket. He wanted to say something to compliment her, but he decided against it. Memories can be painful. He faked a cough as she wore the piece of clothing over her. “I packed you breakfast. Eat in the car, we'll get late if we don't go.” 

Rolling her eyes, she slung her backpack over her shoulder before heading downstairs where she spotted her mother just entering the house after finishing the night shift at the hospital. “Good morning, mom.” she smiled. “Breakfast is on the table. We need to go now since Paul is really jumpy and bossy.” she muttered the last sentence to her muttered who chuckled. 

“He's probably nervous about his first day as an intern, Lou. It’s nerve racking” Eloise found it odd that her cousin applied to her for an internship in the hospital in town. He could've been anywhere, but stayed here instead. “Go now. Don't want you two to be late.” 

“I'll see you later, mom!” she hollered before grabbing her breakfast and running inside the car of her cousin. Paul gave her an unimpressed look before he drove away. “Can I ask you a question?” she asked, putting her backpack on her lap. 

“No.” He answered, bluntly causing his dear cousin to frown.

“Where are you doing your internship here?”

“Want to get rid of me, huh?” Paul snickered.

“Yes. As a matter of fact I do, but that's not the point.” she shook her head, shifting in her seat to face her cousin who was currently driving. “You could be in New York doing your internship, you know? I thought that was your plan? Working in New York or anywhere else.”

“It's a long story, Lou. One I might tell you in the future if you keep your mouth shut.”

“Did you have a girlfriend and she broke up with you because your stupid and then moved to New York? Is that why you don't want to go there? Because you're afraid to see her because if you do see her, you might chase her around like a lost puppy because, you know, you still love her?” She pondered before her eyes widened in shock. “Ha! You’re afraid that you might fall in love with her again, that’s why you don’t want to see her again!”

“Stop yelling! I'm driving for God’s sake.” Paul glanced at the brunette, his brows furrowing before his eyes returned to the road. “You've been reading way too many romance books, Lou. Literally.”

“You didn't deny it.” She sang in a teasing tone. The scowled that appeared on his face was enough to let her howl in laughter.  “This is definitely more amusing than pissing off Elijah.” she said in between laughter as Paul pulled over in front of the school. And she was right. Elijah was now immune to her teasing and would tease her back or would simply shrug her off. Paul, on the other hand, was not very immune to her.

He rolled his eyes before facing her. “I can't pick you up later and aunt Helen is on call tonight which means—” 

“I'll ask Elijah to drive me home and I'll order take outs or I'll cook.” She finished the sentence for him. Eloise used to do that when she lived in California. Since her uncle Luke and cousin Paul would always come home late, she would always be the one to cook or order takeouts. “I'll see you when you finish your shift.” she said, hopping out of the car and slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “Good luck and don't try to kill someone during your first day being a doctor!” she quipped before walking away. 

“That's reassuring.” Paul muttered, sarcastically as he shook his head and started the ignition before driving away from Centrale High. He just hoped that Eloise would be okay given the circumstance of everything. 

Eloise quickly made her way inside the school. It was pretty much the same as it was two years ago. Freshmen looking excited to be there, seniors who are sick and tired of school but enduring it for the sake of graduating, groups of people laughing and having a good time, and couples flirting against the lockers. It was a nice environment for the most part. 

She couldn’t help but to wonder what it would be like if he didn’t die. Would she be able to breathe properly?  Would she finally be able to sleep peacefully without her sleeping pills? Would she have another will to live? Would she be as happy as she was before?

The girl walked over to her best friend as he started to put his books inside his locker. “Can you drive me home later, if that’s okay with you? Paul drove me, so I don't have a car.” 

“Sure. It's not like I have something better to do.” Elijah shrugged his shoulders as he closed the locker door. “I'm heading to AP History. What's your first class?” 

“AP Biology. Not exactly the class I'm looking forward to.” she grumbled. Her mother had insisted that she goes to that class since Eloise was very good at the subject. 

“Why? You rock at Biology.” 

“Well, I want to rock at something else. Something I enjoy.” she said, emphasizing on the slang that he used. “Oh, I was actually wondering. What kinds of clues have you seen so far? About Rory.” she whispered which made him stiffened. “I know that I said I didn't want to know, but— Elijah?”

“Why are you suddenly asking?” Elijah questioned, his brows furrowing. 

“I'm genuinely curious about it. I want to know, that's all.” 

“It's just something. Something you shouldn't get curious about and something you shouldn't involve yourself in. The less you know, the better. I’m serious.” He said sternly as he glanced at his watch. “I have to get to class. Don't do anything stupid, Ellie.” 

Sighing in defeat, she reluctantly nodded. “I won't and I don’t even plan to. Like I said, I was just curious.” she said before she went to her class. Elijah's vague words got her more curious than before. Was it really that serious that he couldn't tell her about it?

The room was almost filled as she reached the classroom. Fortunately, the seat by the window wasn't taken yet and she immediately occupied it before anyone else could. She loved looking at the view of the horizon which is why she always got distracted while in class. It always calmed her, the skies and nature was her temporary safe haven.

Deciding that she didn't want to fail the class due to her limited attention span, she turned her attention to the front as she failed to notice who she was sitting next to. Damon wasn’t really thrilled to be in a boring class, but things got a bit interesting when he saw the brunette preoccupied. 

“Eloise.” He said, begrudgingly, catching her attention. 

The brown haired girl rolled her eyes and frowned at him. She was clearly annoyed with the fact that she had to sit next to the nuisance that is Damon Walker. It was never a good idea to let them be near each other without anyone looking after them so that they won't rip each other’s heads off because whenever they are next to each other catastrophe happens.

“Damon.” She said, mockingly. “I think you’ve gotten the wrong class. AP Bullshit is out by the cliff. You have to jump in order to get in.” She jeered, offering him a sarcastic grin. “Go on and jump, will ya?”

He let out a breathy sarcastic laugh.“What are you even doing back here? Come back for me perhaps?” Damon said, smugly which made her let out a scoff as her gaze lowered down to her book.

“Don't make me throw up, Walker. You think too highly of yourself. Besides, I doubt that a great girl like me would come back just for you.”

He hummed, amused and annoyed at the same time. “A great girl like you.” The dark-haired boy tapped his fingers on his desk before he flashed her a grin as he spoke once again. “You mean a girl who grew up without a father and has developed daddy issues or a girl who lives behind her siblings' shadow?”

Eloise lifted her head and snapped her head towards him, her lips lifted upwards to form a crooked smile. “At least I grew up with a family around me who loves me unconditionally.” The grin that was plastered on his face dropped and hers grew. “What about you though? You have a father, but does he love you as much as he loves power?”

It was no secret that Victor Walker is a man who loves and adores power making him one of the most richest and powerful men in the entire Centrale County. Also making him a father who was never present in the life of his only son. People pitied Damon for having such a father, but they always looked past it when they remembered how rich they were and would always say that he was so lucky to have so many riches.

Damon narrowed his eyes at her, his blood boiling at her smile. “Fuck you, Eloise.” he spat with such hate. He hated the fact that she knew too much how to rile him up and it pissed him off that he was so affected by him. And there he thought that her being back might benefit him. It will benefit him, but in a matter that he didn’t hope for.

“You'd want that, don't you?” she said, her smile widening and it annoyed him. A part of him wants to throw her out the window just to wipe that annoying smile on her face. “And I don't live behind anyone's shadow. Never have and never will.” She might be able to say that with a straight face, but she knew that he was right and it drives her mad that he's right. She doesn’t show it, she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

He watched as she read the syllabus that was given to each student and noticed that her brows frowned. The dark-haired boy chuckled darkly upon noticing the black leather jacket that hugged her body and that caught her attention, whipping her head to face him once more.

“What do you want now, Damon?” She asked in defeat. 

“I just remembered something.” The boy chimed, moving his chair close to hers before leaning to her side and that caused her forehead to crease. “How is Theodore, Eloise?” He voiced, the side of his lips curled upwards to show a smirk. 

“You know.” Eloise breathed out, her fingering digging into her palms. No one knew what happened about that catastrophe because she hadn't told anyone to begin with, not even Elijah knew about it. Only family knew about it and it made her wonder how he even knew in the first place. “If you ever tell anyone about this, I swear to God, Damon. You will regret it.”

Instead of feeling threatened, he felt intrigued by what the consequences are. How could he not be intrigued? It was one of the many encounters in his life where he saw Eloise Kingston so worked up and it brought joy to him. “I’m not gonna lie, I kinda like the sound of that.”

She scoffed, packing up her things. “You’re insufferable and awful. Just awful. Well, like father, like son, huh?” Standing up from her seat and immediately exiting the class despite the teacher telling her to come back and yelling that she now has detention. Eloise didn’t care, she cared more about getting as far away from Damon before she strangles him to death.

Damon ignored the guilt blooming inside him as he watched her trudged out of the room with a scowl on her face. He really didn’t think that she would walk out of the class. Was he out of line? Maybe. He wanted to go after her and apologize, he stayed his ground and listened to the lesson and still ignored the fact that he was way out of line. Damon Walker was too prideful to apologize to someone like Eloise, to someone he loathed.