The ladies screamed at the top of their voices, their hands outside the car in the air as they sang to
"No More Sad Songs" by Little Mix.
Just then Eliana turned the volume down as they both shared a look, Rene covering her mouth as she muffled her excited scream.
"Seriously Eliana, what are the odds?"
She asked and Eliana laughed.
"Right? The fact that it's him you met…your actual crush since you were like what…nine?"
They burst into laughter.
"And he doesn't look any different."
"Well, I can argue with that. Did you see it? It looked like it could kill you if you tried!"
Rene playfully covered her ears and slammed her fist in Eliana's shoulder as she called out,
"Seriously? That's what you saw?"
She asked, confused and Eliana laughed.
"More like it saw me,"
Eliana said.
"Come on, tell me you didn't look at it like ten times?"
Rene pouted, looking out the window.
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
She lied, and Eliana laughed.
"Right...I understand, one day at a time. But please, whenever it visits you, don't forget to tell me the tales."
Rene shook her head and laughed,
"You're such a spoilt brat!"
She said, right before a silent groan escaped their lips as the police stopped their car.
"Rene, please grab my license,"
Eliana asked, hitting the dashboard as she slowly pulled over.
Rene, sighing dryly, unbuckled her seatbelt, turned the car light on, and reached for the drawer on the dashboard.
She opened it, scanned through a few papers, and grabbed a pink clear bag, handing it to Eliana.
"Thank you!"
Eliana exclaimed politely, slipping the documents out and sliding her window down as the officer walked closer.
He crouched down, his hands on her door, glanced at the backseat with his torch light, and then looked at them.
"That's my car documents, sir; it's up to date,"
Eliana said, trying to brush off his questions, but instead, he hit her door with a frown.
"You will have to come out, ladies,"
He said, and the ladies immediately turned to him, confusion evident in their expressions.
"But officer..."
"Eliana, let's just get down,"
Rene said as soon as Eliana started to speak.
After they got out of the car, Rene walked over to Eliana as they stared at the officer, who called one of his boys to ransack the car.
"Could you at least tell us what you're looking for?"
Eliana walked forward, despite Rene's attempts to stop her from speaking, and the officer turned, signaling the boy with his light.
"Nothing, sir,"
The boy said as he looked at the ladies.
The officer nodded and slammed the door, walking straight to Rene.
"Why were you not in a seatbelt? Are you drunk?"
His question made no sense, and Rene frowned, but then straightened her face.
"No, sir. I am not drunk, neither am I on drugs. Is that all, sir?"
Just as he walked closer, weirdly, they both turned to Eliana, who had her phone out.
"I don't know what you want, but I will show the world the officer who is harassing us this evening.
All my documents are up to date, so what do you want from us?"
She yelled, and the officer immediately covered his face with his arm..
"You will put that away, young lady!"
"No, I won't! And I am on Instagram live, so people are already seeing you. Leave young people alone!"
She screamed as Rene walked over to her side, her hands locked in hers.
"Sit in your car and leave...just go!"
The officer suddenly said as he turned around.
"Let's go!"
Rene turned.
"This isn't worth it, let's just go!"
"It is worth it. Why was he ready to harass us if there wasn't a camera?"
Eliana yelled, her voice shaky as tears coursed down her cheeks.
"Let's just go, Eliana! Please, let's fucking go!!!"
Rene screamed also in tears as she walked to the other side and entered the car.
Still videoing, Eliana made her way into the driver's seat and drove off.
After about twenty minutes Eliana broke the silence.
"I'm sorry."
"I told you to just be quiet. Just keep quiet. What if he hurt one of us regardless?
What, you think your little video can bring you to life? Shit Eliana!"
Rene yelled, tears coursing down her cheeks uncontrollably.
"I tried but he was coming for you. You know…"
"I know nothing! We already have a scar from cops and now we have another?
Why would you even bring out your phone to video? Seriously Eliana?
Sometimes put aside stubbornness and just listen, it won't kill you!
We had such a good day only for it to be ruined in the end, are you happy now?"
Rene said, crying with her face buried in her palms.
Eliana, wiping her tears placed her hand on her knees but she shifted,
"I'm sorry Rene, it was never my intention to ruin your day in the end."
She apologized.
"Just take me home please."
Rene replied, unable to cease her tears.
...........
"Rene, we've arrived,"
Eliana said softly, her hand gently touching Rene's shoulder.
Rene's eyes fluttered open, and she offered a grateful,
"Thank you for today."
As she stepped out of the car and began to walk away, Eliana stepped out as well, tears tracing paths down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry about tonight, Rene,"
She whispered.
Suddenly, Rene turned and rushed back into Eliana's arms.
"I'm sorry too,"
She sobbed,
"I'm just so angry and sad that I haven't appreciated the good parts of today. I love you so much, Eliana.
Thank you for making my birthday amazing and for always being there for me. Thank you!"
Eliana held Rene close, their tears mingling as they embraced.
A moment later, the door opened, and Mimi stood there, a puzzled look on her face.
"I was wondering why you two were crying after having the best day without me!"
She exclaimed, arms crossed as she leaned against the door, the girls laughing.
"We're so sorry, Mimi. It won't happen again."
"It better not! Now, come inside, and Eliana, make sure you get home safe!"
She instructed as her elderly sisters laughed.
Rene turned,
"I should probably go before she scolds me for not listening to her. Call me when you get home?"
She said, and Eliana nodded, hugging her once before getting into her car.
Rene then walked over to Mimi, and they waved as Eliana drove away.
"Is that for me?"
Mimi asked, eyeing the bag of spa souvenirs in Rene's hand, and then laughed as Rene handed it over.
"Where's Mom?"
She asked, and Mimi shrugged, excitedly rummaging through the bag as they headed upstairs.
Meanwhile, on her way, Eliana called Ryan. He answered on the second ring, saying,
"Babe? Are you home?"
Then, hearing sobs in the background, he frowned.
"Pull over!"
He demanded.
"No, but Ryan..."
"I said pull over so we can talk. I'm pulling over too. Hold on!"
He exclaimed without hesitation.
.........…
"Are you home now?"
Ryan inquired, and she affirmed a,
"Yes please. I'm packing now. What's there to eat?"
She added as the car gradually came to a stop, its headlights dimming.
"I microwaved the leftover macaroni and cheese from yesterday,"
Ryan replied, settling onto the couch with a bowl in hand.
As she exited the car, her mother emerged, prompting a frown.
Mom, is everything alright?" She asked, observing her mother's silence.
"Is she okay?"
Ryan inquired, eliciting a chuckle.
"She should be. She's just acting unusually strange, more than usual. I'll call you once I'm settled,"
She replied, and he responded with a "Sure" before ending the call.
With her key, she locked her car and headed for the door, her mother moving aside as she walked in.
She glanced around, sensing something amiss, but everything seemed normal.
Turning to her mother, who locked the door and gave her a stern look, she asked,
"Seriously, Mom, you're scaring me with your silence. Why are you staring at me like that?"
Her mother paced, intensifying Eliana's worry, as her stepfather entered.
"Oakley, just say it. Why do you enjoy making people worry for no reason?"
He said, approaching Eliana and kissing her forehead before leaning against the counter. "If she won't say it, can you please tell me what the problem is, Tate?"
She asked, extremely anxious, as her mother finally spoke.
"Why on earth would you ever argue with a cop? What's the point?"
Eliana sighed, giving Tate a look.
He just shrugged and smiled.
Turning back to her mom, Eliana asked,
"Seriously, Mom? You'd rather he harass us?"
"Exactly. I've been telling her since she joined your live, but she refuses to understand."
"Don't tell me that! Why are you the only one who likes to argue or fight?
Didn't you see Renata next to you, quiet, just wanting to leave? What if that cop did something to you? What would you have done then?"
Oakley yelled.
Eliana sighed, walked closer to her mother, and calmed her tone.
"It won't happen again. I promise!"
She said, trying to change her mother's mood. Oakley stared at her,
"Don't get yourself into trouble because of your mouth. I'm not warning you again!"
She exclaimed, then stormed off.
Tate laughed, and Eliana, looking sad, walked towards him as he bit into an apple.
"I get her point, though. Not all cops are level-headed so we have to be extremely careful around them. Especially the ones who find faults for no reasons.
Some are always angry and don't think twice about hurting you to vent. We can't lose you, so please... like she said, don't get into trouble because of your mouth, yeah?"
He advised, and she nodded.
"Thanks, Dad," She said, and he nodded.
"I better go calm her down. You're welcome. I hope you had a good day!"
He called as he walked upstairs.
"I did!" She called back, grabbing an apple from the fruit basket before heading to her room.
"Why would she even join my live? She's too old for that!"
She mumbled on her way up.