2I apologise so much for the wait, but hey, better late than never? Anyways, I hope you enjoy the final chapter of New Colours, I did enjoy writing it (even if it took a while!). 💜💜 Thanks for reading!
Eleanor flopped down onto their shared couch, surprised at how tired she was. Well, she had just spent the entire day basking in the light of her soulmate. And the night before vomiting on her.
So she reasoned, yeah, she could be tired.
"You know when you said Tahani, I did not know you meant that Tahani!" Chidi came in after her. "As in Tahani Al-Jamil?"
"I know, right?" Eleanor agreed. "Like her? And me? Who would have thought?"
Chidi sat down next to her. "I didn't even know she lived around here."
Admittedly, how much would either of them really have paid attention to Tahani? Sure, she was a famous celebrity but neither would have been that invested. But the idea that her soulmate had been living across the city, mere minutes away, blew her mind.
"So. What's she like?"
Where to even begin?
"Oh my god, Chidi. She is amazing." Eleanor sat back. "She's so sweet and kind, thinks about others. She took such good care of me. She does name-drop a lot but that's cute? I think it's cute. Yeah, it's cute, right? Anyway-."
Chidi sat and listened to her prattle on about her day with Tahani. It was only after Eleanor described the way she smiled that she realised she'd been talking for way too long. And he'd been patiently and attentive listening all the way.
"Dude! I am way overboard. Sorry."
"No, no," Chidi encouraged, laughing. "Don't be. I think it's nice that you like her so much. She made a good first impression."
Eleanor knew that was a good thing. She'd heard of soulmates who'd despised each other when they first met. The sheer idea they were destined to be compatible made them mad. Tahani was the exact opposite. Eleanor couldn't wait to get to know her. And maybe fall in love with her.
It was too early to tell yet. She knew their souls were linked but love… love was hard for her. Even with the existence of soulmates, Eleanor had to watch her parents fight and bicker. And destroy each other's lives.
Soulmates didn't always end up happy.
Eleanor's face fell.
Well, shirt. Now she made herself said.
"Oh, oh, Eleanor, hey. What's going on? This is great!"
"Am I getting ahead of myself?" Eleanor asked. "Maybe I am. I don't even know her. We… we might not even be good together. We're so different-! And like, she's rich, man! Hella rich! So what-!"
Chidi grabbed her arm which she'd thrown up in the air without even noticing. "Whoa. Take it back a little. Hey. Look at me."
Eleanor did.
Chidi sat next to her, with his familiar encouraging smile. He was her best friend. He only wanted—and helped her—to be happy. Everything was okay. Eleanor started to relax.
"Sorry."
"No. Don't be. It's natural to be nervous about this kind of thing. Soulmates are so hyped up in the media but the reality is, we don't really know what we're doing. It's a new experience every time."
Of course Chidi knew exactly what to say. Whoever was his soulmate sure was lucky. She wondered why he hadn't found his yet but perhaps there was no reason. Just destiny and the time it took to reach them.
"You gave her your number, didn't you? So now, all you can do is wait."
Wait. Because Eleanor loved waiting. She was less of a chill, kinda-trust the universe gal and more of a spontaneous action gal. But if she had to wait, she guessed she had to wait.
Eleanor nodded. "Huh. Okay. Okay then. I can do this."
Chidi sat.
"Okay, I can feel you judging me. I am cool. Super cool. Can't believe how much I don't care." Eleanor groaned. "Am I being weird? Like because I feel super weird."
Chidi's chuckle was light. "Don't worry. You're okay."
Eleanor groaned again.
"How are you so good at this? Always knowing what to say? I swear, if I didn't know Tahani, we could be soulmates."
Chidi chuckled. "Perhaps in a different life. But for now, you're taken."
Not exactly. Eleanor's eyes widened. Yes, they were soulmates but were they dating? It was assumed but then again, was it? They hadn't discussed as much.
"Ah. You are doing it again. Getting in your head."
"What would I do without you?"
"Die, probably."
Eleanor elbowed him. "Hey! Rude! I'm a semi-functional human being."
She really did appreciate his friendship. Eleanor sank back into the chair and sighed contently. All she had to do was wait.
Tahani didn't text the next day. Which Eleanor was perfectly fine about. Of course. She didn't care. Not at all.
She just stared at her phone a couple of thousand times.
"You know, you can put that down," Chidi said as he walked by.
"I know."
She didn't though.
Was she a little obsessive? Perhaps. But she'd found her soulmate, for fork's sake! She was allowed to be a little happy.
And worried. She was suuuuuuuper worried.
Because why hadn't she texted her yet? Had she lost her number? But she also knew where she lived so why hadn't she been in contact? Eleanor paced again, nervously tapping her phone against her leg. She hated this part of it. Just wondering if Tahani was actually interested and hadn't run the second she met her.
Buzz!
Eleanor looked down at her phone.
[15:04] Unknown Number: Hello, Eleanor. This is Tahani. By any chance are you free tomorrow?
And her heart leapt for joy.
Of course Tahani would text like that. She seemed the very proper type that wouldn't use emojis. Or maybe they weren't quite there in their relationship.
Relationship.
Very suddenly, she remembered that as soulmates they were fated to be together. Meaning that they would probably be a couple. Probably? Uh, most definitely.
And she was going on a date?
In mere seconds, her brain short circuited. Again.
She was going on a date with Tahani Al-Jamil. With the intention of getting closer.
Eleanor glanced down at her phone. Okay, just reply and keep going.
[15:12] Eleanor: Hi Tahani! Yes I am free ?ï¿‚ï¾
Was the emoji too much? Too late, she'd already hit the send button.
[15:14] Tahani: Brilliant. I will pick you up at 7:00 pm. Wear something nice.
[15:15] Eleanor: hahaha, will do!
Eleanor stared at her last text and groaned. What an idiot she was. She was glad she'd met Tahani in person because if she was flirting with her texting skills, she was kissing ass right now. It was unlike her. Usually she was very smooth and able to make flirty comments about everything.
"Eleanor?" Chidi called. "I'm going into town, okay?"
Eleanor looked up from her phone. "Wait! I'm coming with you!'
"So she texted you?"
Eleanor grinned. "She sure did!"
As 7:00 rolled closer on the clock, Eleanor was getting antsy. She was, once again, pacing her living room with Chidi as her support.
"Okay, so what if it's awkward?"
"You already spent hours talking to her two days ago," Chidi said without looking up.
He'd been reassuring her for hours now.
"I'm hot," Eleanor said, examining herself in the mirror. "I mean look at me! I am one hot Arizona snack!"
"You sure are, babe," Chidi said. "Hot Arizona snack."
Honestly what would she do without him?
Eleanor turned and then turned again. She didn't have lots of money but she had enough that she went out yesterday to buy herself a new dress. This was her soulmate, they deserved to spend a little.
Buzz!
Eleanor glanced down at her phone and her heart skipped a beat. Tahani's name flashed up on her screen.
"Ohhhhkay, I have to go now, catch you later, nerd!"
This time, Chidi did look up, giving her a thumbs up. "Good luck on your date."
"Thanks but I won't need it," Eleanor smirked. "I have all I need right here. And in that car. But hey! It will go well! I promise."
And Chidi chuckled. "Then instead I will tell you to enjoy yourself." A pause. "Enjoy yourself."
Eleanor quickly shut the door behind her and turned to see Tahani leaning out the car window.
"Ah, Eleanor! I was worried you didn't get my text message!" She brightened up. "It's good to see you."
What was this giddy feeling in her chest? Like she was a school girl going on her first ever date with a boy who was guaranteed to break her heart. Eleanor felt like she was floating.
But she managed to tone it down into a beam and smile as she climbed into the car.
"Right back at yah. Hope you didn't miss me too much."
Tahani cleared her throat. "Um… I've actually found it very hard not to think about you."
Ah, fork, why did she have to go ahead with the cheesy romantic stuff? And why did her stupid heart skip a beat.
She was a sucker.
And she blushed.
"I… I've been thinking about you too."
And worrying. And freaking out. But also daydreaming. You cross my mind a lot more than I thought possible. Like an instant connection, she only wanted more.
Both of them blushed and so Eleanor quickly broke eye contact.
"Wow, we're kinda embarrassing, huh?"
Tahani chuckled. "I think so. But strangely enough, I don't think it's a bad thing."
Neither did Eleanor.
"Where are we going?"
"Not too far," Tahani replied. "Just a place on the edge of town."
Eleanor racked her brain to try and guess but honestly, she wasn't familiar with fancy date places. She was happy with shrimp bars, for fork sake! Besides, she assumed it was definitely out of her price range.
"You look nice," Eleanor said.
Tahani blushed again but it was different. It was a prideful blush, like she was thankful she noticed.
"Ah! Oh, thank you… you look amazing as well."
It was hard when the only other person you had to compare with was Tahani Al-Jamil. It was like comparing herself to a supermodel. Well, Tahani was actually a model so it was exactly that.
But Eleanor knew she was telling the truth and smiled back.
The drive wasn't far as she'd said. Tahani pulled up near an orchard of trees, lit up by streams of fairy lights. They weren't the only people there but it was quaintly quiet.
"After you, milady," Eleanor said in a mock bow.
"Oh, I'm not a lady," Tahani reassured her. "My godfather was a Lord and my parents are relations of royalty but that doesn't pass onto me, naturally."
Eleanor took her arm as they walked in. It was a beautiful area. "Well, you're a Lady to me."
"Oh, you flirt."
Both of them giggled as a server approached them.
"How may I help you, tonight?" they said politely.
"Hello, I made a reservation," Tahani said politely. "Should be under the name, Al-Jamil. With a hyphen"
The server checked the list before looking back up. "Ah, yes. Right this way."
The server led them to the table by the edge near the orchard. Candles in small jars lined the edges of the area, giving everything a gentle glow.
"I'll be back with menus," the server said.
Eleanor was already in awe at the place around her. Easily the best date she'd ever been on and it hadn't even started. She sat down across from Tahani, unable to stop herself from smiling.
"Well, this is romantic," Eleanor said, leaning on her hand. "I'm flattered. Who knew you could be such a charmer?"
Tahani blushed, which was Eleanor's intent.
"I try."
"I'm sure you do."
Maybe she still had a bit of the old flirt in her. Tahani just made her insides a mess. But even so, it was in her nature to be awkward but strangely genuine. And with that, she would flirt her heart out.
"A menu for you," the server said politely. "And you, miss."
As the server left them to read, Eleanor's eyes almost popped out of her head. She scanned up. And then down. And then again. "This is… so expensive!"
Tahani laid a hand on hers. "And it is all taken care of."
"I can't-"
"It's a gift. My treat."
Eleanor stared at her like she was crazy. Because she was. She knew that Tahani was rich but to casually spend this much on a date? She never knew people could be like that.
"Eleanor. Please. I wanted to make this special," Tahani said. "If it's too much, maybe we can-"
"No, no, no, I get it. Sorry. I just… I'm not used to people with money. Or caring about me. Haha, oops." She knew Tahani only wanted for things to be nice but it just seemed so surreal. And then she spilled a little. Which she was definitely embarrassed about.
Tahani chuckled. "Well, I am both. Let's have a drink first, shall we?"
And Tahani flagged down a waiter and ordered a bottle that Eleanor knew she didn't want to check the price of.
To be quite honest, beyond the prices, she didn't know what most of the things were. Yes, the contents were listed but she had no idea how they were made so she guessed. And ordered a dish just for fun. It turned out to be roasted pork with a light drizzling of sauce. Fancy sauce.
"Oh, fork, this is good!" she groaned, savouring the taste in her mouth. "I'm not usually a pork gal but maybe I'm being converted."
"Oh?"
Eleanor raised her fork. "What to try?"
At first, Tahani didn't seem to know what she was asking but when she wiggled the fork in her direction, she quickly caught on. Tahani leaned forward and let Eleanor feed her a piece of her meal, lips gentle as she pulled away.
"Oh my, that is good!"
Eleanor couldn't help but be drawn to Tahani's lips.
Tahani blinked and smiled. So Eleanor quickly looked away, blushing.
She really wanted to kiss her.
The rest of their meal was caught in gentle banter and chatting.
She learned that despite all of Tahani's achievements, her parents didn't care. In fact, they cared much more about her sister's achievements. Which was ridiculous. Eleanor couldn't believe her ears. Which she promptly told her, earning herself a blush.
She told Tahani about her life growing up, her parents and the worry that came with love. And Tahani reassured her she had nothing to be afraid of.
And she knew that was true.
At the end of the meal, Eleanor didn't want the night to end.
And in fact, it appeared Tahani had one more thing planned.
"Please follow me," Tahani asked, offering her a hand.
"Ooh, secrets," Eleanor beamed, taking her hand. "I like it."
Tahani led her down from the orchard and across the restaurant. And then out. There were lights everywhere but it was still dark with the sun long faded in the sky.
And then Eleanor saw what was waiting for them. It was a boat, set up with wine glasses and lights for a gentle row out across the lake.
She was really setting the bar high. Eleanor wondered if she'd ever be able to top this.
"After you," Tahani chuckled.
"Why, thank you!"
They settled in the boat next to each other which naturally had cushioned seats. Tahani turned the engine on which set them going at a slow pace across. And besides its gentle hum, the night was quiet.
The stars shone above, turning the lake almost purple in glow. Their reflection rippled and distorted, coming to blur into many lights across the water.
Eleanor could have sat there forever, just staring at her and the world around them. People and nature were truly beautiful.
Tahani noticed her looking and blushed again. She hastily poured them a flute of champagne, the bubbles rising with pops.
And Eleanor has an idea.
She picked up her flute and lifted it in the air.
"To a future," Eleanor toasted. "A bright one. Filled with wonderful colours and pretty things."
Tahani's hand touched hers, moving to slide her fingers between hers. And like that, they were one. "A future together."
And Eleanor's cheeks flushed.
She was perfect. Maybe not to others but certainly to Eleanor. She couldn't dream of being with anyone else.
Eleanor's gaze flickered once again to those perfect lips and this time, Tahani didn't shy away. Instead, she was bold and brash and everything Eleanor needed her to be in the moment.
Tahani dipped her head and kissed her, and Eleanor swore fireworks exploded behind.
She closed her eyes and breathed her in, placing the wine glass down to pull her closer. Skin against skin, a faint gasp and she drew back.
"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Eleanor asked, voice barely more than a whisper.
Tahani laughed, sweet and high.
And kissed her again.
