Life Goes On

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Degrassi.

Author's note: This story will basically be about Ellie. Sean will come back in later chapters, but the story will focus on how Ellie's doing since he left. Hope you like it.

Ellie and Paige looked at each other as their new chemistry teacher called them to the front of the class. Mr. Miller smiled at each of them and they smiled back uneasily. "Okay, girls. I've decided to switch some of the lab partners around and I want to pair you two up."

"What?" Ellie asked.

"I like having Hazel as my partner." Paige looked annoyed

"Yes, I realize this," Mr. Miller said, looking back and forth between them. "But your grade is not as strong as it could be. And, I think working with Ellie would be good for your grade."

"What about my grade? I don't want to work with her."

"Thanks a lot."

"You know-"

"That's enough. You two are partners now. That's all there is to it. You can go sit down now. Your lab table is the one in the back on the left side. I suggest you two go over you notes and discuss how you want to work together."

They rolled their eyes, gathered their books and slumped into their new seats. "This is just great," Ellie mumbled.

"It's not my fault."

"Well, if you and Hazel had done your work instead of messing around, maybe we would have our old partners."

"Shut up, Ellie."

Ellie sighed and opened her notebook. "Whatever. Look, I'm not going to let you screw up my chemistry grade, okay? I've worked way too hard to let you ruin things for me."

"Hey, I'm not great in science, but I'm not a total idiot. I can do the work."

"Okay, fine. Are you doing anything tonight?"

"No. Why?

"Because I want to get together and go over our notes. I don't want to be carrying you in this class."

"Come on, can't we just do that in class?"

"Paige-"

Paige exhaled loudly. "Fine, fine. I'll come over tonight. Happy?"

"Yeah, I'm thrilled. Can't you tell?"

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Ellie answered the door as soon as she heard the knock. She found an unsmiling Paige. "Well, you look overjoyed to be here."

"I have plenty of things I'd rather be doing than studying."

"That's probably why you'll end flipping burgers one day."

Paige rolled her eyes and walked in. "Nice place."

"It gets the job done."

"Okay. Let's just get this over with, shall we?" Paige sat down on the couch and pulled out her chemistry notebook.

"Let me see your notes." Ellie sat down next to her and looked at the notes. "Oh, my God."

"What? What's wrong?"

"How is it possible to have notes like this? Did you and Hazel not pay attention to anything at all?"

"Hey, it's not that bad."

"Give me a break. There's barely anything here."

"I pass most of my tests. I obviously know a little bit of this stuff."

"I guess that's true."

"Yeah, I'm smart." Paige smiled

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get to work. I want to show you my notes so you understand exactly what you're supposed to have." Ellie pulled out her own notebook and showed them to Paige.

"Wow!"

"See? That's what a notebook should look like."

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After a few hours, Ellie was satisfied with the progress that Paige had made. "So, you understand that?" Ellie gestured to something in her notebook.

Paige nodded, scribbling something down. "Yeah, I do. I guess maybe you were right. Me and Hazel did kind of goof off a little. I didn't know everything that I probably should have."

"Hey, you know more than I expected you to. I thought I'd be doing all our experiments myself."

"Just because I'm on Spirit Squad doesn't mean I'm stupid, hon."

"I know. I just always thought you were a bubble head."

"Cute." Paige shook her head and glimpsed around the room. "So, you live here all by yourself?"

"Yup."

"I can't believe your Mom let you do this."

"She didn't really have much of a choice. She's not here. And she thought Sean would be here. Of course, he's gone now."

"Yeah. Do you hear from him at all?"

Ellie shook her head. "I did a couple times, at first. But it's been a while since he's called."

"Too bad. You know, you've got this place to yourself? You probably get lonely. This would be an excellent place for a party."

"No way."

"Come on, Ellie. Have a little fun"

"No. After all the parties that Sean's friends' had here over the summer, there is no way in hell I'm doing that again. Sean and I ended up cleaning everything ourselves."

"You're no fun."

"Don't get started on me. This is my home, not the place for wandering parties. Besides, I've got Marco on my back constantly about having a party. He's so persistent."

"And annoying."

"Yeah, but I wasn't going to say it."

Paige laughed. "I'd better get going. Thanks for all the help." They both stood up and walked toward the door.

"No problem. Uh, you work at the movie theater, don't you?

"Yeah, I do. Why?

"Well, I need some cash, and I was wondering if there were any openings."

"I think there is. Someone just quit. You want me to put in a good word for you?"

"That'd be great. I was going to ask Alex, but ever since that stuff went down with Jay, she's been kind of …"

"Impossible?"

"That's a nice why to put it."

"Yeah, I know. I'll totally say something to the manager for you. I'm working tomorrow all day. Why don't you come by?"

"Really? Thanks, that's great."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye." Ellie shut the door after Paige left.

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The next morning, Ellie was yanking on her shoes when the phone rang. "Just perfect," she muttered as she nearly tripped over her feet trying to get the phone. "Hello?" No one said anything. "Come on, this isn't funny. Whatever." She hung up the phone and rolled her eyes. That was the fourth call she'd gotten in the last two weeks. Whoever it was never said anything.

The phone rang again and she picked it up. "You know, this is getting ridiculous."

"Ellie? What's wrong?" A confused Ashley asked.

"Oh, sorry, Ash. Right before you called I got another one of those weird phone calls."

"Ellie, that's freaky. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. It was just a phone call."

"But you're there all by yourself."

"I'm really fine. Listen, I can't talk. I've got a lead on a job."

"Oh, great. I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out tonight."

"Oh, Craig's busy?"

"Funny. I don't call you when Craig's busy."

"Right."

"Okay, fine. Craig's gotta watch Angie tonight. But I still want to hang tonight."

"I was just teasing. I'll see you tonight."

"Bye, Ellie."

"Bye, Ash."

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Ellie smiled uneasily as the manager of the movie theater looked over her application. "So, no other work experience?"

"No, this would be my first job, but I'm sure I could do well."

The manager nodded. "Yes, I know how hard it is to find a job before you have any other experience."

"Right."

"Well, I talked to Alex and Paige and they both seem to think you'd be a good worker. And anyone who can get along with both of them obviously has some people skills. So, I'll give you a shot."

"Really?" Ellie asked, hardly believing her luck.

"Yes, can you start tomorrow?"

"I can start today if you need me."

"Tomorrow will be fine." They both stood up and the manager handed Ellie a uniform. "Be here tomorrow at 9 in the morning. You'll spend an hour with me getting trained and then spend your shift with Alex and Paige."

"Okay, sure. Thank you very much."

"Your welcome. I'll see you tomorrow, Ellie."

Ellie walked out of the office, amazed at what just happened. She noticed Paige looking at her and she grinned. Paige grinned back and Ellie pumped her fists. Finally, maybe her life was going to be all right.

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