Friday, September 19

Ugh, I hate this day…

Huh? But it's only first period! Did something happen?

I agree with Mr. Gray, Miss Nielson. Is something wrong?

It's nothing, I just had a fight with my mum this morning, and it's put me in a bit of a sour mood.

Ah, I see. Well, though it's disheartening to hear that you and your mother had a disagreement this morning, you really shouldn't let it get you so irritated.

It's not really the fact that we had a fight that's getting me so out of sorts; it's more that my mum and I have been fighting quite a lot since we moved to the United States. We didn't fight so often back in England.

Aw, Ellie, don't worry! Just remember that your mom loves you, no matter what!

Oh, Ed, if only I knew that for sure…

"ED! GET BACK HERE!"

"AAAH! ANGRY SARAH BAD FOR ED!"

The tall teen peeled out of the house, trying his best to avoid the rage of his little sister. He probably should have realized that a sign that said "DO NOT TOUCH. That means you, Ed!" was a pretty clear warning, but he didn't, and now Sarah's favorite glass unicorn was in pieces and now she wanted him dead. Thus, his only option was to get the hell out of the house (and probably the cul-de-sac) until around dinnertime.

Of course, in his haste, he didn't actually pay attention to where the heck he was going, and now he was a bit lost.

"Um… crap. Where am I?"

Silence. Then, "Penny for your thoughts, mate?"

Ed turned. To his surprise, Ellie was sitting on the front porch of a pastel yellow house he remembered that was between the entrance to the shopping area and the cul-de-sac, staring at him, looking slightly amused.

"Ellie? What are you doing here?"

She gestured broadly to the lone homestead. "I live here. This is my house, and it has been since I moved halfway 'round the world. What about you? Any particular reason you were running and panicking, or were you just spazzing out for the hell of it?"

Ed rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Er… I kinda broke something my sister really liked, and I ran too far when I freaked out and she was screaming at me."

"Ah. Well, sounds like that'd be a pretty good reason to spazz, then."

"Ellie? Who's there, love?" A woman's voice called. Unlike Ellie's, it sounded more American, but it was not without the hint of an English accent.

"Just a friend of mine!"

The screen door creaked slightly as it opened, revealing a woman who looked startling like Ellie, but much older, at least thirty-seven. She had the same hair color and facial structure, but her brown eyes were far less cynical than Ellie's gray-green ones. Her long hair was pulled into a messy bun, and had a pale blue apron on over jeans and a grey shirt.

"Ah, hello there, young man. I'm Valerie, Ellie's aunt. It's so nice to meet one of my dear niece's friends. Thank you so much for your kindness towards her. I was so worried that attitude of hers would scare all her classmates off!"

"Aunt Val! Quit over sharing!"

"Fine, fine. Oh! How rude of me, I didn't even ask your name, did I?"

"My name is Ed."

Valerie's eyes widened for a second, but then resumed to normal size as she smiled. "Oh, so you're the famous Ed. Ellie talks about you quite a lot, dear!"

"Don't worry, it's nothing bad." Ellie said quickly, attempting to dispel any doubts.

"Why don't you come in, Ed? I'm afraid Diana- Ellie's mother, that is- isn't home at the moment, but if you're not busy, I'd be more than happy to get you some tea, or soda, or whatever you might like."

"Sure!"

The three talked for hours on end, until Ed realized that it was far past time for him to go home, and his mother would be going into a fit of worry if he wasn't home soon. After saying their goodbyes, the tall boy headed off towards the cul-de-sac and whatever fate his little sister had planned for him.

"What a kind young man. Though I must say, Ellie, he's not exactly the kind of person you would personally choose for a friend. He's far too… emotionally pronounced."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, Elle didn't ever seem to be concerned with much outside of making money off other children and evading schoolyard bullies and pests, and Ella never showed more emotional range than an android in one of those science fiction movies you love so much. Ed seems to be more willing to show emotion in his speech and behavior than any of your old friends ever did. At least, that's how it seems to me."

Ellie scoffed. "Well, you're pretty accurate in your readings of people. But I for one think that a deviation from the norm is a welcome occurrence from time to time. While Ed may not be the exact characterization I would normally pursue a friendship with, he is someone I consider a preferable companion and confidante."

Valerie gave her niece a kind but stern glance. "Are you completely sure that you simply consider Ed to be those things, Ellie? You don't see him as anything more than just that?"

Ellie's eyes narrowed. "What are you implying?"

"Have you ever considered that perhaps, and I'm only suggesting this, you may desire more than simply friendship with Ed?"

Ellie's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed, though whether it was from anger or embarrassment was hard to tell. "A-Are you suggesting that you believe I have… h-have… f-feelings for Ed?" She spluttered angrily.

"He is a boy, darling, and you were the first of your friends to become interested in the opposite sex."

"SO? In no way does that mean that I desire a… a… r-romantic relationship with him! Why the bloody hell would you even ask me that? AUGH!"

"Fine, then, Megara, why don't you get washed up for dinner, then?"

Ellie obliged her aunt, but not without some angry muttering on her way. Valerie caught, "Me? And Ed? Preposterous!" and "What the bloody 'ell's she getting at, anyway?"

Valerie laughed softly. "I never thought I see the day that someone would start to break the icy walls of my niece's heart. Good on you, Ed."

A/N: Aaaand chapter three's done! Tomorrow I'll be heading to New Mexico to visit relatives. I'll try to get as many chapters as I can done, but don't get your hopes up!