Paul sighed and went on his way to his next class. Maybe I'll use this class as some time to think. I'm passing History with flying colors anyway, so why should I pay attention? I'll ask someone for the notes after class and since this teacher is so naïve I'll be able to trick her into thinking I'm still as hardworking as ever. Wow, I really am an awesome schemer, just like Dan said! No! Can't think like Dan! Dan is my friend, but he's not someone that I should look to as a role model! Paul shook his head and walked into the classroom, where he spent the next hour wondering how to apologize to Ella without having that…thing stalk him.

Finally, when the bell rang, he walked out, still a bit absent-minded.

"Hey, Paul, what's up? You look like you've seen a ghost or something." Dan called.

"Huh? Oh, right. I've been through some…rough patches lately and I guess I haven't recovered." Paul said. If only you knew the truth. I've seen something close to a ghost. Some weirdo dressed in all black has already claimed my life if I were to go and talk to Ella again, but what would you know? You'd probably tell me that it's all in my imagination and laugh. Paul thought silently to himself, glad that Dan couldn't hear him.

"What, still thinking about that girl again? What's her name now? Ella, is it?" Dan mocked.

"Yeah…Ella's her name, and would you quit acting as if I'm some kind of stalker or whatever? I'm not flirting with Ella, if that's what you're trying to point out." Paul was getting into a worse mood with every second that he had to spend talking with his so-called best bud. You see? Every time we talk, we're talking about how much I 'like' Ella, but I don't like her. Unlike you, I actually have a conscience and it's bothering me. What about yours, you no good jerk? You don't even have a conscience and you're complaining about me? Man, I think that you'll be rotting in hell while I'm going to enjoy the nice little paradise called heaven.

"Whatever, man. I've got a class to go to. Unlike you, I actually give a crap about how I do academically. So if you don't mind, I'll be leaving."

He heard Dan snicker behind him. This time Paul snapped. "What's so funny?!" He demanded.

Dan shrugged innocently but kept the smug look on his face. "Nothing's funny. It's just that I can't believe you're still unwilling to admit that you kind of like Ella. You can't honestly tell me that after chasing after her every second that you get you still have the guts to tell me that you don't have the tiniest bit of feeling left for her?"

"Yes, I can." Paul said firmly. What do you know? All you're looking for is drama. When something seems to be even the slightest bit of dramatic, you pounce on that opportunity immediately. I don't like Ella, Dan, and if you would just observe a bit closer, you would see that for yourself.

Without saying another word, Dan and Paul, who had always been 'the best of friends, walked off in opposite directions. In the meantime, the same person that had been bothering Paul earlier that day had been watching. The person left silently without another word.



Ella and Allison were walking together, laughing and gossiping. Allison turned and nudged Ella in the ribs. "Hey, look behind us. It's Dork and company."

Ella turned to see what Allison was talking about. "Well, do you want to take the chance and try to lose them?"

"Nah, I say we play games with them. Slow down a bit. We'll let them catch up. Come on, slow down."

Ella reluctantly agreed. Sure enough, Paul soon found himself walking beside Ella. "Hey." He greeted, still trying to catch his breath after walking so fast.

Ella nodded in acknowledgement. "Hi." She replied.

"Listen, I know you don't want to see me or hear my voice again, but I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such a jerk to you. So let me make this up to you and treat you to supper or dinner tonight?"

Ella and Allison exchanged a look. "Sure," Allison said for Ella. "but I think I'll tag along. You know, just to watch out for Ella. You know Ella. She's so clumsy and whatnot, she needs someone to make sure she doesn't trip over a stone or something stupid like that." She shot Ella a look, warning her to just play along. Ella nodded slightly, but not enough for Paul to notice.

"That's cool. I'll invite Dan and we could double."

"Sounds good to me. See you at 7 then."

"Alright, see you."

The minute Paul had his back turned, Ella glared at Allison. "Now I demand an explanation. What have you been smoking lately? Cocaine? Marijuana? Do you even realize what you just did?"

Allison laughed. "My God, girl, you are so tense over everything. You've got to get some taste of the society. You've been locked up in your house so long, you might as well find a job where you don't have to get your butt out of your bed."

Ella nodded. "Yeah…that's funny. But my dad and stepmother need taking care of and…"

Allison cut that sentence off with a wave of her hand. "Oh, save it, Ella. You're just finding excuses so that you could cancel tonight. But no worries, El, we're going together and that means Paul won't have the time to bother you, alright?"

"I have nothing to wear. I mean, I'm not exactly the type of girl that goes shopping 24/7."

"You can just borrow a bunch of my clothes. I know you appreciate my taste, and I have tons of clothes that my mom's always on my back about. So how about it? I'll go over at 5."

Ella shook her head. "No, I'll meet you at your place at half past 5."

"Stalling, are you? Well, that doesn't bother me. Just don't be late, ok?"



Ella nodded unwillingly. She had no idea how she was supposed to get out of her house without getting in trouble for going out with a guy. She took a deep breath and tried to think of a decent lie, but came up with nothing. Paul appeared next to her before she knew what was going on. "Hey, you look somewhat disappointed about tonight? Do you think I'm that bad as company?"

Ella looked at him to see if he was serious. What was he thinking? Of course she thought that he was bad company! Had he forgotten what happened earlier that morning? Humiliation was just something that Ella could not stand. "Um…well, nervous, I guess." She said softly.

"I'm guessing it's your first time too?"

"Uh…yeah, it is. I stay at home most of the time."

"Well, no worries. I won't be able to do anything with that tomboy you've got as a best friend."

Ella glared at him. "I beg your pardon? Ally's not a tomboy. Wait till tonight, you'll see that she's as much a girl as…as me, I guess."

"Oh…sorry if I offended you. Well, do you mind if I walk you to class?" Paul asked hopefully. She hasn't snapped me in half yet, and I shouldn't be pushing my luck, but still…wait, what am I doing?! Why am I suddenly so anxious to get her to go out with me?! Maybe Dan was right. Maybe I do like her. No! I can't be wrong! I'm NEVER wrong! Paul watched Ella's face carefully, watching for any signs of anger or irritation, but he found none. Maybe it's time to face facts. I think I have fallen for her. But what's NOT to love about this girl? She's sweet, sensible, and not that bad-looking. But what am I supposed to be do about Dan? What was I thinking when I invited him?! Man, I'm so stupid sometimes. Maybe I'll just drag Jeff into this. He would love to hang with Ally, considering that crush that he's had on her since he saw her. I'll just say that Dan suddenly backed out of the date like the jerk he is. Yeah! Now that's a good plan! I'm back to my old self again! Wait, did Ella just say something to me? Man, I really should stop having these random mental qualms in the middle of conversations. "Huh?" he asked, as if he hadn't heard her the first time.

"I said that I appreciate you trying to be nice, and I accept your apologies, but I'm afraid that after tonight's dinner, we won't be seeing much of each other again. No offense or anything, but I'm not really into you. At least not in the way that you're into me. Sorry. I've got a class to go to. Please don't bother me again."

Ella turned and headed for class, leaving Paul very shocked and disappointed behind her.