Chapter 14: Don't Let It Happen
Ellie's POV
I sighed and fell back onto my bed. Sean had just walked me home- to an empty house, of course. Supposedly my parents were at some charity function. Thank God I didn't have to go. I don't usually mind too much, it's nice to see some of my friends and to catch up on a little gossip in our circle, but standing around and smiling and pretending you're so happy all the time is... tiring. I hate how my mom constantly throws me to the richest sons and my dad is always telling everyone how I'm going to be a lawyer. Or how I may follow in his footsteps.
But why should I think about that right now? I'm not there, I'm home. Yeah, home... after an interesting night at Sean's. I can't believe we almost kissed. That would have been horrible. We can't let that happen. So we got caught up in the moment, who doesn't? But we know our boundaries. We both must have been lightheaded and not thinking straight. Thank God the Chinese food had arrived at just the right time.
The rest of the night had been innocent. Sean pigged out on his Chinese food. I picked at my fried rice. We studied for Sean's test, did the rest of our homework, and, after a lot of convincing on my part, watched the evening news. I'm so happy I don't have to dread watching the news. I don't have to hold my breath as they talk about the war anymore. I can breathe at last knowing my dad is home.
I wish I could breathe easy in the rest of my life. Yeah, right... Not with my friends hating me. Not after the terrible things I said to Marco. Just thinking about it made my eyes burn with tears. I sat in front of my vanity and took my hair out of their pigtails. "Toughen up, Ellie... You can do this," I whispered to my reflection.
My cell phone rang and I lunged for it. It had to be Dan. "Hello?"
"Hey, babe."
I smiled and lay on my bed, ready for a long chat with my older boyfriend. I don't really know why it's so important for me that Dan is older. I've dated older men before. At one point I was dating a man way older than some college boy. "What's up?"
"Nothing. Sitting here, drinking, wondering where you are. I miss you."
"I miss you, too."
"When do you think you'll get to come up and see me?"
"Well, the party most likely."
"I guess I can wait that long."
I laughed at his whiney attitude and twirled a strand of hair around my finger, checking for split ends. "Well, you'll have to." I switched positions so I was on my stomach and reached under my bed for my little box. Setting the box on the bed, I opened the lid and took out a little plastic baggy, mirror, razor, and a piece of paper.
"So, what are you doing right now?"
"Forgetting about all my problems." I poured a little mound onto the mirror and used the razor to make a single line.
"That bad?"
"It's always 'that bad'. Hold on a second." I stuffed the phone down on the bed and snorted the line quickly. "Okay, I'm back." I sniffed and rubbed my nose.
"What did you do?"
"Oh, I had to let the kittens into my bedroom." Wow. I'm becoming an avid liar.
"Okay, so let me tell you what happened in my class today..."
I listened with half an ear as he went through his story of how he was mortified in class today by the professor. I focused more on making a few more lines out of my stash. After I was finished I placed the supplies in the box and slid it back under the box.
"So, how was your day?" I started when I realized Dan was talking to me.
I rolled back over onto my back. "Not much happened... Got into a fight with this B at my school."
"B?"
"Bitch."
"Oh. About what?"
"Stupid shit she was saying to me. She just can't stand the fact that I'm better than her."
"You make me laugh so much. You're just so... blunt... matter-of-fact."
"Only about the truth."
"Okay, well, I gotta go. But you're coming to the party?"
"Yeah, I'll see you."
"Bye."
"Bye."
I hung up the phone and tossed it on my pillow. I wanted more than anything to be with Dan at that moment. To be away from this empty house and away from people glaring at me and from Darcy... The sooner I get out of Degrassi, the better.
Darcy's POV
"Hey babe!" I waved to Sean across the street and ran to catch up with him before he went into the school building. "You didn't call me last night."
"Oh yeah. Sorry. Ellie came over to help me study for my test and I forgot."
What? Why is he still talking to that girl? When did he start talking to her again? He never mentioned that he was talking to her again. He didn't tell me that they were going to be studying. "Oh..."
Sean sighed and hooked his arm behind his neck, "What's wrong?"
Did he sound annoyed? He better not sound annoyed. "Listen, I just don't understand why you talk to that girl."
"She's one of my best friends. I can have friends who are girls."
"But can you have friends who are ex-girlfriends? I'm sorry, but I can't help but be a little concerned." I pouted and wrapped my hands around one of his muscular arms.
Sean rolled his eyes playfully and tickled me in the side. "I really think you guys could get along. If you both tried, that is."
"I did try. You should have seen how she acted in the bathroom yesterday. She went totally crazy on me and bitched me out."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Huh. Well, maybe I'll talk to her about it."
I froze, "No! Don't talk to her about it. It'll just embarrass me." And she would just tell you her side of the story and you'd believe her over me. Just that thought alone made me want to scream. What was with guys and Ellie Nash? What was so special about her? Every guy wanted to get on her. Maybe it was time for me to grab the spotlight away from her.
Emma's POV
I grabbed my lunch tray and walked with Ellie towards a table in the back, currently occupied by Manny. I set my lunch tray on the table and greeted my best friend. "Hey Manny. Ellie's going to sit with us today."
Manny wiped her mouth and took her backpack off of the other chair. "Hey Ellie."
"Hey," Ellie replied softly.
I couldn't help but notice that Ellie had been unusually quiet today. She'd barely spoken a single word to me. I've heard the stories around school that she totally dissed Marco, but I don't usually believe what everyone says.
"Oh, hey Darcy!" Manny waved and put a big smile on her face.
Ellie grew tense and a scowl appeared on her pretty face. I remembered the fight the day before in the bathroom and couldn't help but glare at Darcy myself. Who does she think she is? Obviously God's gift to mankind.
She adjusted her purse on her shoulder and pursed her lips. "Well, I can see there's not room here for me. I'll just go sit with my boyfriend. You know, Sean."
"Do you think I care?" Ellie shot back, standing up and slamming her hands on the table.
Darcy leaned forward into Ellie's face and made an ugly face. "Obviously you do! Why don't you leave Sean alone? That means, no study dates. No Chinese takeout. Nothing. You got that?"
"No, I don't speak jealous hag. If you're so concerned about what your boyfriend does behind your back, why don't you just buy a fucking leash?"
"Can I borrow the one around your neck, you ugly-ass bitch!" Darcy spat.
By then, the tables around us had gotten quiet and were starting to listen to the fight. I noticed that Paige, Marco, and company were seated just a table away. In perfect view and perfect listening point. This was getting to be a bit embarrassing.
"You guys..." Manny started nervously.
"Stay out of this!" Darcy cried whipping her head around to glare at Manny.
Manny leaned back at the force of Darcy's words and shrugged. Did I honestly think that I could have a normal lunch at Degrassi? There wasn't really anything anyone could do. These girls would always be fighting. They both wanted Sean.
"Just get out of my life!" Ellie reached for her drink and started to leave the table when Darcy grabbed her arm hard. "Ow!" Ellie reached back and swiped at Darcy's face with her fingernails.
"Are you trying to cut me now? Did you run out of canvas? Is your arm covered entirely? You're sick!" Darcy hissed.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Marco start to rise out of his seat with an angry look on his face, but Spinner held him back. Ashley's mouth was open in shock. Craig and Jimmy both looked sick. Paige couldn't even look at the scene in front of her and Hazel was just shaking her head sadly. How was Ellie going to get out of this one?
Ellie looked away and shook her head slowly. Her gaze returned to Darcy and her shoulders dropped. "You win, okay? Just leave me alone."
She pushed past Darcy and stormed out of the lunch room. I started to go after her but Manny appeared at my side and held onto my arm. "I think you should give her a few minutes alone."
I knew Manny was just trying to help, but what if she hurt herself? I gave Manny a pleading look, but she shook her head. "Let's wait. Then I'll go with you."
I flashed Manny a thankful smile and sat back down at the table with her. Darcy stood around for a second before walking off in a huff. Is it wrong for me to say I hate her? I smiled to myself at my realization.
"So... that was... gruesome." Manny was the first to speak. Her eyes were wide and she was playing with the ring on her finger.
I coughed, "Yeah, Darcy isn't a big fan of Ellie. And vice-versa."
"I can see that. I wonder what Sean will do?"
"Well, if Sean were smart he'd dump Darcy and go for Ellie. But, for some reason he's into Darcy. I think he's kind of really into. And that makes me sad."
"I'm really surprised at how much your attitude towards Ellie has changed. I mean, it was just awhile ago that you and her were fighting over Sean's affections."
"Yeah, and I can't believe what a bitch I was. I'm over Sean. I'm just not into him anymore. We had fun while it lasted, but, in the end, we're not right for each other. Anyway, I have my sights set on someone entirely different..."
Manny squealed and grabbed my hands. "Like who?"
I looked around for a bit to make her suffer and then leaned closer towards her. "Okay, don't tell anybody, but... well... I'm sort of into Chris again."
"Chris! What happened between you guys anyway?"
"I don't know! Our relationship just never really airlifted. Which is a shame. Because he's such a cutie."
"I agree. I think it's a good choice."
"Yeah, have you seen how much he's grown... Wow!"
"I know! Those muscles, woah!" Manny giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. I drummed my hands on the table and did a little shimmy. I know, I know... totally unlike Emma Nelson. But I haven't had fun in awhile. And I need some fun in my life. My thoughts returned to Ellie and my mood dimmed. She needed a little fun in her life, too.
Manny's POV
"Hey Manny, have you seen Darcy?" Sean jogged up from behind me and started to walk with me.
I sighed and glanced over at him. "I'm on my way to voice lessons, if you don't mind..."
"Well, can you just answer my question?"
"I don't know. Check the bathrooms. She should be crying her eyes out after what she said to Ellie."
"What? Darcy said Ellie totally bitched her out."
I sighed. Some boys can be so dense. Especially boys named Sean. "Listen, believe what you want... but I'm sure more people would tell you that Darcy started it all. She said some pretty nasty stuff. But hey, why don't you ask Ellie yourself?"
"Mmm, maybe later. I'm going to go look for Darcy again." He turned on his heel and started to walk away, but spun back around after a few steps. "Ellie's okay, isn't she?"
I smiled at how worried he sounded. "She'll be fine. Emma and I took care of her."
"Well, thanks. A lot. She needs some girl friends."
"Aw, Sean... you're so concerned! Does this mean something?" I put on my most innocent look and looked at him expectantly.
He just smirked and waved, "Bye, Santos."
I nodded my head in amusement and headed towards the music building. Just my luck, I saw Craig walk in before me. Things were still a bit tense between us. He's back with Ashley, I'm with JT. I'm happy. JT's great and he makes me laugh, a huge plus in my book. Still, sometimes I can't help but wonder what could have been.
"Hey, Manny..." Craig gave me a shy smile and I smiled back at him.
"Hello, Mr. Manning."
"What are you here for?"
"I'm starting to take voice lessons. You?"
"Just thought I'd play a little guitar. Work on a new song. Angie's sick right now so Joey said no practicing until she's better."
"What a drag."
"I know. But hey, I'll catch you later."
I wanted to ask him what everyone thought of the whole Ellie/Darcy fiasco-scene this afternoon, but I didn't have the nerve. Who knows? Maybe Craig was just as pissed off at Ellie as everyone else was. I doubted it, Craig is usually willing to give anyone a second chance, but you never know.
Miss Beeker told me to give her a few minutes since she was running late with another student. I decided to just sit outside her room and not go into one of the practice rooms like everyone does. When Miss Beeker had closed the door behind me, the door had sprung back open a little bit so I could hear everything that was going on inside.
"You're going to be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Things are just tough at home right now."
Woah. That sounded like Ellie. I know it's wrong, but I couldn't help but be curious. I crawled over to the crack and peeped through it. Sure enough, Ellie was sitting at the piano bench, running her fingers up and down the keys. Miss Beeker put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a little hug before picking up a few sheets of paper.
"Listen, I heard you the other day in your practice room. You were humming along with the song you were playing. You sounded good."
"I was humming."
"I know, but you can carry a tune. I can tell. You're right. It was just humming, but, Ellie, it was beautiful humming."
"And your point is?"
"I want to hear what your singing voice sounds like."
"No! I'm not really into singing."
"A person into music as much as you isn't into singing?"
"I usually just hum. Really. Honestly."
"Well, what harm can it do? Prove to me I'm wrong about you. Prove to me you're an incredibly bad singer, and I'll let it go."
I saw Ellie shrug and wring her hands. Man, she was really nervous. I never thought I'd see Ellie Nash nervous.
"What are you doing?" I jumped at the voice behind and whipped around with a finger to my lips.
"Shhh!" I pointed towards the door and lifted my eyebrows. Didn't Craig realize I was trying to eavesdrop?
"Oh!" Craig exclaimed quietly. He crouched down next to me and put his eye to the crack to. "It's Ellie!"
"No shit!" I whispered back.
"Do you know Tori Amos?" Miss Beeker sat down on the piano bench next to Ellie and spread a few sheets of music out.
"Yeah."
"Do you like her?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, well, this is one of her songs. I've been thinking about your voice for awhile now. I thought this one would sound lovely with it."
Ellie played a little tune on the piano and then placed her hands back in her lap. "Okay."
"Good posture is important. A singer must always have her back kept straight and..."
"Miss Beeker? I thought this was just for you to see if I could carry a tune or not?"
"Oh! Sorry... Okay, I'll start playing."
"These tears I've cried I'm aware what the rules are And if I find you will you still remember These tears I've cried
I've cried 1000 oceans
And if it seems I'm floating
In the darkness
Well I can't believe that I would kep
Keep you from flying
And I would cry 1000 more if that's
What it takes to sail you home
Sail you home sail you home
But you know that I will run
You know that I will follow you
Over silbury hill through the solar field
You know that I wil follow you
Playing at trains
Or does this little blue ball
Just fade away
Over silbury hill through the solar field
You know that I will follow you
I'm aware what the rules are
But you know that I will run
You know that I will follow you
I've cried 1000 oceansAnd if I'm floating
In the darkness
Well I can't believe that I would keep,
Keep you from flying.
So I will cry 1000 more if that's
What it takes to sail you home,
Sail you home, sail you home."
"Wow..." Craig marveled.
I was surprised, too. Ellie has the best voice I've ever heard in my life. I almost feel stupid for wanting to go in there and open my mouth after hearing her.
"Ellie... Oh my God..." Miss Beeker was at a loss for words. She just kept opening and closing her mouth. Finally, she broke out into peals of laughter. "Ellie! That was amazing! I knew you could do it!"
Ellie seemed less than pleased. "I really have to be getting home."
"But, Ellie!"
"No, really. Listen, I did it for you. Now do this for me: don't bug me about singing ever again, okay?"
"But..."
"No! I don't like singing. So don't even try." She grabbed her coat and backpack and Craig and I scrambled across the hallway to get away from the door. We peered out of a practice room as she stormed out the door. Wow. She was not happy at all.
Craig pinched my arm and I looked up at him. "That was more than amazing, Manny."
"I know. Why doesn't she like singing? If I had a voice like that I would be showing it off to everyone!"
Craig's eyes grew misty and he appeared lost in thought. Oh no. What was he thinking?
He snapped his fingers. "She should sing for my band. With me, of course. We'd be great. Can you imagine?"
"Yeah, you guys would be awesome. But didn't you just hear her? She's not singing. Ever."
Craig crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a cocky look. "Oh, we'll see about that..."
I did not like that tone.
Wow. POV from Manny. Random, I know. But I kind of foreshadowed a connection in Fall to Pieces. I also mentioned Ellie being bored with her life and needing a new hobby in one of the first chapters of this story. She may have found it... So, look for Craig's POV next chapter. Also, the party at the frat and Sean has had enough of Marco and Ashley...
Also, I hope I don't have to say this but this is all from my imagination and hopefully no one is using some details/occurences from my story and putting them in theirs. Just thought I might say that.