Chapter 21: All Is Not Well

Sean

I slipped out of study hall quietly and headed down the hallway. No way did I want to stick around and look at Darcy and JT flirt with each other. I'm seriously over her, but I still wonder what JT has that I don't. But whatever, who needs them? And Emma had gotten equally annoying. She kept pushing for details about Ellie and my friendship. What's it to her anyway?

So now I'm all alone roaming the hallways of Degrassi. I could go and try and get Jay out of class. On second thought, he needs to be in class. His grades suck. I could go and lift a few weights in the gym- prepare for the wrestling tryouts after school today. Then again, Coach Belter will probably be in there and will question me why I'm not in class. That would suck.

I wonder what Ellie's up to. I scanned my memory for her class schedule and remembered that she would be in the art right now. I started down the west wing and peered through the window to the art room. Yep, there she was sitting at an art table looking completely... adorable. I smiled at how her eyebrows were scrunched and she was biting her lip in deep concentration. I turned the doorknob and walked in.

"Ms. Kwan wanted to see Ellie?" I stood at Mr. Kiesel's desk and waited for his response.

He didn't even look up. "Go on, Ellie," he drawled as he continued to look through some art book.

That had been way too easy.

Ellie gave me a weird look as I grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room. When we were at the other end of the hall, we stopped and I let go of her hand.

"What's going on?" Ellie leaned back against the wall and stuck out her hips.

"Let's just say I'm saving you from boredom," I put my hands on her hips and smiled.

She rolled her eyes. "I was doing fine back there. I think you're bored. And why aren't you in class?" she accused.

It was my turn to roll my eyes. "It's called study hall, sweetheart."

"It's called you should be studying during study hall."

"You're such a slave driver. Here I am, doing you a favor, getting you out of class, and you don't even want to have fun!" I put on my best puppy-dog face.

Ellie's eyes twinkled mischievously and she pushed me away. "You want to have fun?"

"Yeah..." Where was she getting at? Maybe she wanted to head to our old janitor's closet for a little fun... that would be... great.

"Let's go!" She started pulling on my wrist towards the doors that lead outside.

"Woah, where are we going?"

"You said you wanted to have fun! Let's skip class. And just... go."

I yanked my hand away and shook my head. "Normally, I would. But today, I can't. I have my tryouts today."

"You can't skip a few classes?"

"No, I won't be able to try out if I do."

"Oh..."

I took a step towards her and lifted her chin up with my finger. "What's going on? It's not like you to want to skip classes like this."

"Nothing. I'm just sick of being cooped up in here."

"Ellie Nash, sick of school? I don't think so. You thrive off of it."

That comment got a little smile out of her, but I could see that something was definitely wrong. "Okay, let's go down to the fields and you can tell me what's going."

Surprisingly, she followed me without an argument. We sat ourselves down on the benches next to the football field , and I noticed that she shivered a little.

"Are you cold?" I took off my coat and gave it to her. At first she declined it, but after a little convincing, she finally put it on. It practically engulfed her. "You look like an eskimo," I teased. She smirked slightly and played with the zipper of the coat.

"My parents are getting separated," she blurted out suddenly.

I stared in shock at her. First of all, usually I have to persuade Ellie to spill information about anything. Second of all, what happened to the parents she said were so in love? I wrapped my arms around Ellie and pulled her in for a hug. "I don't know what to say. I'm sorry."

"It's so stupid," she muffled into my neck. "They're doing the wrong thing."

"Did you tell them that?"

"Of course I did! They don't ever listen to me."

"Well, there's really nothing for you to do. They have to figure it out on their own."

She laughed bitterly and crossed her arms. "Do you know why they're separating? Because my mom told my dad about her drinking and everything. He got pissed. And so now he's staying in some hotel room. What a coward."

I reached out and rubbed her arm. "Hey, be easy on your dad. He's going through a tough time, too." I can't believe I'm the one giving Ellie advice on being easier on someone. She's always been the one to cool me down when I've been pissed off at somebody. And now, here I am, defending her dad, of all people. It's really amazing how things can change so quickly.

Ellie shook her head and looked away angrily.

"Your parents love each other. They'll work it out. You'll see." I did my best to cheer her up.

She looked at me, her eyes lacking any sparkle and shook her head. "My parents do not love each other."

And then she stood up and left me sitting on the bleachers alone.

Ellie

"Where were you?"

I sat down in my seat and noticed Hazel had moved her art stuff next to mine. Even though I usually preferred to do art alone and quietly, I kind of enjoyed having the distraction. I'd take any distraction nowadays. "We went to the field."

"Oooh!" Hazel gave me a knowing look and worked on mixing her paint together. "Sounds... romantic. A little smooch during class?"

"No!" I let out a peal of laughter. "Sean and I are not like that."

Hazel gave me a weird look and set down her paintbrush. "You mean you two are not dating?" She put her hand on her hip.

"Um, no..." I started to shade in the tree in my landscape and gave her a sideways look. "Why?"

"I don't know..." she had that tone of voice like she knew something I didn't.

"What?" I pushed.

She shrugged and swirled her paintbrush around in her water. "It just looks like you two are."

"Oh. Well, we're just good friends."

"Looks like you two are in love."

"We are not in love." I grimaced and pressed down so hard on my paper, that the point of my pencil broke. "Damnit!"

Hazel smirked and arched an eyebrow. "Looks like someone's getting bent out of shape by my comment."

"That is not why..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Save it for somebody who believes you, Miss Nash."

My mouth fell open as Hazel walked away to put her art supplies back up. What was she implying here? Sean and I did not have romantic feelings for each other anymore. I don't think I'll ever have romantic feelings for another person ever again. The bell rang and I groaned and stared at all of my art supplies spread out on the table. Of course, once again I'd be late for my next class. Could my life get any worse?

"Ellie! You going to lunch?" I raised my head from its position on my desk and shook my head no to Ashley.

"Why not?"

"I have to work on an art project. I'm so behind."

"Oh. Okay. Well... talk to you later!" Ashley bounded off to go to lunch with Paige and I let my head fall back onto my desk.

Just please, no one else talk to me...

"Ellie? Why aren't you going to lunch?"

"I have an art project to finish," I explained to Marco.

"So why are you here?"

"I'm getting ready to go! Okay?" I was starting to get really annoyed with everyone's questions.

Marco rolled his eyes at my pissy attitude and grabbed my arm. "I'll walk you to the art room. How you feeling? Is it getting any easier? You feeling better?"

"Marco. Stop with all the questions. I'm fine. Why should I even care?" I tried to push the subject away, but Marco was obviously not going to let it go.

"Maybe you should talk to Jimmy? I mean, I think he might know what you're going through... Or even Hazel. Her parents separated last year, remember?"

No. I didn't remember. Because I was too busy being a loner while you hung out with the popular crowd.

"Hey Ellie!" Emma Nelson waved at me from across the hallway and started walking my way.

And now? I'm the freaking popular one. Whoever thought I'd have all these people concerned with why I'm not going to lunch or why I have to finish an art project... It's like- I'm sorry, but can I please have a little "me time" because my life is seriously going to shit right now.

"Hey Emma," I responded warily.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Okay, well... Are you coming to lunch?" she looked at me hopefully, but I frowned and shook my head. "Oh, okay. Well, I'll talk to you later then."

I clasped my wrist and held it up to my chest. I seriously wish sometimes that I could just disappear.

"Ellie?"

I spun around and clenched my fists. "What!"

Craig flinched and ran a hand throw his thick dark hair. "I just wanted to know if you wanted to practice for the show?"

I let out a sigh and looked at my watch. I didn't really have to work on art, it was just another excuse to get away from everybody and from food and from everything. Plus, I didn't want to hear anything about my parents, and I'm sure that Marco and Ashley wouldn't have stopped talking about it. So what would the harm be in practicing with Craig for awhile?

"Fine."

Craig

"Okay, so I thought you could sing the first verse, then we both sing the chorus, I sing the second verse, and so on and so on... Does that sound good?" I started tuning my guitar and glanced up at Ellie.

She sat down on a stool across from me and nodded, looking tired and worn out.

"You okay?" I asked distractedly as I plucked at my strings.

She crossed her legs and nodded. "I'm completely fine."

"Bullshit," I joked. But I didn't press any further. "Okay, I thought it might be cool if we started off with just you singing... no guitar. And then, I'll bring in the guitar on my verse, okay?"

"Sounds effective."

"That's what I thought. I was also thinking that... well, maybe you'd want to play guitar, too?"

Ellie shrugged and played with the hem of her skirt. "Why not? Since I'm already singing..."

I made an ugly sound on the guitar. "Listen, if you don't want to do this, no one's making you. It's not too late for me to ask Ashley."

"Okay, fine then..." She got up to leave, and I realized the horrible mistake I had just made.

"Wait! But she's not as good as you. You're so much better. And... well..." I desperately tried to think of a reason she would want to do this. The homecoming dance came to mind. "Isn't it your turn to be in the spotlight? Don't you want to be more than just the biggest slut or bitch or whatever? This is your chance to prove that you're not only the homecoming queen, but also a great musician." I lied it on so thick, if that didn't get her, nothing would. I could tell she was mulling it over in her head. "So, what do you think?"

I gestured towards the empty stool and she reluctantly took it. "That's what I thought..." I gave her my best smile and she slowly returned it. "Ellie Nash... I think is going to be the start of a beautiful relationship."

"... the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn. Fall on your-..."

I stared dumbfounded at Ellie instead of joining in for the chorus. I can't help it, though. Her voice... it's amazing.

"Uh, Craig?" she waved a hand in front of my face and kicked at my chin with her boot. "You okay in there?"

I shook my head and smiled big. "Yeah, I'm great. It's you..."

"What? Is it bad? Do I sound bad?" Ellie put a hand to her throat and cleared it. "Because I think I'm coming down with a cold or something."

I laughed and took her hand away from her throat. "No! You sound amazing. Beautiful." I whispered the last word.

Instead of grabbing onto my guitar and starting to play like I should have done, I was sliding my fingers along Ellie's cheek. Why does this have to happen to me? I'm finally happy with Ashley, and then this happens. I meet someone, or rediscover someone, who makes me forget about everything I know about life. Who completely gets into my head and messes with me. And not only is she smart, beautiful, and wickedly funny... no, she's the best singer I've ever heard in my life. She's right up there with my mom.

"Craig, get your sleazy hands off of me."

I glanced down and noticed that one of my hands had traveled up her leg, underneath her skirt, and was now occupying a spot on her thigh. I took it away and glanced up at Ellie. Leave it to her to have her no-nonsense look on at this moment. I'm a horrible person.

"Sorry... Okay, where were we?"

"We were at the part where you were too busy making a move on me to sing."

God, you have to love her frankness. I coughed to try and cover up my embarrassment, but I'm sure my flaming red cheeks gave me away. "Sorry... Okay, from the top. Begin."

And she sang. And it was angelic. And I think I may be a pathological cheater.

Ellie

So, although I'm totally now in the mood right now, I'm going to go support Sean while

he tries out for the wrestling team. It's the least I can do- I did kind of run off on him today. I walked into the auxiliary gym with my backpack and video camera and sat down on the bleachers. I might as well capture this moment forever. I juiced my video camera up and got started on taping the tryouts.

There was Spinner... That Nate kid... JT Yorke?... that's weird. Finally I spotted Sean and focused the camera on him for awhile. He was sparring with some kid named Derrick Winters. Derrick's pretty nice. He's in the photography club with Craig and I. They stopped sparring and happened to look in my direction. I waved and showed them that I was taping them.

Sean and Derrick smiled back and then tried to act all macho in front of the camera. Boys will be boys, I guess.

"I didn't know you were trying out for the wrestling team, Ellie..."

I groaned in my head and plastered a fake smile on my face. "Paige, say one more thing and I'll stick this up you're a-..."

"Oh please. I was just fooling around. Some people are so touchy. Some people meaning you."

"Yeah, I gathered that."

Paige tossed her blonde locks over her shoulder and nodded towards Sean. "Sean's looking quite yummy today. Those wrestling uniforms really do fit in all the right places..."

I half-smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I especially like how tight it is in the butt."

"Did Ellie Nash really just agree with me?" Paige gave me an amazed look and faked a heart attack.

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it. Once in awhile I take pity on people like you and-..."

"I knew it was too good to be true. Oh, they're starting! Look at Spin!"

I rolled my eyes, but still lifted my camera to catch Spinner in action. He easily pinned Max Rutherford to the mat and held him there for a good time. Standing up, he took to cheering himself on. He raised his arms above his head and did a victory dance.

"Spinner, over here!" I gestured for him to do something for the camera.

Oh, he did something all right. He took one look at me and immediately his face grew bright red. And that's not the only physical change he had.

"Oh my God, he has a boner!" Paige mumbled embarrassed. "From you!" She looked at me accusatory and I lifted my hands in a helpless gesture.

Hey, it's not my fault Spinner has the obvious hots for me.

"Your lover-boy is next!"

"My lover-boy?"

"Sean."

"He's not my lover-boy."

"That's not what I heard. Hazel told me you guys snuck out of class together to go hang out at the field. People only leave school to go to the field for one thing."

"Yeah, we talked."

"Please. I'm not stupid."

"You aren't?"

"You guys totally made out! You're totally in love with him, Ellie Nash. Look, you're blushing!"

I gritted my teeth and kept my eyes focused on the tryouts in front of me. "I am not in love with Sean Cameron. Now shut up before I ram this camera down your throat."

We watched the rest of tryouts in silence. Sean won his spar easily, and Coach Belter gave him a ton of praise for a move he did. I can't even begin to explain what he did, seeing as I know absolutely nothing about wrestling. Whatever he did, though, it was amazing.

After the tryouts were over, I walked down the bleachers to where Sean was standing with Coach Belter.

"...find a manager for the team. Do you know of anyone?"

Sean shrugged and looked over in my direction. Suddenly a huge smile spread across his face. "Ellie can do it!"

"Um, excuse me? Ellie can do what?" What exactly was he volunteering me for?

"You can be the manager of the team. You know, make sure we have water, towels, give us a pep talk... You can make sure we're all up on our studies."

Why did Sean have to add that? He knows how much I love telling people what to do and how to study and all that stuff. Still? Wrestling team manager- sounds like a drag job to me.

"You would get a Varsity letter for it."

Varsity letter? I was supposed to have a Varsity letter for cheerleading. That is, until I was kicked off the squad for "health reasons". Bullshit.

"It'll look great on college applications," Coach Belter persuaded.

Sean gave me an irresistible smile. Well, this way I would be able to make sure he was keeping up on his studies... "Well, maybe..."

"Great. Thanks, Miss..."

"Nash."

"That's right. Miss Nash. I'll talk to you more about your duties on Monday, if you could swing by practice for a few minutes."

I nodded and watched him go back towards his office before facing Sean. "Thanks, Sean. Now I have yet another responsibility."

"You could have said no."

"How was I supposed to say no to a face like that?"

Sean smiled and reached out to tickle me. "I'm that irresistible? Damn!"

I screeched as Sean held onto my sides and pulled me towards his sweaty figure. "Disgusting! Gross! Get off of me!"

Finally he let me go and he grabbed his water bottle. He took a swig and wiped off with a towel before placing an arm around my shoulder. "Thanks for being here. I didn't know you would be."

"Where else would I be?" I smiled up at him.

"Well, thanks again. I've never had this much support in anything."

"I am making you go to a charity auction tomorrow night."

"Yeah... I guess you are..." Sean grimaced and stuck out his tongue.

"It won't be that bad, I promise!" I held up my hands in scout's honor and smiled sweetly.

Sean rolled his eyes and messed up my hair. "Yeah, sure..."

"You forgive me for storming off today?"

"Of course. But are you going to be okay tomorrow? I'm assuming both your parents will be there?"

My eyes darkened and my body visibly flinched. I hadn't even thought of that. How were my parents going to act tomorrow? Would they pretend to be all happy and in love as they had for so many years in front of me? Or would they tell the truth and announce their separation?

"Yeah, they'll be there. But who cares. They can go to hell, for all I care."

Okay, so I lied. Charity auction next chapter. I'm sure drama will come up between Ellie and her parents... Sean might find out something about Ellie he never knew... who knows, we'll see. Thanks for the reviews. And as always both reviews and suggestions are welcome. Would you guys be interested in seeing Ellie's mom or dad's POV next chapter?