Held Captive
Ellie has a passion Craig has a band Spinner has a secret, how will it all end?
Contains; Romance, Discussions about cutting
Pairings; Ellie?, Ashley Craig, Marco Dylan
Chapter Four; Assumptions
+ - + - +
I come home late. I walk through the door and shut it. I make the lock click. I walk into the living room mom isn't there. I don't look anywhere else I really don't care. I walk up the stairs and I walk into my room. Everything is in place. The black and burgundy curtains still cover the outside and my room clutters from the dark colors that are painted onto everything I own. I can hear the snores coming from moms' room. I close my door and insert the silver chain into the metal beside it making sure I'm secure. I walk over to my mirror. Black lines go every which way across my face. I sniffle and I smear it with my shirt which leaves a red color across my cheek. After that, I quickly change into a blank black t-shirt and my black tiny shorts that hide under the shirt. I throw the wet clothes into the basket near my dresser. I walk over to my computer and turn on the screen. I push my chair back and sit down. I look at the icon down on my toolbar. It reads: Currently Connected. I click the email icon. Out pops my inbox . . . three new messages. Wow, a record. The first: Ashley.
To: PunkRock101 From: PoeticTragedy Subject: Hey, Ellie!
Hope the Craig thing wasn't such a bad idea. I hope you had some fun, at least you got out today! Unlike me. Stuck at home with the always- entertaining Toby. Sorry I couldn't come. So how was it? Were they good? Did Craig say anything about me? Well I really want to know all the details! Call or email me, all right? See ya!
Ash
I roll my eyes and laugh at the stupid letter. Obsessed or overly attracted? My mouse slides down to the button reading 'next'. The mouse clicks and opens an email from Liberty. I roll my eyes again. Nothing better than to read an email from Liberty.
To: PunkRock101 From: 2Smart4u Subject: Grapevine Article
Ellie,
I'm pleased to say I read your article and I am very happy with it. It has great quality of writing and it will be published with honor. It's great to see such a dedicated writer. Unfortunately, we will have to edit just a bit. You show your feeling through it, which is great, but you do come on a bit too strong. I'm sure we can fix such a small problem in a short period of time. I'm open to meeting you at lunch Monday the 11th. Hope it's convenient because if it is later, we may not be able to publish. Thank you for such high interest in helping the school deal with these problems and I will be meeting with you soon. Please take this into great consideration, Ellie.
Liberty Van Zhandt
Okay, looks like I'm not going to be published. If I have a problem, it's never small and will never be fixed. I have to reply.
To: 2Smart4u From: PunkRock101 Subject: RE: Grapevine Article
Save it for someone who cares. Liberty I know you mean well, in some odd way, but I never wanted my article to be in someone else's words, I want my own. So, if you really liked my article, you'll publish it. I'm not editing my piece because it doesn't make everyone feel happy-go-lucky, it's called reality, something I'm allowed to expose. Now it's up to you: publish it or don't.
|Ellie|
I firmly press the mouse when it hovers over 'send'. I smile in glee. I move on to the next message. Haven't seen this address . . . ever
From: Spinner To: PunkRock101 Subject: Hey
Hey Ellie by the address I'm pretty sure you know who this is. I'm sorry I grabbed your arm I didn't mean to hurt you. I felt bad afterwards. But what happened? What were you talking about I shouldn't get mixed up in your life? I know this is your business and all but is it just me or do I feel something is wrong? Just try not to delete this email too quick, just worried.
Spin
Worried? Please. I click the 'reply' button.
To: Spinner From: PunkRock101 Subject: RE: Hey
Listen, nothing is wrong, I was just upset that you would actually follow me home. Anyways, my arm is fine. It's okay, I'm sure you didn't mean to grab me like I was running away with your spray cheese. Forgiven. Topic closed. Later.
|Ellie|
'Send'.
+ - + - +
I awake to the sound of the annoying birds outside my window. My eyes barely open. I make grunting noise and I can feel the frizz ness of my hair. I scratch it as I gradually sit up in my bed. I sigh as I jump to my feet. I look into the mirror. I look like crap. I shake my head and I start into the bathroom. Mom stands there, her eyes close and her head against the door. I remember yesterday. I can almost still hear the smack. I cautiously walk closer.
"You okay?" I ask. Her eyes look into mine. She blows the hair from her face away.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm all right," she says. I nod and start into the bathroom.
"I'm just gonna go take a shower," I say trying to walk past her. She nods as I walk into the bathroom. She starts to walk the other way. I close the door behind me. After disposing my clothes in the hamper and letting down my hair, I twist the knob which is suppose to result in actual water coming out of the faucet, but nothing happens. My eyebrows slant. I twist the other one and still nothing happens. I groan. I reach over for a towel. I wrap it around me tightly and I walk down the hallway and start down the stairs. "Mom! Mom, wake up!" I say. She looks at me from the couch.
"What do you want," she says coldly.
"Did you pay the water bill, mom?" I ask. She tries to sit up but fails. I stand there cold.
"No, I didn't," she says not caring. I become furious.
"Mom! We have no water! You can't just not pay our bills! You need to get off your ass, stop drinking, and become a mother," I say angrily. Now she sits up.
"Don't you ever speak to me that fucking way you little bitch," she says loudly. My teeth grind. I just stand there in my towel. She has never spoken to me this way. Ever. I feel trapped, like someone in a cage. I swallow hard. She reaches over to the lamp, and in anger, throws it across the room. Aiming at me, I think, but misses slightly. I scream in fright. I sharply look at her. She groans loudly. "Just, clean it up later, get to school and out of my face," she says lying back down. How can I be scared in my own home? This isn't right. I stomp back up the stairs, run into my room and shut the door behind me. This is one of the worst hangovers. If I tell, I'll lose her. No one will even try to care. I really do believe she cares, when she's not drunk. So suck it up until dad gets back, it'll be all better. The big happy family all over again.
+ - + - +
Walking to school now. Left mom on the couch cleaned up the mess on the floor, and left. I stop on the corner of Degrassi Street, where I wait for Ashley. No surprise that she is by the school already with Paige and Hazel. I shake my head and start up to the school. As I try to slyly past the three, they catch me.
"Ellie, hey!" Ashley calls. I turn around slowly. I smile sweetly.
"Hey, Ash," I say as I approach the crowd. I observe Paige. She still has that look of concern. Everyone seems so interested in Ellie Nash's problems, what the hell?
"I sent you an email, you never replied," Ashley starts to converse. I nod.
"Sorry," I say. "Busy. Mom-" I pause. "I was just, busy," I say. Ashley nods.
"So, Ellie," Paige starts. Oh no, the torture, the questions, the assumptions. "How has everything been going?" she asks. Gosh, you asked me that yesterday! I didn't become a huge popular witch like you Paige, no. What does she think? That my life is so interesting. No.
"Nothing has happened in the last 24 hours, Paige," I say. She looks unconvinced. I bring my eyes back to Ashley. Lets go please, my eyes say to her. Ashley smiles. She hears them. She looks at the two.
"I'll meet you guys in homeroom, sound good?" she says half-asking. The two nod. We start walking up the rest of the stairs.
"Thanks, I really need to get away from her. I went almost blind from all the glitter she was wearing," I sarcastically say. Ashley laughs.
"So, the band, was it good, or awful?" she asks. I nod.
"It wasn't horrible," I say. "I just told them they need a singer. They only had the tunes, not actual singing," I add on.
"That's good it wasn't pathetic. But yeah, the whole singing thing, who's going to sing?" she asks. I swallow and decide not to hear the question. I look the other way. I hear Ashley gasp. She touches my face and I flinch. "Ouch!" she says. I hold onto my face. This seems familiar. "Ellie, you have a bruise," she says to me. A bruise? Hm, I wonder where that must have came from.
"Oh, that. I fell, when I was um," I try to think of an acceptable excuse. "Walking," I nod and swallow. I know she is about to ask the questions I usually hear from Paige.
"Ashley!" someone calls from down the halls. We both stop. There is the waving Terri. Ashley looks at me.
"I'll talk to you later," she says as a demand. She walks past me. I roll my eyes at the thought. I continue to walk to my locker now.
+ - + - +
Inside my class, Mr. Armstrong collects the assignments. I pass mine up to the ever-lovely Paige Michalchuck.
"Elle, so, are you happy?" Marco leans over and whispers. I look at him and shrug.
"About what?" I ask. He rolls his eyes.
"Getting into the band," he reminds me. Ashley, listening, suddenly becomes interested.
"In the band? Ellie, did you join the band?" Ashley asks surprised. I look at Ash.
"No, I'm still thinking about it," I say.
"What you'll be thinking about is detention because you'll be having it if you continue to disrupt my class, Ms. Nash," Mr. Armstrong says. I look up at him. "Ready to pay attention?" he asks. I nod. He continues on with his lesson.
+ - + - +
"So, are you going to join?" Ashley asks. I shrug.
"I don't think so," I say. She doesn't seem to disapprove. I feel a slight discomfort. Suddenly, Craig appears. Ashley beams.
"Hey, Craig!" she says happily. He grins at her then observes me. He manages to squeeze in beside me instead of sitting next to Ashley. Her smile fades. He looks at me.
"So, I was wondering, why did you leave yesterday?" he asks. "Ya know, when we went out for pizza, you bailed on me," he says sounding as if we went out on a date. I look at Ashley. She seems suspicious.
"I was needed elsewhere," I say simply. Ashley observes me in jealously.
"Oh, well, have you thought about officially becoming a band member?" he asks. I stare at him.
"No not yet," I nod. He nods back. He then looks at Ashley. Ashley puts on a fake smile and then evily looks at me. After a unpleasant conversation with Craig, I'm left alone at the lunch table with Ashley.
"Wow, seems like you had a great time at Craig's," she says flatly. I just look at her.
"It was cool," I say looking down at the table.
"Cool enough to let him take you out," she makes it sound like I was sneaking out with him. I look up at her.
"Take me out? He asked if I wanted pizza," I correct her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, he took you out for pizza after he let you join his all-boy band," she argues. I look at her strangely.
"What are you saying, Ashley?" I ask. Ashley stands up.
"Nothing, just maybe letting you go alone to Craig's house was a mistake," she says starting to walk away. I stand up too.
"Are you jealous?" I ask. She turns around. Almost everyone was watching.
"So you admit it, you're dating him?" she asks misunderstanding. I throw on a confused face.
"What? No, I"
"I've found you out, Ellie. Can't believe you would to that," she says looking as if she would almost cry. She makes her way through the crowds. Everyone stares. This isn't my best day.
Ellie has a passion Craig has a band Spinner has a secret, how will it all end?
Contains; Romance, Discussions about cutting
Pairings; Ellie?, Ashley Craig, Marco Dylan
Chapter Four; Assumptions
+ - + - +
I come home late. I walk through the door and shut it. I make the lock click. I walk into the living room mom isn't there. I don't look anywhere else I really don't care. I walk up the stairs and I walk into my room. Everything is in place. The black and burgundy curtains still cover the outside and my room clutters from the dark colors that are painted onto everything I own. I can hear the snores coming from moms' room. I close my door and insert the silver chain into the metal beside it making sure I'm secure. I walk over to my mirror. Black lines go every which way across my face. I sniffle and I smear it with my shirt which leaves a red color across my cheek. After that, I quickly change into a blank black t-shirt and my black tiny shorts that hide under the shirt. I throw the wet clothes into the basket near my dresser. I walk over to my computer and turn on the screen. I push my chair back and sit down. I look at the icon down on my toolbar. It reads: Currently Connected. I click the email icon. Out pops my inbox . . . three new messages. Wow, a record. The first: Ashley.
To: PunkRock101 From: PoeticTragedy Subject: Hey, Ellie!
Hope the Craig thing wasn't such a bad idea. I hope you had some fun, at least you got out today! Unlike me. Stuck at home with the always- entertaining Toby. Sorry I couldn't come. So how was it? Were they good? Did Craig say anything about me? Well I really want to know all the details! Call or email me, all right? See ya!
Ash
I roll my eyes and laugh at the stupid letter. Obsessed or overly attracted? My mouse slides down to the button reading 'next'. The mouse clicks and opens an email from Liberty. I roll my eyes again. Nothing better than to read an email from Liberty.
To: PunkRock101 From: 2Smart4u Subject: Grapevine Article
Ellie,
I'm pleased to say I read your article and I am very happy with it. It has great quality of writing and it will be published with honor. It's great to see such a dedicated writer. Unfortunately, we will have to edit just a bit. You show your feeling through it, which is great, but you do come on a bit too strong. I'm sure we can fix such a small problem in a short period of time. I'm open to meeting you at lunch Monday the 11th. Hope it's convenient because if it is later, we may not be able to publish. Thank you for such high interest in helping the school deal with these problems and I will be meeting with you soon. Please take this into great consideration, Ellie.
Liberty Van Zhandt
Okay, looks like I'm not going to be published. If I have a problem, it's never small and will never be fixed. I have to reply.
To: 2Smart4u From: PunkRock101 Subject: RE: Grapevine Article
Save it for someone who cares. Liberty I know you mean well, in some odd way, but I never wanted my article to be in someone else's words, I want my own. So, if you really liked my article, you'll publish it. I'm not editing my piece because it doesn't make everyone feel happy-go-lucky, it's called reality, something I'm allowed to expose. Now it's up to you: publish it or don't.
|Ellie|
I firmly press the mouse when it hovers over 'send'. I smile in glee. I move on to the next message. Haven't seen this address . . . ever
From: Spinner To: PunkRock101 Subject: Hey
Hey Ellie by the address I'm pretty sure you know who this is. I'm sorry I grabbed your arm I didn't mean to hurt you. I felt bad afterwards. But what happened? What were you talking about I shouldn't get mixed up in your life? I know this is your business and all but is it just me or do I feel something is wrong? Just try not to delete this email too quick, just worried.
Spin
Worried? Please. I click the 'reply' button.
To: Spinner From: PunkRock101 Subject: RE: Hey
Listen, nothing is wrong, I was just upset that you would actually follow me home. Anyways, my arm is fine. It's okay, I'm sure you didn't mean to grab me like I was running away with your spray cheese. Forgiven. Topic closed. Later.
|Ellie|
'Send'.
+ - + - +
I awake to the sound of the annoying birds outside my window. My eyes barely open. I make grunting noise and I can feel the frizz ness of my hair. I scratch it as I gradually sit up in my bed. I sigh as I jump to my feet. I look into the mirror. I look like crap. I shake my head and I start into the bathroom. Mom stands there, her eyes close and her head against the door. I remember yesterday. I can almost still hear the smack. I cautiously walk closer.
"You okay?" I ask. Her eyes look into mine. She blows the hair from her face away.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm all right," she says. I nod and start into the bathroom.
"I'm just gonna go take a shower," I say trying to walk past her. She nods as I walk into the bathroom. She starts to walk the other way. I close the door behind me. After disposing my clothes in the hamper and letting down my hair, I twist the knob which is suppose to result in actual water coming out of the faucet, but nothing happens. My eyebrows slant. I twist the other one and still nothing happens. I groan. I reach over for a towel. I wrap it around me tightly and I walk down the hallway and start down the stairs. "Mom! Mom, wake up!" I say. She looks at me from the couch.
"What do you want," she says coldly.
"Did you pay the water bill, mom?" I ask. She tries to sit up but fails. I stand there cold.
"No, I didn't," she says not caring. I become furious.
"Mom! We have no water! You can't just not pay our bills! You need to get off your ass, stop drinking, and become a mother," I say angrily. Now she sits up.
"Don't you ever speak to me that fucking way you little bitch," she says loudly. My teeth grind. I just stand there in my towel. She has never spoken to me this way. Ever. I feel trapped, like someone in a cage. I swallow hard. She reaches over to the lamp, and in anger, throws it across the room. Aiming at me, I think, but misses slightly. I scream in fright. I sharply look at her. She groans loudly. "Just, clean it up later, get to school and out of my face," she says lying back down. How can I be scared in my own home? This isn't right. I stomp back up the stairs, run into my room and shut the door behind me. This is one of the worst hangovers. If I tell, I'll lose her. No one will even try to care. I really do believe she cares, when she's not drunk. So suck it up until dad gets back, it'll be all better. The big happy family all over again.
+ - + - +
Walking to school now. Left mom on the couch cleaned up the mess on the floor, and left. I stop on the corner of Degrassi Street, where I wait for Ashley. No surprise that she is by the school already with Paige and Hazel. I shake my head and start up to the school. As I try to slyly past the three, they catch me.
"Ellie, hey!" Ashley calls. I turn around slowly. I smile sweetly.
"Hey, Ash," I say as I approach the crowd. I observe Paige. She still has that look of concern. Everyone seems so interested in Ellie Nash's problems, what the hell?
"I sent you an email, you never replied," Ashley starts to converse. I nod.
"Sorry," I say. "Busy. Mom-" I pause. "I was just, busy," I say. Ashley nods.
"So, Ellie," Paige starts. Oh no, the torture, the questions, the assumptions. "How has everything been going?" she asks. Gosh, you asked me that yesterday! I didn't become a huge popular witch like you Paige, no. What does she think? That my life is so interesting. No.
"Nothing has happened in the last 24 hours, Paige," I say. She looks unconvinced. I bring my eyes back to Ashley. Lets go please, my eyes say to her. Ashley smiles. She hears them. She looks at the two.
"I'll meet you guys in homeroom, sound good?" she says half-asking. The two nod. We start walking up the rest of the stairs.
"Thanks, I really need to get away from her. I went almost blind from all the glitter she was wearing," I sarcastically say. Ashley laughs.
"So, the band, was it good, or awful?" she asks. I nod.
"It wasn't horrible," I say. "I just told them they need a singer. They only had the tunes, not actual singing," I add on.
"That's good it wasn't pathetic. But yeah, the whole singing thing, who's going to sing?" she asks. I swallow and decide not to hear the question. I look the other way. I hear Ashley gasp. She touches my face and I flinch. "Ouch!" she says. I hold onto my face. This seems familiar. "Ellie, you have a bruise," she says to me. A bruise? Hm, I wonder where that must have came from.
"Oh, that. I fell, when I was um," I try to think of an acceptable excuse. "Walking," I nod and swallow. I know she is about to ask the questions I usually hear from Paige.
"Ashley!" someone calls from down the halls. We both stop. There is the waving Terri. Ashley looks at me.
"I'll talk to you later," she says as a demand. She walks past me. I roll my eyes at the thought. I continue to walk to my locker now.
+ - + - +
Inside my class, Mr. Armstrong collects the assignments. I pass mine up to the ever-lovely Paige Michalchuck.
"Elle, so, are you happy?" Marco leans over and whispers. I look at him and shrug.
"About what?" I ask. He rolls his eyes.
"Getting into the band," he reminds me. Ashley, listening, suddenly becomes interested.
"In the band? Ellie, did you join the band?" Ashley asks surprised. I look at Ash.
"No, I'm still thinking about it," I say.
"What you'll be thinking about is detention because you'll be having it if you continue to disrupt my class, Ms. Nash," Mr. Armstrong says. I look up at him. "Ready to pay attention?" he asks. I nod. He continues on with his lesson.
+ - + - +
"So, are you going to join?" Ashley asks. I shrug.
"I don't think so," I say. She doesn't seem to disapprove. I feel a slight discomfort. Suddenly, Craig appears. Ashley beams.
"Hey, Craig!" she says happily. He grins at her then observes me. He manages to squeeze in beside me instead of sitting next to Ashley. Her smile fades. He looks at me.
"So, I was wondering, why did you leave yesterday?" he asks. "Ya know, when we went out for pizza, you bailed on me," he says sounding as if we went out on a date. I look at Ashley. She seems suspicious.
"I was needed elsewhere," I say simply. Ashley observes me in jealously.
"Oh, well, have you thought about officially becoming a band member?" he asks. I stare at him.
"No not yet," I nod. He nods back. He then looks at Ashley. Ashley puts on a fake smile and then evily looks at me. After a unpleasant conversation with Craig, I'm left alone at the lunch table with Ashley.
"Wow, seems like you had a great time at Craig's," she says flatly. I just look at her.
"It was cool," I say looking down at the table.
"Cool enough to let him take you out," she makes it sound like I was sneaking out with him. I look up at her.
"Take me out? He asked if I wanted pizza," I correct her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, he took you out for pizza after he let you join his all-boy band," she argues. I look at her strangely.
"What are you saying, Ashley?" I ask. Ashley stands up.
"Nothing, just maybe letting you go alone to Craig's house was a mistake," she says starting to walk away. I stand up too.
"Are you jealous?" I ask. She turns around. Almost everyone was watching.
"So you admit it, you're dating him?" she asks misunderstanding. I throw on a confused face.
"What? No, I"
"I've found you out, Ellie. Can't believe you would to that," she says looking as if she would almost cry. She makes her way through the crowds. Everyone stares. This isn't my best day.