A/N: You reviewers are so awesome! A HUGE thanks to every single one of you who have taken the time to read and review my story. It means so much to me. Well, here's chapter 18!

Chapter Eighteen- Things Are Changing

Ellie awoke the smell of bacon early the next morning. She peeled off her blanket and sat up in her bed. She stretched, ran her fingers through her hair and headed down to the kitchen. There she found her father in front of the stove, apron and all, making breakfast. She'd definitely missed this.

"Morning, dad," she greeted, going over to the fridge and pulling out a carton of orange juice. She made her way over to the cabinets when her dad turned to face her.

"Morning, sunshine," he replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She smiled and poured myself a glass of juice.

"You're up early," she commented, going over to where he was cooking, to inspect his work. "Mmm, looks good."

"I wanted to make you something to eat before you had to leave for school," he told her, getting ready to scoop the bacon onto her plate.

She smiled again and took the plate from her dad and taking it to her seat at the table. He began to crack eggs into a new pan and asked her, "Scrambled?"

"As always," she answered, starting to munch on her bacon. "Where's mom?"

He slightly stiffened at the question, and then Ellie remembered their argument the night before.

"She's upstairs," he said, not looking at his daughter.

"Oh."

Minutes later, breakfast was ready and her and her father ate their first meal in months together. Ellie's mother came down just when she was finishing what was left on her plate.

"Morning," Ellie had muttered, not in the state to carry on conversation with her. She rinsed her dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. She told her dad thanks for breakfast and she went up to her room to get ready for school.

"Manny, why don't you just tell me what's going on?" JT had said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him after she had tried to walk away.

They stood outside the school and with only several minutes until the bell rang, JT was determined to get Manny to talk to him.

"JT, please...don't do this," she had pleaded softly, not making eye contact with him. "Not here..."

"Then where, Manny?" he had practically shouted. "This is getting old. This is getting so old!"

He was making her uncomfortable. She didn't like that he was getting so upset.

"Stop it. Just stop it, for once. Okay? I'm in no mood..."

His eyes narrowed slightly and the look of fury upon his face was enough to make Manny squirm. "But you're always in the mood to talk to Craig."

That's it. She'd had enough. "Okay, the jealousy thing? It really needs to stop!" she said with disgust in her voice. "You are not the only person in my life."

"I didn't say I was."

"You're sure acting like it," she said quietly.

"Manny, please, I just want to understand."

She looked up at him, tears threatening to spill. Not again. "It's just...hard. Give me some time. Please."

He was silent for a few moments before nodding his head slightly. She smiled faintly, her gaze back on the ground.

"Are we still on for the dance?" he asked, just as the bell rang. A mob of kids headed for the Degrassi doors.

She didn't know what to say to his question. "I-I don't know," she said faintly, before turning around and entering the building. For the second time, she had left JT confused and heartbroken.

"I want an A on this project and if you're going to sit around and...mope like this than I will gladly ask Ms. Hatzilakos for another partner," Liberty said to her lab buddy, JT in science class that morning.

JT had hardly spoken a word since his confrontation with Manny earlier and Liberty was getting annoyed.

"Now are you going to go get the rest of the supplies or am I going to be doing all of the work...again?" she continued.

"Yeah, whatever," he mumbled, slouching down in his chair and staring at the blackness of the lab table.

"Ugh!" she screeched. "Whatever trouble it is that you are having with Manny, save it for another time. My science grade is lowering each day and you are not helping at all!"

He threw an annoyed glance. "It's not something you would understand, Liberty."

"I resent that," she muttered, examining something through the microscope sitting in front of her.

"Well, it's true," he snapped.

"Granted, you have a little more experience than I, but I believe I know a little more about the way the mind works than you would, JT," Liberty said coolly, taking her eye away from the microscope and scribbling something down on her paper.

JT gave a small snort. "Right."

Liberty just shrugged.

He was silent for the next minute or so. Finally, he spoke.

"I just don't get it. She keeps running off to Craig. What's so special about him? And why now? It makes no sense!" he rambled in frustration.

"Give her some time. You know how badly things went with her and Craig," she paused. "And Ashley. She's lost. She can't...decide."

JT gave her a look. "Decide what?"

Liberty just stared at him with 'what-do-you-think?' look. And for the first time it hit him.

Decide between me and Craig, he thought.

"She...she still likes him?" he stammered.

Placing a hand on her hip, she gave him a sympathetic look. "Seems that way," she replied. "Now that that's settled, can you go ask Ms. Hatzilakos if this is what the drawing is supposed to look like?" she asked, thrusting her paper at him.

Wordlessly, he stood up and made his way to his teacher's desk.

Ellie was having a great day. She had breezed through her morning classes, but was still glad for the break. Lunch time. She twirled the lock on her locker and opened it up, throwing books inside. As she stood up after slamming the door shut, she felt a pair of arms slip their away around her waist.

"Hey, El," Jimmy greeted.

She turned her head to face him and for the second time, he kissed her.

She could definitely get used to this.

"So," he said a few seconds later, arms still around her waist. "Spring Fling. Are you going?"

"Are you asking me?" she shot back playfully.

"Depends on if you're going or not."

"Well, it depends on if you're asking me," she said.

"Then, yes, I'm asking you."

Her heartbeat picked up and she almost felt the need to pinch herself to see if this was real.

"Then, yes, I'd love to go with you," she answered, releasing herself from his grasp and turning to kiss him.

They walked hand-in-hand to the cafeteria, Ellie feeling the best she had in a while.