Chapter 25- Help Yourself

"I refuse to put that stuff on my face," Ellie said disgustedly, as she watched over Paige's shoulder as they stood in the bathroom.

"It's a mask, hon. It's totally good for your skin," she replied, dabbing green gook onto her face. A towel was wrapped around her head and she had thrown on a pair of sweatpants and tank top after her shower.

Ellie took the jar from Paige. She sniffed it.

"Oh, that's just gross!" she exclaimed, thrusting the jar back at her.

Paige rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You'll regret it when you're old and gray, covered in thousands of wrinkled and have the worst skin ever…"

"Maybe I will, maybe I won't," she sang, and left the bathroom.

She flopped onto Paige's bed. Light poured from the two windows which were left of Ellie. She sighed, and looked around the room. It was a large room, full of pictures, cheers awards and trophies, and random posters spread on her wall. The carpeting was a pink rose color, while the rest of the room was colored in soft pinks and beiges. It hardly looked like it was lived in. There were a pile of magazines by the closet, so Ellie made her way over there. She flipped through the stack. A bunch of teen mags with things like 'Want to know if that someone special likes you? TAKE OUR QUIZ!' or 'Ten Sure Fire Ways to Be a Better Kisser!'

Ellie immediately placed the magazines back. She opened the closet and saw that it was jam-packed full of clothes. Paige's Spring Fling dress was hanging on the inside of the door. It was a deep blue, and strapless. It had subtle sparkles, and fitted her figure snugly. Ellie knew this because Paige had tried it on only a dozen times before making a decision in the store. Ellie had tried hers on once. And wasn't even that excited about putting it on again.

Paige came trotting out of the bathroom, and heaved a dramatic sigh. "I love dances," she said. She noticed Ellie at her closet. "Ooh, hand me my dress. We should probably get ready anyway. You can take bathroom, and I'll change here. I'll knock when I'm done."

Ellie grabbed her stuff, and headed for the bathroom that connected to Paige's bedroom. She locked the door, and then pulled out her dress. The dress was black and sleek. The straps were thin and the front went straight across her chest. It cut off in a slant to her ankles, ruffling as the material got longer. She had gotten a sheer long-sleeved cover to mask her shoulders and arms. It tied in the front just where her abdomen began.

After working herself into her dress, she pulled out the makeup she had brought along. She applied her usual black eyeliner and a dab of black and gray eye shadow. A sheer coat of pink went across her lips, and once she twisted the cap, she slipped on a silver chain to go around her neck and waited for Paige's knock.

Eventually, she knocked, and both she and Ellie were blown away by how each other looked.

"I knew it would look perfect!" Paige gushed. "Let me do your hair, please?" she offered.

Ellie gave in. "I guess."

Paige heated up the curling iron, and before Ellie knew it her red locks were done in very loose curls, the front pieces held back with bobby pins.

"Beautiful," Paige said, admiring her work.

She then got to work on herself, and soon enough both girls were ready.

"I'd say we look amazing!" Paige said as they stared at themselves in a mirror.

"You're right, Paige. You're actually right."

Ellie looked as she normally did, just a bit more glammed up, so to speak. She had to admit, she liked it. The girls slipped on their shoes, and after Mrs. Michalchuk took pictures, they girls headed for the dance.

---

When they entered the gym, they were both blown away by how nice it looked.

"I knew the girls on the committee would do an awesome job," Paige complimented, looking around in awe.

"Wow, Paige, flattering words? That's a step up. You're on your way to becoming a new person," Ellie remarked. Paige whacked her across the shoulder.

Ellie did a quick scan for Jimmy as Paige looked for Spinner. She knew it was ridiculous to search for him, it would just make her heart ache some more.

"Paige, what am I doing here?" Ellie asked, rubbing her forehead. "This was waste of time."

"There they are!" she exclaimed, and dragged Ellie over to the table that Jimmy and Spinner and…Hazel were sitting at.

Instinctively, Ellie narrowed her eyes and glared at the chocolate skinned girl, whose smile was a mile wide. She hated to admit it, but Hazel looked good. It made Ellie hate her even more.

"Hey, guys," Paige greeted. Spinner came over and gave her a hello kiss. Her grin grew wider.

"Hey," Hazel mumbled casually, picking up the drink on the table and sipping it.

Ellie said nothing. She looked over at Jimmy. He was looking to his right, seemingly unaware of her presence.

"So," Hazel said after a few seconds. She hadn't directed this towards the crowd, though. Nope. She was going after Jimmy. "Do you want to dance?"

Paige sent a look to Ellie, who shrugged helplessly. "Actually," she piped up, "I really, really need a word with Jimmy for a sec. You don't mind, Hazel?"

"What if I mind?" Jimmy said and Ellie's heart sunk.

"Sorry, hon, don't care," she replied, and grabbed Jimmy's arm. "Ellie, I'm leaving my Honeybee in your hands, but no funny business, I know everything," she said with a wink and dragged Jimmy off.

Ellie's eyes were wide. What was Paige going to do? She knew she had a plan, Paige always did. Her insides bounced around when Spinner finally said, "Come on, let's dance."

"I don't dance," Ellie said firmly.

"And what do you think this is, Taco Bell? You have to dance," he said sarcastically, and led her on the dance floor.

An angry Hazel sat at the table, alone.

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"What do you want, Paige? Can't you see that I'm trying to have some fun?" Jimmy snapped, as they stood in the school's hallway.

"Hazel is your idea of fun?" Paige replied.

"Look, I've given Ellie all the chances in the world. She doesn't care, so why should I?" he demanded.

"She does care! Are you blind?" she said, her voice rising.

"What do you want me to do, Paige?"

He threw his hands up. He was surrendering.

"I want you to go in there and talk to her!" she cried.

He was silent. She smacked her hand against her forehead. "I don't even know why I bother. If you want to ruin this fine, but don't ruin my evening as well."

Turning on her heel, she marched back into the gym.

-----

Ellie saw Paige walk through the doors and she ran over to her with Spinner. Paige noticed that Ellie appeared to be…having fun. She was leaning onto Spinner, laughing.

"Oh my gosh, I need to sit down," she sighed. "Paige, your boyfriend is hilarious. And get this—I danced!" she laughed crazily and Paige wondered for a moment if she was drunk.

"El, you're scaring me," Paige said with a slight laugh.

"Sorry," Ellie said. "I didn't these things were that much fun. But here—" she pushed Spinner closer to Paige. "—you can have your boyfriend back."

"It's about time!" she said, taking Spinner by the hand.

"Did you talk to Jimmy?" Ellie asked curiously, as the song changed. Every whooped and hollered, while she and Paige and Spinner made their way to the sidelines.

Paige looked slightly annoyed. "I've tried, El. You should go talk to him yourself. Come on, Honeybee, let's dance."

"Paige! Don't leave—"

But it was too late. Paige was already on the dance floor. She groaned angrily, and then scanned the gym.

A/N: Ew, I didn't really like this chapter. It's just…blah. Oh well. Hope you all like it. Reviews are much appreciated. A big thanks to everyone who takes the time to review.