Chapter 27- Beautiful Thing Love Is

She didn't ask questions. She just followed him as led the way to the car. It was a chilly night, and Ellie was shaking from that and the tears that had made their way down her face.

"Get in," he said calmly, as he opened the door for her.

"Where are we going?" she asked finally, wiping her eyes, but getting in.

"My place. It's obvious neither of us wanted to be in that gym," he said, hopping in the car and starting it.

"But what about Paige? All my stuff is there. She's supposed to be my ride," she said.

"You can get it later," he told her and began the drive to his house.

Ellie flipped on the radio and reclined her seat. She knew no words were going to be exchanged during the drive.

They walked through the apartment door almost twenty minutes later. Jimmy ripped his tie off and threw it on the floor. Ellie walked in behind him, a sad look upon her face.

"I don't know what to say," she said.

"Ellie, what's going on with you?" he asked.

"I…I'm getting help," she said, as if that explained everything. "For…m-my cutting. And my mom's getting help with her problem! And I acted dumb. And I'm sorry. I should have listened to you…and to Paige…and everyone."

He didn't say anything for about a minute. "You're getting help?"

She smiled. "Yeah, I am."

"No matter what?"

She took in a breath. "No matter what."

He grabbed her hands and pulled her close to her. "I'm happy for you, Ellie," he whispered. "Just don't push us away. We love you, Ellie."

Her heart was pounding and her breath caught in her throat. "And I love you guys, too. I'm sorry for acting rash. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It doesn't matter," he said soothingly. He looked down at her. Her eyes were closed as she clung to him. She was taking in the moment.

He lifted her face up and kissed her.

"I don't want to go home," she mumbled.

He laughed. "You have to. Believe it or not, my parents do come home."

She frowned. "Ten more minutes?" she pleaded.

He kissed her head. "Ten more minutes."

-----

"That was so much fun," Emma stated, as she, Toby, Liberty, and JT filed out of Degrassi. "I had no idea you could dance like that, Liberty."

Liberty grinned. "Oh the secrets we hide." She glanced over at JT, who had his hand entwined with hers.

"Agreed," JT answered, squeezing her hand.

Emma cast a quick look at the two, and nudged Toby.

"What?" he said.

"I think I see Manny. Let's go, um, talk to her. Yeah. See you Monday, you two," she said, and dragged Toby down the sidewalk.

JT and Liberty laughed.

"Could they be anymore obvious?" Liberty asked.

"Well, this was an unexpected night," he stated.

"That it was," she agreed. Her face grew more serious. "So you don't mind, you know, people seeing us? Just us in general?"

"Liberty," he said coolly. He leaned in and kissed her for the second time that night. "Breathe."

She laughed and took his hand. She didn't ask anymore questions.

----

"Ellie, where are you?" an angry Paige demanded.

Ellie clutched the cell phone to her ear. "Jimmy's."

Paige's tone suddenly softened. "Want me to come get you?"

"No. But I guess it would be best."

"Yeah. Wouldn't want you two lovebirds to get carried away now," Paige teased.

"Shut up."

"I'll be there in a little while. Give you and Jimmy some time. You deserve it."

"Thanks," Ellie said and hung up. When she looked around, she'd noticed that Jimmy was gone. She called for him, and got a muffled response. She found the way to his bedroom, and knocked on the closed door. It opened a second later.

"Thanks for telling me where you went," Ellie remarked, pretending to be hurt. She stepped inside his room.

"Sorry, I had to change," he replied. She noticed that he was now in a pair of basketball shorts and a shirt.

"Looks more comfortable," she noted, and looked around his room. There were posters of basketball guys everywhere, pictures of his friends, Ellie included, his closet was half-open and there were clothes piled on the floor.

Jimmy stood up and walked over to his dresser. He grabbed a black shirt and a pair of shorts and handed them to her. She stared at him.

"I know you're probably dying in that dress. Even if you do look cute," he said.

She grinned. "Thanks. Now get out so I can change!"

He hung his head. "And I thought tonight was my lucky night."

"Let's take it one step at a time, James," she snickered, and pointed at the door. He reluctantly exited.

She changed and then stood on his bed, looking at herself through the mirror that stood in front of her.

"Okay, this look so does not work for me!" she called, and saw Jimmy come through the door. Her head was tilted to the side and she was hiking up the shorts. He laughed and hopped onto the bed, standing next to her.

"It works," he said.

"These shorts are practically falling off!" she exclaimed.

"Like I said, it works."

She smacked him playfully and rolled her eyes. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

He kissed her and she commented, "You know, we are standing on a bed."

"Then let's," he began, and flopped down on the bed, "sit."

She sat next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "Tonight was amazing."

"And there will be plenty more amazing nights to follow," he answered and put his arm around her.

"I hope so," she replied, closing her eyes. "I hope so."

She felt herself drifting off, but a loud knock at the door interrupted her.

"No, go away," Ellie moaned, as Jimmy laughed and stood up.

"It's probably Paige," he told her, leaving the room.

"Tell her to leave us alone!" Ellie called. Slowly, she got up herself and made her way to the front door.

As they had both assumed, Paige stood before them in a pair of jeans and a tank top.

"You ditched the dress, too, I see," Paige said, smirking at Ellie's wardrobe.

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" she said teasingly.

"Yeah, here. What a coincidence!" Paige replied. "Come on, let's go. Spinner's waiting in the car."

"Oh, God, no," Ellie said, grabbing Jimmy's arm. "Don't make me go!"

Paige laughed. "Kidding. Get your stuff, let's go."

"Yes, mom," she said, and headed for the bedroom, taking Jimmy along with her. She took her dress, shoes, and purse and looked up at Jimmy.

"I guess this is goodbye," she said dramatically.

He kissed her quickly. "We'll be in touch."

She laughed. "After all this, we better."

"I love you, Ellie," he said.

She froze, and glanced up at him. "I-I love you, too."