Chapter Two: If it makes you happy
My alarm promptly rang at 6:45. I hadn't even realized I had fallen asleep
over my journal and now had pen ink all over my cheek. Attractive, let me
tell you... So, another day at school. One more day that I would have to
listen to Ashley constantly bitch about how badly Craig was treating her.
You know, because flowers every day and him writing yet another song about
her is sooo horrible. Sometimes I just want to scream when I have to listen
to her. I try and tune her out, but sometimes that doesn't work. But hey,
maybe Marco would remember that I'm supposed to be his best friend today
and actually talk to me. Okay, so the only thing that would make this day
bearable was the fact that I'd get to see Sean.
I quickly blow-dried my hair and threw it into a low ponytail. I stared at
the picture of my father and I taken a few months ago when he had come back
from a mission. Too bad he was gone again. It was only a peace-making
mission this time, but who knew how long that would last. After I finished
applying my trademark makeup- heavy eyeliner, smoky eyeshadow, and lots of
gloss- I walked into my closet. I had become so crazy about impressing Sean
since we started dating. Today I chose a cute little khaki and red plaid
skirt and a soccer jersey that used to be Marco's when he was like five. I
attached these killer suspenders I had picked up in this vintage store.
They were so cute, especially with the little toolbelt I wore around my
waist. It held the necessities- cell phone, a tube of strawberry lip gloss,
and a little gameboy. Marco had seriously been spending way too much time
with Dylan and his video games lately. I blame my mild obsession with video
games on Marco. He's the one who let me borrow it.
I checked on my mom before I went to school. Yep, she was already drunk on
her one day off from the firm. It wasn't the first time she had gotten
wasted at 7:30 in the morning. Nothing ever shocked me anymore.
"Ellie! Wait up!" I turned around and saw Marco jogging behind me. I hadn't
even realized I had already been walking for like ten minutes.
"Hey Marco."
"So, what have you been up to? You didn't call me last night."
"Do I always have to call you? You have the capability of picking up a
phone, too."
Marco smirked, "Ouch. So, what did you do?"
I shrugged, "Hung out at Sean's for awhile. That sort of thing."
"Oh... yeah... THAT sort of thing. So, what's with you two? You like live at
his house now."
I shrugged again. Dammit! I wish I could do something more than just shrug.
This was Marco, my best friend. I owed him more than just a tiny shrug. Not
to mention that I had always been proud of my articulation. Now I was like
a mute. I stopped and faced him. "Actually Marco, Sean did ask me to move
in with him. But, I don't know..."
Marco started coughing and stopped walking with me. I look over my
shoulder. The expression on his face was priceless. "What do you mean "move
in"? As in, get away from your mom and move in like friends. Or move in and
let's have a love life?"
"Marco!"
"Well! You're my best friend, El. I worry about you sometimes."
"There's nothing to worry about. I'm capable of taking care of myself."
A few minutes of silence passed before Marco cleared his throat, "Well?"
I rolled my eyes, "Well, what?"
He gave me that look that meant he thought I was absolutely hopeless. "Are
you having sex with him?"
I laughed. Leave it to Marco to ask me that. And so bluntly. "What's it to
you?"
"El, I swear to God, I will murder him if he ever hurts you. So if you guys
aren't doing anything and I'm freaking out for no reason, please tell me
now."
"Marco, first of all, I can't see you murdering anybody. Especially Sean.
Two, since when is it your business whether Sean and I..."
"Ellie! Just tell me!"
I faced him. He looked so worried. This was the old Marco. The Marco that
deeply cared about me, who would talk to me at 3am because I couldn't
sleep, or bring me my lunch because he knew I never bothered to buy
anything to eat. "Sean and I are having sex. Yes."
Marco bit his lip. This was hard for him. He was still trying to take it
in. "But haven't you only been seeing him for like two weeks?"
"Three weeks. Okay, I know. I'm a little hussy. But, it just happened,
okay?"
"Is he using protection?"
I squealed. This was too awkward for words. "Yes, DAD."
Marco smiled and shook his head. "Who knew Ellie Nash would be the first."
"First what?"
"Well, the first of our group to have sex."
"Um, what group?"
"You know- me, you, Ashley, Craig, Spinner, Paige. You know what I'm
talking about!"
I shuddered, "First of all, don't put me in a group with Spinner or Paige.
Second of all, aren't they?"
Marco laughed, "No. Paige doesn't want to. Spinner's so stressing over it.
But I'll tell him you're free."
I punched his arm and we started up the walk into school. This was the most
we had talked in like a week. It was sad, but also great. Because I had
missed it. "Marco, let's do something this weekend."
"God, Ellie, I meant to tell you, but I'm gay. I'm sorry. I can't do
anything with you."
"You ARE gay, dude. I meant like let's hang out."
"Right, hang out. That's what they call it these days."
I narrowed my eyes and placed my hands on my hips. For being so tiny, I can
be pretty intimidating if I want to. Marco smiled and kissed me on the
cheek before nodding and heading off to find Dylan. I sighed and turned to
my locker.
"Oh my God, Ellie! Wait until you hear what Craig did this time!"
Oh great. Another Craig story. I was beginning to feel really sorry for the
guy. "Hey Ash. What happened?"
"He asked me to his house last night and when I got there, he had cooked me
dinner and there were fresh flowers and candles and he made me brownies! My
favorite!" Ashley looked so happy that I had to be happy for her. That's
just how I am.
"That's great, Ash. Seriously, a gentleman thing to do."
Ashley leaned against a locker and nodded. "Yeah, things are so much better
now. So, how are things with Sean?"
Wow, she was willing to talk about something other than her and Craig. This
was new. At the sound of Sean's name, I can't help but break out into the
dorkiest smile ever. I feel so stupid, but I can't help it.
"Aw, she's blushing!"
"Shut up! I'm not. Anyway, things are fine."
"Okay, well tell that to him. See ya."
I nodded and looked behind me. Yep, there was Sean on his way to see me. He
looked so great. I think my fashion sense was definitely starting to rub
just a tiny bit off on him. He was wearing this great black t-shirt. It was
just plain, but tight in all the right places. He looked godly. He winked
and took off his black hat before pushing me up against a locker and
kissing me. Yeah, this was pretty much heaven.
"Mmm.. What was that for?" I asked coyly.
Sean put his hands and his pockets and shrugged, "Nothing really. Just
thought you looked pretty amazing today."
"Thanks. You too. You ready for your history test today?"
"Yeah."
"You remember all the dates we went over?"
"Yeah."
"And the important key terms and names? You have to remember the names of
all the battles, Sean. That's for sure going to be on there."
"Ellie! I know. Okay? You're a great tutor."
I bit my lip. "Sorry, it's just that I get a little worked up. I want you
to pass."
"I know. And I will. And when I do, we're going to celebrate. So how about
tonight at my place? Spend the night."
I closed my eyes and leaned back against his chest. I had never spent the
night at his house. Not that I didn't want to, but my mom had to be taken
care of. But he'd been asking like every day, and maybe my mom could take
care of herself for a night. "Sure. I'd love to."
Sean squeezed my sides and made me squeal. I'm way ticklish. "Great, well,
I have to go and look over my notes. Bye."
"Buhbye." Ohmigod. I can't believe it. I had actually just cooed at Sean. I
didn't think it was possible for me, Ellie Nash, to coo anything. Eh. I was
getting to disgusting, it was unreal. But I'm happy. That's all that
matters.
My alarm promptly rang at 6:45. I hadn't even realized I had fallen asleep
over my journal and now had pen ink all over my cheek. Attractive, let me
tell you... So, another day at school. One more day that I would have to
listen to Ashley constantly bitch about how badly Craig was treating her.
You know, because flowers every day and him writing yet another song about
her is sooo horrible. Sometimes I just want to scream when I have to listen
to her. I try and tune her out, but sometimes that doesn't work. But hey,
maybe Marco would remember that I'm supposed to be his best friend today
and actually talk to me. Okay, so the only thing that would make this day
bearable was the fact that I'd get to see Sean.
I quickly blow-dried my hair and threw it into a low ponytail. I stared at
the picture of my father and I taken a few months ago when he had come back
from a mission. Too bad he was gone again. It was only a peace-making
mission this time, but who knew how long that would last. After I finished
applying my trademark makeup- heavy eyeliner, smoky eyeshadow, and lots of
gloss- I walked into my closet. I had become so crazy about impressing Sean
since we started dating. Today I chose a cute little khaki and red plaid
skirt and a soccer jersey that used to be Marco's when he was like five. I
attached these killer suspenders I had picked up in this vintage store.
They were so cute, especially with the little toolbelt I wore around my
waist. It held the necessities- cell phone, a tube of strawberry lip gloss,
and a little gameboy. Marco had seriously been spending way too much time
with Dylan and his video games lately. I blame my mild obsession with video
games on Marco. He's the one who let me borrow it.
I checked on my mom before I went to school. Yep, she was already drunk on
her one day off from the firm. It wasn't the first time she had gotten
wasted at 7:30 in the morning. Nothing ever shocked me anymore.
"Ellie! Wait up!" I turned around and saw Marco jogging behind me. I hadn't
even realized I had already been walking for like ten minutes.
"Hey Marco."
"So, what have you been up to? You didn't call me last night."
"Do I always have to call you? You have the capability of picking up a
phone, too."
Marco smirked, "Ouch. So, what did you do?"
I shrugged, "Hung out at Sean's for awhile. That sort of thing."
"Oh... yeah... THAT sort of thing. So, what's with you two? You like live at
his house now."
I shrugged again. Dammit! I wish I could do something more than just shrug.
This was Marco, my best friend. I owed him more than just a tiny shrug. Not
to mention that I had always been proud of my articulation. Now I was like
a mute. I stopped and faced him. "Actually Marco, Sean did ask me to move
in with him. But, I don't know..."
Marco started coughing and stopped walking with me. I look over my
shoulder. The expression on his face was priceless. "What do you mean "move
in"? As in, get away from your mom and move in like friends. Or move in and
let's have a love life?"
"Marco!"
"Well! You're my best friend, El. I worry about you sometimes."
"There's nothing to worry about. I'm capable of taking care of myself."
A few minutes of silence passed before Marco cleared his throat, "Well?"
I rolled my eyes, "Well, what?"
He gave me that look that meant he thought I was absolutely hopeless. "Are
you having sex with him?"
I laughed. Leave it to Marco to ask me that. And so bluntly. "What's it to
you?"
"El, I swear to God, I will murder him if he ever hurts you. So if you guys
aren't doing anything and I'm freaking out for no reason, please tell me
now."
"Marco, first of all, I can't see you murdering anybody. Especially Sean.
Two, since when is it your business whether Sean and I..."
"Ellie! Just tell me!"
I faced him. He looked so worried. This was the old Marco. The Marco that
deeply cared about me, who would talk to me at 3am because I couldn't
sleep, or bring me my lunch because he knew I never bothered to buy
anything to eat. "Sean and I are having sex. Yes."
Marco bit his lip. This was hard for him. He was still trying to take it
in. "But haven't you only been seeing him for like two weeks?"
"Three weeks. Okay, I know. I'm a little hussy. But, it just happened,
okay?"
"Is he using protection?"
I squealed. This was too awkward for words. "Yes, DAD."
Marco smiled and shook his head. "Who knew Ellie Nash would be the first."
"First what?"
"Well, the first of our group to have sex."
"Um, what group?"
"You know- me, you, Ashley, Craig, Spinner, Paige. You know what I'm
talking about!"
I shuddered, "First of all, don't put me in a group with Spinner or Paige.
Second of all, aren't they?"
Marco laughed, "No. Paige doesn't want to. Spinner's so stressing over it.
But I'll tell him you're free."
I punched his arm and we started up the walk into school. This was the most
we had talked in like a week. It was sad, but also great. Because I had
missed it. "Marco, let's do something this weekend."
"God, Ellie, I meant to tell you, but I'm gay. I'm sorry. I can't do
anything with you."
"You ARE gay, dude. I meant like let's hang out."
"Right, hang out. That's what they call it these days."
I narrowed my eyes and placed my hands on my hips. For being so tiny, I can
be pretty intimidating if I want to. Marco smiled and kissed me on the
cheek before nodding and heading off to find Dylan. I sighed and turned to
my locker.
"Oh my God, Ellie! Wait until you hear what Craig did this time!"
Oh great. Another Craig story. I was beginning to feel really sorry for the
guy. "Hey Ash. What happened?"
"He asked me to his house last night and when I got there, he had cooked me
dinner and there were fresh flowers and candles and he made me brownies! My
favorite!" Ashley looked so happy that I had to be happy for her. That's
just how I am.
"That's great, Ash. Seriously, a gentleman thing to do."
Ashley leaned against a locker and nodded. "Yeah, things are so much better
now. So, how are things with Sean?"
Wow, she was willing to talk about something other than her and Craig. This
was new. At the sound of Sean's name, I can't help but break out into the
dorkiest smile ever. I feel so stupid, but I can't help it.
"Aw, she's blushing!"
"Shut up! I'm not. Anyway, things are fine."
"Okay, well tell that to him. See ya."
I nodded and looked behind me. Yep, there was Sean on his way to see me. He
looked so great. I think my fashion sense was definitely starting to rub
just a tiny bit off on him. He was wearing this great black t-shirt. It was
just plain, but tight in all the right places. He looked godly. He winked
and took off his black hat before pushing me up against a locker and
kissing me. Yeah, this was pretty much heaven.
"Mmm.. What was that for?" I asked coyly.
Sean put his hands and his pockets and shrugged, "Nothing really. Just
thought you looked pretty amazing today."
"Thanks. You too. You ready for your history test today?"
"Yeah."
"You remember all the dates we went over?"
"Yeah."
"And the important key terms and names? You have to remember the names of
all the battles, Sean. That's for sure going to be on there."
"Ellie! I know. Okay? You're a great tutor."
I bit my lip. "Sorry, it's just that I get a little worked up. I want you
to pass."
"I know. And I will. And when I do, we're going to celebrate. So how about
tonight at my place? Spend the night."
I closed my eyes and leaned back against his chest. I had never spent the
night at his house. Not that I didn't want to, but my mom had to be taken
care of. But he'd been asking like every day, and maybe my mom could take
care of herself for a night. "Sure. I'd love to."
Sean squeezed my sides and made me squeal. I'm way ticklish. "Great, well,
I have to go and look over my notes. Bye."
"Buhbye." Ohmigod. I can't believe it. I had actually just cooed at Sean. I
didn't think it was possible for me, Ellie Nash, to coo anything. Eh. I was
getting to disgusting, it was unreal. But I'm happy. That's all that
matters.