A/N: And now for the Ellie chapter. Man, this chapter hits a LITTLE close to home. Ellie & I are a lot alike if you get what I mean. We're both ex-cutters and our parents...are less than perfect.

Ellie was so embarrassed when Paige called her. She KNEW that the girl had heard all the racket her mother was making. There was no way she didn't. Burying her tear-streaked face in her hands, Ellie sobbed. She hated this life she was leading. Her father away, her mom turning to alcohol for every little jolt of pain she feels.

I'm just as bad as she is. Cutting's no different.

Ellie scolded herself. You haven't cut in a very long time. She snapped the rubber band on her wrist several times, and stopped when her arm was practically numb.
Gritting her teeth, Ellie walked into the living room. She put a fake smile on her face.

"Hey mom, want me to order us some pizza?" She tried to sound as positive as possible but her face lost all of its fake happiness when her mother turned over on the couch.

"Mmmmph." Her mother mumbled, muffled by the couch's cushions. Ellie shook her head, stomping back into her room and slamming the door. It was NOT right for her mother to do this to her! And her dad, she was almost as mad as he was. Sure he was "serving his duty" but he didn't even realize how things would get. It was chaotic, and it scared Ellie to think that her father could die, and she'd just get a measly phone call. She hated to imagine what would happen to her mother if he died.

Ellie grabbed some crumpled up dollar bills from her dresser and stuffed them into her pocket. Grumbling under her breath, she left that place. She decided to go eat at the Dot because she was really craving some of their food. Going inside and sitting down, she automatically spotted Paige. Covering her face, Ellie cursed.

"Please don't see me, please don't see me," She whispered to herself. But it was too late. She had been discovered. She felt a hand on her shoulder. Ellie forced a smile and a small wave. "Hiya Paige." She said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Paige could see smeared mascara and eyeliner on Ellie's face. She had been crying. She could tell from the sadness in her eyes. Oh, those eyes. Paige took her fingertip and gently wiped off some of the makeup.
"Ellie, you've been crying. What's wrong?" She asked, full of genuine concern.

The redhead pulled away. "I don't want to talk about it. I came here to eat, not to be interrogated." She shot back. Paige looked hurt, but before she could say anything a waiter appeared. Ellie ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke. She spun in her chair, sipping her coke and looking at Paige.

The blond was so pretty. Even though Ellie was really depressed and down feeling, something about Paige brought her up again. Closing her eyes, Ellie sniffed the air. She smelled the welcoming scent of food. And Paige. Paige always smelled so good. It was one of the things Ellie loved about her. Just then, the redhead grabbed her blond friend's hand. "Alleyway, now." She couldn't resist, there was so much built up passion deep inside her and she had to release it. Paige followed, wondering what was going on. They got into the alleyway, and Ellie pushed the older girl against the wall. She kissed her roughly, tightly gripping Paige's waist. Paige smiled, but pulled away a little.

"Whoa whoa, not that I mind all this...attention," She raised her eyebrows at this word, then continued. "But I know it doesn't have to do with me. What is it, Ellie?"
Ellie shook her head. "It DOES have to do with you. I was sitting there, thinking of how beautiful your hair looks, how great you smell and how your lips looked like they tasted so good and I realized I wanted to kiss you. That's why I took you outside. It has nothing to do with what I'm upset about, promise."

Paige took Ellie's hand, gazing at her sympathetically. "Okay. But you admitted you're upset. If you're going to randomly make out with me, Miss Nash, we need to establish some understanding. You don't cry and then not tell me why. Tell me what's going on and tell me right now." She said calmly, looking into the other girl's eyes.

Ellie dragged Paige back inside. "I'll talk about it in here," she explained. "I'm awfully hungry." She started chowing down on her burger. "It's my mom. Well, my dad got shipped off to be in the army. My mother's all depressed and lonely..and that's kinda caused her to drink...excessive amounts of alcohol. When she does this, she gets so totally wasted she doesn't remember me, and doesn't even talk to me at all. I feel so alone and it's just not fair because I need her. I'm hurting too, I'm lonely too but she doesn't even see that and she doesn't even CARE! She's so deep into her own depression she leaves me by myself. She's forcing ME to be the strong one, and Paige, I can't be the strong one! I'm her kid. She needs to start acting like it. I'm not her mother, she's mine. She's supposed to take care of me and all she does is drink." By the time she finished with her little rant, she made eye contact with Paige. The girl had tears welling up in her eyes. Taking Ellie's small hands in hers, Paige sniffled.

"You can stay with me. For as long as you like. I know you feel like you have to take care of your mother, but you can't do that. You have a life, and you need to be happy. That's what is important. You can call somebody, get her to go into rehab. Stay with me until she's sobered up, and it'll all be okay." She reasoned, half pleading, half asking.

Ellie considered, biting a french fry thoughtfully. She was silent for a moment. Then she nodded. "Okay. I'll stay with you. Just take me by the house so I can get some stuff."

Paige smiled, relieved. "Definitely. We can't have you naked, can we?" She said that, then instantly covered her mouth, embarrassed.

Ellie smirked. "That's an option?"