Skin and Bones

A/N: So this is a story I modified because no one liked my original character. I decided she was already a lot like Ellie plus I love Ellie and Craig together and I'd never tried it.

"Class, for this project we will be pairing up with a student from the beginning drama class," said Mr. Johnson. The class was snapping out of a dreamy stupor from the teacher's hour long lecture on tinting. Then a large group of students walked in. "Pick someone you feel you could use in many different types of shots. "This project is about diversity." Mr. Johnson Continued, "Black and white shots, tints, different looks and many shot angles should be used in your final portfolio." With that Mr. Johnson turned toward the drama teacher. "Thank you for lending us your time and students." Mr. Johnson said dramatically. "Now class, choose your partners." Craig looked up as his class slowly began to shuffle through the room examining the prospects. There were many different students, all of them seemingly unique and yet still blending together in Craig's eyes. Paige, Spinner and a few other people Craig recognized were among the crowd.

"Hey dude," Spinner said, "Why don't we work together?" Craig contemplated it, imagining Spinner lounging on a bed making pouty faces and kissy lips and silently laughed. Then he noticed her. She was separated from the large throng of students and she had her own way about her that was deep and multidimensional. Spinner turned around to see what had Craig so transfixed. "Ellie, yeah, I've tried to get with her before, didn't work out. She tends to be kind of cold."

Craig ignored Spinner walking past him towards Ellie muttering, "uh-huh." He approached her in what he hoped was an open and friendly way. "Hey, you got a partner?" He asked nervously.

Ellie started and looked up at him, quickly closing the book she'd been writing in. "Uh, no but I'm not photogenic," She paused for effect, "at all," She laughed nervously. Craig gave her the once over. She had red hair that fell down to her shoulders and narrow hazel eyes. Her nose was cute, coming to a sort of V-shape at the tip. She dressed in dark clothes, fishnets, alternative styles.

"Well you're different," he reasoned, "I like it," He continued, giving her a reassuring smile. She returned it a bit unsure of what he was getting at. Usually the way she dressed and looked got her called names and even though she'd never compromise herself she always wondered if being different could really be a good thing.

"I'm Ellie, by the way," She sighed, "And you are…"

"Oh, uh I'm Craig." He said, as if he'd forgotten his own name.

"Ok then Craig," She said, "I'll work with you, but you can't trade me in or anything," She said seriously, with a friendly smile.

Craig laughed before he could stop himself and Ellie sort of scowled at him. "No, no, I didn't mean," He sighed, trying to slow down and explain. "Sorry, it's just, heh, no photographer would turn you in." With that Ellie smiled again and Craig stood there grinning like an idiot back at her.

"Guess who," Spinner said in a sing-song voice as he came up behind Paige and covered her eyes.

"Hey babe," Paige answered turning around and giving him a peck on the lips. "So what are we doing today?" She asked.

"Oh, I have to work but I get off at five and since my parents are away I was thinking…" he trailed off pulling her closer.

"Hmmm, sounds fun to me," Paige said giving him a naughty look and turning away.

"Well then," Spinner said slyly, "Meet me at work at five so we can eat, then go home and have… dessert."

Paige slapped him playfully on the arm and whispered, "You bad, bad boy. I wouldn't miss it," She said, kissing him deeply then leaving him to go to Cheer Practice.

At five, The Dot was packed and as she walked in Paige saw Spin waiting for her in a window booth. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek as she joined him. "How was work, honeybee?" she asked.

"Like this," Spinner replied, throwing up his hands to indicate the chaos around them.

"Fuuunnn," She said sarcastically. At that point a waiter came over. Spinner ordered first, and then the waiter turned to Paige.

"I'll have a cheeseburger, cheese fries, a side of onion rings, and a milkshake." Paige said confidently.

"What size?" The waiter asked.

"Large," She said off hand. As the waiter left Paige turned back to Spinner whose mouth was hanging open in shock. "What?" Paige asked irritably.

"Nothing, nothing," he replied smoothly, wiping his shock off his face and putting on a smile.

"No, WHAT?" Paige said, with a dangerous look.

"Nothing," Spinner insisted defensively. "It's just… you eat a lot."

"Are you saying I'm fat?" Paige glared, daring him to agree.

"No," He responded, too quickly, "You – you just have a healthy appetite, it's nice to see in a girl."

Paige scoffed, "I can't believe this, you think I'm FAT!"

"What?" Spin exploded, "I never said that. I think you're beautiful, you know that."

"Yeah, beautiful and fat," She rebuked stubbornly.

"Alright, babe let's just drop it," Spinner said, giving her a meaningful look, "You're the most beautiful girl in the world."

Paige pouted for a minute then softened up. Giving Spinner a mischievous smile she asked, "Do you really think so?"

"I don't think so, I know so," He replied.

The rest of the dinner passed with lots of conversation about Paige's new clothes and hair and the horribleness of math tests. The argument seemed all but forgotten. Still Paige barely touched her food. She kept playing with it and looking at it but she only ate a few bites. "Eyes bigger than your stomach," Spin asked.

"Yeah, I guess," Paige replied.