Chapter Thirty: Pick Up The Pieces

Ellie

I've officially been here for two months now. And today is my birthday. I didn't get any letters from Jay, Marco, or Sean. It's really depressing to wake up on your sweet sixteen in rehab with no one to even acknowledge the special day. I didn't even want to go to school. And then I found out that I didn't have to.

"You're off the hook for school today girl," Maria said, walking into my room.

"Why?" I asked. I was grateful, but also a little suspicious. I hoped it wasn't another yoga session. I don't mind the meditating, but yoga is another thing. It's really boring.

"You're whole class has two inspirational films in the family room. It happens to everyone once they hit their two month mark," she explained. I groaned. Great.

"Thanks for the great news," I said sarcastically. Maria simply smiled and closed the door, ready to get back to work. I took my shower as slowly as possible, and took extra time getting dressed. Maybe if I was late, they wouldn't want to disrupt the movie and wouldn't let me inside. Or I could skip it entirely and go pay a visit to Ethan. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

I left my room and slipped past the nurse's station, hoping no one would see me going in the opposite direction of the family room. And no one did. I knocked softly on Ethan's office door, trying not to draw any attention to myself. When there was no answer, I knocked a little louder. Still no answer. I tried the door, but it was locked. Then a random nurse walked by.

"Ethan's not in today," she said. My face fell and she noticed. "Sorry honey," she said and kept walking. How could he not be here? He's always here. He said he'd be here whenever I needed him. And now he's not. I almost started to cry, but held back. It's not like something terrible is going on. I'm just trying to skip a movie. I guess I'll just go then.

I reluctantly trudged to the family room. I tried to go as slowly as humanly possible. Then I saw that the lights were off. Yep, I was definitely late. Good. I pulled the door open and…

"SURPRISE!" The lights flicked on and people jumped up from every spot possible. "Happy Sweet Sixteen Ellie!" They all yelled. I couldn't help myself. I started to cry. They really hadn't forgotten about me. I surveyed the crowd and found him. Running past everyone else, I flew into Jay's arms. He kissed me hard. Our kiss continued for a minute or so, until we remembered that everyone was watching.

With Jay by my side, I walked around the room, greeting everyone and thanking them for coming. Then I saw Ethan. So that's why he wasn't in his office. I introduced him to Jay and they started talking, so I went off in search of some more of my friends.

I talked for a few minutes with each person. The guest list included Jay, Marco, Emma, Sean, Rayne, Xavier, Ethan, Maria, Rebecca, and the rest of the people from my classes and group therapy. It was probably the best birthday I had in a while. Every person that was important to me was there.

After about an hour at the party, there was one person I hadn't talked to. Xavier was trying to stay inconspicuous against the wall at the back of the room. I walked over to him but he didn't notice me at first. He had his head leaning against the wall and his eyes closed. I poked him in his side and he jumped.

"Hey Ellie," he said sadly. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks. I wanted to talk to you about what happened," I told him. He'd been avoiding me ever since the day he kissed me. And that was about three weeks ago.

"I'm really sorry. If I had known about Jay…" but I interrupted him before he could finish.

"It's not your fault. I wanted to say that I was sorry. I should have told you about him. I'm not sure why I didn't," I said. Although I had a pretty good idea why. I just didn't want to confess that to Xavier. "And I hate not spending time with you," I added. "Will you forgive me?"

"Of course I will," he said. I smiled at him and we hugged. We were still hugging when Jay came up behind me.

"Ellie?" he said.

"Oh hey. Jay this is Xavier, Xavier this is Jay," I said, introducing them. They shook hands and nodded their heads at each other. A guy thing. Whatever. I could tell that they were a little uncomfortable around each other. "So, who wants to watch me open my presents?" I asked, motioning towards the pile on the table in the middle of the room. Without waiting for an answer, I grabbed Jay by the hand and pulled him toward the presents. Xavier followed silently.

For the first time in almost a year, I was the center of attention for something positive. It was no longer everyone watching me to make sure I wasn't cutting or doing drugs. They were just watching me open my birthday presents.

I got a pretty beaded bracelet from Rayne and a matching necklace from Xavier. Jay got me a bunch of my favorite movies and books. From Marco I got a hand made scrapbook of all the good times we had. That present made me cry. Sean made me a mixed CD of our favorite songs; which made Jay shift in his seat a little. Ethan got me an MP3 player. I was amazed. It was awesome. There were already some of my favorite songs on it, which I later found out he got advice from Marco to find out what I liked. Emma got me some nice clothes; I have to admit, she does have good taste. Maria gave me a book full of inspirational quotes. I liked it a lot better than the movies they made us watch here. My other classmates and Rebecca made me some various crafts from any materials they could scrounge up. They were the best presents I had ever gotten.

After all the presents were opened, we had pizza, cake, and ice cream. Then I got to hang out with everyone and talk to them. When the party was coming to an end, I didn't want all of my friends to leave. Maria told me that I was allowed to have one friend stay for two more hours. Emma, Sean, and Marco all understood that I had to pick Jay. They didn't even make me choose. All of them volunteered to let him stay. After hugging them all goodbye (and kissing Marco), I walked them as close to the front doors as I was allowed to go, and led Jay back to my room.

"Well, this is it," I said, sitting on my bed. Jay looked around for a minute before joining me.

"Pretty impressive," he said. We both laughed and then I leaned in and kissed him.

"So, we have two hours. What do you want to do?" I asked.

"We can do anything you want," he answered.

"I was hoping you'd say that," I grinned at him and pulled him down on top of me, forcing my tongue past his slightly parted lips. After a few minutes of kissing, Jay pulled my shirt off and I instantly threw my arms across my chest. "Jay! There's a camera," I said, pointing it out.

"In that case…" Jay turned around, waved to the camera, and pulled my comforter over us. It was a little too warm underneath it, but also added to the intimacy. Jay and I had sex for the first time. In rehab. And it was the best sex I'd ever had. At least we have a great answer for that question, 'What's the craziest place you've had sex?'

After two hours of long awaited passion, Jay had to leave. I didn't want to see him go, but I knew that it was all worth it. In ten months I'd be out of here, and I'd be able to have that same sex with him every night if I wanted.

"I love you," Jay whispered and kissed me goodbye. It was definitely the best goodbye I'd ever received.

"I love you too," I said, watching him walk down the hallway. For the first time in my life, I knew I was going to be okay.

I was a drift on an ocean all alone
You came and rescued me
When I was far from home
Rush of love around my heart
Just as I fell apart

Nobody ever cared as much for me
Nobody's touched my heart and healed my pain
You've picked up the pieces and put me back together again

Careful, we're fragile and easily we break
In your arms I'm certain
It's all the love we make
Rush of love around my heart
Just as you take my hand

Nobody ever cared as much for me
Nobody's touched my heart and healed my pain
You've picked up the pieces and put me back together

I'll write you name in
Stars across the sky
We'll drift away
Into each others eyes

Nobody ever cared as much for me
Nobody's touched my heart and healed my pain
You've picked up the pieces and put me back together again

A/N: THE END! That's it guys! The song is "Pick Up The Pieces" by 'Boys Attack' from Instant Star and they own it. I hope you liked the ending. I originally had a different one planned, but I liked this better. I'm sorry to say that there won't be a sequel. I've decided against it. Be on the lookout for my other two new stories Better Luck Next Time and Take Me As I Am. I hope you'll read them. I'm sad to finish this story because it has been my favorite one to write. Hopefully you liked it!