I really don't like Ash, and her little 'oh I am so wounded and offended you're being so unfair' expression. Plus, I HATE Craig and I hate Ash for being with him. That's why Ellie doesn't like her, too. :)

Friendly Deception

With the prescribed text open on the table before her, Ellie stared hopelessly at the passage being read aloud. She could see the words and hear the reading, but couldn't focus. She sat beside Marco at the back of the room, Ash and Craig sat on the other side of Marco, and Paige and Hazel sat in the row in front of them. Every now and again Paige would flick her hair over one shoulder, revealing her smooth neck and shoulders left bare by her blue tube top. Each time the blonde locks went flying, Ellie's gaze glided from her book to the wonder that was Paige's hair, and nervously studied the finely tanned skin and the movement of muscles beneath.

Marco roughly elbowed Ellie. She glared at him. "What's your problem?" she asked quietly.

"I could ask you the same question. You were staring," Marco said, surprised, resting his chin in one hand.

"So? My hair never gets that straight. I was wondering how she did it, that's all," Ellie whispered unconvincingly. At that moment Paige raised her arms above her head to stretch, and leaned back. A piece of paper dropped from her hand to land on the floor in front of Ellie's boots. Ignoring Marco's inquiring look, Ellie put her boot on top of the paper and dragged it underneath the table. After a brief pause, she dropped a pen and leaned down to retrieve pen and paper.

"Oh, smooth, Ellie Nash," Marco whispered sarcastically.

"Shut up, Marco," Ellie hissed. Quietly unfolding the note, Paige's girly scrawl filled the first few lines.

'Hey Ella-Belle! Hope I didn't offend you this morning - but playing this giant game is kind of fun, don't you think? Manipulative, I know, but we all gotta cope somehow, right? On a more serious note, people know you're seeing Ms Sauve, and before you say anything I did not utter a word to a living soul! I promise, I didn't say a thing to anyone. I've already told Jimmy where to shove it, and Ash knows too. She says she's your best friend, so I didn't threaten her. Not directly, anyway. I've got 'Spirit Squad' practice this afternoon, but do you want to come to the Dot with me afterwards? My treat! Cough when you've got a reply for me, and I'll lean back. Ok? - Paige'

"That has to be one of the longest notes in history," Marco said softly, gently teasing his best friend.

"Seriously Marco," Ellie said, growing impatient. Undoing the lid of her pen, Ellie wrote a messy reply.

'Not that I give a damn what anybody thinks, but thanks. For the defending me thing. Ash only knows what she has to. I couldn't be bothered going home between school and the Dot, so do you mind if I stay during 'practice'? - Ellie'

Folding the note along the lines Paige had done, Ellie coughed discreetly. Ash looked over to see Paige hold her hand out behind her and Ellie place the note in it quickly. The bell to signal the end of class went as Paige read the note. Ellie wanted to stay and read the reply, but didn't want Marco to have anything else to tease her about. Sighing, she packed up her things and walked outside with Marco, who was hurrying to their next class. Paige brushed Ellie as she walked past, tucking the note into Ellie's hand.

Smiling, Ellie closed her hand over the paper as Marco shot her a suspicious look. Opening the note carefully in her next class, sadly without Paige, Ellie struggled not to smile.

'Sure you can stay for practice. Just don't laugh out loud.'

"Eleanor Nash, if you do not divulge the information inside your mind, I will have to kill you," Marco stated at lunch. He sat across the table from Ellie, with his back to Paige's group. Every now and again Ellie glanced over Marco's shoulder to watch Paige, and caught the blonde beauty returning the favour. A slight smirk would appear on Paige's face every time she caught Ellie looking.

"Call me that again, and I'll hurt you," Ellie threatened.

"Seriously El, what's going on? You've been staring over there all of lunch, and you were passing notes with the Spirit Squad leader herself in class."

"Nothing's going on, Marco." Ellie insisted. "Paige wants to see me after school, to apologise properly for this morning, that's all."

"Oh sure," Marco agreed mockingly.

"Can we drop this please?" Ellie said quickly, seeing Ash walking toward them. Marco sighed as Ash sat beside him, carrying her tray.

"Where's Craig?" Marco asked, surprised to find Ash unaccompanied.

"He's developing some photos," Ash shrugged. "I thought I'd come hang out with you guys."

"Gee, that's big of you," Ellie said dryly.

"I think that's a little unfair," Ash said, looking hurt.

"Whatever," Ellie shrugged and started to eat. Pretending that she wasn't offended, Ash continued.

"Do you want to meet up after school? See a movie or something?"

Ellie paused, groping for any excuse. Marco, knowing Ellie's lack of ability to think on her feet, opened his mouth. "She can't. I promised her one-on-one study help. She is so flunking English right now." Ellie nodded keenly.

"Oh. Ok," Ash seemed taken aback. She took a bite of her food, obviously uncomfortable, before looking at her watch. "Look at the time, I promised Craig I'd meet him for the last few minutes of lunch. I'll see you guys later." Ash abandoned her food tray and left the table.

Once Ash was out of ear shot, Marco leaned closer to Ellie. "If you don't want me to know what's going on, then I'll bet you don't want Ash to find out either. You owe me. "

"Thanks Marco," Ellie said as she looked over his shoulder once more. Once I know what's going on, I'll tell you all about it.