Sorry for the long period of no more story. I'm lazy. How do you think it should end so far? Please review, even if you hated it.
Chocolate Shakes and Pink Hearts all round
The snugly small purple uniforms flashed in the sun; pompoms rustled, and the Spirit Squad assembled. Ellie sat beneath a leafy tree leaning against the trunk; her bag beside her and a book open just below her nose. Paige led the squad through the practice session, her limitless energy and subtle sarcasm painfully evident to Ellie.
"Manuela Santos, are you with us today?" Paige called out, hands on curvy hips. Ellie could see Manny mumble an apology, and smiled behind her book.
Ellie looked back down at the page the book had been open at all afternoon. A second later her eyes flashed up to watch Paige boss the other girls around. Underneath the tree at the edge of the field, Ellie wasn't even noticed by the rest of the squad – but Paige looked over, sideways, to catch Ellie's eye more often than not.
An hour later Paige called an end to the practice, and took a deep drink from her water bottle as she sashayed toward Ellie. Both pompoms were held in one hand and the small skirt swished with her movements.
"Hey Ella-belle," Paige said with a smile. Her cheeks were rosy and she grinned, panting slightly.
"Hey Paige," Ellie looked up, squinting and smiling.
"Let me just get changed, and we'll make our way to the Dot, ok?" Paige asked, taking another long drink from her bottle.
"Sure," Ellie nodded, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sun.
"Great! I won't be long." Paige waved with one finger as she strode away.
Ellie tucked her unread book inside her bag, and stood to brush off errant grass and dirt. She checked her piggy tails were even and ran a finger under each eye to clear away any running make-up. Her tartan miniskirt was smoothed, arm warmers adjusted, fishnets pulled a little higher and her shirt hem pulled down.
Paige stood in front of the mirror surrounded by gaggling cheerleaders, and lifted the top of her tube top. She pushed her breasts a little higher, and arranged her hair over one shoulder. Checking her profile Paige smiled, collected her backpack, and confidently walked outside.
Seeing Paige walk from the building Ellie started toward the blonde. Paige threw her hair over one shoulder and smiled. "I have got a major craving for a milkshake. How about you, El?" Paige asked as she led the way off the field.
"Uh, a latte, actually," Ellie smiled as Paige giggled.
"How very coffee house of you," Paige said, looking sideways at Ellie.
"I like lattes," Ellie tried to defend herself but ended up giggling with Paige.
The Dot was the café closest to Degrassi Community School and therefore the favourite after school hangout for the students. A small booth toward the back was just being emptied as Paige and Ellie walked in, and Paige hurried toward the vacated table. Used plates and cups littered the table, and Paige wrinkled her nose at the mess. Ellie sat opposite the glam gal.
"Hey Spin," Paige said coolly as Spinner arrived in his waiter's uniform. "Would you mind clearing the table?"
"Of course not," Spin said, obviously minding. He cleared the table, looking from confident Paige to shy Ellie. He went into the kitchen, arms full of dirty dishes.
"It is so fun to see him actually working, for once," Paige smirked. Ellie smiled.
"I guess," she agreed.
"So hun, how was school?" Paige asked.
Distracting, Ellie thought, but mentally shook herself before answering. "Boring," Ellie finally said.
"Tell me about it," Paige rolled her eyes. "I am so sick of that stupid book in English. Totally gives me a headache."
"Uh, yeah. Me too." Ellie agreed. If I actually read it I'd probably think the same thing. Ellie smiled nervously, picking at the end of her arm warmers.
"We're getting into summer soon, Ella-belle," Paige said gently. She reached across the table to gently tug a braid in amongst Ellie's piggy tails.
"I know," Ellie replied, looking down.
At that moment Spinner reappeared with a notebook and paper. "What can I get you ladies today?" He asked politely.
"I'll have a large chocolate shake," Paige said.
"And you?" Spinner turned to Ellie.
"Um, a chocolate shake for me too, please," Ellie replied after a brief pause.
"Ok. Two shakes, coming right up." Spinner smiled sardonically and went back to the front counter.
"No more latte?" Paige asked, folding her arms on the table.
"I didn't want to have to deal with coffee breath," Ellie said in her softest voice, looking down at her hands in her lap.
"That's so cute," Paige smiled and started to giggle. Ellie couldn't help but laugh too.
"Hey, I'm sorry about what happened on the weekend," Ellie said slowly.
"Hun, don't worry your pretty little head about it. I said I'd be here for you, and I meant it. What else are friends for?" Paige paused briefly as Ellie blushed. "I saw Ash sit with you for all of twelve seconds at lunch today," Paige said as Spinner arrived with the milkshakes. Ellie rolled her eyes, taking a sip of the icy drink.
"Yeah, maybe thirteen seconds if you count the awkward moment when she invited me to a movie this afternoon," Ellie sighed.
"You know, you could have gone with her. She is your best friend." Paige tried to reassure Ellie.
"I didn't want to go with her." Ellie looked straight at Paige, meeting the surprised blue orbs fairly. I'd rather sit and stare at you, with nothing to say. "Your hair looks really nice today." Ellie nodded and looked away, her shyness returning.
A faint blush rose to Paige's healthy cheeks. The cheerleader smiled gently, staring into Ellie's eyes. "Thanks," Paige said softly. Ellie grinned, feeling slightly more confident. A comfortably quiet moment passed before Paige spoke again. "So, what did you tell Ash to get out of the movies?"
"I didn't tell her anything," Ellie laughed. "I froze. Marco told her he was giving me study help. I may have to actually take him up on that," Ellie shook her head. The auburn haired girl took a deep breath. "What do I tell my friends?" Ellie looked at the table.
Paige took a sip of her drink, a frown of concentration on her face. "I don't know," Paige said finally. "Why?"
"Are you really going to make me say it?" Ellie said, highly embarrassed. She couldn't look at Paige.
"Say what?" Paige asked quietly. She couldn't lift her eyes from the struggling Ellie.
"Never mind," Ellie said quickly. Smiling nervously she lifted her bag from the ground and scooted to the edge of the booth. "Thanks for the milkshake. I'll see you at school tomorrow, ok?" Ellie didn't wait for a reply. She stood up and almost ran out of the café.
Paige stared at where Ellie had been, mouth slightly open in shock.
I wish I'd got Dylan to give me a ride. Paige sighed as she walked slowly home. Watching her feet, she kicked away pebbles as she went. The bag weighed heavily on her shoulders, and Ellie weighed heavily on every other part.
Ok. Just to make sure I've got this right. She hurts herself. She isn't happy. She needs someone. This is not a healthy situation. But I still want her to need me.
Paige smiled as a tiny puppy on a lead passed by her, temporarily distracting her.
Why should she need me? She's got Marco and Ash. Paige snorted. Marco is so rapt up in my brother, any fool but Dylan can see it. And if I opened up Ash's skull I'd only find Craig memorabilia. They're so selfish.
Kicking another defenceless pebble, Paige sighed again.
What are you doing? She's barely in the right frame of mind for a friendship. I'd only hurt her, make her worse. That's the last thing I want. Maybe I just think that it would be the easiest way to help her? I can't be the answer for her because it'll only create more problems.
With a will of iron Paige shut her own thoughts out, instead filling her mind with pink bubbles, a red-haired young woman with a softly sultry voice, and a fairy-tale future of impossible proportions.
"Hey Paige!" Dylan called out from his car. Paige looked up, startled; she hadn't even heard the engine. She waved and ran to the car.
"Thanks Dill, this bag is way heavy." Paige told her brother, climbing into the front seat.
"You are crushing so hard," Dylan said, smiling, as he put the car back into gear.
"What?" Paige asked quickly.
"You didn't hear the car and you had that smile plastered on your face that I always associate with the sweetest of love stories. You know, the really mushy ones that end insufferably happily."
"Whatever, Dylan," Paige scoffed, trying to brush off the accusation.
"You're blushing!" Dylan announced as they neared their home. "Come on, who is it?"
"Leave me alone," Paige said quietly, getting out of the car as soon as Dylan stopped it. He got out of the car and followed Paige into the house.
"What did I say?" He asked.