AN: So, I wasn't going to post this yet, but as you know, I have no self control when it comes to my fanfics so I'm posting it today. Anyway, I really really love getting reviews, so please leave me something (anything!).
Yes, there are other characters in this. Ellie happens to be the central character in this story but most everyone else is going to be in this (not so much the parents though). The title of this chapter (5x5) is a reference to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the character Faith. She uses this catch phrase as a way to say "I'm fine". I used this in a particular way to format the chapter, kind of an experiment, so tell me what you think...
Chapter Two: Five by Five
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Why did things have to be so hard for her? It seemed like she just wasn't allowed to be happy. She ran a hand through her hair and stared at the tangled branches in front of her, blocking the way. Ellie turned and abruptly punched a tree, packing all her frustration into that one hit.
She let out a deep breath. It had only made her hand hurt, but that was okay. It was better to feel.
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Craig ran down the street. He had never felt this way before about anyone, not even Ash, and he didn't know what to do. He was apprehensive of what was happening between them, but he was more afraid of losing her for good. He knew if he didn't take this chance, he would never get her back.
His rational side argued that Ellie was probably asleep. He didn't care. He needed to see her.
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Ashley felt bad. She hadn't meant to dump him like that, but she just didn't know what to do with Craig. Sure, she had loved him, and had even taken him back against her better judgement. But he was way too much for her to handle. Towards the end she always worried that he would have another episode. Craig had been ten times as oppressive as Jimmy had been, and though she truly did care, she needed space. Now she had finally found a good reason to end it without hurting him too much.
She should have listened to Ellie; their relationship had been cursed from the start.
She was the Queen of Doom after all.
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Sean stared at the water, mesmerized by the shimmering waves. The glowing moon lit them up as they danced. He couldn't believe how beautiful it was out here, where he had almost died. Now he came here to think. He missed Degrassi, all of his friends and even his teachers. Most of all he missed her. She had been here for him and he had just let her go. But she left a long time ago. By now she had probably moved on and there was nothing he could do about it.
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They sighed as they watched the two lovers on screen. Manny knew her best friend was thinking about her first love, too. She didn't know what had happened between them but ever since Sean had left, Emma hadn't been the same. She hadn't found anyone since. Well, it wasn't like Manny had done any better in terms of romance. Every guy she had been with had broken her heart. Her first love had told her she had been his biggest mistake. That hurt more than anything.
Maybe this year they would find someone who would stay. After all, they had nowhere to go but up.
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He made up his mind there and then. No more passively watching as life passed him by. He should have known by now that life could end any minute. He didn't want to go with a life unfinished. He might as well start living in the present instead of the past. He was going back to Degrassi. He wanted his old life back and this time nothing would stand in his way.
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Ash sighed as she stared at her inbox: empty. It had been a week since she had officially broken up with Craig and she had yet to hear back from him, or Ellie for that matter. They were probably busy. She turned off the computer. It was better that they were voluntarily cutting her off from their lives. Here in London, she had everything: a great job, a whole new city just waiting to be explored and a wonderful guy who she could see herself settling down with.
She wasn't going back to Degrassi; there was nothing left for her there.
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He broke into a run as he approached Ellie's house. Finally, he was here. He grabbed a few pebbles and threw it at her window. Nothing. He tried again with more. Still no reply. Craig tried one last time but silence was his only greeting. He wearily collapsed. He had failed.
She was the one person who had always been there and now she was nowhere to be found.
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Ellie looked up at the sky, which was already starting to lighten. It was time to head home. She angrily wiped away the lone tear that dared to trickle down her face. She would make it through.
No matter what.
TBC