AN: Because of the wonderful reviews I received for my last chapter, especially by Alley from DR, I am posting this faster than I normally would. Thank you guys so much!

Reviews really do motivate me to write/post faster.

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Chapter Four: Promise

"Ellie! I found you." He stood up and hugged her.

"Craig, what are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.

"I wanted to see you."

"So you decided to stalk me? Do you know what time it is?" she asked playfully. He shook his head, pleased that she hadn't asked if he was having an episode like Ash would. He had faithfully taken his meds since the incident at the end of the summer.

"I wanted to talk."

"We're talking right now," she said, not looking at him anymore. She tried to move around him but he blocked her way.

"Ashley's not coming back."

Ellie looked up sharply. "What?"

"She found a job and a new boyfriend. She's happy there," Craig muttered sadly.

"I'm so sorry Craig," Ellie said softly and enveloped him in a comforting hug. Finally he pulled away.

"You've been avoiding me for the past week. Are you mad at me?"

"No, of course not."

"Then, do you want to do something, sometime?" he asked her nervously

"Could you be any vaguer? Oh, my god. You're asking me out on a date, aren't you?"

"What's so wrong about that?" he asked defensively.

"I've told you what was wrong. Everything." Ellie didn't really want to deal with this right now.

"Just one date El. If you still feel that way, then I promise I will never bother you again about this."

"Why me? I'm a mess Craig. You need someone you can rely on," she said unconciously pulling on her rubber band. At his scrutiny she protectively crossed her arms. He gently extricated one of her hands and traced the jagged scars. She tried to take it back from him but he wouldn't let go. With one hand he wordlessly drew her arm forward and with the other, lifted up his shirt. He placed her cool fingers over the healing bruises still visible on his skin.

"We match," he simply stated. She stared at him as he let go of her hand, astonished that he would show her everything. She realized her trembling hands were still caressing the jagged lines and quickly withdrew. He continued. "Look Ellie. I don't need to look for someone else. I want you."

"One date. That's all," she said reluctantly.

"Tommorrow?" he asked. She nodded. It was all he could do not to dance with joy. "I'll pick you up at seven."

"Okay," she whispered.

"Okay," he grinned as he turned to go. She watched him until he disappeared from sight.

To Be Continued