AN: Long time, no see, huh? Anyway, things have been kind of crazy at school, and writing the scary story for DR, but I had some extra time today, so here is the next chapter. I hope you like.

Don't forget: reviewsfaster updates and more motivation to write:D To those who leave me feedback: I love you guys!

Chapter Seven: Change

Ellie froze as she heard the doorbell ring. This was it. She steeled herself and slowly opened the door. Her mouth dropped open in surprise.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

"It's my house too, sweetie. They let me out early," Mrs. Nash explained as she entered the living room and deposited her bag before collapsing on the couch. "So, what would you like to do tonight?"

"Actually, I already have plans," Ellie said hesitantly.

Mrs. Nash stopped taking off her shoes and sat up sternly. "Eleanor Nash, I do not usually have time to spend, and tonight for a change I do, so I'd like to see my own daughter for a change. Your friends can wait."

"I promised Craig," Ellie objected.

"I'm sure your boyfriend will understand," her mother replied carelessly.

"He's not..." she began protesting, but then realized she didn't really know what Craig was to her anymore. Luckily, her mom hadn't noticed her slip up, as she was busy planning their evening. It wasn't like Ellie was purposely trying to make her mother mad. She just wasn't in the mood for a lecture or a talk about "feelings"and besides, she hated to break promises. Then the doorbell rang again. Suddenly glad for the excuse to leave, she ran for the door, grabbing her coat along the way and pulled a bewildered Craig away from the house.

"What was that about?" he asked as they had gotten far enough from the house that Mrs. Nash couldn't be seen or heard.

"Oh, nothing," she lied. Then she realized she was still holding his hand and quickly dropped it. Once she had put enough distance between them she asked, "So, what do you have planned for this fine evening, Mr. Manning?"

He grinned and led her to his (borrowed) car, opening her door with a slight bow. "A good time, Ms. Nash," he replied playfully, shutting the door firmly behind her.

---

Manny laughed and linked her arms with JT's. Despite his geekiness, they had actually had a good time together. She actually felt happy, for once. JT had a talent for calming her down. He suddenly halted and she looked around, mystified as to why his mood had changed so suddenly. She spotted Liberty approaching and she didn't look pleased.

"What are you doing?" the other girl ground out.

"Nothing," JT replied with a nervous laugh under her harsh gaze.

"I can't believe you!" Liberty cried as she took her soda and poured it down JT's pants.

"Liberty!" Manny called after her friend, but she didn't get a reply, or an explanation for what had just happened. Liberty was probably jealous, but she had nothing to worry about. Manny turned back to her very embarrassed friend and couldn't stop herself from letting out a small chuckle. Then she grew serious as he got more and more flustered. "Go to the bathroom and get yourself cleaned up." He ran off and she crossed her arms, impatient already. She stood in the middle of the lobby, all alone once more.

---

Emma shifted in her seat uncomfortably. Her mom and step-dad were great parents and all, but listening to them talk about the "good old days" was boring as hell, not to mention embarrassing. She discreetly looked around the fancy Thai restaurant that Snake had insisted on bringing them too. Suddenly, something caught her eye. Out of the corner of her eye she could just make out the sight of familiar red hair. She turned and stared in shock. Ellie and Craig were deeply involved in conversation. They looked like such a cute couple, with his hand resting on her arm and her unconsciously leaning in toward him.

Emma glared. It wasn't fair that Ellie was allowed to be happy. She quickly excused herself and stalked off toward the general area of the bathrooms. Suddenly she collided with someone and was knocked to the floor. A hand was extended and as she was pulled up the boy she had just run into smiled.

"Hi, I'm Peter," he introduced himself. Emma realized that he was the new guy she had heard about, as she looked him over. He was extremely cute.

"I'm Emma, and I'm really sorry."

"I usually don't mind when pretty girls bump into me," he honestly replied. She blushed, then smiled back. He had called her pretty. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.

---

Craig smiled as he silently watched his beautiful companion. Things had gone well, for once. Ellie had loved the restaurant, which did, of course, have a vegetarian menu, even if they had had a minor disagreement about who would pay. Now they were together at the movies. He couldn't complain about her choice, because it gave him the excuse of enjoying having her head buried in his chest. She had been the one who had picked out the zombie movie after all. He was sorry when the lights came back on. Their hands brushed as he lifted picked up the empty popcorn container and he used this opportunity to entwine their fingers. She didn't pull away this time.

They continued to make their way out of the theater, not even noticing the idiotic grins they both wore. He listened but didn't really follow her rambling about the excess gore in the scary movie. He had been to busy staring at her to really been pay much attention to the screen, but it seemed like he hadn't missed much. Suddenly, she stopped walking as she realized she had forgotten her purse.

"I'll be right back," she called back toward him.

"I'll wait," he promised.

She pushed past the exiting crowd and finally sighed with relief as she found it safely tucked under her chair. She rolled her eyes at her own cluelessness and made her way back to the lobby-and Craig.

He seemed to be standing with someone else, but she couldn't see from that far way. As she approached them, she finally recognized with whom he was chatting. Her smile disappeared.

TBC