Chapter 11: Love is a Sweet Thing

Ellie had to admit that she was disappointed in Craig. She couldn't believe that he would turn on a friend like Jimmy. She couldn't believe that he wanted her to write back to Sean. And Craig was obviously not too pleased with Ellie's decision, as he avoided her the rest of the day, refusing to make eye contact with her.

Ellie shrugged it off, figuring he was just being typical Craig, but the next day he was just the same. Every time he'd see her, he'd make it clear that he was too busy talking with Manny, or even Jimmy. Ellie couldn't believe the nerve of him talking to Jimmy, after he had told her to write back to Sean.

Wednesday was the same way, and Jimmy could tell something was bothering her. "What is it?" he asked as she gave a cold and puzzled look in Craig's direction.

"He's avoiding me," she told him. "It's like he is mad at me or something."

Jimmy laughed. "And why would he be mad at you?"

"No idea," Ellie lied. "But whatever it is, you should beat the crap out of him for it."

"Tell you what. Why don't you come back to my place after school today? We can chill, watch a movie, and sick to our stomachs on ice cream and popcorn. What do you say?"

Ellie gave Jimmy a warm smile. "It sounds great."

As is usual when you would rather school is over so you can get on with your day, Ellie's day dragged on and on. She watched the clock intently with a scowl on her face, but finally the day was over.

When the couple finally got back to Jimmy's place, Ellie handed him her book bag. "Take that to the living room and I'll get us the popcorn," she said.

Ellie went into the kitchen and began searching for the popcorn, which never seemed to be in the same place more than once.

Jimmy had Ellie's bag on his lap as he went into the living room. He tossed it onto a nearby chair and a white envelope fell out. It had landed with the addressed side facing up, and Jimmy saw Sean's name.

Unable to help his curiosity, Jimmy reached out for it and managed to get it in his grasp. He pulled the letter out of it and had just finished reading it when Ellie came in the room.

"I couldn't find the salt," she started and then saw the look on Jimmy's face. Her eyes darted to his hands, which were still holding onto the letter from Sean.

"What the hell is this?" He asked, trying to keep his voice calm and even, but somewhat failing in his attempt.

"Um, well…" Ellie began.

"Seriously. What the hell are you doing with a," he glanced down at the letter again and continued, "rather recent letter from your ex-boyfriend?"

Ellie began to speak really fast. "Look, it's just a letter he wrote me for my birthday, and I swear I had no idea that he was going to send me one and…"

Jimmy laughed coldly. "A birthday letter? But I loved you Ellie, and it killed me to leave you like that. That doesn't sound like it has anything to do with your birthday. Neither does I still love you Ellie. I can't help myself. Sounds to me like a damn confession and like he is trying to get you back."

"Jimmy…"

"What about this part where he wants to know if you've moved on? Apparently he needs to know. What are you going to say about that?"

"Nothing," Ellie told him, tears brimming in her eyes. "I have moved on. You know that. He doesn't need to know. He has no right to know. Jimmy, I love you. Not Sean. Okay? Sean is nothing to me. I was just carrying it around because I happened to have my bag on me when I opened it and I needed somewhere to put it. You are my world. You are the one I love and I want to be with forever."

He voice was quivering uncontrollably as she finished, and Jimmy felt completely horrible for making her cry.

"I'm sorry, El. I'm just acting jealous. I know how much you loved him, and I don't want to lose you," he told her. He reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her slowly into his lap.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked him straight in the eye. "You will never lose me."

"Promise?"

"Promise."