Chapter 3 - Strange Situations
Paige Michalchuk was already at Hazel's, all gossiping and what not. "I know! It's like Heather Sinclair's face doesn't even describe how ugly that dress is." Hazel snickered in reply, then Paige went on. "Did you hear about Jimmy and Ellie? I heard they were sleeping together. Don't know how that works, but hun, anyone can get it on if they do it right."
Hazel's smile faded when Paige told her the news. "Are you sure it wasn't Craig and Ellie or something? I mean I know we just broke up, but I wouldn't think they would go that far after only a few weeks."
"Hun, guys move on like THAT. They're like.. The predator. They go after the prey.. And the prey actually goes along with it, not knowing that they'll pay for it. Then the "predator" would go after another one." Paige smiled proudly. "And that's what I get from actually listening in Science."
Hazel rolled her eyes and smiled at her, impressed that she was actually listening in class, but was pretty thrown off during the explanation. "Puh-lease, science is so overrated. Hey, would you look at this. If it isn't Manny Santos."
Manny came up to the door and was getting ready to ring the doorbell, not knowing what reaction she was going to get when they opened the door and found out that Manny Santos was coming over to Hazel Aden's house to meet Paige there too. She paused though, pressing her ear against the door, listening in on their conversation. So Jimmy and Ellie were a thing now, eh? Interesting gossip right there..
Then suddenly, the door jolted open, and she crashed forward into Hazel, who bumped into Paige, who was right behind Hazel when they realized that they were being overheard. "Santos!" Paige pouted and stomped up from off the ground. "Look what you've done to my hair!"
Manny gave her a 'well sooorry' look. "You'll get over it. I was just coming for the update with the competition. When is it, and who are we up against?"
Paige looked over at Hazel, "You know what, you never actually told me."
Hazel had a look of guilt over her face. "Bardell… at 3 PM this coming Saturday."
"You're kidding."
Hazel looked at Paige; she looked as if she was going to smack someone. "I'm really sorry, Paige."
Manny just looked at the two of them and smiled innocently, "Well I'll be on my way, ladies." She blew them a sweet kiss and walked out the door, stepping gracefully off the steps as Paige glared after her.
"She ruined my hair!"
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Meanwhile, Craig and Ellie have abruptly run into each other, at none other than Jimmy's house. Craig tried not to look too flushed. He hadn't expected to see her there, and seeing her at Jimmy's was pretty unusual; he didn't know that they were actually friends, or in any way knew each other. "Ellie? What are you doing here?" He said that with a smile, glad to see that now he could spend his time with two of his best friends.
Ellie just stood there, exasperated. She was helping out Jimmy with his drawings, and just hanging out there. She didn't have anything to do that day, so she figured that she would come over to someone's house. It is, after all, better than home. She hadn't expected to see Craig either, but she was glad. "I was just hanging out with Jimmy. His drawings are great you know.. You should come in and check them out." She invited him in, and he walked in gradually, closing the door behind him. He smelled.. Great. Something about him made her smile. But then again, so did Jimmy.
Jimmy heard a noise behind him and assumed that it was Ellie, "So what do you think of this drawing..? It.. It reminds me of you."
Craig tapped on his shoulder, "Hey man.. Sorry to say this, but I don't flow that way." He laughed a little as Jimmy turned around looking up at him, sort of embarrassed.
"Heyy, Craig, my man, what's up? Sorry, I thought.. Well nevermind." He smiled at him awkwardly and looked around, "Where's Ellie?"
"Ellie's right here. And with popcorn! Who wants to stare blankly at a TV screen for 2 hours?"