1Chapter 6: Just An Average Day

Marco's POV

I knocked nervously on the door and fidgeted around in the hallway. Please let her be home. Please let her be home. I heard the doorknob turn behind me and I spun around just in time to see Ellie open the door. She gave me a small smile and I invited myself in. "Hey, El."

I rubbed my sweaty palms on the legs of my tight jeans and looked around the apartment. I could definitely tell Ellie was living there now. The place looked neater, homier in some way. Picture frames were scattered around with some of Ellie's photographs she's taken and others held pictures of me and her or her and Ashley and her and Sean... I noticed a moderate pyramid of empty grape soda pop cans were piled on the small kitchen counter and I had to laugh. That was Ellie for you. She's always been a phene for grape soda.

"Is Sean here?" I asked, my voice taking on a high-pitched sound. How embarassing.

"No," she walked over to the couch where I noticed she had a little bed set up and laid down. "He's working right now."

"Oh. Are you sick?"

"No, just... exhausted. Really exhausted."

I knelt down next to the couch and gave her a sympathetic look. She did look tired. I took one of her small hands into mine and rubbed it comfortingly. "I just- Ellie, I- I'm not really good at this but I think I owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"For everything. I haven't been a really good friend to you this year. I've been so caught up with Dylan and hanging out with Paige and Jimmy that I've barely paid attention to you."

"Marco-"

"I'm not finished. I think it's good that Dylan and me-"

"Dylan and I."

"Yes, Dylan and I broke up because now I can focus all my attention on you."

Ellie gave me a real smile and shook her head slightly. "Don't beat yourself up over this. I've been preoccupied too with Sean and my co-op and... stuff... that I should have been trying harder, too."

I didn't even have to ask what she meant by "stuff". "Yeah, but... you've been trying harder than me. And I'm sorry for that. But now, you sit back and relax, while I wait on you hand in foot. Do you want me to make something for lunch? Or I can order in from somewhere."

Ellie snuggled deeper under her blankets and seemed to be thinking for a moment. She opened her eyes wider and burst out, "Chinese!"

"Chinese?"

"Yeah, I want Chinese."

"Didn't you have that just the other day?"

"Marco, don't argue with a pregnant girl. I need Chinese."

"Okay, okay, okay." I went and grabbed the phone and phone book. "Where do you want to order it from?"

"Peach Garden."

I looked up the number as Ellie told me exactly what she wanted. "Lo Mein, fried rice, and chicken and broccoli?" She nodded and licked her lips slightly.

I had to smile. I mean, this was the girl who barely ever ate anything. Now she was begging me to order her food. Maybe this pregnancy would be a good thing for her. Get her back on the right track and everything. As I talked to the person from Peach Garden on the phone, I reached out my hand and placed it on her tummy, rubbing back and forth.

Sean's POV

I stumbled up the stairs that led to my apartment... I mean, mine and Ellie's apartment. All I wanted to do was jump into my favorite chair and watch TV for the rest of the night. Hopefully leave myself in a dazed stupor. It's not that it was late or anything, but a lot of manual labor had been done today at the garage. It seemed like everyone in existence had wanted their oil changed or their car washed or whatever today. I sniffed myself quickly and groaned at the smell of gasoline. Ellie would not appreciate that. I'd have to take a shower before I did anything else.

As I neared my door I started to smell something good. I sniffed again and licked my lips at the scent of Chinese. Maybe Ellie and I could order Chinese tonight while we watched TV. I remembered how tired she had looked when I left for work. She could barely get up.

I reached for my key, jiggling the doorknob like I always do, and the door opened. Dammit. How many times do I have to tell her to lock the door when I'm gone? What if someone had come in and tried to start something with her? I threw my unneeded key onto the kitchen counter and strolled into the living room, ripping my shirt off over my head.

"Hey Sean."

"Jesus!" I cried and pulled my t-shirt back on. No way did I want Marco checking me out. He already has before.

Ellie peeked over the back of the couch and laughed huskily. I could hear that her throat was scratchy. "How was work?" she managed to choke out.

"Fine. Hard. I need a shower." I meandered over to her and placed a quick kiss on top of her head.

She wrinkled her head and nodded. "Yeah, you sure do. I guess Marco and I can save a little Chinese for you..."

I laughed and kissed the top of her head one more time before heading off into the shower. The hot water felt good as it slid down my back. Maybe I could convince Ellie to give me a little massage tonight. I was in desperate need of one. I turned the shower off and heard a door open and close. It sounded like the front door. Marco must have left.

I quickly dried off and as I wrapped my towel around my waist the bathroom door opened. "Hey!" I called out, but stopped short when I noticed it was Ellie. Of course it's Ellie. Who else would it be?

She smiled and sat down on the toilet, her eyes watching my every move.

"What's up?" I squirted a gob of shaving cream into the palm of my hand and smoothed it on my face.

"Nothing," she sighed. "I think I'm getting sick. Can you hear it?"

I nodded and gave her a sympathetic smile. She stood up and took the razor from my hand before expertly dragging down the right side of my face. I wrapped my arms around her waist as she shaved my face for me. "There that's better." She squirted a little aftershave in her palm and rubbed it in before patting it on my face for me. I brought her in for a hug and she stood on her tiptoes, rubbing her cheek against mine. "You smell so good now."

I rubbed her back for a few seconds before letting go and grabbing my dirty clothes from the floor. I was about to walk out of the bathroom to go change when she grabbed my arm. "Wait one second. There's just one more thing..." I squinted my eyes at the serious expression on her face and the one hand behind her back. What was she up to?

"NO!" I shouted as soon as she brought her arm out and I saw the gleaming tweezers she held in her hand.

"It'll only take one second! I promise! It won't hurt."

"That's what you said last time and it killed."

"You are such a baby! Do you want to look like Burt from Sesame Street?"

"No, but I'd rather not be in pain for the rest of the night."

"I can not sleep with somebody who has a bush growing out of his forehead. I just want to do a little landscaping... that's all."

I laughed at her analogy and sat down on the toilet seat. "Fine, but make it quick. And only do what is necessary."

I flinched each time she brought that stupid torture device close to my face. She had a sick smile on her face as she tweezed my eyebrows one by one. "You're a sick person, Ellie, you know that?"

"Oh, believe me. I know."

Ellie's POV

"Ugh! I feel so fat!" I whined and shoved my face into my pillow.

I peeked at Sean and saw him roll his eyes before going back to watching the boxing match.

"Do you not care that I am over here practically crying my eyes out?" I accused.

He didn't move an inch.

"Sean! I'm having an emotional breakdown and all you can care about is the tv."

Still no response.

I groaned and pushed my face back into the pillow. "Yeah, you sit by while I smother myself to death."

...

"Don't think I won't!"

...

I pouted and flipped back over onto my back. What a jerk. Here I was pregnant, carrying his child, and he couldn't even pay one bit of attention to me.

"Hey, Ellie? Can you go grab me a beer from the fridge?"

I just glared at him until he looked over at me.

"What? What did I do?" Sean furrowed his freshly tweezed eyebrows.

I sighed and stood up to get him his beer. I'd cut him slack this one time. He supposedly had a rough day at work. I handed him a beer and strolled into the bathroom.

Sean's POV

"Ellie, did you see that?!" I laughed and pumped my fist. That move had been awesome. "Ellie?" I looked over to the couch, but she wasn't there.

Huh.

I flipped the TV off since the match was over and listened for her.

I never expected I'd be listening to her throwing up. It wasn't loud, but I could hear it faintly. Was she sick? Or was she... I shook my head. No way. She wouldn't be doing that. She wasn't doing that anymore. She was pregnant now. She couldn't be doing that.

Ellie's POV

I flushed the toilet and sack back on my heels. Ugh. That had been gross. But necessary. I pushed my hair out of my face and rubbed my eyes. I was so tired now.

"What are you doing?"

I jerked my head towards the doorway and my eyes widened when I saw Sean standing there. With that total accusatory look on his face. As if I had just done something wrong. Which I hadn't.

"Nothing! I got sick," I lied.

"Oh, really? You got sick?"

"Yes!" I lied again.

Sean glanced away at a moment, his fists clenching and unclenching as if he were trying to control himself. "Are you sure about that?"

I paused and looked at my shaking hands. They were shaking so hard. "Yes," I whispered.

Sean nodded shortly and left the doorway.

He was probably going back to watch his damn boxing. I stood up slowly and leaned against the wall. Who did he think he was? Ignoring me all night and then acting all holier-than-thou just now? I could do whatever the hell I wanted with myself. I didn't need to feel guilty about anything around him.

I walked back into the living room and stopped short when I saw that he was back in his chair watching another boxing match. What the hell? My hands involuntarily reached for the picture frame on the end table and I chucked it at his head before slamming the bedroom door behind me and locking it.

Jay's POV

"She threw a picture frame at you?" I asked incredulously.

Sean shoved a fry into his pile of ketchup before shoving it in his mouth. "Yes," He replied. Someone's not in a good mood today. I shook my head laughing as I squeezed ketchup onto my plate.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing. Except 'The Perfect Couple' is having a lover's spat. It's awesome."

"Well, I don't see anything awesome about it. So shut the hell up."

"You shut up."

"No, you shut up."

"Whatever, Daddy."

Sean glared at me and I shrugged innocently. It's not my fault he banged Ellie and knocked her up. "Can I ask what the picture was of?"

"Me and her at Homecoming."

We stared at each other for a second and laughed. I know Sean was acting as if the fight was no big deal, but I could tell he was worried. "Don't worry man. It'll all blow over."

"I slept on the couch last night. She wouldn't let me into the bedroom. And when I woke up she was gone."

"Probably out shopping or video taping people or whatever that girl does."

"Probably."

As if on cue the door flew open and Ellie sailed in, about fourteen bags in her hands. She flashed us a smile before disappearing into the bedroom.

Weird.

She strolled back out and surprised Sean by giving him a passionate kiss. Then she ruffled my hair and kissed my cheek. "How are my boys?" she chirped.

Very weird. But she looked insanely hot all at the same time. I allowed my eyes to follow her legs from the tennis shoes she was wearing to the short hemline of her ripped denim mini.

I looked over at Sean, waiting for him to answer her, but he was too busy opening and closing his mouth in confusion.

"We're.. . fine?" I offered.

Ellie nodded and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. "Well, I went shopping today."

I shared a look with Sean and then turned my attention back to Ellie. Maybe I'd humor her a bit and act as if I really cared about her shopping trip. Or maybe I'd just stare at her as she sat down on the arm of the couch. If she would just spread her legs a bit farther I'd be able to see up-

"Jay?" My head shot up and I realized I had actually been leaning over, trying to look up her skirt. Sean gave me a death glare and I shrugged.

"Sorry."

Ellie crossed her legs at the ankles and began her story over again. "I was just walking along and then I noticed this baby clothes store that had just opened so I decided to go in and take a little peek... And well, I couldn't help it. Wait until you see these little outfits Sean. They are beyond adorable. One has these precious little..."

Blah. Blah. Blah. I reached over and grabbed the remote and flipped the tv on.

Ellie stopped talking abruptly and sent me a look. I just ignored her, though. She thinks that just because she's going out with Sean that I seriously give a shit what she wants. I couldn't care less about her. He'd probably get rid of her soon anyway.

There was no way Sean could finish his high school career taking care of a baby.

And by baby I mean Ellie...

Sean's POV

"He's so damn rude! He's an asshole. How can you stand him?" Ellie waved her arms about as she paced back and forth in the bedroom.

I, for one, was just enjoying being in my bed again. Not that I wasn't confused by Ellie's sudden change in behavior though. But I guess retail therapy really does work. I hope she bought a new frame for that picture, though.

"Don't worry, Ellie. Jay will learn to love you. Just like I have."

"Thanks a bunch," she shot back sarcastically. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently.

"Just come to bed." I held out my arms waiting for her. There was no way she could resist the irresistible smile I was giving her.

I was right. She relaxed visibly and lifted the corner of her mouth into a smile before crawling onto the bed and into my arms.

"But will you seriously say something to him? I mean, he's going to have to get over whatever animosity he has for me. I'm not going anywhere soon."

I sighed and ran my fingers through her silky hair. "Fine, I will. But it's really no big deal. Jay acts like this all the time."

"Goody!" she muttered before closing her eyes and getting comfortable in my grasp.

I chuckled and closed my eyes too. "I love you," I heard her whisper.

I opened my eyes and looked down at her, her cheek against my chest. "I love you, too," I whispered back.