Chapter 11: Anywhere With You

Alex

"And so, he thought he could totally feel me up and I wouldn't even notice..."

"And then she had the nerve to tell me she was calling my parents..."

"Craig decided he'd rather have band practice than go out with me..."

I rolled my eyes and took a drink from my cup. I wish Jay was next to me right now, or Ellie. I needed someone I could hold a conversation with. That is, a conversation that didn't require me losing brain cells.

Over the rim of my cup, I glanced to wear Sean and Ellie were standing. He had his arms wrapped around her waist and vice versa. Those two were really too cute for their own good. Ellie beamed at something Sean said and he kissed her nose. Although it annoyed me how cute they were at that moment, I also couldn't help but smile.

"Oh my God! Is Alex cracking a smile? Someone call the newspaper, quick!" Paige put a hand over her mouth to feign shock.

Hazel stood up, "I'll go get Rachel Rhodes!" The others cracked up at the mention of the nosy news reporter.

"Hey, Alex always smiles. In bed. With me."

Thank you, Jay for totally making it better. He gave me a wet kiss that tasted like beer and whiskey. What a great combination. I kissed him back quickly before Paige and company made some ridiculous comment.

"Hey..." I whipped my head around and, to my utter delight (insert sarcasm here), Emma Nelson and Manny Santos were walking through the door. Since when were they invited? Did they even know Ellie? I noticed that Emma carried a little box and I cringed. They brought her a present? Wow, this party was turning out to be a lot of fun...

Ellie and Sean walked over to greet the two girls and they wished Ellie a happy birthday.

"Thanks," Ellie replied and showed them where the snacks and drinks were.

Were my eyes deceiving me? Was Emma Nelson actually cracking open a beer? There has got to be something going on... I noticed Jay sneaking glances at the tall, leggy blonde and I jabbed him in the ribs hard.

"Hey!" he cried. He rubbed his rib cage and I smiled sweetly.

"Pay attention to me and not that Cause Girl."

"Problems in paradise?" Ellie grabbed a seat next to me and set her glass down.

"What's that?" I pointed to her cup.

She scrunched her nose, "Sparkling grape juice... How lucky am I? My own party, and I can't even drink."

"Hmm, I wonder why?" I joked. "Speaking of you being pregnant, I can tell you're getting bigger."

Ellie gave me a weird look and excused herself. Great, what did I say now? Somehow I was always saying the wrong things at the wrong time with this girl. What was her deal? I'm just trying to be friendly towards her and she goes and acts like a freak.

Some people are just too weird. Even for me.

Emma

"Should we just put it here?" I shook the little gift we got Ellie (earrings) in front of Manny's face and gestured towards the table where a few other people had set their presents and cards.

Manny nodded and set down the card. I placed the gift on top of it. There. Now it's time to party. I picked my beer back up and took a sip. I saw Paige, Spinner, Ashley, Hazel, Jimmy, and Craig... I'm sure Manny was drooling over him. He looked good tonight. I prayed for Manny's sake that she'd be able to control herself.

"Manny, that guy's look at you..." I whispered to my friend. She followed my line of vision and noticed a tall boy with floppy blonde hair.

"Hmm... not bad!" Manny whispered back. He smiled. Nope, not bad at all! Manny put on her brightest smile and squeezed my hand before she started walking towards him. I checked my watch and noticed that Chris should be arriving shortly.

"I didn't know you drank."

I looked over at Sean and shrugged. "Didn't always. Just started."

"Well, be careful."

"You're one to talk," I chastised.

"I know. That's why I said it," Sean rolled his eyes and gave me a smile. I smiled back.

"I invited Chris, if that's okay with you."

Sean shrugged and raised his can of beer. "Fine with me. The more the merrier. Have you seen Ellie?"

"I'm right here," Ellie walked up and wrapped her arms around Sean from behind. "Here and totally sober."

I laughed as she pouted and set my beer down. "There, now you won't feel so bad."

"Thanks, Emma. How's Jack doing? Sean didn't ruin him for life, did he?"

"Hey!" Sean gave her a look, and I decided to play along.

"Well..." I started. "Whenever we mention the name 'Sean' he starts crying, but that's pretty much it. I don't think Sean scarred him too bad..."

"That's nice. My girlfriend and ex-girlfriend have decided to get all buddy-buddy and gang up on me. I see how it is. I'm going to go find Towerz."

Sean walked away and left Ellie and me alone together. I pointed towards her stomach. "So, how's the baby?"

"Fine. I had an appointment the other day and the doctor said it should be fine."

"Do you know if it's a boy or girl?"

"Nope. We want to be surprised."

"That's cool... well, Chris is here, so I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, sure. Bye."

I ran to the door and threw my arms around Chris before giving him a kiss. He kissed me back and I pulled away smiling. He showed me a wrapped gift, "Where should I put this?"

"Oh! Over here." I drug him to the gift table and looked at the present. "So, what is it?"

"A few classical CDs. I heard that babies can hear when you play music, so I thought that'd be a cool gift. I mixed a few classical pieces together and I think they sound crazy."

"Aw, that's so sweet! You want a drink?" I took Chris's hand in my own and pulled him towards the counter where all the drinks are.

"Hey Sean," Chris greeted politely. Sean nodded. I know there's a little animosity between them ever since Chris made a crack about Sean's comment on Hamlet.

The chill in the air got the best of me as we all stood around sipping our drinks. I decided to break the ice. "So, Sean, Ellie told me she had a doctor's appointment the other day!"

Sean narrowed his eyes at me. "No, she didn't..."

"Really? She just said a few minutes ago that she had an appointment..." What was going on here? Why is Sean looking at me like I'm crazy? I shrugged and giggled nervously. "Maybe... she didn't just say that...?" What a lame cover-up.

Sean left the counter and I looked over at Chris. "Oops..."

Sean

"Well, at least we saw her eat something... even if it was just a few crackers..." I heard

Paige whisper to Ashley. Ashley nodded seriously. Who were they talking about? God, who am I kidding? I know who they're talking about...

"At least she's not throwing up anymore. Or at least not that I know of."

I could feel my cheeks growing hot. Couldn't they talk about this some other time? Besides, nobody has any real proof that Ellie is... well... hurting herself. Or the baby. I shook my head sharply. There was no way Ellie would intentionally hurt the baby. She loves this baby. Everything's fine with the baby.

Then why did she go to the doctors without telling you? God... Do you ever feel like someone is playing some big joke and you're the only one who doesn't know? That's how I feel. I feel as if everyone knows that something is wrong with Ellie and I'm the last to know. But it's not that way entirely because I also know something is going on with Ellie. I just choose to forget about it when it's convenient. But I can't now. Obviously something is going on to where she's sneaking around.

Still, I feel like everyone is laughing at me behind my back. I don't appreciate the feeling. And I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

"Emma!" I waved her over even though someone had turned the music up to a deafening level. I doubt she'd even be able to hear me.

"Yeah?"

"Ellie really said she had a doctor's appointment?"

"Yeah... She did. Sean, is there something wrong?"

I clinched my jaw. "No, everything's fine. Thanks."

Maybe it wasn't even a big deal. Maybe she didn't tell me because it was one of those things where nothing was really wrong, but she was just nervous. Sometimes she's like that. She gets nervous about whether or not the baby is okay. If she's taking care of herself and the baby, then why is she so worried? God. Stop. It. Why am I constantly thinking the worst of her?

I caught sight of her talking and laughing with Hazel and Jimmy. Is she telling them about her doctor's appointment? Why would she even tell Emma anyway? I guess it's time to find out...

"Hey guys," I walked up to Jimmy, Hazel, and Ellie.

They all smiled at me and stopped their conversation.

"No, don't stop talking because of me. Ellie, tell them what Dr. Martin said the other day."

Ellie shrugged and tilted her head a little. "He didn't say too much. Just said I'm doing better and the baby looks good."

Ha! I caught her. Ellie instantly realized her mistake and shot me a nervous look. I set my jaw and raised my eyebrows at her.

"If you'll excuse me... I'm not feeling too well..." Ellie gave us all a weak smile and walked back towards the bedroom.

"She didn't look so well. Maybe you should go see what's wrong?" Jimmy offered.

"Yeah, I think I will. Listen man, it's going on 3:00... Ellie's tired, I'm tired. Maybe you can help get everyone out?" I slapped Jimmy on the back and left him and Hazel.

"Where are you going?" I noticed Ellie packing a few clothes in a bag.

She wouldn't even look at me. "I'm going to stay with my parents for a few days. I just need time away... to think..."

"About how you didn't tell me you had an appointment? Tell me it was no big deal. Tell me there's nothing I should be worried about."

"There isn't. I have it all under control."

"Damnit, Ellie! You always say that, and, the next thing I know, you're taking a knife to your arms! Don't blame me if I'm not exactly comforted by you telling me that you have it 'under control'. 'Cause I don't believe it. Tell me what's going on!"

"Sean! Please! Just... We'll talk soon, okay? There are things I have to figure out before I can talk to you."

"But I can help you!"

"No, I don't think you can."

And she left. I sighed and sat down on the bed. I don't think I'll be getting any sleep tonight.

Ellie

I sighed and leaned my head back in the bathtub. There's really nothing like a long, hot bubble bath to relieve all the tension. Just relaxing, even if it's only for an hour, is doing wonders for my nerves. I used my foot to turn the water off and wiggled my toes a little bit, admiring the butterscotch color on them.

A knock sounded on the door and I sighed. It was probably my mom. "Come in!" I called out. I grabbed the little rubber ducky that sat next to the soap dish and let him float along in the water. He immediately got lost in all the bubbles. Poor ducky!

"I brought you some iced-tea..." My mom sat a glass on the stand next to the bathtub and sat on the toilet. "How are you feeling? I was surprised to see you in your bed this morning. Is something wrong? Did you and Sean have a fight?"

Leave it to my mom to go overboard on the concerned mother act. I shouldn't be complaining, though. I'm lucky my mom has been so good to me, given the fact that many mothers would shut their daughters out of their lives for getting in the mess I did. My mom's just trying to help me out and I'm definitely grateful for that.

"I'm feeling fine. Nothing is wrong. I just wanted some relaxation time. Sean and I did not have a fight." I answered all of her questions in one breath.

My mom touched the girls at her neck and gave me a "yeah, right..." look and stood up. "Okay, well.. If that's the case. I'll send Sean up."

Before I could protest she sailed out of the room in all her pearl goodness. Sean appeared in the doorway seconds later. He was probably standing behind the door, listening in the entire time. Everyone's always trying to trick me into saying things, I swear.

"Hey," I greeted him softly.

He gave me a casual wave and sat where my mom had just been. He looked like hell, like he hadn't slept in days. "You look... tired..."

"Well, when my pregnant girlfriend walks out on me, I can't help but be a little restless at night."

Ouch. I was getting the sarcasm. It was too early in the morning for that. "Well..." I started, but Sean interrupted me.

"No. I want to talk. You don't interrupt me, okay?"

He paused and I think he wanted me to say "okay" but I was too confused. I didn't think he wanted me to interrupt him...

"Good. Listen, I'm sick of the superficiality of this relationship. You can talk to Marco about all this deep stuff, but you never come to me to talk about anything. I feel like I never know what's really going on. I feel like everyone knows some big secret and I don't and everyone's laughing at me behind my back. I just want to know what's going on with you. And you having a 'secret' doctor's appointment scares the shit out of me. I can't help but wonder if something is wrong and you aren't telling me. But I don't want to think that because I love you and you should love me enough to tell me these things. If we're going to have a baby together, we need to get past all this high-school crap. You need to come to me when there's a problem, you have to tell me stuff, I can't drag it out of you anymore..."

I started to open my mouth to respond, but Sean cut me off again.

"And another thing... You don't ever walk out on me again, okay? I was worried sick about you. I didn't know whether you were breaking up with me, if you were leaving me for good, or if you really did just need some time to yourself. Plus, I was in the middle of an important conversation with you. That was incredibly disrespectful of you. And while I've been tossing and turning all night, going out of my mind worrying about you, you're sitting in a bubble bath... playing with a rubber ducky."

"You're right..." I agreed softly. "It was rude of me. It was wrong. And I won't do it again."

"Good. Kiss." Sean knelt down next to the bathtub and pursed his lips for a kiss. I kissed him and then leaned back and pouted coquettishly.

"Don't be like that..." He put some bubbles on my nose and I broke into a small smile. "And don't distract me. I'm in the middle of talking to you..."

He sat on the edge of the bathtub and picked up the rubber ducky. "Tell me the truth, Ellie. Why did you have a doctor's appointment and why didn't you tell me?" He squeezed the rubber ducky and it squirted water out on his shirt. He rolled his eyes and threw it back in the tub.

He was really too cute. I played with the bubbles a little and refused to look at him. I could lie. Or just avoid telling him. Or just tell him the truth. I didn't really want to lie. I'm not about lying to people. But I don't want to tell him the truth either. He'll be so mad. So what am I supposed to do? "You really want to know?"

"Yeah."

"You really want to know?" I teased.

Sean gave me a weird look that told me not to joke around and crossed his arms. "Yeah."

"Okay, fine." And with that I grabbed onto his arm and pulled him into the bathtub with me.

Sean

"Real mature, Ellie," I snapped, struggling to sit up in the huge bathtub.

She stuck out her lower lip and gave me a "sorry" look. Why is she playing this game with me? Doesn't she care that I'm worried? And did she have to look so sexy while infuriating me at the same time?

"I was just trying to lighten the mood," Ellie defended herself.

"I know, I know." I leaned forward and kissed her hard on the lips. "It's just that, well, now I'm all wet."

"Really? Are you implying something sexual?" Ellie bit her lip.

Damnit. I kissed her harder this time. And ran my hands through her wet hair. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer to her. I pushed her back slightly. "This is not over yet," I whispered into her lips.

Ellie threw me a towel and went back to drying her hair with hers. I wrapped the towel around my waist and tied it in a knot. I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed the base of her neck before placing my head against hers. She smiled at me in the mirror and went back to combing out her hair.

"We still need to talk."

She stopped talking and faced me. "No, we don't."

"Why not?"

"Because..."

"Because you don't want to tell me anything. You're doing something wrong, aren't you?" I accused.

"No! Not anymore, I'm not."

I turned my face away and tried to get my thoughts back together. She just confessed that she had been doing something bad. What am I supposed to say now? I had had this whole speech prepared when I came here. I had every scenario played out in my head and what I was going to say. Now, I don't know. I honestly don't know what to say next.

"I don't know what to say. What am I supposed to say, Ellie?" My voice rose to a yell.

"Don't yell at me. Please, Sean..."

"Then just tell me what you and Dr. Martin talked about!" I knew I looked like I was throwing a temper tantrum, but I care about her and she's keeping things from me.

Ellie threw her hands up in the air in frustration. "We talked about how I'm starving myself, okay! You happy now!" she screamed.

I stepped back and looked at her. She was lying. She had to be lying. Don't be stupid. You knew what was going on all along. I had. I had known. I had caught her throwing up before, then I caught her again when she was pregnant... Everything makes sense now... the constant trips to the bathroom, the lack of cravings, the nonexistent weight gain... Why hadn't I put it all together before? You did. You just didn't want to say anything.

"Why?" I choked out. It's the only thing I could say.

"I don't know why. Because I'm stupid. Because I'm sick. I'm not sure." She was still pissed. But why was she pissed? I should be the one who's mad.

"Don't talk to me like that."

"Well, stop pushing me to talk to you at all!"

"No! I care about you and what you're doing is wrong."

"I'm not doing it anymore, so back off."

She pushed me away and started heading for the door. I grabbed her by the arm of her bathrobe and pulled her back. "Why are you starving yourself? Don't you understand it's bad for the baby? For you?"

"I'm not doing it anymore, okay? I've learned my lesson."

"No, I'm not letting it go like that."

"Just stop it! I don't need to talk about this! I'm fine now!"

I laughed bitterly. "Just because you stopped doing this because you're pregnant doesn't stop you from doing it after you have the baby. How do I know you won't go back to starving and throwing up and everything else?"

"I'm not throw-..."

"Stop lying."

Ellie's face crumpled and she collapsed onto the floor. I knelt beside her and put my arms around her, burying my nose in her wet hair. "I'm sorry. I just can't do this anymore."

"Ellie, you really need to talk to me. Tell me everything."

She pulled her bathrobe tighter around her and gave a slight shiver. "It's not that easy... it didn't just start like two months ago or whatever..."

"So, I don't care. I'm not going anywhere."

"I don't think you'll want to be with me anymore after I tell you. I'm scared you'll leave me..." Ellie shook her head tearfully.

I cupped her face in my hands and looked her straight in the eye. "I'm not going anywhere without you."

"You promise?"

I clasped her outreached pinky with mine and shook it. "I promise. Wherever you go, I go. I'll go anywhere with you."

Aw! Cute moment. I decided to just use Sean because he is her boyfriend and this will only bring them closer. Plus it concerns his baby. So next chapter will have their conversation and... I don't know what else. POV suggestions or just reviews are always welcome! Hope this makes up for last chapter.