Chapter 2: Hey Jealousy
Ashley, reeling from the news that her best friend and ex-boyfriend might actually be something other than friends, was still in bed at noon staring up at her wall and trying to figure out whether she was more angry or hurt and not even wanting to think about what that meant about where her feelings stood for Craig. She would have stayed in bed even longer had it not been for a call from Jimmy. He asked if she wanted to hang out and she decided it would be good to get her mind off of things and smooth things over with him more.
It was a nice day so they decided to meet at the park just to take a stroll before deciding what to do for the rest of the day. After discussing the highlights of each of their years, Jimmy brought up the subject before Ash had a chance. "So, about that kiss last week…I know it was just you trying to make me feel better, but…" "It was nice. But I did it because I wanted to, Jimmy, not because I felt bad for you. I wanted to show you that there are other girls out there and plenty of them find you attractive, myself included. But, I hope your thing for Ellie wasn't too big because trust me, she doesn't deserve you." He was happy to hear Ashley's nice words about him but was thrown by the sudden Ellie bashing. "Whoa, Ash. Since when are you all anti-Ellie?" "She rejected you for no reason, isn't that good enough?" "Well, yeah it's a reason for me to have a problem with her but you, not really. What's the real deal, here?" "It's nothing, okay. I just don't like to see you getting hurt, that's all. You're important to me." Jimmy still didn't quite believe her, but this explanation would have to do. "You're important to me too, Ash." Without giving it a second thought, Jimmy leaned in to kiss Ashley and she quickly reciprocated.
She knew it probably wasn't the best idea since she hasn't seemed to resolve her feelings for Craig yet, but this is something that she needs right now. Someone who is there for her, someone who hasn't betrayed her.
Ellie and Craig decided that they needed to see if they could have something that would be worth creating more problems with Ashley, so they agreed to have a first official date. Despite herself, Ellie was beyond excited and when she saw Craig waiting for her outside The Dot she hoped to God that everything would go well. Naturally, this proved to be an unanswered prayer. The date didn't even get a chance to start off well because the first thing Ellie saw after walking through the door held open by Craig was Ashley…and Jimmy, sitting at a booth looking extremely comfy and like they were on a first date (of sorts) of their own. Upon running smack into Ellie's back after she stopped abruptly, Craig gave her a playful nudge "Hey, what's with the brakes there?" She really wanted to turn around and push him out before he had a chance to see anything, but it was too late.
Admittedly, Ellie is a little shocked to see Ashley and Jimmy here together looking like a couple but not nearly as shocked as Craig looks. Ever the masochist, she decides to push through and ignore that look on his face like he just saw his puppy run over. Much like the look on his face when he found out that Ashley wasn't coming home to him, but rather was staying in England. She tries to bring his attention back to her, and hopes that the rest of the night won't be ruined. "So, where do you want to sit?" She knows it's incredibly stupid to try to ignore this gigantic elephant but she doesn't care. This is a night she has been waiting for and she'll be damned if she gives up so easily.
She tries to choose the table that might obscure their view of the "happy couple" but unfortunately it isn't a big enough restaurant for that. She notices Ashley glance their way, and sees a flash of pain and what looks like jealousy across her face but it is gone as quickly as it appeared. Jimmy looks a little disappointed, but seems to be content enough with Ashley.
After making some awkward comments about the menu and tying and tearing the paper her straw came in about a dozen times, Ellie finally decides to just lug the elephant right to their table. "Does it bother you that much?" Craig seems to snap out of the daze he has been in ever since he saw them and gives Ellie the worst fake smile she's ever seen. "What? Oh, them? No, no I'm just surprised is all." Even though she doesn't believe him anyway, she is even more reassured of her hunch when he quickly changes the subject. "Jeez, I wonder why our food is taking so long?" "We only ordered like 2 minutes ago, Craig." Another fake smile followed by awkward laughter. "Well I guess I'm just that hungry!" This time Ellie tries her hand at the best fake smile she can muster. "Yeah."
Marco enters the restaurant and Ellie doesn't think she's ever been so happy to see him. She jumps at the chance to leave the epitome of awkwardness that is their table. "Oh hey, there's Marco I'm gonna go say hi." Before Craig has a chance to join her she runs up to her friend. "You know, even I can't keep up with you crazy kids these days. Ashley and Jimmy and you and Craig? It's a swap-a-palooza going on in here." He starts to laugh at his stupid joke but stops when faced with Ellie's look of death directed his way. "Not. Funny." "I'm sensing that things aren't going well then huh?" "That would be the understatement of the year. This is our first date, Marco. And instead, I feel like we're here to observe and judge Ashley and Jimmy's date. Personally, I give them a negative 10 for effectively ruining my night." Marco looks from Ellie, to Ash and Jimmy, to Craig pretending like he's not watching Ash and Jimmy, and back to Ellie. "God, this has turned into an even bigger train wreck than it used to be." "Thanks! That really helps." Now Marco switches into relationship counselor mode, "Okay, first of all. Stop pretending that it doesn't bother him like I know you are and face the facts. She just broke his heart last year, they have a lot of history and you can't expect him to automatically be okay with seeing her with his good friend. Secondly, knowing that, get him out of here! What were you thinking? You should have left as soon as you saw them." Ellie wonders how Marco manages to always be right about things like this. "You're right. Thanks, Marco. Wish me luck." He gives her a wink and a hug and whispers, "Good luck. But remember, if it doesn't work out for any reason, it's not your fault. You're an amazing girl and you will find the right one."
She walks back to the table and without sitting down again, picks up her purse, throws some money down for the bill and says to Craig, "So what do you say we get out of here? I hear there are some good movies out." He looks a little taken aback by Ellie's sudden confidence, but is grateful to be taken away from the scene of his ex-girlfriend and good friend that he couldn't tear his eyes away from, sort of like a car crash. "Yeah, sure. A movie sounds good." Ellie thinks to herself that a horror movie is out, since they just went through one of their own tonight.