If anyone's still reading this, hey. I know it's been practically forever and I want to apologize for my horrible updating. I've been having a really hard time for a long time now, and I'm starting to recover so hopefully updates will come more often. I just kind lost inspiration for this story for awhile, and it took a few months to regain it. Well, let's get started! I'm excited. It's like beginning again…

"Max…I'm sorry about yesterday." I looked up from my cereal in surprise, Ella's voice tearing me out of my thoughts of how I would apologize to her. "I shouldn't have gotten so mad…I should have listened to what you had to say. I'm sorry." Ella bit her bottom lip, her eyes downcast as she stood over where I was eating breakfast. What was this? Why was she apologizing to me? And why was I being such a loser about the whole thing? I stood up from my place at our rickety card table and wrapped my sister in a hug.

"Ells…you don't need to be sorry," I said softly. "I was the one who pushed you over, you don't have to—"

"No, it's not that," Ella said, her voice slightly muffled because her face was pressed up against my shoulder. I stepped away so I wouldn't suffocate her. She bit her lip again. "I was just really upset. You know. Ready to lash out," She looked up at me, her expression showing a hint of irritation. "Not that your stupid comebacks helped any." I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn't laugh.

"I know, I'm horrible," I rolled my eyes, then took on a gentler tone. It was bugging me to see my own flesh and blood so distraught. "So if I wasn't the cause…something must have happened earlier." I looked at her carefully. A red flush bloomed across her tan cheeks as she stared hard at her (admittedly cute) suede booties. Not that I'd ever wear suede. If it ain't waterproof, it ain't worth it.

"It's not a big deal," she said, too casually.

"Uh-huh." I wasn't buying it. But honestly, would you? Ella grew redder. "Oh, no. What'd you do?"

"WellyouknowthatguyIggy?" Ella said, lightening quick. I couldn't catch hald of what she said, and had her repeat it. She still might as well have been speaking Chinese, because I could barely get any of it.

"Do I know what?"

Third time: "Oh, yeah. Well, I know who he is, anyway."

She mumbled again, her words somehow even more blurred. "You what?" Even though I had heard her perfectly that time, I had her say it again because I could barely believe it. My sister, usually great around people, had lost her cool, if only for a moment. My sister, who was normally so relaxed around guys, had been flustered to the point of no return. And that point was to ask this guy, this Junior guy, out. Even I knew that was a no-no.

"I don't know what happened!" She wailed, after I had done the appropriate amount of laughing and staring at her disbelievingly. "My brain just fried! I panicked!"

"And you said he's dating who?"

"Corliss! He's dating Cory and I totally asked him out right in front of Lissa and Monique and they've probably already told her and ohhh my Goddd…" she trailed off, lost in her own agony.

"He probably told her as well," I commented, realizing how unhelpful that was as soon as I said it.

"Of course he has!" Ella sank down into a chair opposite me, thunking her head down on her arms. "Or maybe he hasn't…he's so nice…" she tried to hide it, but I saw the grin. "What was I thinking…?"

"The problem is, you weren't," I remarked, clicking the arm that was unsuccessfully hiding the embarrassed grin that she wore. "And I'm starting to think that you're enjoying this. Exactly how long have you liked this guy?"

"Since we got here," she said wistfully, raising her head.

"Oh, so as soon as you stepped out the moving van, it hit you: 'I love Ignatius Griffiths.'"

"Shut up!" she smacked my arm. It didn't hurt. "You know what I meant. Jesus. You're impossible."

"Well, excuse me, Ella, but this is where I came in." I rolled my eyes. "I think you're fine. Just explain to Cory that it was all a mistake."

"I wonder why she didn't mention him before," Ella said, ignoring me. "Like, she said, 'There's Ignatius but call him Iggy,' but she didn't say, 'There's Ignatius, my boyfriend, but everyone calls him Iggy.'"

"It's not really our business, Ella," I said pointedly. Yawning, I arched my back and glanced at the clock that hung on the wall behind where Ella was sitting. It was only 10:20. And a Saturday. What was a girl with no previously made plans to do?

"Whatever." Ella got up from her seat and tossed one more stinger over her shoulder before exiting the kitchen. "Thanks for the help, Max." She grinned again and stuck out her tongue before stepping over the threshold to the dining area. Ouch.

"Anytime," I called out after her with that irritating need I have to always have the last word. "What would you do without me?" She responded with a loud, rude word. Tsk, tsk. Our mother would be hearing about this.

I shivered a little, my feet bare against the cold hard kitchen floor. I was still in my pajamas, which were basically just a pair of soccer shorts and an All-City Championship tee-shirt my old team was given after winning the soccer tournament that we spent every practice preparing for. God, I missed them. My team, my few friends. More than I would ever admit to my mom, or even Ella. I wouldn't want to bring her down. It was more important that she felt safe, and as away from sorrow as possible, than my getting to share with her all the miseries I secretly harbored concerning the move. Besides, they were bearable.

After a few moments of standing beside my chair, contemplating rhe soggy remains of my cereal, I picked up my bowl and carried it to the sink. Then I headed upstairs, knowing before I even reached it that the seventh step would creak. In my room, I stared at the boxes and boxes that still sat unpacked, lining my walls. There were less of them than there had been a few days ago, but the prospect of unpacking them all was an unhappy one. Si I did what I do best: shoved it out of my mind as I pushed a pile of clothes to the side of my closet and snatched up a pair of clean underwear and a bra. I would shower later. Now, I wanted to explore. I pulled on a pair of dark jeans, and a black long-sleeved shirt that would come in handy in case I got hungry sometime during my adventures (which was almost inevitable) and spilled, I dunno, ketchup on it or something. After pulling on a pair of ratty, battered black Converse that had seen better days, I was good to go and headed out the door. I would realize later that I had forgotten something. I would pay for that. But for now, I was still completely ignorant to that fact. Poor bastard. I took in the sunshine, turning my face to the sky. I loved Saturdays. And this one wasn't near over.

Guess what! We're so close. SO CLOSE. Close to what, you ask? Why, the FAX of course! The next chapter will change everything… ;)

R and R, please! I love you guys.

Maro