Hey everyone! As promised, I'm posting the 5th chapter a little earlier then normal, and I think you're all going to like this chapter, because I've been getting more into the characters and have been having an easier time with the voice of the story. I hope you like it!

Five-

Ellie woke the next morning, a little bit cheerier then usual. One of the reasons she knew was because of the fact she didn't drink the previous night into a coma. Of course, among that there were other reasons…

Things were finally starting to make sense. Ellie was no longer dodging interaction with Sean to avoid some sort of confrontation. The last thing she needs is to get into a quarrel with Sean because she has no idea what she wants.

Both Sean and Ellie were extremely clear on the situation at hand. They were just friends. Just friends who used to be in a relationship. Just friends who used be in a relationship, and now were going to the dot together, which most people outside their state of mind and understanding would consider some sort of date, but of course, it was not. 'Who are you kidding El?' She thought to herself. 'You and Sean Cameron are not just friends.'

The truth hit her smack in the face, but it's not like it brought her down or anything. Deep down, she knew she would always have a place in her heart for Sean. It's whether or not she acts on it that counts. So far on countless occasions, when she finally decides to take a chance, it only comes down to be either shot down, or some how hurt in the end. It's just not worth it sometimes. She's had learned this from infamous Craig. Infamous is taken literally of course, considering he was now touring with his band. There was no way Chick-With-Sticks was going to be following him around like some groupie.

Ellie paces to the bathroom, and begins staring back at her reflection. The dark circles around her eyes were gone, and a beautiful pink flush graced her vampire cheekbones making her look a bit more—healthy. She loosely tied her hair back, using a black band she made out of a pair of ripped fishnet stockings. She used her creation in her hair quite often, being proud that she had something that matched just about every article of clothing she owned.

After applying a small amount of eyeliner and dark red lip-tinter, she was heading down the steps, taking in the smell of baking cookies. 'Well I guess Paige is home' Ellie thought, knowing the delectable fragrance of her snikerdoodles anywhere. Her presence was welcome by the gleam of a received smile from Marco.

"Hey roomies." Ellie said happily, floating towards them.

Marco took Ellie's hand and gasped as he examined her. "Wow, look at you. You're all energized and you're cheeks are rosier then I have ever seen them." He then, began to move his hand over Ellie's head with their fingers still entwined as he began to twirl her.

Ellie obliged as she spun in a graceful circle, then took a seat at the kitchen table. Marco continued to stare at her. "I think—Oh my." Marco started. "You're actually not having a huge hang-over today.'

Paige laughed from the stove as she turned off the timer. "Lay off her Marco. She not always drinking. And besides, we are in college if you haven't noticed."

"Yeah I know, I'm sorry." He chuckled. The truth is he wasn't sorry. The opportunity arose and he seized it. He wasn't about to let that lay there.

"That seriously felt like the first time I've slept in a month." Ellie said, changing the subject and stretching out her limbs. "I suppose I'm going to need the energy though. I'm meeting my mother after hanging out with Sean at the dot. I haven't seen her in a while, and I could tell when I talked to her on the phone that she was dying to see me."

"Wait, you're seeing Sean today?" Paige asked. "Does that mean you guys are—"

"Just friends?" Ellie interrupted. "Why yes Paige it does."

"Sorry" She replied defensively. "I didn't mean to pry."

"You're not forgiven" Ellie said sarcastically. "Are those cookies done yet?"

"They have to cool, so be patient okay? That means you too Marco."

About four hours later, Ellie was resting on her stomach with a pair of headphones, reading a magazine. Her hair and make-up were still the same, but she was now wearing a pair of black faded skinny jeans, and a Ramones T-shirt. As she glanced at her alarm clock and took in the time, she realized she should start leaving to meet Sean.

She hastily gathered up her keys, cell phone and wallet and stuck them in a simple black bag and headed out. It wasn't until she left the house when she realized how nervous she was. What if things were awkward? There was no time to explore that issue further however, because she soon approached the dot.

As she walked through the door, Spinner immediately greeted her. "Hey—it's chick on sticks!" This was a name that only still stuck to Spinner, after everyone else resumed calling her Ellie. She suspected he only did this to irritate her because he's still bitter about her replacing him in Downtown Sasquatch—but she couldn't prove it.

"Hey Spin." She replied non-enthusiastically. Just as he was about to say something more, she breezed past him, pretending that she hadn't noticed, and took a seat at near-by table, smiling. She was too busy enjoying her own private joke to notice Sean sneak in, and sit at the opposite side of the table.

"How's it going Nash?" He still had a touch offhanded casualness that haunted his voice. He just seemed so laid back all the time, almost as bad as Jay—well not really. Nobody could 'not care' like Jay. Nobody had fewer brain cells then Jay, either. That could possibly explain the reason of his superiority in the matter.

"Pretty good." She replied with a smile as a bonus. Seeing her smile could be rare at times. "And yourself?"

"You know." He replied, looking around almost nervously. "The usual. I mean—I've been keeping busy."

"So I've heard." Ellie responded. "It's been kind of hard keeping up with everything people have been saying about you, but I manage."

"Yeah, well I'll bet the rumors are more interesting." Something about what Sean had said triggered a memory of when they first met, locked up in detention. Ellie had said that same thing to him. 'Did he realize it when he was saying that?' Ellie asked herself.

She didn't know for sure if it was just a coincidence, so she decided to just drag it along. "I doubt it." She spoke softly, and as he smiled Ellie knew that they were reminiscing together, and that she was not alone.

She shook her head, as if re-grouping from a moment of sappiness, and was just about to say something witty and sarcastic which she was normally extremely good at, but she was cut short as the door of the dot swung open once again, and Emma stood in it's frame. To make matters worse, Manny was close behind her and it was no secret that Ellie and Manny hated each other.

"Oh—Sean." Ellie began, trying to think of an excuse. "I'm going to have to get a coffee to go and well—go. I'm supposed to meet my mother." Okay, so this wasn't a complete lie, but Ellie knew very well she wouldn't be stopping by her mother's house for hours. Oh well.

Sean turned around, looking for the thing that could explain Ellie's change of mood, and he knew right away. As he faced her again, looking skeptically, she was already getting out of her seat. "We'll have to finish this another time then I guess."

"Okay, well—yeah." Ellie said heading for the bar where Spinner was. "Call me sometime when your free then." Ellie then was to far away from Sean for him to reply without shouting.

"Hey, again Spinner. Can you get me a vanilla latte to go? I'm kind of in a hurry." Ellie said quickly.

"Oh so now you want to talk to me." Spinner replied mockingly. "Just when it's convenient and you need a caffeine fix." For a guy who was supposed to be all macho all the time—he wasn't. In fact, he loved to be down right dramatic which was down right irritating to anyone in a twenty foot radius.

"Please Spinner just get me a cup of coffee, okay?" She said desperately, in no mood for his disposition.

"Yeah—alright." He responded, looking as if he knew he won.

Two minutes seemed like twenty, which caused Ellie to rush Spinner more then ever—bless his soul. She can be extremely demanding. After getting her beverage, she rushed out and headed back to her, Paige and Marcos house.

Well, that was chapter 5! Did you like it? Don't just answer that question in your head—review! Remember; when I receive good reviews, it makes me want to write more, and I've been on a roll so far so let's keep it going!

Here, once again are some awesome reviewers…

Greg Styles, hudsygurl, S.L. Gunn, ScreamsInTheDark, Brooks's-Babey, Dahlia Faith Black,XALLOWspuffyBuFf, breathe-in3, rocklesson86, carrebear14, tribalranger and MAGRADY03! It means so much to me that you have commented on my work!

Just for fun, I thought I would have a quick trivia. Along with your review post the answer to this question if you know it: What band does the song 'The Hardest Part' (AKA: My story title) belong to? Don't be cheap and look it up on google. By the way, this is so not a scam to get more reviews--okay, maybe it is. Sew me :)