I usually post a new chapter of this story by night, but this time it took a couple days, A: Because I wasn't home for a while, and B: Because this chapter was somewhat challenging for me. I actually re-wrote the whole thing once after it didn't turn out the way I wanted. It's probab;y the longest one so far. Anywhoo, I hope you like it!

Seven-

The next two weeks pasted as smoothly as ever, and Ellie quickly adjusted to a full-week routine. Her life was finally smoothing over, and she had everything under control at all times. Not only did she have no complex emotions about Sean or her mother to bother her, but she was kicking major ass at school.

Her Saturday routine with her mother actually stuck, and became more pleasant with each visit as the slight awkwardness dissolved to a minimal amount. It felt so different—even a little strange that she now held so much trust in those around her. She was so used to preparing herself for the worst, and now that she has been getting everything her way she fears the universe is playing some sort of sick April Fools joke on her in November.

Ellie was sitting on her bed looking through an old yearbook. She laughed to herself as she realized Paige was on almost every single Paige, usually with Spinner. Ellie suddenly realized something—every time she turned the page, Spinner had a new hair style. Spinner with spikes, Spinner with platinum blonde hair, Spinner with long curls, Spinner with half his head shaved, Spinner with spikes again, and Spinner with a shaved head. I guess since he had a Mohawk for such a short time, it didn't get captured on a camera. Shucks. "This was one great hair epic." Ellie thought, giggling to herself. Yes that's right—giggling. She was in that great of a mood. This is usually about the time when everything goes to hell.

As Ellie turned the page again, a small picture in the top left corner caught her eye. It was a picture of Sean and Emma when they were young. It was simply the cutest thing she had every seen. Emma's hair was stick-straight and cut to shoulder length without a layer in sight, and her smile confirmed her braces. She just looked so different. Sean however still had the non-expressive stare, but he was wearing a jean jacket he wouldn't be caught dead wearing nowadays. Ellie knew at least one thing was true, and that was Emma and Sean were tied to each others childhood, and that was something that could never be taken away. She has made peace with that fact.

Back to the present though, Ellie has spoken to Sean on various occasions. After the night she ran out on him, he called her and got her to explain everything. He knew there was much more to it then what she had lead on at the dot, but didn't push it then in the company of innocent pedestrians. They had become much closer friends—in fact, he even came over sometimes to watch some TV, thus forth getting better relationships with Paige and Marco as well.

Ellie tucked the yearbook in a small storage bin under her bed, and then exited her room. It was around four o'clock, so the sun was perfectly positioned in the sky. As she walked down the noisy steps that squeaked as she walked over each one into the living room, she spotted Marco lounging out on the couch. He sat up as she approached him, giving her some room to sit down and join him in watching some TV.

"What are you watching?" Ellie asked curiously.

"Something extremely amusing." Marco chuckled. "This guy is talking all about how he was abducted by aliens and how we're all doomed."

"Hmm—doomed?" She asked. "I just don't get it. Fist of all, those people are so obviously insane, but for another thing how do we know aliens coming to earth would be the worst thing? My guess is if they've went way beyond us in technology by making those awesome flying saucers as apposed to our totally lame rockets, they've probably gotten to world peace quicker then us too… or you know—universal peace?"

"I find it strange you sound like you've thought about this a lot."

"Marco, I give everything to much thought and I'm offended you don't know that about me yet."

They both laughed for a brief moment, until Marco started to speak again. "Have you written that paper for Professor Stevenson yet?"

She looked confused and waited a few seconds before answering. "No—but, when is that due anyway?"

"Umm—Monday?" he replied.

"Monday? No way—don't lie to me Del Rossi."

"I'm not lying Nash, I'm serious. That paper is due on Monday."

"But that's—that's two days from now! I haven't even started, and it's two days from now?" She was practically yelling by now. "Oh my god—what am I going to do?"

"You can finish in two days; it's not that big of a deal."

"Try a half a day. I'm going to my mothers tonight."

"And tomorrow?" Marco asked.

"I'm doing an interview for the core."

"Yeah well, I'm sure your mother won't be too crushed about canceling just one Saturday." He replied. "I mean, it is a pretty good reason."

"Yeah I guess…" Ellie said with a sigh. "I'll call her."

Ellie dialed her mothers number rapidly. Now that she was getting used to calling it more often again, she barely even needed to think when pushing the buttons. It rang twice before her mother picked up.

"Hello?" She called out.

"Hi, Mom."

"Eleanor?"

"Yeah it's me. I just wanted to let you know that I can't make it tonight. I'm really sorry, but I have to write an English paper by Monday, and I completely forgot."

"Oh—oh, well that's okay I understand."

"Are you sure? Because I am really sorry." As Ellie replied, her voice was filled with nothing but complete sincerity.

"Yes I'm sure. You're schoolwork is important. I'll just see you next Saturday."

"Yes—count on it."

Ellie spent all day working on her paper. The research was taking the longest, but once she was finished with that she even got a start on writing it. She was cramming what should have taken a full day in only a few hours, and she has never worked so hard in her life. The paper was surprisingly easy, so at about seven thirty, she was shocked to see how much work she had accomplished in such little time. She realized that if she went right back to work when she came back, she would have enough time to pay her mom a short visit.

She closed her laptop, and then got out of bed, stretching out her limbs. Just as she began reaching for the cordless phone, a thought crossed her mind. "I should just surprise her. It would make her so happy to know that I'm coming anyway."

With a smile on her face, Ellie grabbed her jacket and hopped down the stairs. She said her short goodbye to Marco, and then headed out.

She fumbled with her keys for a little while, but then eventually unlocked her vehicle and sat comfortably in the car seat. As she checked her rearview mirror, she realized that she was once again smiling. She had been doing that so much lately, and she was finally getting used to it. She liked the new Ellie. Everything had been so easy, and she could now count on those who loved her, as her and Sean discussed earlier was a hard thing to do. Sure they were intoxicated at the time, but it still made perfect sense. The reason why she wanted to go see her mother so badly was to prove that she could be counted on too.

The drive was a short one, but it still felt very long, mixing with her anticipation. She was about to knock again, but then remembered that she didn't have to. She walked into her mother's living room, but didn't see anyone at first. She saw her mother's car, so she knew that she was there somewhere and it was barely eight so she wouldn't be sleeping either. Ellie soon heard something glass break from the kitchen, followed by a muffled curse. She followed the sound to the kitchen, and that's when her whole world went crashing down, once again.

Her mom was sitting at the table, nearly passed out and the sound she heard earlier was a vodka bottle being dropped on the floor. Ellie didn't cry, or feel sad. Not this time. She was practically shaking with nothing but anger.

"So this is how it is when I'm not around, huh?" Ellie asked, clenching her jaw.

Mrs. Nash raised her head groggily, then slurred out, "Ellie? What on earth are you doing here?" It seems the politeness has been washed away from her mouth with the booze.

"I wanted to surprise you, but it seems I'm the one who got to be surprised." She replied with a hint of venom. "So what? You just stay sober for the days I come over, and play the mother-of-the-year card?"

"Eleanor, if you just could understand how hard it is for me. I don't even know why you're this upset since I stay clean for when you come over. You don't even have to see me like this."

"How could you say that?" She spat back historically. "You just—you can't have both, okay? You don't get to keep on drinking and have me in your life! That's just not how it is! And don't even think about telling me how hard it is. I could care less. You're just pathetic."

"Don't you dare talk to me like that again Eleanor, or I'll—"

"You'll what?" Ellie interrupted. "You can barely even move!" With that she began to exit the kitchen when her mother called back at her.

"Ellie! Get back here!"

"No, mother." She said sarcastically. "We're done."

I'm sorry, but life for Ellie can't be all fluffy all the time. I had to mix a bit of drama in there and leave you on a bit of a cliff hanger. Just be sure to review if you want to see what happens next!

A great big heap of thanks to Greg Styles, hudsygurl, S.L. Gunn, ScreamsInTheDark, Brooks's-Babey, Dahlia Faith Black,XALLOWspuffyBuFf, breathe-in3, rocklesson86, carrebear14, tribalranger, emo.kid1992, sparkle587and MAGRADY03! Your reviews are lovely!

I just wanted to say thanks to all the people who have been reading since I started this story! And the people who have been posting reviews to almost every chapter. You guys are friggin' awesome!