I had the biggest writers block for this chapter. It almost took me two days to write. I knew I wasn't ready to lead into Christmas and there were things I wanted to also get out of the way. It just kind of gives the story some space in between major events.

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Chapter 11

It was first thing over breakfast that I decided to break the news.

"So," I said, getting their attention. "I've been thinking about what you said last night."

"Yes, dear." Mrs. Michalchuk said willing me to continue.

"I was thinking it would be good for me to go to school."

"Oh that's wonderful dear!" Her face lit up.

I smiled back.

"We will have to get you registered then. We will go this Saturday. You don't have work do you?" She asked.

"Yea, but not till the afternoon." I replied back

"Alright, we will go in the morning. I'm so excited. This is good news. Don't you think Bill?"

"Yes it is." Mr. Michalchuk replied, "I'm glad to hear it!"

He seemed very enthusiastic.

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The mall was so jammed packed full of customers; I couldn't believe I was able to get through the crowed to get to work. The pushing and shoving, and yelling. People were crazy during Christmas time. I myself never really saw the big deal in it. It seemed so shallow to me. Buy something special for the one you love. It made me feel like love should be materialized. Love should be more pure than that. Growing up my mother had done the best she could. She had never really had money for presents. One year though, I did awake on Christmas morning to find a present laying in my bed. It was small box. I carefully unwrapped it. I didn't want to ruin the wrapping paper. I slowly opened the lid to the box. Inside was a small locket. My mother had been standing in my doorway waiting for me to open it. I looked up at her and smiled.

"You like it?" She asked.

"It's beautiful!" I exclaimed.

"You can put a picture of anyone you want in there. That way, when you wear it, that person will always be close to your heart." She had said. She had tried to sound caring and sincere. It was one of the few good memories I actually had of my mother. I never actually wore the necklace. I had kept it in the box by my nightstand. Overtime it had been moved and tossed around that I eventually lost it. I had never worn it because I had never felt there was anyone in my life who I felt was truly special to me.

All day I had been on my feet constantly. The jeans were too small, the jacket was too big, and sweater was too tight. Selling this and grabbing that. By the end of work I felt like my legs were going to fall off. Mr. Michalchuk had said he could pick me up on his way home from work, but I still had forty-five minutes to kill. All I wanted to do was lay over and die. Though I noticed that mall wasn't as jam packed as it usually was now. Perhaps because it was a week night. I decided however to do a little Christmas shopping of myself. This year more than ever did I feel like I needed to. I wanted to buy something special for the Michalchuks. I thought they deserved it. They had been so kind and caring to me. I tried to think of what they would like. While shopping I came across a nice burgundy sweater that I thought Mr. Michalchuk would like. I also found a nice table piece for Mrs. Michalchuk. I didn't feel extremely content with my gifts for them, but I figured I could buy them something else to go along with them . I also found myself a coat which I had needed. I had thought about getting something for Paige, but then I wasn't sure if I should. I decided to hold off and think about it a little more. I still had a few weeks. I left the mall and waited outside for Mr. Michalchuk who showed up about fifteen minutes later.

"Hey, sweetpee. What do you have in the bag?" Mr. Michalchuk said as I got in.

"Oh, just a coat; my other one doesn't work well." I replied.

"Oh, alright. How was work?"

"Busy." I replied.

"Aww… you poor thing. Well, Maggie will have a nice dinner ready for us when we get home."

"That sounds good." I replied.

Dinner was extremely pleasant. Mrs. Michalchuk had created her famous pot roast. She also seemed very upbeat.

"Now don't forget." She started, "This Saturday we are going down to get you enrolled at the community college."

"I know." I replied taking a bite of a steamed carrot. "You know, I'm kind of looking forward to going back to school."

"Well that's just wonderful to hear dear." Mrs. Michalchuk exclaimed. "And I was thinking. I know the owner of Friends With Food he said he would give you a job if you wanted. They have more flexible hours. It would be easier to work around your schedule. Plus they are not as busy as the mall."

I nodded at the thought, "That might be good."

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"So, you're actually going to college?" Ellie asked.

"Yep." I replied. We were eating lunch at the Dot. Ellie and I had been spending a lot more time together lately. It was nice to have a good friend again.

"Alex, that's really great. I'm glad you're going to college."

"Yea." I replied. No sure what else to say.

"Do you know what you wanna do yet?" Ellie continued on with the subject.

"I dunno yet. Probably something with photography." I replied.

"Yea, I forgot you're into that."

"Yep." I didn't feel like discussing it. There was a moment of silence again but we held eye contact.

"I wish I knew what I wanted to do." Ellie replied breaking her gaze.

"Hey, no worries. You'll figure it out." I replied. Finally my turn to give advice.

"Yea, but it seems every time I get if figured out, something gets in the way again."

"Tell me about it." I replied, I knew all too well what she was talking about.

"I just feel like I'm going to keep working at this dead end job at the record store forever." Ellie was obviously spilling feelings now.

I started thinking for a moment how to reply when an Idea hit me.

"Well, why don't you just come to college with me?" I replied.

"I dunno." She said sounding a little unsure.

"What the hell are you gonna lose? Just try it, we can take some classes together. That way we won't have to do it alone. And if it doesn't work out, then whatever." I replied.

"Well..." She started.

"Common Ellie." I said back, "Enough with this dead end job stuff. Let's make something of ourselves."

Ellie rolled her eyes and gave a small smile, "Alright." She finally said.

"See, it wasn't that bad." I replied.

"We haven't even done anything yet."

"Saturday. I'm going with Mrs. Michalchuk to register. I'm sure she won't mind if you come with." I replied.

Ellie gave off a small sigh and I chuckled. I shook my head at her.

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Saturday morning was freezing. It had snowed the night before and the fresh layer covered everything. Mr. Michalchuk and I had to shovel at least 3 inches of snow to get the garage door to open. I then helped him clear the driveway. Afterwards Mrs. Michalchuk and I started our way to our first stop at Ellie's.

"I'm really glad you have a friend to go school with. That should make it a little funner." Mrs. Michalchuk said in the Van.

"Yea, I'm glad too. Hopefully she won't flake on me." I replied.

"Does she usually?" Mrs. Michalchuk sounded a little concerned.

"No, but sometimes she changes her mind." I replied.

"Oh." She replied back.

"But she's a really cool person. I really like her." I replied trying not give a bad impression of Ellie to Mrs. Michalchuk who obviously didn't know her very well.

Ellie must have been waiting by the door because when our van pulled up her front door immediately opened. She was bundled up in heavy coat and her hood was pulled up over her head squishing her face. I thought she looked kind of like a teddy bear. Kind of cute actually. She slid open the side door and climbed into the van.

"Hey, Lexi. Hi, Mrs. Michalchuk." She said as she buckled her seat belt and took off her hood.

"Hi." I replied.

"Hello, dear." Mrs. Michalchuk replied. The van set into motion again and we set off for Toronto Community College.

"So, Ellie. I'm glad you chose to go to college also. It will be good for the both of you." Mrs. Michalchuk said

Ellie looked as if she weren't sure what to say. She nodded, "Yea."

"So, you went to Degrassi with Alex too?" Mrs. Michalchuk went on.

"Yea." Ellie replied again.

"Were you also one of Paige's friends?" Mrs. Michalchuk asked.

"Um, yea. I guess Paige and I were kind of friends. I mean we knew each other." Ellie nodded as she spoke. It was now Ellie's turn to endure the harsh instigation of Mrs. Michalchuk. I had to admit, she handled it nicely. I impressed with her. I turned to look in the back seat and gave her a quick smirk. She just rolled her eyes at me.

"Oh, that's good dear." Mrs. Michalchuk smiled.

Registration went pretty smooth. Ellie and I both enrolled in English 1A and Math 25. She also decided to take an art class and I managed to get into a photography class. By the time we were done we were pretty pleased with our schedules. Ellie had suggested we see a movie or something, but I had to work. I suggested another time. Mrs. Michalchuk dropped Ellie of at her house.

"Alright, thank you so much for taking me to registration Mrs. Michalchuk. Bye Alex. See you later." She said as she unbuckled her seat belt and slid the door open.

"Oh it was a pleasure." Mrs. Michalchuk said smiling.

"Bye El." I said. "I'll call you." I suddenly blurted out. She had been sliding the door shut. She stopped to answer.

"Okay." She said laughing at the randomness of my comment.

I watched her walk up all the way to door. It took her a moment as she fidgeted with the lock. I didn't take my eyes off her until the door had closed and she was inside. I turned to looked at Mrs. Michalchuk. I was going to say something about my classes when I noticed her staring at me. She was obviously trying to hide a grin.

"What?" I said. I myself was beginning to crack a smile at the sudden tenseness of the mood. Mrs. Michalchuk broke eye contact as she put the van into the drive.

"Nothing." She said. Without taking her eyes off the road she leaned in and nudged me a little. "She's cute."

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I know what I'm going to write about next, I just haven't decided how I'm going to break it up. I'm pretty sure it's going to take at least 2 chapters to get through. Maybe 3. I'm not sure how long I'm going to have the holiday's go on. Also, I will be brining in a few other characters into the story sometime in the next few chapters.