A/N: I think that those of you who liked the first chapter, will definitely like this one. In this chapter, you can really see how Peter and Ellie's personalities kind of contrast off of each other. That is my favorite thing about this pairing. When I first found out that I had to make this story I could find a way to make the character relate, but after writing some of the future chapters, it just kind of worked, you know? Anyway, I really hope you guys like this chapter.




Chapter Two: Black Coffee and a Root Beer

As if yesterday wasn't weird enough, today got even worse. I don't know if it's just my imagination or what, but I think that the pretty-boy director wannabe has been watching me. I never even noticed him before our little chat yesterday, but now I just see him everywhere. Who knew that all his classes seemed to be near mine, and that his locker was only a few feet away? Certainly not me. But that might just be because of the fact that I've been sort of in my own world lately. Since I'm usually just thinking about Craig all the time, it's nice to have a distraction. Even if that distraction is someone whom I'm seriously considering to get a rock-solid restraining order against.

I may be able to justify the reasoning for Peter always being around, but that doesn't cover him staring at me all the time. I don't particularly like grade ten creepers sizing me up. He's crazy if he's still picturing me as the lead in his little movie. Can't this boy take no for an answer? There's no way in hell that I'd be caught dead spending time with Peter, who is not only younger than me, but was labeled as the school creep only after being at Degrassi for a week.

When I finally finished up my last class, I went to my locker. After grabbing a jacket and a couple of books, I headed towards the main doors of the school. I spotted Peter at his locker, and he met my gaze. I can't explain why, but this made me quicken up my pace considerably. It did very little to help my situation. He slammed his locker door shut and caught up with me. "Ellie," he called out, grasping my arm.

I sighed heavily before slowly turning around to face him, clenching my teeth. "Yes?"

"Are you free?" He asked, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

I was baffled. Was I free? No. Not for him anyway. But curiosity got the better of me as it often does. "Why?" I asked.

"The dot," He said bobbing his head slowly as if I was supposed to know what he was talking about. "We have a date, remember?"

I laughed. A date? Who did this kid think he was? "You sure are persistent aren't you? But regardless, I don't recollect ever making plans with you."

His smug smile returned. "Yesterday," He replied. "You told me I earned a soda from the dot. I would like to take you up on that offer."

I narrowed my eyes and looked at him quizzically until I remembered. I had said that. But he couldn't possibly have thought that I was serious. He was just doing this to mess with me, and to pitch ridiculous movie plans. "You just want to bring me there so you can chat my ear off about your offer. I'm not going to be in your movie."

"Come on, Ele" I hated how he already felt comfortable enough around me that he could start giving me nicknames. Am I losing intimidation? "You don't even know what it's about yet. The least you could do is hear what it's about, right?"

"Nope. I'm pretty sure I could do less." I replied, feeling particularly stubborn. Suddenly, I saw Craig in the distance. He caught my eye, and immediately started heading towards me. I took in a deep sigh as I looked back at Peter. His eyes were still pleading with me, just as they were the other day. I was seriously going to regret this. "Okay, fine. We'll go. One drink."

"Okay, cool." He said, perking up. "I'll drive." I nodded hesitantly as I followed pretty-boy to his car. I was just happy that I looked preoccupied enough to escape Craig, who stood in his place, looking totally dumbfounded. What do you know. Peter has proven to be useful to me.

I couldn't help but snicker at Craig's confused expression as I drove away in Peter's car. Pretty-boy gave me a little sideways glace, obviously wondering what I thought was so funny. Instead of enlightening him, I changed the topic. "Okay. Just because I agreed to hear about your movie, doesn't mean I'm going to accept your job offer. Don't get your hopes up. I guarantee that I will still say no. I'm merely humoring you."

"Yeah, I got it," He replied, his smug expression saying otherwise. I knew that he had this delusion that his idea would sound so good that it would change my mind. Even if it was good, which I'm highly doubting, I'm no actress. Especially for 16 year-old perverts with camcorders.

We arrived at The Dot a few minutes later. After I got out of the car, Peter was already at the front door of the grill. He opened the door for me, trying to seem gentlemanly, I suppose. This kid was really trying to suck up.

As we found our seats at an open table, Peter grabbed for the menu. "Are you hungry?" He asked.

"No," I replied, taking the menu from him and setting it back on the table. I then waved Spinner over to us. "We're gonna keep this brief, kid." He seemed ignorant of my rudeness as he just smiled and nodded.

"What can I get you guys?" Spinner asked, eying me suspiciously. I ignored his gaze and looked to Pretty-Boy, prompting him to order.

"Root beer," Peter responded, playing with the Splenda packets. He was like an anxious child who couldn't sit still.

"And for the lady?" Spinner asked jokingly.

"Just a coffee, please." I replied.

"Black?" He specified.

"Always." Spin nodded his head before going back behind the counter. Peter made a brief look of disgust before I took the artificial sugar packets from him. I waited until Spinner was back with our drinks before I let him get on with it. Spinner arrived after just a minute or two. "Okay. Let's get straight to it, shall we?" I asked, sipping at my poison.

"Alright, El." He replied before settling more comfortably into his seat. "This movie is about this guy, wrong side of the tracks Channing Tatum type—" I smiled, thinking about Peter watching the movie Step Up, but I let him continue. "Who's using street-racing to earn some serious cash that he needs. This guy is the best mechanic around, and his car is flawless. He's never been beat. But all of a sudden, he gets someone new to race against. It turns out it's his Ex-Girlfriend, who just creamed him. She's fiery, aggressive, stubborn, and an all around total hottie. That'll be you. So anyways, the guy's pride is pretty damaged. He agrees for a re-match, but he's still got a couple weeks to prepare. During this time, it becomes a huge phenomenon and everyone is planning to go see how it pans out."

He took a small break so he could both get some air, and take a sip of his pop. I made a silent prayer that he wouldn't continue. "So, the pressure for him is definitely on. Consequently, he decides to try to throw his Ex off her game, make her decide not to compete, or possibly even throw the match. Since he dated her before, he knows her weaknesses, is him. So, he decides to lay on the charm. Not knowing, of course, that she has a very hot-headed boyfriend. The main guy becomes very surprised to see just how jealous he is. Slowly, he figures out that he's still in love with his Ex, and decides that he will do anything to get her back." By the time Peter was done talking, two of the Splenda packets were ripped open and he was bobbing his head excitably. It was almost cute how childish he was.

Almost. "So," I began, downing the rest of my coffee. "You want me to co-star in some bizarre Grease remake?" When his face fell all in one instant, I decided spare his feelings. "No, I'm just joking with you. It actually seems pretty cool." Lie.

"And—" He prompted, his knee bouncing. I was seriously getting concerned for him. Did he always act this jumpy and excitable? It's like he decided to drink 12 cups of coffee this morning.

"And, I still can't be in it. I'm sorry." His face fell again, and I genuinely felt sorry for him. Not enough to make me reconsider, but still. "But if you want, I can ask around for you."

"No, you don't have to do that." He sadly dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. I felt really guilty. Like I had just run over a puppy with my car. I decided that he must have noticed this when he added, "It's okay. You did say flat out that there was like, no hope."

"I am sorry, though. Like I said, I'm no actress. In that Jay and Silent Bob movie, I basically just had to play myself. Minus the Annie Anxiety wardrobe."

My efforts of cheering him up were useless. "It really is okay, Ellie." I guess I've lost privileges to annoying nicknames. He stood abruptly as he wiped the sugar off of the table. "See you."


And that was it. You like? If so, you know what to do :)

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Here's a preview for the next chapter called Guilt-Driven Aneurysm. Ha!

Things have significantly changed since yesterday. Instead of following me around everywhere, Pretty-Boy is doing his best to avoid me. I try to catch his eye so I gave give him a little smile, but he just does his best to pretend that I don't exist. And the weirdest thing about all of this is how much I care. I never care about what other people think about me. Until now, anyway. That little voice in my head just won't seem to shut up. I don't really know why. I mean, Peter isn't even my friend. In fact, he bugs the hell out of me.

Jimmy isn't making me feel much better. I expected him to tell me that he's a jerk anyway, and that it should bother me, but he didn't. He didn't blame me or anything, he just feels bad for him too. I really don't think this kid deserves any more sympathy, I mean really. Ugh, why can't he just go back to annoying me so I can go on with my life?

When I got to my last class, I realized that Peter was the least of my worries. I was just barely catching a glimpse of a piece of paper flying at me out of the corner of my eye before it hit me in the head. I looked around, searching for the culprit. I spotted Craig, staring at me. I gave him an eye roll before he made a gesture for me to open it. I unwrinkled the piece of notebook paper, and read.