unbreakable heaven • awsten knight

1.32 we're cooler than this

houston tx
may 2009

"Are you nervous?" Inez asks, nudging Ellie's shoulder gently, as they walk through the corridor.

"Nervous about what?" Ellie shoots her a curious look.

"You know. For the party tomorrow night," Inez clarifies.

"No," Ellie shakes her head. "Why would I be nervous about that?" She questions, coming to a stop at her locker.

"Well, it's just like... It's the first time that you and Awsten are going to a party together," Inez points out. "Like, a couple."

"I don't know if you could say couple," Ellie murmurs, opening her locker to put some books away.

"You know what I mean," Inez sighs. "Are you not nervous about that?"

"Not until you just asked if I was nervous," Ellie grumbles, rolling her eyes. "Should I be nervous?" She queries, shutting her locker. "I mean...We've been to parties together before. Just not like, together. The only difference is that we're showing up together because he's driving."

"And everybody knows that you've been on a date, pending a second date," Inez states. "Plus, everyone will probably be staring if y'all are holding hands and being all—"

"Yeah, okay. I think I get it," Ellie cuts her off. "It's fine, though. It's alright," she dismisses, hoping that it doesn't sound like her nerves are creeping through.

"Okay. If you say so," Inez shrugs. "I've gotta get to class. See you later!" She offers up a quick smile, before hurrying off.

Ellie tries to shake it off, heading outside to find Zakk at the usual table they sit at, while she has a free period.

She lets out a sigh as she sits down, which catches his attention.

"What's up?" Zakk looks up, noticing her frown.

"Nothing. It's fine," Ellie lies, as if it's not completely obvious.

"Oh, yeah, because that was totally believable," Zakk deadpans, earning a lighthearted glare. "Come on. What's wrong?"

"Your fucking girlfriend," Ellie mumbles, quietly, earning an odd look. "I'm sorry, she's just— She's putting things in my head and making me nervous about things that I wasn't even nervous about until she said them as if they were something to be nervous about," she rants, the words falling from her mouth almost too quickly to keep up with. She finally lets out a breath when she's done.

"Okay," Zakk nods slowly. "So, what happened?"

Ellie blinds momentarily. "Are you not annoyed that I'm pissed at your girlfriend?" She asks, surprised that Zakk half-laughs in response.

"Elsie, you're my best friend," he tells her. "I'm not gonna get mad at you for being annoyed at Inez, just because she's my girlfriend. It clearly sucks that she's made you feel like this," Zakk continues. "I know that she can sort of...Get in your head a little. You talking to me about it doesn't make me love her any less."

"Gross," Ellie mutters. "You're in love," she teases, cracking a smile.

"Oh, please," Zakk scoffs. "As if you're not halfway there with Awsten," he retorts, poking her.