Raise Your Voice [lrh] (EDITING)

three

When I finally arrive at Wizardo's and clock in to work, is when I realise that it's Thursday. I had one day left of school (thankfully), which means that I had one day left until Tina took the twins somewhere for the weekend. I think I needed that more than ever. Tiffany and Tabatha were constantly annoying (as usual), Fabian and Lincoln were on my case about the whole girl with the voice thing, and Luke was kinda sort of obvious about having a thing for me. I groan and take the used cups and plates to the back.

"Ellie, you looked peeved. What's wrong, baby doll?" Joe asked as I set stuff down on the counter. I looked at him and sighed, giving him a 'do you really want to know' look. He nodded and motioned for me to follow him to his office.

"Spill it, Ellie Bean." He ordered as he sat down in his chair.

I leaned back against the wall and crossed my arms, looking at the floor. "I don't like people." I mumbled. Joe chuckled loudly and looked at me.

"Oh, I know that, Ellie. But what's really bothering you?" He asked me, his voice was sincere and he actually seemed to care about my feelings.

I looked up at him and sighed a bit over dramatically. "Tiffany and Tabatha, Lincoln, Fabian and Tina... Those boys from that band that were here the other night." I muttered. Joe lifted his head and raised an eyebrow.

"I understand why Tiffany, Tabatha and Tina would bother you. But why Fabian and 5 Seconds of Summer?" Curiosity filled his voice as he leaned back in his chair.

"I don't know why Fabian is bothering me; he's my best friend here. I mean, he's becoming quite clingy, I don't know. Ugh!" I groaned.

"Those stupid 5 Seconds of Summer boys, more specifically Luke, hit on me every chance they get and they're lucky I haven't slapped them in the face yet." I finally stopped rambling and looked at Joe.
He looked at me as if I had more to say. "I'm done, Joey." I told him as I sat down in the chair in front of his desk. Joe sighed and looked at me, leaning on to his desk and crossing his fingers like this was a serious matter.

"Fabian is probably scared that you're going to head back to England soon, or that you'll get discovered and leave him. As for those boys, this is your opportunity to flirt, my little English muffin! Show them that James charm, that's what your mother did!" Joe encouraged.

I smiled at him half-heartedly and shook my head.

"Do you miss my mum?" I asked him. Joe nodded and handed me a photo frame of him and my mother.

"That was 1995, a year before your mother released her sophomore album." I looked at it; I resembled her a lot more than I thought I did. "She'd always visit me after your birthday, Ellie. That's why she wanted you to come to Sydney Arts, so you would always know someone would look after you if Tina couldn't."

I frowned as I looked up at Joe. "I never really knew her... She was always performing or writing songs and I was always stuck with Wynona." I spoke softly. Joe smiled sympathetically at me as he looked at the picture.

"But yeah, I do miss your mother. But you remind me so much of her, it's like she never left." He told me happily. I stood up and handed him the picture.

"Thanks, Joey." I said, hugging him. He let out a low chuckle and he hugged me back.

"No problem, Ellie Bean. Now, get your ass back to work before I have to fire you." He said in a semi-sarcastic tone. I smiled and ran back out, getting my supplies.

"Watch where you're going id-" I looked up to see who was talking. Shit, not again. Did this boy seriously not have songs to write or an album to record or something to keep him away from me?