Moonlight Love

Novemeber 10th 1980-something p1

Time sped up and soon Ellen was sitting with Jill every day at lunch. She didn't quite see what upset Patrick about her. All she saw was a kind face who let her into a group when she was an outsider. They started hanging out more, always at the malls. Jill had pulled a 180 on Ellen's style. The 11 year old just days shy of 12 looked hardly her age anymore. Those blonde braids were gone, the frizz tamed. Layers upon layers framed her round face, her face being something even all the makeup Jill put on couldn't thin. But something wasn't right. Ellen certainly looked older, but not in a good way.

"Shush, all of you. We have five minutes before she comes back with her lunch. Look. We have to do this right, it's a surprise party. So we still need balloons, and decorations, but I don't think she'll make it long enough for dessert." Jillian was whispering to her group at lunch while Ellen got her tray. Patrick didn't sit with them, he sat across the way, near them enough to hear conversations but far enough to seem weird if he replied.

"Which challenge should we do? God that girl is such a closet freak. I can't wait until this lets her know who's in charge. Seriously, she needed to just go in the convent back home." One of Jillian's friends said. Jill smiled, eating her small lunch.

"Hmm, I'll decide that one. Maybe something from those dumb little books she's always got. Or we could just ruin her spaghetti, mama Mia!" She mimicked an Italian puckering their lips and pressing a hand against them before raising it. The group laughed loudly as Ellen walked over.

"Hey," she said, sitting down. Jill settled back into eating her small sandwich. Patrick glanced over, finding something off.

"Hi Ells." Jillian grinned cheekily. Ellen smiled, opening her milk carton. The girls quickly went back to gossiping, Ellen included. Patrick turned back to his lunch, staring down at the mushy sandwich he had packed. Mom was busy that morning with the girls so he just left with his own food. Other kids in his classes sat around him but kept to themselves, this was how it was since Ellen sat with Jill. The bell rang.

"See you in science Paddy," Ellen chirped, hugging his shoulders before leaving. She sure thought of him as a friend, Patrick thought, confused by her. She talked to him during classes, she helped him on homework, but she didn't act like a friend to him outside of it. The occasional hello or hug lingered but they honestly bothered Patrick. He wanted to feel more, he genuinely liked her. A friend would be nice now.
****
It was November 9th at 8pm and Patrick was rushing on his bike to a local book store to buy Ellen's birthday gift. Rain started to pour down on him midway through the ride, soaking him.

"Boy...you the Dempsey kid huh? We're closing up early, there's a storm a brewing." The shopkeeper stepped out as he locked the doors. Patrick came to a skidding stop, his head in his hands. He had no gift for her. This was it. He'd look like an ass of a friend while Jill got her something expensive and huge- and something she probably didn't want.

"The storm?" He asked, blue eyes sad. The shopkeeper nodded,

"You're soaking son, get yourself home."

Patrick sighed, frustrated beyond belief.

"Sir, please if I could just, I'd like to purchase a book. It's my friends birthday and she-" Patrick begged, tugging at his wet hair that had lost its curl. A light flickered in the old man's head, he smiled.

"Her? It's a girl?" He asked.

"Yes. I mean, not like that, she's my uh," Patrick stammered once he answered yes. Ellen was a girl. He knew that. But the question of why he was buying a girl a present he would get pneumonia over trying to buy rose up. Patrick had never even considered a girl he knew as a girl. Much less Ellen.

"Ok. Wait here." The shopkeeper went inside, leaving Patrick dripping under the overhang. He returned in a few minutes with a book in hand.

"No cash needed." It was a book from say maybe ten years ago, binding still fresh. The princess bride. Patrick took it, his eyes wide. A gift?

"I no I have money sir-"

"No cash. Go home, Patrick right?" He rose a brow, shooing him away. Patrick nodded, slipping the book in his bag before riding off.

****
Ellen opened her locker, confetti sliding out the bottom as Jill and friends came gliding down the hallway.

"Happy birthday girl!" She chirped at Ellen, throwing a huge sash over her. Ellen blushed, shaking her head. Heads began to turn as they heard birthday. Ellen knew what was coming next, having seen Jill's birthday pass. They would lead happy birthday in the hallway. She ducked her head in her locker, tensed.

"Jill-please." It was too late, the halls began to spread with happy birthday. Patrick rushed in, late. Book in hand. It was wrapped in purple gift wrap. The entire time Patrick walked up to Ellen, all he thought of was the shop keeper. His question. Ellen was a girl.
A real girl. She was small but she was bright in personality. Patrick glanced up and down her, suddenly aware of her body. Thin, and lean but her hips jutted out clothed in high waisted bright jeans.

"Happy birthday Ellie," Patrick said, making his way through the mob. Ellen smiled, hugging him as the singing finished.

"Thanks everyone," Ellen said as the bells rang and people dispersed. She took the gift from Patrick. "Paddy...a gift?"

"It was nothing really," Patrick hung his head, coughing. Ellen opened it, surprised by the book.

"I've been wanting to read this one! Patrick! Thank you!" She swung her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Patrick returned the hug, rubbing the small of her back.

"It was nothing Ellen," he replied as the second bell rang.

"Oh damn! I have to go!" Ellen pulled back and made her way down the hall. Patrick closed her locker for her, then went to his own class, knowing he'd make it in time. And if not who cares, he had just received the warmest hug of his life. A hug he'd like again.