Ellen's POV
I lay in the bed in the trailer I share with my co star, Patrick Dempsey. I stare at the ceiling, tracing the outline of the cracks. Only one hour left until I have to be back on set to shoot my next scene. I stretch my arms and legs as far as they'll go, feeling small cracks in my back and around my ankles. Sighing with contempt, I relax and stare at the ceiling again.
The door opens and I immediately sit up to see who entered so abruptly. I am met with familiar blue eyes. Patrick walks into my room and flops down next to me on my bed, burying his head in the pillows. He groans, displaying how exhausted he is. I lay back down and turn toward him.
"What's wrong?" I ask. He turns his head and looks at me for a long time. Without saying anything, his hand moves to my head and he begins running his fingers through my hair. I smile and close my eyes, loving the feeling.
"I haven't slept much lately." he murmurs. I open my eyes and suddenly notice the dark circles under his bright eyes. My pointer finger traces the circles lightly before moving away again.
"Why?" I ask.
"Jill and I haven't been doing so well lately." he says sadly.
"I'm sorry." I tell him. He smiles a sad smile.
"We still have almost an hour. Wanna take a nap?" I ask. He smiles and leans back further into the pillows.
"Yeah." he says, his voice muffled by the fabric of the pillows. He wraps his arm around me and I snuggle into his chest.
If anyone were to walk in right now and see us, they would probably think we were in a relationship. That's probably why Jill is so upset with him right now. But really, we are just good friends. Best friends. We tell each other everything and sometimes we take naps together. That's just who we are.
The hour passes by quicker than it should have, because just when I was about to fall asleep, the alarm went off. I groan and reach over to the nightstand, turning it off. I sit up and look over at a sleeping Patrick.
"Patrick, wake up." I say, shaking him. He groans and looks up at me with tired eyes. Sitting up, he combs his messy hair down with his fingers, trying to tame it.
"Thanks for the nap, El." he says, kissing the top of my head and walking out of the trailer. I smile, staring at the door. I check my watch and gasp, throwing my blankets off of me. I'm going to be late.
I run as fast as I can to set and get changed before walking into hair and makeup. The rest of the day goes by quickly and before I know it, it's time to go home.
I grab my coffee and walk out to see Patrick's sports car still in the lot. Looking around, I try to find where he is to see if he wants to carpool. I walk back into the dark studio and listen.
I hear voices coming from one of the dressing rooms. Following the sound, I quietly make my way to the room and open the door. My eyes instantly tear up at the scene before me.
Patrick is pressed against the wall, kissing one of the blonde girls that works the camera. I gasp and drop the coffee mug in my hand, spilling it all over the floor. Patrick pushes the girl away in shock and stares at me.
"Ellen." he says quietly.
I turn around and begin to run out of the studio. I don't know why I'm so upset over seeing Patrick kiss another woman. I mean it's not like I'm his wife. But I am his best friend. That must be why I'm upset.
"Ellen wait! Let me explain." Patrick yells from behind me. I quickly unlock my car and get in. Before I can shut the door, he grabs it and holds it open.
"Go away." I tell him.
"Please. You have to let me explain. It's not what it looks like." he pleads.
"I don't care Dempsey. I'm not your wife!" I tell him, refusing to look at him.
"Is that why you're crying?" he asks. I finally look up, glaring at him. He lets go of the door with a shocked look on his face and I quickly slam it shut, locking it. I press down on the gas and speed out of the parking lot, leaving him in a cloud of dust.
By the time I get home, Chris is already asleep. I crawl into the bed next to him and turn away from him, trying to quiet my sobs.
The next morning, I wake up with burning eyes and a sore throat. I call Shonda and wait for her to answer.
Hello?
"Hey, it's Ellen." I croak.
Hey Ellen. What's up?
"I'm not gonna be able to make it today. I'm a little under the weather." I tell her.
Oh no.
"Oh and...there's something I need to talk to you about." I tell her.
What is it dear? she asks.
"I...I would much rather do it in person."
Alright. I'll swing by after work today.
"Thanks."
See you later. she says, hanging up. I set my phone down and stare out the window. Chris had already gone to work, leaving nothing but a pile of dirty clothes on the floor.
The image of Patrick and the blonde woman has engraved itself into my brain, refusing to disappear. I'm not sure how long I sat at that window, staring at my reflection in the glass. My phone buzzes on the table and I glance at it.
Patrick.
He's asking if I'm okay.
I shut my phone off and stare at the sky that is quickly darkening. My stomach grumbles, upset with the fact that I have neglected it all day. My face is stained with last night's smeared makeup and my hair sits in knots on my shoulders.
