I couldnt focus on the movie, I could focus on Taylor telling us about the plans for his birthday, I couldnt focus on Nel staring right into his eyes as if she were dazed, I couldnt focus on Aaron grunting each time Noah and Allie kissed. All that I could think is what Carter said to me, how he said it to me, how he spoke, how he made out as if I was just another one of his "things".
"Ellie, its getting late you know, my dad is outside waiting for me" Nel walked over and hugged me tightly before she left. "I could stay the night if you want?"
"No, no its fine, I'll see you tomorrow at school" I put on a fake smile.
Shortly after Nels departure, Taylor and Aaron left. I was home on my own. I turned my phone off and the amount of missed calls had doubled. I spoke to Nash, told him I was fine. I spoke to Cameron, I told him I was fine. I spoke to Matt, I told him I'll give him the hoodie tomorrow. I debated whether or not to call Carter. My finger hovered over the Call button for a few minutes. I decided not too.
I didnt fall asleep until 4am. I was woken up only two hours later by the sound of someone rushing around my bedroom, flinging clothes and books everywhere.
"Can I help you?" I groaned from under the duvet.
"Get up, Ellie!" My dad pulled and tugged away at the covers until I risen from beneath them. "I was looking for my car keys, I thought you may of used them"
"Dad they're in your shirt pocket" I pointed at the keys and then shooed him out of my bedroom.
I was already running late after spending half an hour soaking the shower. Getting ready in the morning was always such an effort. I left my hair out in a bunch of curls and waves and decided on a plain black skater skirt and a loose white vest which said "Kiss My A**" in black, oh and maroon converse. By the time I got downstairs, Nel was already there standing by the counter waiting for me.
"Ready?" Nel asked.
"Ready as can be sweetie pie" I winked. "Goodbye parents!"
The school was only a few streets down, so our walk wasnt long. When we arrived at the gates, all 9 boys were waiting there for us. I still dont understand why the ones Nel and I didnt speak to were there today, they never normally are there when we are.
"You look nice Ellie" Carter smiled.
Ew.
Cunt.
I ignored his comment and walked over to hand Matt his hoodie, he looked relieved when I placed it in his palms, it must of been a favourite one of his. Did he think I was gonna burn it or something?
Classes were slow and long as always. In Chemistry, I sit right at the back with Nel, Nash and Cameron. Thats how we all became friends at first because Nel had a huge crush on Cameron and mine and Nash's attempts to set them up backfired.
"What happened with you and Carter?!" Nel whispered-shouted at me. "You never told me you, did him!"
"Keep it down Nel! It wasnt a big thing alright? Besides only Cameron knows and whoever Carter went and told" I sighed and placed my head on the table. "I hate life"
"You told him but not me?!" Nash butted in and lifted my head off the table. "I am ashamed of you Ellie"
"How do you feel? Seeing him.." Cameron came and sat beside me from the other half of the table, making Nel move round to his seat.
"I dont know, I feel like shit okay. He told me he cared about me and then talks to me and treats me like nothing?! How am I meant to feel Cam! I am hurt completely hurt! I cared so much about him, he was older and I should of known better he wouldnt care and he just wanted one thing from me!" I felt those tears brimming my eyes.
"Ellie, listen-"
"NO NASH! I DONT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ANYMORE" And the tears came flooding out.
"MISS HASTINGS! YOU ARE DISTRUPTING MY LESSON, GET OUTSIDE IMMEDIATLY!" Mr Armsby yelled at me. I kicked out of my seat and stormed out and stood beside the wall.
I heard footsteps coming down the corridor, I wiped whatever droplets of water that were remaining on my face and prepared for whoever was to walk past me.
And of course, it had to be Carter. "Ellie! Thank god!"
"Carter, I dont want to speak to you. I dont want you near me" I turned my back away from him.
"Ellie I'm sorry! I didnt mean the awful things I said, please!" Carter begged and walked round infront of me.
"I've heard your apologies all before, they're just empty" I took in a deep breath "Carter, I need you to leave me alone, for a while. No more midnight kisses, no more sneaking off to my bedroom when you come over, no more hand holding lunches, no more us. No more you, Carter"
I felt my heart break into tiny little pieces.
I quickly went into to class "Sir, may I go to the nurse?"
He nodded and handed me a note. I wasnt going to the nurse, I was going to the back of the field where I go when I cut class or want to be left alone. But when I arrived, I noticed someone was already there picking grass out of the ground.
"This is my place you know" I could already tell who it was by the ruffled dark curls on the back of their head. Aaron.
"Hello stranger" Aaron smiled and twisted around to face me. I walked over and sat beside him.
"What brings you here?" I asked.
"Free period, what about you?" Aaron continued pulling the grass out and scattering it around him.
"I had a run in with Carter, I ended whatever we were" I sighed and laid on my back, Aaron mimicked my actions.
"You deserve better you know Ellie, a lot better. You dont deserve a guy who treats you like you're just a girl he runs to when hes feeling horny. You shouldnt be taken advantage of like that. You deserve someone who will treat you well and really love you"
"Thank you so much Aaron, if only he could see that" I sighed at the thought of Carter.
I'm assuming it was lunch because everyone was piling onto the field like the animals gathering around Pride Rock from The Lion King. I spotted my group sitting in a circle and Aaron and I joined them. No surprise, Carter was there.
"Can I have some of that?" Jack G asked, pointed at my large container of pineapple. "Its my favourite"
"Um, have the rest" I handed it toward him, his hand made a connection with mine I could see Carter glaring down at him. I liked this. "Actually, I'll come sit beside you and we'll share, move Carter"
He reluctantly moved out of my way and sat where I was sitting. I liked the feeling of his death glares baring into me, I wasnt using Jack of course, I just liked the idea of Carter knowing he couldnt have me anymore.
Jack shuffled closer to me and whispered in my ear "I know you're trying to make him jealous, to be honest I dont really like the guy, just start laughing and smiling and dont react" Jack meant dont react to the fact his hand was placed on my thigh and his fingers drawing circles and tapping.
Lets just establish Jack has huge feelings for Amara Greene, who apparently is currently going through a bad patch with her boyfriend Kyle and they might break up soon, Jack is being extra nice to her. Everyone knew why Jack was doing what he was doing, he was doing it for me, Carter was to dumb to realise.
