Lavenders green, lavenders blue (spot conlon love story)

Chapter 5- Ellie

"And then he tell me 'you're a baby'" it has been forever since I ha talked to one of my best girl friends Ellie. Ellie was one of the prettiest girls I had ever seen. Her beautiful blond hair fell down past her shoulders and the wave in it was subltle and soft. She had big blue eyes that were probably twice the size of the moon. Her blue dress complimented  her large eyes and seemingly made them sparkle more than they already did. Ellie is not a newsie. If she was she wouldn't be wearing such a pretty dress and always lookin so good. We had been best friends since we were kids- me and Ellie. Ellie and addy...we would dress up in matching outfits and pretend like we're sisters. Two peas in a pod. Then one day something happened and I didn't see her for a long time after that. In fact I can't remember exactly what did happen but jack tells me it wasn't important. Ellie lives in a big house just a quarter mile outside Manhattan. It's a long walk getting there but it's worth it. I'm glad I did find her again because everything except my mamas song is a bit hazy from my childhood. Anyway, Ellie's House sure is big. I'm always welcome except her mama isn't a big fan of me, something about lower class and dragging dirt in the house. Her daddy always lets me in though. 

"So he kicked you out?" Oh yeah one more thing, ellie was born in goergia so everything that comes outa her mouth is a little bit southern and very sweet.

"Nah he didn't kick me out I jus hadda get outta there me self so I just ran here" I had told her the whole story about jack freaking out. I told her a little bit about spot too.

"I'm sorry addy. He's just looking out for you that's all" ellie played with her bed sheets twiddling them between her fingers. She always got a bit uncomfortable talking about jack. I don't know why.

"Yeah I know I just...ugh... I don't want to be treated like a little kid. I'm not a little kid" I stood up from her window seat that looked out onto the field with the city skyline in the distance and rested my head on the tall white bedpost that held the canopy over her bed. I loved Ellie's room. It was pretty and white decorated with all sorts of flowers. "And now there's this rally with all da newsies and I gotta go and they is all takin dates and it's so embarrassing that I'm not allowed to ..."

"Well isn't spot taking you?" She asked 

"What? No! Ew...why would he...why..." I was flustered at the question. She giggled at my stuttering. 

"Well addy from what I'm hearing he definitely likes you!" She giggled stood up.

"What?! No he doesn't ellie that's the stupidest thing I" she cut me off again

"We have to find you a dress!" She squealed and clapped her hand and ran to her closet. "You can borrow one of mine" I heard through muffled sounds of dresses. I sighed and slumped onto the bed. There was no stopping her now I knew that.  Ellie came out with a mound of dresses in her hand. There must have been about ten. I'm not very much if a dress person, well at least a I don't think I am. Honestly I can't remember if I ever had worn a dress before but I probably did since my parents were friends with Ellie's parents so I must have had enough money for a dress or two. She laid down all the dresses in a row on her bed. There were all different colors but one stood out to me particularly above the rest. It was a pale blue with a white lace around the bottom and around the cuff of the thin long sleeves. It wasn't too puffy but it didn't fall flat. The wait line hit me just above my belly button and then it flared out a bit. "Do you like that one?" Ellie said noticing my staring at it.

"I.. I love it ellie it's so pretty."

"It'll look beautiful on you." She smiled. Ellie is my bestest friend and never had I ever seen a smile so sweet. It was in that moment that I felt most lucky to have her. "Oh and I have flowers for your hair too, you just come on by tomorrow and I will do it all up, spot won't be able to take his eyes off of you"

I blushed. "Spot does not like me ellie." 

"Mmhmmm. Sure honey" she said, her southern side coming out

"Hey Ellie" an idea popped into my head "why don't you come with me to the rally. It'll be fun and you can help me. Plus there are some really cute boys there" I said with a hopeful grin

"Oh I don't know if my mama would ever let me. You know how she is"

"Just sneak out. Tell her you're goin ta bed early" 

"Do you really think that'll work?"

"Yeah. Please come ellie it would make me so happy"

She pondered for a little bit. I could tell she was thinking about it. If her mama did catch she'd be In a butt load of trouble. Then I saw her give a little mischievous grin looked down and then back up at me. "Well how could I turn down a cute boy?" She said and we both laughed. 

**********

I came back the next day and snuck in up the big oak tree and through Ellie's bedroom window. Me and jack still haven't made up. In fact I hadn't talked to him since. Ellie was already almost ready. It was about an hour until the rally. 

"You look so good!" I said. She really did. I should have warned her that she was gonna have all those boys all over her before she got all extra pretty.

"And now it's time to make you look so good! Not that you already don't!" I did. I had dirt on the hands from the tree and the clothes I wore were too big since they were jacks old ones and I was a pretty small girl for my age. Ellie started by washing and drying my hair. Then she curled it lightly and put a braid around my head like a crown. To finish it off she stuck little white flowers in the braid. I didn't even know my hair could look so pretty. Then she powdered my face a bit. Added some blush to make my cheeks rosy and just a touch of pink lipstick. Wow. Then finally that dress. The dress of all dresses. It was stunning. I borrowed a pair of Ellie's white boots, but I didn't really like them, they were uncomfortable. It was 20 minutes until the rally. Ellie snuck me downstairs when she knew her mama was in the kitchen and we headed out hand in hand. If I had known what events were to follow though, I probably would have worn more comfortable shoes.