Everlong

| Six: Charlie |

     Ellie wasn't at school the next day.

     I tried calling her twice after the hockey game, once when I woke up, and four times after my morning run. I hoped she would be at school when I got there, sitting at our table, buried in her sketchpad, maybe humming along softly to the song playing through her earbuds.

    But I knew she wouldn't be. Not after last night. I saw the way she looked over at me, hesitantly, pleadingly, before saying yes. She'd winced when the word passed through her lips, and I still felt the guilt sitting in the pit of my stomach.

     I should've stopped it as soon as I realised what was happening. A public pressure stunt designed by Joel to force her into being his girlfriend, but I just stood there. I was just as stunned as she was, frozen to the spot as she accepted his offer. And afterwards, she ducked her head in shame, disappearing into the crowd. I tried to catch up to her, but she was doing her very best to avoid me. And Ellie Knightly is very good at hiding.

     Unsurprisingly, I didn't sleep well last night.

     I couldn't help but notice that Miles wasn't in our shared second period P.E. class. But Joel was. I could see the back of his cliché haircut, and hockey jacket. I wasted no time, forcing him to be my stretching partner. He looked shocked when I grabbed him, and then asked me who I was.

     I glared at him. "Are you serious?" I shook my head. "Doesn't matter. I was at your hockey game last night."

     He smirked, flashing his teeth. It made me squirm. "Then, you should know I already have a girlfriend."

     I flinched at the word. "Yeah, I noticed. Why'd you do that? Ask Ellie out last night? In front of all those people? I think you might have freaked her out. She didn't come to school today, and I haven't heard from her since the game."

     He smelled so strongly of Lynx deodorant, I had to breathe out of my mouth to avoid physically reacting. He raked bony fingers through his brassy blonde hair. "Why do you think? I like her."

     I reluctantly threaded my fingers through his, and yanked him towards me. The other pairs were doing the same, and even though Joel repulsed me, I knew it would earn me stares if I didn't. "Yeah, okay...I'm just worried she might not like you."

     I didn't mean it to sound as harsh and bitter as it did, I really didn't. But judging by the look on his face, it didn't come across the way I intended. He retracted his hands from mine immediately.

     "I don't like you," he spat, wiping his hands on his shirt. As if I had rabies or something. "Didn't you have chlamydia?" Or chlamydia.

     I rolled my eyes. "I don't like you, either. Trust me. That's not why I asked."

     "Wait," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Aren't you a lezzo?"

     I closed my eyes and passed a sigh through my nose. "No. I'm not a lesbian. Anyway! This has nothing to do with—"

     "Didn't you try to kiss Alison Cartwright?" He smirked like he had caught me in a trap.

     I stared. "No. When have I ever even talked to Alison—"

     "Oh wait," he said, nodding dramatically. I stared at him. "I get it now. You have the hots for Ellie. That's why you're trying to sabotage our relationship."

     I was losing my patience. "What relationship? Dude, chill out. She's my best friend—"

     "Look, I know Ellie pretty well. And I know she wouldn't want to date someone with chlamydia."