This Is How It Goes

Monday morning came and I couldn’t get to school fast enough. It seemed like my morning classes were dragging on twice as long as normal because I was so excited for recess. I was really looking forward to seeing Ellie, I couldn’t get her off my mind all weekend. I was a bit confused about what could make her sick enough to miss so much school. I mean I don’t think she is pretending but she doesn’t look as sick as she seems. Finally the bell for recess rang and I ran to where Matt, Zacky and I hung out at the back of the school behind one of the older classrooms. Matt said he told Jimmy for him and Ellie to join us. I arrived seeing Matt, Zacky and Jimmy were there eating their lunch.

“Hey Brian!” Jimmy said patting my back as I sat down.
“Hey guys, where’s Ellie?” I asked.
“Right here.” I heard from behind me. I turned to see Ellie with Valary standing behind me, Ellie carrying more books than her arms could hold. Valary DiBenedetto was one of our friends and Matt’s girlfriend. Valary and Matt had been inseparable since sixth grade but her and Ellie have been friends since kindergarten. Zacky quickly got up and took the books off of Ellie. Ellie smiled sweetly as Valary sat with Matt and Zacky put Ellie’s books down.
“You should have got a bag if you were getting that many books.” Zacky said giving her a hug. It was obvious from the look on her face that she really didn’t feel comfortable with Zacky hugging her. Zacky took her hand and sat her next to him. I could feel my blood rising. Was I seriously jealous of a friendship?

“Hey Ellie, I talked to my brother and he said he would be happy for you to come over every Monday around five and he can tutor you for an hour.” I said as Ellie smiled.
“Thank you so much! I will come over tonight then.” Ellie said.
“Cool that means I can come over and hang out with you.” Jimmy said.
“I can walk there myself Jimmy.” Ellie said. “I will be there by four-thirty.” Ellie said
“Cool.” I said as I sat back smiling like an idiot. The bell rung and Matt and I walked to maths together. I was writing when I noticed Matt chuckling and shaking his head.

“What’s so funny?” I asked looking around the class trying to find what he was laughing at.
“You, you’ve never taken any interest in maths before and today you have finished the work before everyone else.” Matt said as I closed my book and shrugged.
“So? If my work is done I can be lazy the rest of the class.” I lied trying to act like it was nothing.
“Okay come on, who is it?” Matt asked.
“What?” I asked turning to face Matt.
“Which girl are you trying to impress? You can tell me. Is it Belle at the front? Or is it that Kate girl over there? I won’t tell anyone.” Matt said as I sighed.

“If I tell you, you can’t tell anyone do you hear me?” I asked as Matt nodded.
“If it’s that important to you I swear I won’t tell.” Matt said looking concerned.
“It’s, it’s Ellie Sullivan.” I mumbled as low as I could.
“Who?” Matt asked.
“Ellie Sullivan.” I said loud enough for him to hear but no one else.
“Oh my god!” Matt said as he laughed then covered his mouth. The teacher just shook her head. “You like Ellie? You barely know her. What are you a Disney princess?” Matt teased.
“Hey I don’t really choose who I like, it just happens. She’s beautiful and smart and funny and everything I like in a girl. She also isn’t so stuck up she ignores my existence like other girls.” I said. “But can you tell me, what is making her so sick?” I asked as Matt's smirk disappeared.

“Look she really doesn’t like people knowing because she doesn’t enjoy all the sympathy that comes along with it.” Matt said as he looked at me and sighed. “Ellie is Jimmy’s twin right? Well they both have this condition called Cardiomegaly which is an enlarged heart. They were born with it and it can be dangerous. If they over exert themselves they can go into cardiac arrest or even worse they can die.” Matt said as I felt myself go cold. “Jimmy isn’t as bad as Ellie though, Ellie got the short end of the stick. Jimmy’s heart has a higher tolerance of exertion than Ellie’s. She was a lot smaller than Jimmy when even fraternal twins are meant to be the roughly the same size. The doctors were surprised that she survived, Ellie is the miracle child. I guess it’s only fair that she ended up the smarter of the two. She can exercise and play sports but she has to take it easy. She is always at the doctors having tests done. She spent most of the summer break and the first few weeks of school in hospital because she caught a pneumonia while camping which put a huge strain on her body.” Matt said as I shook my head in disbelief.

"She is such a nice girl, this isn't fair." I said.
"No, no, no. Whatever you do never say anything like that and do not let her realize you know. She hates when people find out, they all act like she is made of glass and it frustrates her." Matt said. "She doesn’t let it stop her keeping up with us though. She even plays muck around football with us as long as she takes it easy. But if the way she tackles is what she thinks is easy I would hate to see her play properly." Matt added
"You sure know a lot about her." I said as Matt laughed.
"She is like my sister, I love her the same way Jimmy loves her. I grew up with her and she is one of my closest friends." Matt said.


“How can such a horrible thing happen to such a nice girl?” I asked as Matt shrugged.
“Horrible things happen to the best of people. Life isn’t fair. That’s why she is so excited about going to Disneyland.” Matt said. “She just has to be careful what rides she goes on that they don’t stress her heart. Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain are the only ones that have ever really caused her problems.” Matt added.
“So what kind of stuff does Ellie like?” I asked.
“Well she loves horror movies, so you have something in common there. She likes punk, metal and country though she never tells anyone. She reads more than a normal person. She loves Disney. I should warn you though, Jimmy is really over protective of her. The reason she hardly dates anyone is because Jimmy is extremely protective.” Matt said as the bell rung and we went our separate ways.

As soon as school finished I was out of there. I got home and said hi to dad and mom before running up to my room. I opened the door and sighed. My parents were always telling me to clean up my room. I really should have listened to them because I couldn’t even see the floor. I picked up all my clothes and threw them in my draws. The rest of my junk I piled into my closet and made my bed. For a five minute job my room looked the best it had in months. I walked back downstairs and my parents looked up at me.
“What had you in such a hurry Brian?” Dad asked.
“Well my room was a mess and I have my friends Jimmy and Ellie coming over. Brent is tutoring Ellie remember?” I asked.
“Your room is clean? This I have to see.” Mom said going upstairs. A few seconds later I heard her gasp. “Where is the camera? I need to take a picture.” She yelled out. I sat next to dad. About an hour later there was a knock at the door. I bolted out of my chair and ran to the door and opened it to see Ellie with Jimmy behind her, drum sticks in hand.

“Sorry, I know I’m a bit early but Jimmy wanted to get here quicker than I did.” She said. She was wearing a blue dress, white cardigan and white converse. I was surprised considering she had been wearing a flannelette shirt, jeans and combat boots at school.
“It’s cool, come in.” I said as I led them into the lounge room to my parents. “Dad, mom, this is Jimmy and Ellie Sullivan. Jimmy, Ellie, these are my parents.” I said.
“It’s nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Haner.” Ellie said shaking their hands.
“It’s lovely to meet you too dear.” Mom said smiling.
“Sir, mam, it’s great to meet you.” Jimmy said. It was so strange seeing a guy as crazy as Jimmy use such good manners but it made my parents happy.
“What lovely children, hopefully some of your manners rub off on Brian.” My dad said. Just then Brent walked in.

“Brent, this is Ellie Sullivan.” I said as she shook Brent’s hand.
"Nice to meet you Ellie." Brent said.
“You two can use the dining room.” Dad said as Ellie followed after Brent. I sighed and turned back to Jimmy.
“So do you wanna come up to my room and see my guitar?” I asked.
“Sure!” Jimmy said following me up the stairs to my room. The hour flew past between talking, listening to music, me playing guitar and him drumming on my trash can that he turned upside down. I could tell that Jimmy and I were going to be best friends. We were getting on like a house on fire. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Ellie came in.

“Wow, has it been an hour already?” I asked surprised.
“Yeah, your brother was a big help. I don’t think I will do as bad in my extra credit homework after all.” Ellie said smiling.
“He is pretty smart. You look nice in a dress by the way. Different to what you wear at school.” I said as Ellie blushed. Being so pale her cheeks went rather red.
“Thanks, Jimmy and I usually like to make good first impressions on our friends parents. It helps when he makes a fool of himself later.” She said as Jimmy rolled his eyes.
“We’re friends?” I asked surprised.
“Of course we are! Sorry about the tag along.” Jimmy said pointing at Ellie.
“No, she isn’t a tag along. I think she’s great.” I said as she blushed again.
“Well we need to get home for dinner.” Ellie said as I nodded and led them down the stairs. “Goodnight Mr and Mrs Haner, it was nice to meet you.” Ellie said.
“Goodnight kids, you are welcome here anytime.” Dad said as they left and I closed the door.

“I think we will be seeing a lot more of those two.” Dad said as I smiled and went upstairs. I think I had made two very good friends in Jimmy and Ellie.

Notes

Hey everyone! Sorry it took me so long to get a chance to update. I have spent the last few months organizing my wedding and working so i haven't had a chance to write but I am back now and i promise i will update more often. :)

So now you know what's wrong with Ellie. What do you think? Also after these two introductory chapters we are going to fast forward to twelfth grade in chapter 3. I just wanted to do the first time they met then go straight to when things start to happen.

Thank you to mrsmshadz , simmister_gates and DaniVengeance for commenting on my first chapter. I'm so sorry for taking so long to do chapter two, promise i will be more constant from now on. Hope you enjoy it and feel free to send feedback or suggestions. :)

- Deeks