This Is How It Goes

It’s been four years since I met Jimmy and Ellie and my life definitely changed for the better. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend than Jimmy. We have become so close we are like brothers. We hang out every day. Our group has become close and very tight as we went through high school. So much so Jimmy, Matt, Zacky, our friend Matt Wendt and I have started a band called Avenged Sevenfold. We all went through bands before Avenged separately but we didn’t realize how well we work together. It’s just local gigs at the moment but like most kids we could hope we get somewhere with it. Jimmy doesn’t think he will finish school which doesn’t surprise anyone though Ellie is kicking his ass to keep going.

Ellie, I never thought one person could change my life so dramatically. Since I met Ellie we have become pretty much as inseparable as Jimmy and I. Since we started the band her and Val have been organizing everything for us, those two girls are a force to be reckoned with. Ellie has had a good handle on her heart condition for the past few years and is nowhere near as sick as she used to be. She can even handle going on Space Mountain now which is huge for her. She had a few episodes going on roller coasters and playing sports but it’s now become manageable and she hasn’t had a serious episode in a year. She is the smartest kid in our year, no surprise there. I think she is definitely going to have her pick of colleges which does scare me but Ellie said she didn’t have plans of going any further than LA.

I bet you’re wondering if Ellie and I are dating, sadly the answer is no. I took Matt’s advice and I’ve never told her how I feel or asked her on a date. Jimmy is my best friend and even I’m pretty sure he knows I have feelings for Ellie I wouldn’t dare ask. So instead we have formed a really close friendship and trust each other with everything. Besides, Ellie is doing so well to get the marks she wants and I don’t want to stuff that up for her. But lately it’s getting to the point being around her and not dating her is becoming agony. I desperately want to run up to her and kiss her and tell her everything. I have been holding back for so long and I can’t anymore.

So today was the first day of twelfth grade and I was already walking to the Sullivan’s house. I arrived to see Ellie already sitting on the porch reading a book while she waited. Her long black hair was straight for once, she curled it so much seeing it straight reminded me how long it was. She was wearing a black skater dress, a blue flannelette shirt and her favorite leather combat boots I bought her for her birthday last year. She wears them a lot so they’re pretty well worn. I walked up to her and smiled.
“Well aren’t you a beautiful sight for sore eyes.” I said as Ellie looked up and smiled.
“Morning to you too Brian.” She said as I smiled. I loved hearing her voice say my name. No one made it sound as good as she did. I held my hand out and helped her off the steps but I pulled her a little too hard and she flew off the stairs and into my chest as I caught her quickly. Ellie looked up at me and looking into her eyes it took everything in my power not to kiss her then and there. We both smiled and let out a laugh when I heard a throat clear that turned out heads to see Jimmy.

“What is going on?” He asked giving me a stern look that I had never got off of him before.
“Brian helped me up but I went too far forward and nearly fell, he caught me and saved me a bloody nose.” Ellie said as Jimmy looked between Ellie and I.
“Then why are you two still holding onto each other?” Jimmy asked as we looked at each other and quickly released ourselves from the hug we were in.
“Don’t get your boxers in a knot.” Ellie said as we started walking to school. We got there just as the bell rung and went straight to modern history. Seeing as I could care less about what I was doing in school I took all the same classes as Ellie so we were in all the same classes except when she did photography I did metal work. Studying with Ellie I got myself up to her class in English and maths. You can understand why my parents never said no to me having Ellie come over.

“Brian, Brian, Bri.” Ellie said making me snap out of my thoughts. I looked over at her as she smiled. “We just got given an assignment that’s due in two weeks. You have to pick an event that took place during the civil war and explain why it was so important to the war.” Ellie said writing down a few events off the top of her head and was trying to pick one.
“So can I just do the battle of Gettysburg?” I asked as Ellie rolled her eyes.
“Everyone will do that, do something else.” Ellie said as I sighed.
“Fine, Pittsburgh Landing it is.” I said.
“Well, that’s a bit better.” Ellie smiled as I bumped her playfully.
“Not all of us can be as smart as you. I try to keep up.” I said.
“You’re making me feel like a nerd. Leave that to Jimmy, one person is enough.” Ellie said.
“Ellie you know I would never mean to make you feel bad about being smart.” I said.

As class went on I was copying down the stuff the teacher was writing on the board but I wasn’t really paying attention. I couldn’t take my eyes off Ellie. And the scent of her was one I was so easily wrapped up in. She wore a rose perfume and washed her hair with rose water. Being around her was like being around this amazing rose bush, the smell and sight drew you in but if you were to touch you would be pricked. Jimmy was the prick. It was becoming harder for me to be alone with Ellie because Jimmy was always there. But I had a plan and it was now or never.
“Hey Ellie did you see they’re doing a Nightmare on Elm Street Midnight Marathon at the cinema? It starts this Friday at ten end ends Saturday morning.” I said. I knew Ellie loved Nightmare on Elm Street and would want in.
“They are? I am in for sure! Are any of the others going?” Ellie asked.
“Well I know how big of a Nightmare on Elm Street fan you are so I wanted to ask you first. I’m pretty sure Val and Matt will be in but Jimmy said something about a party so I don’t know about him.” I said. The bell went and I went to metal work. I wasn’t the best but I liked making Ellie and my mom little presents. I was currently working on a metal sign when I saw Matt walk in late.

“Hey man.” Matt said sitting down next to me. I smiled and nodded at him.
“Hey Matt. Oh, thanks for letting me know about the Nightmare on Elm Street marathon. That was the perfect idea of a friendly date for Ellie and I. And if you and Val are going it doesn’t look so much like a date.” I said as Matt grinned. He had helped me come up with my plan.
“It’s all good, I am betting she said yes?” Matt asked.
“You bet, she is so excited she can’t wait. And the fact that Jimmy will be at a party that night is just perfect timing. If only we could get Zacky out of the way.” I said as Matt shrugged.
“I could tell him about the party Jimmy is going to and just say I’m taking Val out as an alibi. Poor Val, she hates Freddy. She will be having nightmares for weeks after Friday night.” Matt said.
“I’m sure you won’t mind her sleeping over to feel safe.” I said as Matt smirked.
“I guess we are even then.” Matt said as the bell went and we went out for recess. That’s when I ran to my locker. “Oh god dude, you’re still doing that?” Matt laughed following me as I smiled.

For the last two years I have been leaving a purple rose in Ellie’s locker on the seventh of each month because we met on September seventh. She trusted me with her locker combination so it wasn’t hard to sneak the rose in there. I went to my locker and grabbed the rose before quickly running to Ellie’s locker. I had the lock combination done in a flash, put the rose in and locked it again. No one had yet to catch me doing this so Ellie still had no idea it was me. I ran back over to Matt and we went and sat down with the others. A few minutes later Ellie walked over with the rose on top of her books for her next classes and was smiling the way she did every time she got a rose.
“Oh Ellie’s secret admirer is at it again.” Val said teasing. She knew it was me, her and Matt were the only ones I let in on my feelings towards Ellie. If I didn’t I would have blurted it out by now.
“Why does it surprise you? It happens every month.” Zacky said as I looked over at him. I had discovered about a year ago that Zacky felt the same way I did about Ellie. Only because he was drunk and it slipped out when it was just us to talking but I had grown jealous of their friendship.

“So has he left you a note yet?” Matt asked as Ellie shook her head and sighed.
“No but I really wish he would, I would give them a chance if they would just tell me.” Ellie said.
“What if you didn’t like them back?” I asked as she shrugged.
“I can’t tell until I find out who he is.” Ellie said as Jimmy shook his fist.
“He has to get through me first. Who do you have a crush on anyway sis?” Jimmy asked as Ellie went red and looked down at her feet completely embarrassed.
“Of all people you would be the last one I would tell Jim. And if you have to know there’s just one guy I like.” She said, saying the last bit a little quieter. She didn’t look up from her feet. I looked across at Zacky whose face filled with a look of hope and excitement. I clenched my hand on my leg to stop myself from saying anything. Ellie sat down next to me and gave me a smile.
“I’m going to get food.” Jimmy said as he got up and walked off.

“So has everyone heard about the Nightmare on Elm Street midnight movie marathon?” Ellie asked.
“No way! Count me in!” Zacky said. Fuck that sends my perfect date out the window.
“Yeah Matt and I are going. I can’t wait!” Val said excited as Ellie looked at her confused.
“But you hate Freddy, Val.” Ellie said as Val bit her lip.
“Yeah but I’m not going to miss out. I just won’t sleep for a few weeks.” Val said.
“Well I can’t wait, we will have to get there early to get good seats. I will line up.” Ellie said.
“Me too.” I said quickly. The bell rang and everyone got up and walked off leaving Val and I.

“Don’t worry, I will make sure Ellie is stuck between us two.” Val said as I smiled.
“Thanks Val.” I said giving her a hug.
“No problem. I know she likes you anyway. You just better promise never to hurt her. Or you won’t just have to deal with Jimmy. You will have Matt, me and especially Zacky after you.” Val said.
“You know that would never happen. I love her.” I said as Val squealed and I looked at her confused.
“Did you just hear what you said? You said you love her! That’s the first time you have said that! Oh it’s on. I am getting you two together if it kills me. It will happen Brian, just you wait.” She said as we laughed and walked off to class. I just hope that Val is right.

Notes

So what do you guys think? It's just a chapter to compile the time between when they first meet and twelfth grade. As you can guess the next chapter will be a bit more exciting than this one. Feel free to give feedback. Thank you to mrsmshadz for commenting on the last chapter. Your comments always make me smile. :)

Hope you enjoy

- Deeks