My childhood best friend is a bad boy

Chapter twenty-three - Maybe I like her

Scott's POV:

These probably were the best dances that I have ever had. I know that I skipped most of them, but I had fun and I think that Ellie too. She is such a kid sometimes, but that's why I like her. I'm glad that no one of us got cold or sick. I think that the harder it was raining, the more Ellie was enjoying it. Both of us get all wet, but we had fun. Sometimes I forget how good is to forget about popularity and school drama and just to go out with a friend. I need to do that more often. 

I am sitting with Noah, eating my lunch. Since I spent the whole weekend with Ellie, I haven't talked with him. No one knows why I left and what I was doing, but I see how much people cared about me. Except for Ellie. I can't believe that she ditched the dances to come and search for me. 

- Man, what happened with you and Ellie? She went to search for you and I guess that she has found you. Why did you leave like that? I mean he was just dancing with her, nothing else. 

- Because I get tired. Tired of always being everywhere. Just because I am popular, it doesn't mean that I don't have a personal life. 

- I understand that, but you still didn't answer one question. What happened with you and Ellie?

- Nothing so interesting. I better not tell you, because I am sure that you'll laugh when you hear it. 

-  Now that makes me want to know more. Just tell me. 

- Ok, ok. So Ellie came and find me. We didn't talk for a while, but it wasn't awkward. Then it started to rain and I told her that we should go home. 

- It was raining when I went home as well, but what this has to do with what I asked you?

- If you listen, you'll understand. So it was raining and Ellie got up and started dancing around. I told her to come under the tree where I was. You have to know that she is a big kid. 

- Wait a minute! She was dancing in the rain? I am sorry to say it, but she is crazy. - Noah chuckled

- I know. Ellie asked me to dance with her, but I refused. Somehow, she convinced me. I danced for a while only to make her stop, but she never did. After a lot of dancing and chasing around the park, she wanted to swing. So we were swinging under the rain. - I laughed remembering about that

- I can't believe it. You are two big kids, you know? - he laughed as well

- What can I say? Around her, I can be very soft. I don't know from where, but while we were swinging, I wanted to dance with her. So I invited her to dance and gladly she accepted. We went home when we heard thunder. I think this saved me. Otherwise, we were going to stay there for who knows how long. Then we went to my house. Ellie wanted to stay for the night and I had to agree. That's it. 

- So you have slept with Ellie? That's interesting. - he chuckled

- Dude, it's not what you think it is. She is only my best friend. I won't do to her what I have done to the other girls. 

- But you wanted it, right? I think that something is going with you two. 

- I don't know. Maybe I like her, maybe not. I have never looked at her the other way. For me, we always were best friends. I like that and I don't want this to change. 

- But I think that it will. Because I have seen the way you are looking at her. Compared to the other girls with who you were Ellie is different. She is quieter, she isn't mean and most importantly, she is not using you. I think that you and her will make a good couple. 

- As much as I like it, no. I can't do this to her and you know why. 

- Look, I know that you want to protect her, but maybe your feelings won't let you do it. 

I was about to say something when I saw Ellie coming. She was searching for an empty table to eat. I need to find her friends. When she came closer, I grabbed her hand and made her sit with us. Gladly her food didn't spill everywhere.

- What was that for? You couldn't just ask me to sit with you like a normal person? 

- But I am not a normal person. I am your best friend and I am allowed to do that. 

Ellie didn't say anything. Sometimes she is very quiet which makes me wonder what is going on inside her head. I know that there are many things., but am I one of them? There is one way to find out.

- Are you thinking about me? I won't blame you. I mean look at me. 

Ellie hit me with her leg. Melinda and the cheerleaders have practice now, so she won't see us. Otherwise, I wouldn't let Ellie sit with us. She went quiet again. I'm starting to think that something has happened, but she was with me the whole weekend. 

- Ellie, are you ok? You are very quiet. Is there a problem?

- No, I just have nothing to say. 

- You weren't like that on Friday night. - I chuckled

- Yeah, let's not talk about that. Ever again. 

Here it is. The problem, but Ellie had a lot of fun that night. Why she is acting like that now? Did I do something then, which I shouldn't? I don't understand girls. In one moment they are happy, in the next sad or angry, but I am getting worried for her. I wrapped my hand around her and pulled her for a hug. She rested her head on my chest. 

- Ellie, are you sure that you are ok? - Noah asked 

- Yes, I am. Just sometimes, I am not in the mood, that's it. 

- Did I do something? If I hurt you, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. 

- No, it's not your fault. Just... we are not kids anymore and I should start acting more like an adult. 

- Wait, are you regretting Friday night? You had so much fun. 

- I know, but this is what a kid would do. Not a 17 years old girl. 

- Ellie, you need to stop criticizing yourself that much. Listen to me. You are the only girl for who I can say that I like her and I mean it. To all the others I will say the usual just to get their attention, but you are different. I like the kid in you. I have forgotten how good it was to stay away from everything and just to have fun with a friend. If someone has told you something, don't listen to them. Be yourself. I want you to promise me something. 

- What? C'mon, tell me. 

- I want you to promise me that for nothing on this world you won't change. 

- I... I can't. People grow and change. Just like what you did. 

Ellie has a point here. I did change. A lot and that's why I don't want her to do the same. I like her the way she is. 

- And that's why I don't want you to do the same. Please, Ellie.  

- Fine. I promise that I won't change. Can we go now? I don't want to be late for my class. 

We got up and walked away. I wanted to stay with her all the time, but here is not the place for that. I am tired of the hiding, but I don't want anyone to bully her. Ellie did nothing to no one and she doesn't deserve it. After school, I'll take her to the movies. Maybe this will cheer her up a little. 

When school finished I went to the store to get all the sweets and candies that I need. Cupcakes were number one on the list. After that, I went home and called Ellie to invite her. I am glad that she accepted. I get all the food and put it on the coffee table in front of the TV in the living room. The only thing, which left, was Ellie to come. Which happened as well. I didn't tell her for what she is here. 

- Come in. Now I want you to close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you, ok? 

- Ok, but why? What have you done this time? - she asked and closed her eyes

- Nothing. I am clean. I just made something for you. I hope that you'll like it. 

- Thanks, but you didn't have to. I don't need anything. 

- Well I already did it, so you can't go home. 

- I came all the way here, do you think that I'll go back. 

Both of us start walking. I was holding her to protect her from her hitting something or hurting herself. Soon we entered the living room. I made sure that everything is perfect before I reveal it. 

- Now you can open them. 

Ellie did it and her eyes went wild. I think that she liked it. Well, I hope that she did. My best friend needs to stop thinking that much about everything and just relax. That's why I am here. The plan is to make her stay for dinner, but if I get lucky I won't deny a slumber party as well. 

- Do you like it? I know that it's not much, but the idea was to make you take a rest.

- No, I love it, but why did you buy so much food? Who do you think will eat it? - she chuckled

- Us, who else? C'mon, let's sit and start the movie afternoon. You can choose what we'll watch. 

Ellie picked the movie and then snuggled in me. Every time this feels better. I grab the bowl with cupcakes and gave her one. 

- One cupcake for my Cupcakes. - I said and kissed her cheek

She buried her face in my T-shirt, which made me laugh. Yes, Ellie still does this sometimes. I won't lie that she is cute when she does it. I know that she is blushing. There is no other reason why she'll do that.

We watched a couple of movies before dinner. I don't think that we can eat more food. Soon mom and dad came home and they weren't happy with what they saw. 

- Did you eat all of this? Alone? - mom asked

- Maybe...but it's not a big deal. Mom, it's just food. 

- I was going to make dinner. Why didn't you wait before you eat all of this junk food?

- I'm sorry miss Lincoln, but the cupcakes aren't junk food. - Ellie sad which made me chuckle

- You will eat from my dinner and no isn't acceptable. 

Both of us nodded. We cleaned the mess, which we made. Mom made lasagna. I have to say that she is a great chef. The whole dinner we talked about everything. I guess that Ellie feels better now. I grabbed her hand and pulled her for a hug. She threw me a smile. I decide to test her and did the same thing that I did in the afternoon. Ellie buried her face in me again. 

- Honey, are you ok? Did something happen? - mom asked

- Ellie is just shy and that's why I did it again. Let's say that I love to play games with her. 

- It's not funny. You know that I hate that. Especially when you do it in front of people. 

- I swear that before you weren't like that. 

Somehow, I pleased her to stay for the night. Yes, I know that she is here way too often, but I like that. I like her company. Some people will not agree with me, but their opinion doesn't matter. We watched a couple more movies and then went to bed. I gave her some clothes. I swear that every time she looks better, but if I tell her that she'll become red like a tomato. I laid down and she immediately snuggled in me. I won't lie that I love that. This girl did some magic to me, but I won't search for a decoction to spoil it.