All Over Again

Sorry for the lapse in the daily updates, my writing bug wore off, but fret not, for... ah hell I don't know just Enjoy. *Cough * Review too please.

Enjoy


Oh Brother!


(Sunday 2pm)

Ellie was bored; she was bored of sitting in the living room, she was bored of watching TV. What she really was annoyed the most with was that she was stuck on the couch. She looked at the chair that was next to the sofa, the chair was facing her, almost mocking her. 'Fuck you too,' she thought. She was beginning to hate the chair. She hated the fact that her legs were being retarded. She finally concluded at the end of her mental rant that she was pissed. She was mad, annoyed, frustrated and a little bit of something else that she wasn't sure of.
“Where the fuck is she?” Ellie mumbled out loud. She had been sitting there for the longest time. Mel had disappeared down the hallway and into her room the minute they were done with breakfast. Ellie at first contemplated going to her office to rummage through the documents she had in those boxes. Then she contemplated the idea of exploring the content of her laptop, but she felt overwhelmed and scared at what she might discover in it. So she chose to be stuck on the sofa. She read her diary, she read the contents of the summer when she lived with Lucas and they were pretty much uneventful. She remembered those details without the help of her journal. She and Mel exchanged letters basically just retelling their current activities. Nothing glamorous, no life changing moments. In fact it was a peaceful summer mainly because she didn't interact with her mother that summer.

She glanced at the TV, then back to the chair, then to the arm of the sofa. “Fuck it,” Ellie concluded as she scooted her butt closer to the edge of the sofa, she could feel her feet touching the ground. She could feel her heartbeat increase, she took a deep breath. She put all her weight on her arms as she used the arm of the sofa to lift herself up.

She smiled as she realized she was standing on her own two legs, again she felt them buckle as she braced her arms hard as she was facing the chair. She had committed to this and she was running on pure adrenaline. She needed her back to face the chair, meaning she had to take a step and turn.
She braced for it as she felt her whole body weight being put on her stationary leg as she took a step, manage to turn and fell into her seat.

Ellie took a deep breath as she felt her heart calm down. She smiled at her accomplishment, as she pumped her fist in the air.

She felt her arms heavy as she rolled into the hallway, as she got closer to the end she heard Mel talking. Ellie stayed a couple of feet away from Mel's door and listened in.

“Yeah Hi, this is like the third time I’ve been put on hold. I told the lady before and the man before that lady, that my internet has been down.” Ellie could hear Mel’s frustration.

“Yes I checked to see if the modem was connected to the outlet, yes I checked if put in my right password. YES!.” Mel shouted as she cursed silently.

“Look all I’m asking is for you to check the damn gateway on your end. My bandwidth is shot and I essentially have no connection. I have a project due. I need to be online to work on my fucking program.”

Ellie heard something slam as she figured that Mel slam her fist on the desk.

“no no no I will not hold… son of a bitch.” Mel shouted as the hallway wall shook.
Ellie heard Mel type away furiously and suddenly it went quiet.

Mel walked out of her room, and was startled to see Ellie in the hallway.

“Holy hell,” Mel mumbled as she was speechless.

“Are you busy?” Ellie asked as Mel shook her head. “Nah I’m done, I’m done for the day. I’m sorry for neglecting you. You should have called me.” Mel pointed to the chair. “What if you’ve fallen?” Mel asked as she opened Ellie’s office. Ellie wheeled herself in as she saw the mess she had.

“but I didn’t, Can’t wait to tell Angie,” Ellie squealed as she wheeled herself behind her desk and opened her laptop.

“Is the internet up then?” Ellie asked as Mel smiled widely and nodded. “Did you hack something?” Ellie asked and Mel placed a finger at her lips. “shh, I did no such thing.”

Ellie shook her head as, Mel laughed. “You married a nerd, deal with it.” as Mel said as they both went serious. ‘fuck,’ Mel cursed mentally, she was trying to avoid the conversation, that they had started the previous day.
“I’m gonna go cook,” Mel said as she walked out.

Ellie simply nodded as she opened her laptop.
The start-up screen greeted her as she realized it was password protected. “shit,” Ellie cursed as she pressed enter and was prompted for her password again, but now her hint was visible beneath. “blank” Ellie groaned. That didn't help at all. Why in the world would she have her hint as blank.

She closed her laptop in defeat as she found her diary and skimmed the pages all the way to September.

September 3, 1999 (Friday)


“what do you mean my loan did not go through?” I asked frustrated as Lucas placed a hand on my shoulder, I controlled myself. I had tried to get my room at the dorms, but I was abruptly informed that my loan had not gone through.

“Your financial aid shows that you have two grants and one loan.” The girl behind the counter type at her desktop as she printed out a paper and showed it to me.

“But I have two loans, I need them to pay for the dorms and my meal program. If that second one doesn't go through then it's pretty pointless to have the first one.” I said as I handed back the paper to her.

“I'm sorry only one loan went through,” she looked at me sympathetically.

“Wait why wouldn't that second loan go through?” I asked as I tapped my fingers on the counter top. Lucas was leaning against the wall looking at the wall across from him. It had been redecorated to greet students for the new school year.

“Well the first loan only needs your signature and the second loan needs your parents signature. Essentially the loan is theirs not yours.”

“Damn,” I cursed as I covered my face. “I have classes on Monday and I have no where to stay.”

Lucas looked at me as he was also contemplating how to fix my problem. “Is there any other loan she could get?” Lucas winked at the girl as he gave her his best boyish smile. She blushed as she smiled and type away.

She picked up the phone and dialed, I could hear her asking about how much of a loan I could get. She apparently found an answer because she hung up.

“Ok I got good news and bad news,” she said as she looked at us. She chewed on her lower lip as she pulled out a paper from the drawer next to her.

“Ok this is the application for another loan, It's not from the school, it's from a local bank and they charge a fix rate. Also it may take up to a month to approve the loan.”

I sighed as I shook my head and thanked her. I pushed myself from the counter and walked away.

Lucas and I walked out of the building, the wind had picked up and I was feeling chilly.

“What am I gonna do? I have the money to go to school. I just don't have the cash to live here.” I sat on a bench under a big oak tree and just groaned in frustrations.

“I bet mom refuse to sign your loan. She trying to get you to come back.” Lucas said as he placed his arm around me and pulled me close.

“shit Lucas, I have no idea what to-,” I smacked myself in the forehead as I jumped up.

“What what! don't leave me in the dark, I wanna know too.” He said as he got up and shoved his hands in his pockets. I looked at him and smiled, “Mel,” I uttered as I entwined my arm with his and led him to the parking lot.


I was banging on the door of Mel's apartment. She was right, it was small. The apartment building was design with an uneven floor plan. Mel's place was on the far lower side of the building. It was stabled just the rooms weren't all made equal. I knocked hard again as Lucas grabbed my arm.

“don't knock her door down, doesn't she work Fridays?” I rolled my eyes as I grabbed Lucas wrist and look at his watch.

It was close to six in the evening and Mel didn't get out till ten.

“wanna go eat somewhere?” I asked Lucas as he glanced back to his truck as he grimaced at the things behind the truck. It wasn't a lot of things. Mainly clothes, a microwave, a mini fridge and my TV. “They won't steal em if we leave the truck and walk?” he asked. I could tell he was tired of driving.

“I hope not,” I said as I glanced around, the apartment building was fence in and the parking lot in the back was a bit empty.

He shrugged his shoulders as we took the risk and walked away. We found a diner close by and we sat there till ten. Lucas ordered a steak dinner and I ended up ordering some chicken wings with potato wedges. Before we left I ordered a burger to go. We walked back, talking about non-eventful stuff. Random things that popped into our heads.

We checked the truck and both of us simultaneously sighed, relieved to see the things in the back of the truck still there.

This time I was more civilized in knocking on the door. I was nervous as I fidgeted, I heard Lucas chuckled behind me as I hissed at him, “shut it.”

The door opened and there she was her hair was longer and still the same pair of glasses except both side now where wrapped in tape. I couldn't help but smile as she knew what I was thinking.

“I feel asleep with them,” she said as she touched the broken leg.

“Oh Mel,” I whispered as leaned in and hugged her.

I could feel her heartbeat hammer away, as for that moment I forgot what I was really there for.


(Present)


Ellie heard noises coming from the living room as she rolled out of her room and down the hallway.

“Damn mom wasn't kidding,” Ellie smiled as Lucas got up from the couch and leaned over and hugged her. “Your looking good and you mobility has improved greatly,” Lucas commented as he looked her over.

“How long you been here?” Ellie asked as Lucas glanced at his wrist, “about a half hour. We went to check on ya but you were like glue to the journal we didn't want to bug ya.”

Ellie glanced at Mel as she nodded agreeing with him. “Sorry I haven't been over more often. I've been learning how to weld, there's a spot open for it down at the factory. I wouldn't mind a change of scenery. ” Lucas smiled as Ellie nodded.

Lucas sighed as he mumbled, “I heard what mom did.”

Mel scoffed, “she told you trying to act the victim.” Lucas nodded as he rubbed his chin, he needed to shave, but had been too busy lately.

“It was weird she called me out of the blue,” He looked at Ellie, he looked like he had something to say but because of Mel he was holding back.

“Are you staying for dinner?” Mel asked as Lucas nodded. “Ok then, well let me see if it's done, I'm making beef stew, you know how I like to slow cook it.” Mel disappeared into the kitchen as Lucas scooted closer to Ellie and leaned in.

“Ellie?” Lucas rubbed his chin again as he opened his mouth and closed it again. “I don't know how to even ask this.”

Ellie grabbed his hands, “Just say it, beating around the bush will get us no where.”

Lucas took a deep breath and nodded. “Ok well for the past two weeks there's this woman who has been calling me and asking about you. I have no clue who she is, and she is really secretive. She just keeps asking about you, like how you are, what the doctor said and stuff like that.”

Ellie stared at Lucas wide eye as she felt her stomach drop. “Who is she Ellie?” Lucas asked as he glanced up to see if Mel was coming back.

“Did she say her name?” Ellie asked, she knew who could it be. “She said her name was Alexis,” Lucas said as Ellie patted his leg. “Come on wheel me to my room.” Lucas looked up and Mel still wasn't in sight. Lucas did as his sister told him and he took her to her office.

“Look at this,” Ellie handed Lucas the dissolution of Union contract. “Ellie the only thing here is your name and the reason was 'irreconcilable difference.'”

“I know, I have no clue why though.” Ellie glanced around the room, her eyes landed on the laptop. If she could only access it. She firmly believe that many answers were hidden in there.

“Did you know if we were having problems?” Ellie asked as Lucas licked his lips and scratched his head. “No nothing serious, you didn't mention anything to me and Mel hadn't either.”

Ellie was back to square one, “ I hate to say it, but I think I was having an affair with that Alexis chick,” Ellie felt something gross on her mouth as she uttered those words.

“No fucking way are you sure?” Lucas added as he could not believe it.

“I'm pretty sure, when I went to the office to get these boxes, she was like all over me and then for the life of hers she could not look Mel straight in the eye.”

“Fuck,” Lucas exhaled as he cupped his face. “Ellie your better than this, maybe we're misinterpreting everything. Maybe you and her had some deal or I don't know something other than-,” Lucas could not bring himself to utter the last words. Ellie contorted her face as she thought hard.

“Oh I don't know,” Ellie half sobbed as she hated this. Not knowing.

“have you talked to her?” Lucas asked as Ellie shook her head. “No, one we didn't have time and two well she seems to be avoiding calling me directly. She's called everyone else except me apparently.”

“Ok then, well what ever you want to do, to investigate this let me know.”

Ellie nodded vigorously, she needed to remember and she needed to know soon. Ellie could not stop thinking about the three major questions that floated around her head.

'Who was Alexis? Was she having an affair? Was she leaving Mel?'

Ellie ate dinner in silence as she tuned out Lucas and Mel's friendly banter.

From what she deducted was that Alexis was a co-worker, and because of them working together they might have started something a little more than being friendly friends. If she was serious with this Alexis person, then logically would mean that she leave Mel for her.

Ellie ate slowly as she pieced pieces together. When she saw Alexis at the office, she felt something alright. The question now was, what exactly did she feel? She felt a familiarity with her, she felt like there was some type of bond. Yet when ever she would think of her and Alexis sleeping together, she felt nauseous. Like the idea wasn't actually contemplated until now.

“Elizabeth?”

Ellie snapped her head up as Lucas patted her leg, “don't hurt ya self you hear.” He smiled kindly at her as she smiled and nodded. She was glad she finally had someone to talk to about these things. She didn't want to tell Mel, what if by some miracle it was a misunderstanding. Yet what bugged her also was how Mel and Alexis looked at each other, it was their first time meeting each other yet they knew of each other existence.

“Ellie?” Ellie was once again snapped out of her thoughts.

“Are you okay, you barely ate your stew and you seem sort of gone.” Mel asked as she worriedly place a hand on Ellie's forehead. “No fever,” she said as she glanced sideways to give Lucas a lopsided smile.

“Eh let her be,” Lucas shrugged non-nonchalantly. He knew what was bugging her, but Mel didn't have to know yet.

After Lucas had left, Mel did the dishes and Ellie grabbed her laptop and her diary and headed for the master bedroom. There she just place her laptop and journal on the nightstand that was on her side of the bed. She then somehow manage to throw herself on the bed and after that struggle she was comfortable enough to get her journal, She then flipped her journal open and kept reading.

September 4, 1999 (Saturday)


I woke up first and just laid there still. I looked up at the ceiling and it seem extremely far, then I glanced to the side to see the floor mere inches away from my face.

Mel's little place was well small. She had one mini-fridge, a portable stove that was propane based. The propane tanks were small maybe bigger than a damn cup of noddles. She also had a hot plate. The bathroom was meant for one individual at a time. There was a closet next to the door that lead outside. There were two windows, one in the living room/bedroom and the other in the bathroom.

Mel had a six drawer chest, she only used three to put her clothes in.
one for shirts the other for pants and the last one for underwear. “Simple as that,” Mel had said, but the thing that made me grimace the most was the bed. If it could be called that. It was just a mattress queen size. It was covered in a bed spread and had three pillows. I currently had one under my head while Mel was sleeping with one and hugging the other. We each had our own blankets, as we laid there together.

“this is-,” I could not even finish my sentence as Mel only shrugged at me. “I'm happy with it,”

If Mel was happy with these arrangements, I had to be content as well. It was a much better deal financially compare to the dorms. Plus, if you think about it, the dorms were just a damn bedroom with a window, here at east there was a bathroom and kitchen, well it could be called that to make things seem better. Also Mel had bought her bike too, which was currently standing in front of the door. Now had to invest in a bike myself too.

Lucas left me with some money, he had decide if mom was going to cut me financially, then he wouldn't. He also hinted he was going to ask dad to help out a bit. “Two hundred buck a month, if he puts one and I put the other you can make it right?” Lucas asked eagerly. I knew if he could he would of paid for my dorm, but he was barely making it paycheck to paycheck. I didn't want to burden him with my financial plight.

I smiled as I recalled Lucas enthusiasm, “If I had found a place like this back home. I would have been really tempted to take it too. The simple-er the better.”

So this is how I ended up here, my luggage was just in an empty corner of the room and Mel at my side, sleeping her morning away. This is how my sophomore year in college started.


Ellie flipped the pages to find them blank. 'Guess I started a new journal, new school year, new journal then,' she concluded as she placed the book on top of her laptop. She leaned over to turn off her lamp, and accommodated herself as she extended her hand to feel Mel's back. Mel was breathing softly as Ellie closed her eyes and fell asleep.

(A/N: Sorry if it's moving too slow, I'll pick it up in the following next chapters, and people don't get ahead of yourself. Ellie wrote down a lot of things. Lot's of things!!!)