Twelve - The Freshman

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Lina arrived at the café, finding a worried looking Ellie.  She sat across from her best friend.  "Hey Ellie." 

"Hi Lina."  Ellie took a sip of her coffee, trying to distract herself. 

Lina took a moment to inspect Ellie. She could see the turmoil on her face but still hadn't registered that Lina was right in front of her. "Ok El, what the hell?  You tell me we need to talk and now barely say hello." 

Ellie snapped back from her train of thoughts.  "Sorry Lina.  You're right.  Just didn't know how to start this conversation." 

This statement concerned Lina. "What conversation?"

"The one where I tell you that I'm in love with your brother." 

Lina was mid-sip of her own coffee when Ellie's statement was put out there.  She gracefully put the cup down.  "Say that again?"

"I'm in love with Carter." 

Lina studied her best friend.  She knew that Carter was starting to get under Ellie's skin in a good way but she didn't think it was going this far.  "What about Nate?"

"Nate.  Yeah, that's why I needed to talk to you.  I don't know what to do." 

"Ok, you love Nate and you love Carter.  Is it equal?" 

Ellie shook her head. "No." 

"You love one more?" Lina had a feeling that this would be one of those conversations where she would have to pull one answer at a time from her friend. 

"Yes." 

"Who?"

"I rather not say just yet.  Lina," Ellie sighed, "have you ever gotten an anonymous message that was telling you the truth and you don't want to fight it." 

"That is oddly specific Ellie.  What happened?"

"I got a message and it basically said what was in my heart. But the last thing my father needs in a scandal from me.  And If I do what I want, that's exactly what would happen.  Plus, the limo yesterday would have changed so much."

"You lost me.  Limo?"

Ellie chewed her lip. "Nate.  He wanted me to, you know. Last night." 

"Really?  And you didn't." 

"No, I didn't.  I told him I wanted to wait for marriage." 

"You turned down Nate Archibald!" Lina screeched

Ellie clamped her hand over Lina's mouth. "Lina! Shut up!"

Lina pushed her hand away. "Sorry, sorry! OK, so how did he take it?" 

"Surprisingly well.  He apologized for pushing me."  Ellie took a sip to try and calm herself.  "Except that I didn't wait for marriage." She didn't look at Lina at all.  

Lina looked at her confused. "So you did do it with Nate." 

"No." 

"Ok you lost me again." 

"I slept with Carter." 

And there it was, out in the open.  Her secret that had been eating at her for the last couple of months.  Ellie stared at her hands while Lina stayed opened mouth at her best friend's admission.  She finally closed her mouth and took a sip of water. "The fourth right?"

"How did..."

"The way you came back in his arms, it was obvious to me that something had changed." 

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