already there

Naturally, Leia ran ahead of them to find Mr. Wonderful.

"You know the only reason she wanted us to come along is because she doesn't drive," Eric leaned in holding Ellie's hand. They were taking their time to stroll into Border.

"You do have a point," Ellie thought of all those times where Leia would just pick out boys who had nice cars to drive her around. Hopefully, this guy would be driving her soon.

"I always do." Eric nudged her.

Ellie just sighed. What was he expecting after their little event with Leia?

Eric looked up then and saw Leia talking to this guy who kept combing his hair. It was parted down the middle and looked like an outgrown skater haircut.

"That's him?" Eric squinted.

"Who does he look like to you? Tom Cruise?"

"Oh, he may think he is, but definitely Jason Schwartzman." Eric's observation.

Ellie nodded with a sigh. They stood there ogling for a moment, then acted as if they'd found the most fantastic book ever. The latest book from Stephanie Mayer.

"Come over here, you have to meet Dylan." She told them.

"Dylan?" Ellie faked a smile and dragged Eric with her to say hello to the twenty-something year old. After they said hello they went to order something cold to drink.

"I didn't think he'd be that old," Ellie said to Eric.

"You know, Leia. Nothing surprises me." Eric shrugged and ordered frozen drinks.

"What does she see in him?"

"Maybe he's got a fantastic brain or something....bigger."

"Would you stop it?" She gave him a slap on the shoulder then.

"What? I didn't say anything." He waited for their drinks while she went to find them a table. Possibly for the four of them.

Ellie knew. He wanted it, again. Wouldn't say it, but he did. Maybe she did too. Was that awful? Were they going to make love, or just have sex? She sighed and looked back at Leia who looked so energetic and excited to see Dylan. She should make Eric wait. Maybe. But if this all got too boring. And it would. It always did. Everyone always seemed to be Leia's audience. Ellie had been through these events countless times. They'd have to watch her make over her new boyfriend.

Eric handed over Ellie's drink and sat across from her so he could look at her. She supposed, or maybe he wanted her to look at him so she'd know the signal. But did they have a signal. She knew she needed to be a friend. This was about Leia. She didn't want to be the bad friend that Leia had been to her.

"I think she likes him. He likes her. What could go wrong?" Eric shrugged.

"My sister met her husband at Borders?" Ellie looked Eric in the eye.

"Oh," Eric caught himself from laughing. "Maybe we should have met somewhere else in that case."

Ellie took a sip of her drink, Her fingers caught Eric's in a grip. She leaned in.

"Are we going back to your place when this is over?"

"If you want."

"You're mother will be home?"

"I dunno."

"You're suppose to know these things." She bit her bottom lip.

"Well, she'll be off from work by then, unless we cut this short and we'd be back at my place and-"

About that time Leia and Dylan strolled over and she introduced them to her darling Dylan.

Ellie and Eric gave them both a quick smile.

"So whats the plan?" Eric wanted to know.

"A plan?" Dylan asked.

"You know, you'll be off I suppose." Eric shrugged.

"Um, I thought you wanted to meet here?" Dylan said to Leia.

She nodded.

"No long term plan then, aye?" Eric tried harder to see if they were off the hook from being here.

"What he's trying to say. We really can't stay. We have this thing we have to do." Ellie nodded. Geese, she couldn't believe she said that.

"It really can't wait." Eric stared back at Ellie who shot a look to Leia. What were Dylan and Leia? Two fish out of water and in dire need of some direction.

"But you've got time to chat, don't you?' Leia was looking at Ellie that she couldn't quite leave yet.

"Sure," Eric nodded. Then sighed. Ellie was sure they'd been here far to long, already.