in the wee morning hours

"Are you sure you're all right?" Amanda wasn't certain coffee would be enough for Ellie at IHOP.
"Maybe some hash-browns," Ellie stared at her coffee and poured in a bit more creamer.

"You're sure nothing happened?" Kyle had his arm around Amanda, and they were both studying Ellie as if she were a science experiment gone wrong.

"Positive." She nodded, shaking slightly. She just couldn't seem to get warm enough.

"What happened?" Amanda wanted to know.

"I don't even know if I know for sure." She seemed honest about that to Amanda who looked at Kyle who gave her a shrug.

"How did Elliot act around you?" Amanda winced.

"He acted fine. Its Eric who's an ass. I can't believe he said the things he said about his sister in front of Elliot. And then she has to go and say all these things about him and Cory." She nursed her coffee.

"Was Roger there?"

"Oh my God!" Ellie said so loud then. "He didn't know. He didn't know what Cory did. You know, in that cloakroom or where ever it was at school with that guy-"

"I don't think Amanda needs to know about that." Kyle shook his head. "What happened with Roger and Cory?"

"Roger just left," Ellie sighed. "It was the worst party ever," she smiled then.

It was quiet after that. Finally the hash-browns arrived and Ellie drenched them in ketchup. Amanda really wished she'd ordered them too, but she drank on a cold glass of milk instead. Everybody seemed to be having more fun than she was.