not quite monkey heaven

Ellie felt a little odd being in the driver's seat. Although, she guessed Elliot was fine with it. He was in the passenger side. And they hadn't spent one second at his place. He'd met her in the drive way. It was thrifting. Not a date. Just thrifting.

For a second though, she would have loved to have let him drive so she could just look at him. She squinted then wishing she wouldn't think things like that about him. Wanting him, when she knew she didn't. Really she didn't. Of course, it frightened her more that maybe she could have these feelings just as much with a stranger on the street. And..and..a bit of a horror movie ran through her mind. Did this have something do without having sex for weeks on end?

"What?" He looked at her.

"Nothing." She gripped the steering wheel harder. "This'll be fun. You'll see."

"Of course."

Suddenly, she was back to these scenarios in her head. Coffee with someone. Then sex. She'd seen that in a recent episode of some show. And then she thought of that new guy before Christmas on Gossip Girl. Did Serena have sex with him or not? She thought she did, maybe they didn't. They were dating. That's it.

She'd feel foolish to say something to him like, "I think we should date."

"Shit." She said under her breath.

"Did you say something?" He smiled.

"No." She looked at him. "You could put on some music if you want." She squinted. God, did he think that was a come on line?

He found some mix. Naturally, it was one Eric had made for you. There were hearts all over it with "i luv u ellie" written at the top.

First song to start, a cover of "This monkey's gone to heaven."

"Nice," Elliot nodded with a hint of a smile. It was some breathy woman singing a Pixie's tune. "Who is it?"

"You know, I'm not even sure." She wanted to look at him, but she didn't. She was scared she might run off the road if she did.

"You should find out." He told her.

She nodded. Not even sure what they were talking about. Finally, they got to New Life Thrift.

"This is one of my favorites," Ellie told him now trying to get a grip on the idea that she might come on too strong. She wanted to be evasive and not give a damn that he even tagged along. She knew she was the worst actress in the world.

He just smiled at her as he came around the car and took her hand. It was a small gesture, but it felt so huge. And it felt like the best thing she'd done with anyone in weeks.