Snippet #2643502

It was strange the release he got from singing. He hadn't even started screaming yet, but he could already feel all of the negative emotions draining away. Nothing grounded him like music, and if he did survive the year, this was all he wanted to do. It was the only time he really felt alive. His good mood lasted until he looked back at the crowd. Bella had a firm grip on Nate, who looked like he was about to kill the guy he'd been verbally abusing, and Ellie still looked like she wanted to punch someone. But even then, Bella dragged Nate away, pausing briefly to look at him and smile. He winked at her, before turning his attention to the mike in front of him again.

Perhaps leaving Bella alone with Ellie and Nate hadn't been the best idea. He'd thought that Ellie had been joking when she'd said that she wanted to cause some trouble- but in hindsight, perhaps she hadn't. Still, they couldn't cause too much damage if they were outside.

She'd been right- her hand on Nate's arm had done nothing. She quickly stepped back, holding up her hands. She just watched the two of them, her anger rising. Of course Nate had to fight her battles for her. Of course he forgot that she was a capable adult with a mean right hook. She wasn't sure if she was angry at him or at the other guy or at the both of them. She'd never been so glad for Bella's presence- she was able to talk Nate out of it before he punched the other guy again. Ellie ignored Nate's apology, stalking towards the exit. Outside, she wrapped her arms around herself and exhaled heavily, trying to calm herself down. Nate had just been standing up for her. He was just doing what friends did.

But fuck, was she wishing that she'd come out alone now.

"You know, Nate, your apologies would be a lot more effective if you didn't keep doing the thing that you apologise for," she remarked.