✨ Welcome to My Blog!
Here you'll find fanfics, GIFs, photo compilations, and cute or funny content related to The Last of Us universe and the character Ellie Williams.
✍️Fanfics:
You and me together forever: Part 1, Part 2
🌟🆕 - Ellie's Little Secret: Part 1, Part 2
📓Ellie's Hidden Notes:
🌟🆕 - Hope for Forgiveness
📷Compilation of pictures with Ellie:
Compilation of Smiles by Ellie Williams: Jackson, Seattle, Farm, 16 years old Ellie Williams (Jackson)
tags: modernity, students, best friends, jealousy, fighting for relationships, romance, humor, poetry, elements of fluff, сuddles, kisses
If you haven't read the first part, I recommend you do so: *Part 1*
P.S This fiction is also available in Russian on Ficbook: *click*
The room was steeped in silence. The two of you stood motionless, staring at each other — gazes filled with hidden feelings and unspoken words.
Ellie was the first to break the stillness, slowly moving toward you. Her steps were quiet and unhurried, her lips pressed into a cold line. A faint shiver ran down your spine, and your fingers clutched the edge of the desk even tighter. You let out a heavy breath and lowered your eyes.
She came closer. Her breathing grew quicker, and a faint muttering caught your attention. You lifted your gaze and noticed the flush of pink across her cheeks, the nervous look in her eyes. She was twisting the string of her hoodie around her finger — she was clearly anxious. Your grip on the desk loosened against your will. Your heart thudded loudly in your temples. You dropped your gaze and closed your eyes.
– "Ellie…" — you whispered softly.
Silence hung heavy between you. The only sound was her unsteady breathing. She waited in silence.
– "There’s something I need to tell you" — you added, your voice trembling, betraying your nerves.
“Now’s the time to tell her the truth” — flashed through your mind.
You bit the inside of your cheek. Words echoed inside your head, but none of them felt right. You desperately tried to find the perfect ones — words that could carry everything you had kept inside for so long.
Ellie didn’t take her eyes off you, noticing every slightest change in your face. Taking advantage of the moment, she rose on her toes and glanced behind you — spotting her laptop and diary. A gentle smile spread across her lips.
You, still with your eyes closed, kept whispering fragments of a prepared speech under your breath, unable to weave them into something whole. Your thoughts raced chaotically, one after another. Ellie stepped closer, the space between you now almost gone.
– "I need to tell you something too… You’re such a cutie" — she whispered with a warm, slightly mischievous smile.
Your heart skipped a beat. You opened your eyes, the soft glow of the fairy lights briefly blinding you. Your breath caught in your chest, and your gaze drifted slowly across her face. For the first time in what felt like forever, that smile returned — the one that used to calm you, to slow your heartbeat. But now, it is beating loudly in your chest.
Her freckles, so familiar and dear, like tiny stars you longed to trace and name. Your gaze lifted higher, meeting her bright green eyes. In them glowed pure kindness and tenderness. You saw more in them than anyone else ever could: her true soul, so desperately in need of warmth and care. Your gaze flowed gently over her face. You let out a quiet sigh, and a smile slowly touched your lips.
Ellie’s eyes wandered across your face, studying every detail. Each time her gaze paused, it returned to your eyes, as if asking for permission to keep going. You blinked shyly, giving her the sign to continue.
Ellie took a small step forward. Only a few inches separated you now. You could feel her warm breath. She tilted her head slightly to the side, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Your gaze dropped to her mouth. Almost unconsciously, you mirrored her movement, tilting your head the other way. Ellie bit her lip, and your heart began to pound even harder.
– "May I?..” — she asked softly, peering into your eyes.
You nodded, drawing in a deep breath. Her palm gently touched your cheek. Her fingers were warm, her movements slow — each one infused with tenderness.
Her gaze dropped to your lips. The distance melted away. Your heart pounded so loudly it felt as though it might burst free. And then, finally, Ellie kissed you. The world froze. Around you, everything went silent, as though nothing existed beyond this moment. Your lips brushed with the faintest sound, warmth flooding your skin.
You closed your eyes, surrendering to the moment. You pressed back against her, your noses brushing, your breaths mingling. The scent of Ellie surrounded you, filling every cell of your body. Your lips moved hesitantly, yet with such raw tenderness that it felt as if emotions dormant until this very day had suddenly come alive. A hundred butterflies took flight inside your chest, their wings fluttering softly within you. You smiled to yourself into the kiss. Her fingers slid down to your chin. Slowly, the kiss grew gentler. Her lips gradually pulled away, her fingers leaving your skin but trailing a heated trace behind. Ellie inhaled deeply. She stepped back, and your lips parted.
You opened your eyes. A tender smile glowed on her face, her cheeks flushed, her green eyes shining with warmth. A swelling sense of happiness spread in your chest. A pleasant heat washed over your face, your neck, your shoulders, and your head spun lightly. You stepped back, your body meeting the desk.
Ellie immediately reached for your hand — steady, careful, as though she could feel everything you were experiencing. You carefully sat down on the edge of the desk, your fingers still interlaced with hers. Ellie settled beside you, still holding your hand in hers.
Silence fell between you. You lowered your gaze, the memory of what had just happened still burning vividly, emotions once again surging through you, wrapping around your heart. With a faint smile, you traced absentminded circles on your knee, still under the spell of that moment.
You could hear her breathing — uneven at first, but growing calmer with each passing second. You lifted your gaze. Her cheeks glowed crimson, brighter than you’d ever seen before, and her eyes sparkled like sparks in the dark. Catching your eyes, Ellie let out a quiet giggle. You smiled back, immediately looking away in shy embarrassment.
“She doesn't know anything about my feelings… Why did she decide to do this…” — the thought suddenly pierced through you.
You looked at her again, longing for an answer. Ellie noticed your eyes lingering on her and smiled warmly, making your own lips curve wider without you even realizing it.
– "Why did you do that?" — you asked quietly.
Hearing the question, Ellie hid her smile behind her palms. A moment later, she shyly touched her neck, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
– "Because I really, really like you…" — she confessed, still fidgeting with her hair.
Heat bloomed across your face, your smile spreading even wider on its own.
– "And… why only now?" — you asked tenderly, searching her gaze.
For a moment, Ellie fell silent, recalling recent events. Her smile faded slightly.
– "Because… Dina really helped me" — she said softly, almost cautiously — "She told me about your feelings"
You froze. Your smile vanished instantly, your brows lifted, and an unpleasant heat flared in your cheeks. Ellie noticed your reaction and hurried to continue.
– "Just hear me out first. She did it for us" — she said, watching you closely.
You wanted to protest, but held yourself back. A sting of hurt burned inside you, yet you chose to let her finish. Your gaze dropped. Ellie gave you a grateful smile.
– "When I came over… Dina told me that you like me a lot…"
– "I didn’t believe her. I thought she was just joking. But then she said you were, right at that moment, digging through my laptop, trying to find proof that I had a girlfriend"
Your body tensed, but Ellie’s voice was soft, without a trace of judgment.
– "I still didn’t believe her. So I told her I’d recently set a password on my laptop… And you know, she got so genuinely upset for you, that I started to doubt a little"
Ellie lowered her eyes, as though reliving that moment again.
– "I couldn't help myself and asked her: Why? why are you doing this? And she admitted — she's afraid you won't be able to find out anything. But at the same time… she truly wanted things to work out between us"
Silence settled between you again. You gently placed your hand over hers, stroking lightly, as though offering comfort. Ellie gave a faint smile, gratitude shining in her eyes as she looked at you.
– "When I walked into the room, my laptop wasn’t where it should’ve been. I came closer and glanced behind your back… and there it was, along with my open diary"
She tilted her head slightly, studying your reaction.
– "Only then did I realize how strong your feelings were. And I realized that… I don't want to hide them from you anymore. I had tried for so long, but today I just couldn’t"
In that instant, your frustration toward Dina melted away. Instead, a deep sense of gratitude welled up — for pushing Ellie toward this very moment.
Ellie’s gaze fell on the laptop. A warm flicker of curiosity lit her eyes. Slowly, she reached for it and placed it on her lap. Then she looked up at you. A chill ran down your spine — shame washed over you for having dug into her private things. Ellie carefully lifted the lid.
Without a password, the screen lit up immediately, revealing the open folder. Photos. Your photos. Ellie’s pupils widened, her brows shot up, her lips parted slightly. Slowly, she raised her eyes to you.
– "Wait… so you guessed it?.." — she whispered in surprise, as if she herself couldn’t believe it.
You nodded, lowering your gaze in embarrassment. Heat spread across your body. Ellie watched you for a few moments, then closed the laptop and set it aside. She sat closer, her shoulder brushing against yours.
– "I’m sorry for going through your things" — you said quietly.
A tender smile spread across Ellie’s face. She could see how flustered you were, and at the same time, how sincere. After hesitating for a moment, she raised her hand and tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear. Her warm fingers brushed your skin, sending a wave of pleasant shivers down your spine. You lifted your eyes — her gaze was glowing with affection.
– "It’s okay. Don’t apologize… I’m even glad you managed to guess my password" — she replied softly, smiling.
You let out a quiet breath, as if a heavy weight had slipped from your shoulders. Another warm wave coursed through your body. The corners of Ellie’s lips trembled, her cheeks grew rosier, and she shyly averted her gaze. Her reaction seemed so adorable to you that you couldn’t resist teasing her.
– "How long have you been taking pictures of me?" — you asked with a playful smile.
Ellie instantly covered her face with her hand and giggled. You laughed at her reaction. It was perhaps the most romantic hobby imaginable. Gently, you moved her hand away. Her cheeks were glowing with a sweet blush, and her green eyes still tried to hide from yours.
– "A few months" — she admitted softly.
You couldn’t hold back a tender, sigh.
– "Your photos… they’re incredible" — you whispered.
Ellie giggled, full of love, and leaned her head against your shoulder. You answered in kind, leaning against her. Her hands found yours — you gently intertwined your fingers. Your palms absentmindedly caressed her soft skin.
Almost everything seemed to fall into place. But one question, the one that had been tormenting you all this time, still refused to let go.
– "Ellie…" — you whispered tenderly.
Hearing your voice, Ellie lifted her head and smiled a little wider.
– "Why have you been so distant with me these past few months?" — you asked.
Her smile instantly faded. She lowered her gaze with a quiet sigh. You understood at once: this conversation was just as difficult for her as it was for you. Gently squeezing her hands in yours, you let her know you were ready to listen.
Gathering her thoughts, Ellie lifted her eyes. A faint, uncertain smile appeared on her face.
– "I was embarrassed that I liked you…" — she admitted — "I thought there could only ever be friendship between us"
She glanced aside, her cheeks tinted pink.
– "Sometimes I dropped hints, gave you little compliments… But you would just smile sweetly. I felt silly, even selfish. So I decided to pull out, so that… you’d only be left with good memories of me"
Silence followed her words. Sadness and emptiness lingered in her eyes. Your smile faded, and your heart clenched painfully. She needed your warmth right now.
You wrapped your arms around her tightly. Ellie leaned into you at once. You kissed her forehead, your fingers gently brushing over her hair. Ellie closed her eyes and slowly relaxed in your embrace, a soft smile blooming across her face again. Seeing it, you couldn’t help but smile too.
Wanting to ease the tension once and for all, you reached for the sheet of poems. You read the first one aloud. Hearing it, Ellie pulled her head back in shy surprise.
– "Where did you find that?" — she asked, eyes wide.
– "I found it in this diary" — you explained, pointing at it.
Ellie smiled to herself quietly.
– "I thought I’d lost those… I must’ve slipped that page in there by accident" — she explained.
Ellie rested her head back against you, wrapping her arms around you. It struck you then how a few coincidences had helped reveal her feelings. You read the remaining poems on the page.
– "I adore your poems" — you said shyly.
Ellie giggled, her laughter spilling softly into the room. Hearing that sound, you smiled as well.
– "Thank you… I have dozens more, old ones. I’ll show you sometime" — she said quietly, smiling.
You continued to stroke her hair, unable to look away from the gentle smile that never left her face. The two of you listened to each other’s breathing, calming more and more, growing closer with every passing second.
And then, your seclusion was interrupted by the creak of the door. You lifted your eyes — a light stream of cold air slipped inside. Ellie looked at you.
– "I’ll close it" — you said softly.
She nodded, smiling. You didn’t want to let her go, but you gently pulled away, stood up, and walked toward the door. Pressing your sleeve to your face, you breathed in her scent — the fabric of your clothes already soaked with that familiar fragrance. You reached the door. The click of the lock sounded especially loud in the silence.
Turning back, you saw Ellie already sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her hoodie. She was cold. You smiled and stepped toward her.
Slowly, careful not to make a sound, you sat down beside her. Her gaze was lowered to the floor; she looked deep in thought. Taking the chance, you reached for her favorite blanket and gently draped it over her shoulders.
Ellie flinched at first, but the moment she felt the warmth, she relaxed. She lifted her gaze and broke into a wide smile — little sparks dancing in her green eyes. Wrapping herself in the blanket, Ellie curled into a tiny cocoon, leaving only her head peeking out. She clutched the edge of the blanket, tilted her head slightly, and gave you a playful look, inviting you in.
You froze, flustered: being so close to her felt overwhelming. Your cheeks flushed hot, and you bit your lip. Ellie noticed your reaction and laughed softly, taking your hand gently into hers. Her palm was warm, the softness of her touch quickly spreading heat through your fingers. She tugged you closer, and with a smile, you dove into her embrace, nestling against her.
Ellie pulled the blanket around the both of you, wrapping you together. In the tight little cocoon, warmth bloomed; your bodies kept each other cozy, and the chill in the air quickly faded.
Neither of you dared to speak — only shy glances, overflowing with tenderness, revealed how comfortable you were together.
Then, Ellie’s soft voice broke the silence:
– "This might sound strange… But we’ve been friends for so many years, and now… we’re more. I don’t know how to act" — she whispered, lowering her gaze. Her cheeks turned pink.
– "Is that what you were thinking about when I walked over?" — you asked gently.
Ellie nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. You wanted to say something simple, but her voice had sounded too sincere. You understood: this mattered to her.
She sighed and looked away. For a few seconds, you just listened to her breathing, until a thought came to you. Smiling, you stroked her back, your hand moving tenderly.
– "Tell me, how would you like to spend this evening?" — you asked.
Ellie lifted her eyes, and they lit up like sparklers. A smile instantly returned to her face.
– "I want to hold you tight, watch a movie, eat delicious pizza, and then fall asleep in your arms" — she answered without hesitation, beaming.
You shyly averted your gaze, only to meet her happy eyes again a moment later.
– "Okay… And if we were just friends, what would be different?" — you asked, watching her closely.
Ellie thought for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, then slipped a hand out from under the blanket and began counting on her fingers.
– "Well… we wouldn’t be cuddling" — she said, folding down her first finger — "And you’d definitely fall asleep on my shoulder and then start snoring all cute" — she added with a sweet smile, folding down the second finger.
– "Hey!" — you protested, pulling your hand back from her back — "That’s not true, I don’t snore!"
Ellie burst out laughing, savoring your reaction. You rolled your eyes, but couldn’t fight back the warm smile spreading across your lips.
– "Oh, you so do" — she teased through her laughter, pointing a finger at you.
You looked at her, your smile unwavering. It felt so wonderful to see her acting exactly like she always had with you… only now, it all felt even more special.
Ellie still couldn’t stop laughing at your reaction. A daring idea sparked in your mind — your smile turned mischievous as you tilted your head slightly.
– "Says the girl who serenades me every night with her adorable snoring…" — you teased, grinning slyly.
At your words, Ellie’s laughter only grew louder. You had expected a different reaction, but her contagious laughter instantly spilled into you too.
– “Y-You totally made that up!” — she wheezed, clutching her stomach, choking with laughter.
The walls that had held silence for so many months now echoed with your shared laughter once again.
Your cheeks burned, while Ellie still couldn’t stop giggling. Seizing the moment, you wrapped your arms around her tightly and began to tickle her. Your fingers danced mercilessly over her skin, and Ellie’s face flushed even brighter, glowing crimson. Her laughter rang out louder still. The blanket slipped from your shoulders as Ellie, trying to shield herself, wrapped her arms around your neck and buried her face against your shoulder.
– "I give up… I give up…" — she mumbled through her laughter, her voice almost purring.
The moment you stopped, Ellie didn’t let go — instead, she toppled with you onto the bed. You managed to catch yourself on your hands, stopping just inches from her face.
Ellie looked up at you — her eyes glowing with a soft amber light. Her freckles stood out against her pink cheeks, her warm breath came uneven, and her slightly parted lips seemed to call to you. Her hands rested on your back, and the gentle light made her features look even softer. Your breath hitched.
When Ellie noticed the way you were studying her face, a faint smile tugged at her lips. Warmth spread through your body again, your heart beating faster. She carefully tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear, her fingers brushing your skin, and lightly bit her lip.
– "So… we’ll stay just the way we were? I don’t have to change?" — she whispered, her voice tinged with timid hope.
You smiled warmly, your heart melting at her question.
– "Of course not. I fell in love with you exactly as you are"
Ellie let out a relieved breath, her hidden fear dissolving. She wrapped her arms around your neck, gently threading her fingers through your hair.
– "But there’s one difference… now we’ll cherish each other even more" — she said softly, her tone almost lulling.
You nodded with a smile. Her fingers played with your hair, curling strands around her finger, her touch so calm it almost lulled you to sleep. Your hands trembled faintly, and you slowly leaned closer to Ellie.
– "You’re right…" — you whispered — "And now we have even more ways to make each other happy"
A pleasant silence settled between you — not awkward, but special, the kind where words weren’t needed, and it was enough just to look at each other. Your gazes, filled with love, clung to one another.
Then her voice softly cut through the stillness:
– "I love you so much" — Ellie whispered.
Her eyes were tender but serious, nervously tracing your face as if searching for an answer. Her cheeks flushed crimson, her breath caught in her chest.
You froze. Heat surged through you with renewed strength, your heart thudding loudly in your chest. Memories raced through your mind — everything you had been through together: the good and the bad. But despite it all, you were still here, side by side. She had shared with you her fears, her joys, and now — her most personal truth. You already knew your answer.
– "I love you so much too" — you said firmly, your lips trembling with emotion.
Ellie sighed in relief, her eyes lighting up, her smile so sincere that you couldn’t help but return it. Slowly, you leaned toward her, almost lying down. A flicker of uncertainty stirred inside you, and Ellie caught it immediately. She cupped your face tenderly, gazing straight into your soul.
– "My face, a canvas pure and white, your lips, the colors burning bright. So don’t hold back, come set me free, leave bright marks of love on me" — she whispered, lovingly, with a playful hint.
You froze, your cheeks blazing, your heart pounding loudly in your ears. Realizing what she had just said, Ellie bit her lip, her eyes widening.
– "Wow…" — she whispered faintly. — "I didn’t expect I could say something like that" — she purred, then burst into laughter.
She could ruin any romantic moment with a single funny line. She could’ve stayed silent — and it would’ve been the most beautiful confession of your life. But Ellie wouldn’t be Ellie if she didn’t say everything exactly as it was. And that was the truth of her. She was far from perfect, but she wanted, sincerely and wholeheartedly, to make you happy. That was just so Ellie.
You laughed with her, and the sound filled the room with gentle warmth. In that moment, for the first time, you felt truly loved. Ellie watched you closely, savoring the sound of your laughter, the way your unruly hair bounced with each movement, the way your face flushed so sweetly.
When the laughter faded, your eyes met once more. True feelings burned within them. A tender, slightly mischievous smile curled both your lips. Ellie wrapped her arms around your neck and gently drew you closer.
You leaned in, closing the last inches between you. You kissed her, leaving on her lips the bright colors of your love. Ellie responded instantly, unwilling to wait even a second longer.
Your lips merged in a tender yet passionate dance. Every touch gave love and warmth — the very things you had both been longing for. It felt as if every cell of your bodies whispered in unison: “I love you”.
Ellie's Hidden Notes is a fan series featuring fictional diary entries by Ellie. All the notes are written by me, and I try my best to preserve the atmosphere and style of the original.
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Hope for Forgiveness
To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance — Oscar Wilde
I’ve learned valuable skills on my own and never stopped striving to grow
I’ve brought love and joy to those I care about, even when I needed it most
I’ve taken the hits, stood tall, and kept going when the whole universe turned against me
But there’s one thing I still can’t do
Accept myself for who I am
I see myself as cruel, weak and heartless
I’ve hurt the people I love
I’ve made hundreds of mistakes that I still can’t forgive myself for
But… what’s the point of this?
What’s the point of repeating it to myself every day?
Every single time I mess up?
Maybe… instead of punishing myself
I could just try…
to listen, to understand
and care for the person I see every time I look in the mirror.
tags: modernity, students, best friends, jealousy, fighting for relationships, romance, humor, poetry, elements of fluff
Description:
You and Ellie — students and best friends. Together, you share a small dorm room. You’ve known Ellie for many years, but only recently have you begun to feel something new for her strange, thrilling, and wonderfully tender feelings you’ve never experienced for anyone else before. Yet just as your friendship began to grow into something more, Ellie suddenly started to pull away, avoiding you and shutting down even in the simplest conversations. The desire to find out what is going on with her takes over.
What are you willing to do for love?
P.S This fiction is also available in Russian on Ficbook: *click*
Backstory:
You had always been the most active student in class. School came easily to you, and you always turned in your work with top marks. Teachers adored you, and your school life had been calm and successful… until she appeared.
At first, Ellie didn’t attract much attention quietly sitting at the back desk, staring out the window. But that didn’t last long. When the first tests were handed back, it turned out she had the highest score. You just scoffed: “Beginner’s luck.”
Week after week, Ellie kept surprising everyone. Test after test always better than the rest. She quickly won over the teachers, became the heart of the class, and made friends easily. It seemed she got along with everyone… except you. For you, academics were everything, and you couldn’t allow some new girl to steal your place at the top. You studied late into the night, but no matter how hard you worked, it wasn’t enough to surpass Ellie.
One day, your patience snapped. The teacher asked a question you gave the wrong answer, and as always, Ellie answered correctly. Anger boiled inside you. You shot her a hateful glare, but when she caught your eyes, she smirked confidently and winked. You nearly exploded. Something inside you flared up with new intensity. You couldn’t stay in the same classroom with someone who drove you insane with just a glance. Grabbing your things, you stormed out.
You ran to the cafeteria, where you usually did your homework it was quiet there. You tried to distract yourself with a book, but soon you felt a light touch on your shoulder. You spun around sharply. Ellie stood in front of you, books in hand, wearing a soft smile.
– “Hey again. Want to do homework together?” — she asked unexpectedly.
Her voice suddenly didn’t sound so irritating. You agreed, though cautiously, half-expecting a trick. But things went differently. At first, you were both silent, then slowly started talking. Ellie wasn’t at all how you had imagined her. She was funny, kind. Within half an hour, you had forgotten about your homework. The conversation flowed easily, and your resentment dissolved on its own.
When it was time to go home, Ellie sincerely apologized for making you feel that way in class. Her voice carried genuine care, and as a peace offering, she shared some delicious candies with you. Of course, you forgave her. How could you not?
That day marked the beginning of your friendship.
You grew so close that you both even started neglecting your studies. All you wanted was to enjoy a carefree life together. Only in your final year did you start taking school seriously again, working hard to ace your exams and you did. After graduating, you both enrolled in the very university you had always dreamed of. Living together in the dorm felt strange at first, but you knew one thing: as long as you had each other, everything would be fine.
A few months ago:
One day, walking down the university hallway, you noticed couples holding hands. In that moment, a thought crossed your mind:
“Whose hand would I want to hold?”
“Whose smile would I want to see every day?”
To be honest, thoughts like these had begun to surface back in high school. But at the time, you had never felt those so-called “beautiful” feelings people sing about in songs and write about in novels. Still, there had been one moment when something strange and at the same time, strangely pleasant stirred inside you. It happened at your graduation party. But everything went by so fast that you didn’t understand it, and soon, you forgot.
Now, as you’ve grown older and these feelings touch your heart again, you decide to mentally go through all the people who could have been your other half. You think of everyone you know… and suddenly, you stop at Ellie.
At first, you laugh it off, shaking your head — “Ridiculous”.
But then, the memory of that night at graduation flares up in your chest with new intensity. The realization takes you by surprise. You push the thought away immediately, convincing yourself that love is foolish, something that only gets in the way of personal growth. Yet from that moment on, you find yourself wondering, day by day: “Maybe Ellie isn’t just my best friend?”
Present day:
You’re sitting at your desk, sketching in your diary, nodding your head to the rhythm of the music playing through your headphones. You’re trying with all your strength to push away the thought that Ellie might be in love with another girl. But the same images keep flashing before your eyes Ellie, laughing, standing close to someone else. Each scene stirs up a storm inside you. You breathe in deeply through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth, trying to steady yourself. That trick has always helped you regain control.
"I need to look at her" — you think, and your eyes instinctively drift across the room.
Near Ellie’s bed, a string of fairy lights glows softly, painting her face with a touch of magic. She sits wrapped in a warm blanket, her gaze fixed on her laptop screen. One look at her expression is enough for you to know she’s upset. Your heart clenches. All you want is to make her smile again, to bring back those moments when the two of you spent every free hour together. More than anything, you want to be by her side and know she’s okay. The longer you watch her, the hotter your cheeks burn. Suddenly, Ellie lifts her head, and her eyes meet yours. Panic jolts through you, and you drop your gaze back to your diary, your face burning even more.
This silent game between you has been going on for weeks. You hardly speak anymore, exchanging only glances filled with unspoken feelings. It feels like some kind of test. But the silence only feeds the storm inside you. With every day, it grows harder to bear.
"I can’t take this anymore" — you think bitterly.
You pull off your headphones and set them down on the desk. From Ellie’s laptop, you hear the familiar voices of the actors from her favorite movie. With trembling fingers, you pick up your phone and type a message to Dina:
– “Fine. I’m in”
Her reply comes almost instantly:
– “Finally! I thought you’d never go through with it”
A second message appears:
– “Mission: Saving Love Begins…”
You roll your eyes but can’t help smiling. At that moment, Ellie’s phone screen lights up. You watch her read a message, frowning in irritation. Her muttering is too quiet to hear, but the expression on her face makes it clear she’s not pleased. She quickly shoves her phone into her pocket and heads for the door. Her reaction strikes you as a little amusing, easing some of the tension, and you decide to play your role “find out” where she’s going even though you already know exactly what she’ll be doing for the next hour.
You glance at her again she’s perched on the edge of her nightstand, struggling to tug on her favorite sneakers, the pair she outgrew long ago. Watching her, a flicker of doubt creeps in. You’re almost ready to call it all off, to text Dina that you’ve changed your mind. But the thought of continuing to live side by side with Ellie in this suffocating silence feels unbearable.
You push yourself up from your chair and suddenly speak.
– “Where are you going?” — you ask, trying to sound casual, but your voice trembles.
Ellie looks up at you immediately, but the moment your eyes meet, she drops hers to the floor. She stays quiet for several seconds, and you start to think she’ll ignore the question altogether. But she finally answers:
– “Dina’s having laptop problems again… as always, she pressed something and now wants me to fix it. Like I actually know that much about computers” — she grumbles, tugging at her sneakers.
Her voice sounds a little flustered, yet so familiar, so dear, that you suddenly feel the urge to keep talking.
– “Well… you did say we could come to you whenever our tech broke down” — you reply, a little more confidently.
– “Yeah, you’re right, but I only said that because I wanted to make some money” — she adds absentmindedly, still fussing with the laces.
You nod reflexively, then freeze, her words sinking in.
"Make money? Off of us?" — you think to yourself.
– “So… you’re charging your friends? Did I get that right?” — you ask, your tone suddenly serious.
The room falls silent, broken only by Ellie’s irritated huffing at her shoes. She can feel your gaze drilling into her, and finally, she lifts her innocent eyes to yours, not fully realizing why you’re staring so intently. In that instant, you know she hadn’t even been listening. For a few seconds, she just looks at you, confused, then her brow furrows. Realization dawns, and she quickly looks away, her voice turning quiet, her cheeks pinkening.
– “No… that’s not what I meant…” — Ellie mumbles.
– “I’d never take money from you. I just meant from others” — she explains, finally lifting her guilty eyes back to yours.
Her awkward yet unbearably sweet gaze instantly melts away your seriousness.
– “So what… I’m special then?” — you tease, struggling to hold back a smile.
Ellie blushes awkwardly at your question but still smiles. Faced with that smile, you can’t resist rolling your eyes, you end up smiling too. Her gaze is fixed entirely on you, her lips curled into a shy smile. A warm wave rushes through your body at the sweetness in her eyes. For a fleeting moment, it feels like everything is just as it used to be. Your smiles meet, and time seems to stop. But the moment shatters as quickly as it came. Ellie’s smile fades, her eyes dart away, and a frown takes its place, as if she’s desperately trying to hide her true emotions from you.
– “Never mind… I have to go” — she says sharply, her voice tinged with disappointment.
The sudden change stuns you her mood had shifted right before your eyes in a matter of seconds. Your own smile fades. You take a cautious step closer.
– “Are you okay?” — you ask softly, doing your best not to push her.
At first, she stays silent, as if she didn’t hear you. Then she answers curtly
– “Yes” — flat, emotionless. Without even looking at you. As if you no longer mattered to her.
You can’t hold back your reaction this time. Heat flares through you. Your cheeks burn, your arms cross over your chest. Every second beside her feels more and more unbearable. You retreat back toward your desk, a rising wave of hurt churning inside you. When did it all go wrong? you wonder. But the only things that come to mind are that look, that smile… followed by the sudden, cutting cold.
As you sit stewing in your frustration, Ellie finally dares to lift her gaze. The expression on your face tells her she had been too harsh. She rises and walks toward you, guilt written across her features. She doesn’t speak right away, searching for the right words.
– “I’m sorry… I’ve just been struggling with my emotions lately” — she admits, nervously fiddling with her fingers.
You search her eyes, hoping to catch even a shadow of insincerity but all you find is honesty. Under your piercing stare, Ellie lowers her gaze in guilt. You let out a heavy sigh and perch on the edge of your desk.
– “So… how long will you be gone?” — you ask, your tone even, almost indifferent.
– “I don’t think long” — she answers instantly.
You nod, watching her closely. She keeps her eyes down, as though trying to hide from yours. The silence between you grows heavy, uncomfortable, until Ellie breaks it.
– “I’ll go, then, okay?” — she asks quietly, glancing at you.
– “Okay” — you reply flatly.
The room falls into silence. Only the soft patter of rain outside breaks the stillness. Slowly, Ellie turns, steps out, and closes the door behind her. The click of the latch echoes dully, as though reverberating in an empty room. For a few moments, you just sit there, listening: the muffled rhythm of Ellie’s footsteps fading away, the tapping of raindrops against the window, the ticking of the clock, the racing beat of your own heart.
When her steps finally vanish into silence, you leap up and press your ear to the door, making sure she’s truly gone — Quiet. Your lips press into a thin line as you carefully turn the knob and open the door just a crack. A rush of cold hallway air envelopes you, sending an involuntary shiver through your body. You peer out cautiously, scanning the corridor empty. Ellie’s gone. You step back inside, close the door gently without a sound, and lean against it, your back pressed to the door.
– “I have to do this. I have” — you whisper to yourself, trying to summon courage.
Gathering your courage, you quickly walked over to Ellie’s laptop lying on her bed. You carefully picked it up and sat down at her desk. Flipping the lid open, the screen came to life, showing the password prompt. You froze.
The plan hadn’t even begun, and already you’d hit a wall you hadn’t prepared for you didn’t know her password. Just a few days ago, you had checked her laptop and there hadn’t been any password at all. But now, one was set.
For a few moments you simply sat there, unsure what to do next. But then, pulling yourself together, you started trying the simplest guesses: “123123”, “Ellie Williams”, “Ellie321”.
You hoped at least one of them would work, but as expected, they didn’t. The screen flared back with the annoying red text: “Incorrect password”
– “Damn it” — you muttered, biting your lip in frustration. Ellie was never the type to pick something so obvious.
Your eyes wandered over the items scattered around her bed, her things, her little world. Thoughts rushed chaotically through your head: space, dinosaurs, her creativity, favorite songs, video games and comics… You tried piecing together passwords that connected to her interests, mixing in numbers and symbols, but nothing worked. Then suddenly, after so many attempts, a hint popped up on the screen: “Keep trying, you won't guess!”
A helpless smile tugged at your lips as you sighed softly.
– “Very funny, Ellie” — you whispered under your breath, your voice carrying a warm note.
Pushing the chair back, you stood and pressed your palms against the wooden desk, scanning the room for something any clue. But in this swirl of creative chaos, focusing was nearly impossible. You often teased her about the mess on her desk. Every time, you’d roll your eyes and tell her she really needed to clean up. But Ellie would always raise a finger with mock seriousness and say:
“This is an artist’s workspace. It’s all part of the art”. She knew it drove you crazy and maybe that’s why she left it just the way it was.
Your gaze lingered on the small astronaut figurine, the one you’d given her for her nineteenth birthday. At once, that day came flooding back: her radiant smile, her genuine words of thanks, the comforting aroma of the dinner you’d cooked. A soft smile found its way onto your lips at the memory. Your eyes drifted further until they landed on her diary. You reached for it then stopped, frozen. Something deep inside held you back. You didn’t want to cross into her private world. But the urge to understand what was going on with Ellie pulled harder.
– “I’m sorry, Ellie" — you whispered guiltily.
Taking the diary in your hands, you flipped through a few pages and froze again. They were blank. You flipped through a few pages at the end of the diary. Suddenly, a paper fell out and landed softly on the floor. Your heart began to beat faster, and you quickly put the diary back on the table and bent down to pick it up. Your eyes traced the paper, your breath catching. You straightened, clutching it in trembling hands. Your heart pounded like a drum, your fingers cold as ice. You sank into the chair and began to read carefully. The very first lines made your breath hitch:
“Baby, do you know why you make my blood run sweeter every time you’re near?”
Heat rushed to your cheeks. Your face flushed as you stared at the words, reading them over and over, examining every letter. You wanted to believe it wasn't her handwriting. But deep down, you knew it was hers. Your heart pounded so loud it filled the silent room. Holding your breath, your eyes drifted lower across the page, tracing the next lines:
“The world gives fruits — so many, true,
Cherries, pears, and bananas too.
Yet all taste dim, like fleeting art…
One look at you would stir my heart,
And I would hold you one more time.”
It took everything you had to contain the storm of emotions inside you. On one hand, her tender words made your heart flutter. On the other, jealousy tore you apart. Your hands trembled, your body wrapped in a sudden chill, while hot tears threatened to break free. You swallowed them back with all your strength. Terrified to read on, you still lowered your gaze to the next poem:
“I am fire, and you are rain,
I burn with love, I burn in pain.
So quench me now, my sweetest flame.“
You couldn’t hold it anymore. Tears spilled down your cheeks, stinging as they fell. Reading on felt like torture. And yet, the desperate need to know the name of the girl she wrote about outweighed the pain. You wiped away your tears and reluctantly turned the page over. On the back, you find the following text:
“I thought my birthday would be just another ordinary day, that no one would care. But how wrong I was. My best friend made it special. She gave me a little astronaut figurine. I was so happy!
Honestly, I would have been happy just with her congratulations. But no… she took the time, spent her money, chose the perfect gift to surprise ME. I still don’t know how to thank her.
She spent the whole day with me. We played games, ate the sweet cake she baked. In the evening we watched comedies and laughed. I’d never realized before how important her laughter was to me.
When she fell asleep beside me, I listened to her gentle breathing. It was so… peaceful. I wanted to stay like that until morning, but I didn’t dare.
DON’T RUIN THE FRIENDSHIP! DON’T RUIN THE FRIENDSHIP! DON’T RUIN THE FRIENDSHIP!”
When you finished reading, you leaned back in the chair, left alone with the raging storm inside your chest. The truth settled like a heavy stone: If Ellie truly has someone she loves, you would still treasure her for who she was. It warmed you to know she valued you so much and yet it hurt unbearably that you weren’t more to her.
Your thoughts spiraled with regret, all the wasted time, the chances you never took. With effort, you pulled yourself to your feet, your eyes lingering on the final line.
– “We've been through so much… nothing can destroy our friendship” — you muttered bitterly.
With a sigh, you set the paper back on the desk. You just wanted this to be over. Slowly, you picked up her laptop again and carried it to her bed. Sitting on the edge, you carefully placed it back on the pillow exactly the way she had left it. Another heavy sigh slipped from your lips as your gaze dropped.
Then, out of the corner of your eye, something caught your attention a photo pinned to her nightstand. You froze. You had never noticed it before. Stepping closer, you recognized it instantly. It was the two of you, dressed up, taking a selfie at prom.
The sight brought an involuntary smile to your lips. That day was filled with warmth and laughter, and you had etched it in memory as the last carefree evening of your teenage years a night when fun still outweighed fear of the future.
That photo brought back a tender memory of the evening when you shared your fears about the future with Ellie. She had gently taken your hands in hers, looked into your eyes, and softly told you how deeply she cherished every minute spent with you. She said she knew who you would become in this world, and that she believed in your future. All the while, Ellie tenderly stroked your hands. Her voice carried such warmth, every word chosen carefully to support you in that moment of vulnerability. You listened, holding your breath, unable to look away from her.
That was the moment you fell in love.
Returning from the memory, a soft smile already shimmered on your lips. A pleasant warmth bloomed somewhere deep in your chest. As you glanced around, a sudden realization pierced you: Ellie had pinned that photo next to her pillow, so she could see it every night before falling asleep. To remember that day.
– “Ellie being Ellie” — you whispered, your smile widening.
You slowly reach for the photo and carefully peel it off the sticker it was attached to. Your fingers gently touch Ellie's tender smile. After a few seconds, you sighed with gentle sadness. Your relationship with her is not as strong as it used to be. Not wanting to drown in those thoughts, you pressed the photo back in place. But the adhesive had dried, and it couldn’t hold anymore the photo slipped to the floor, flipping over as it fell. Something was written on the back. You blinked in surprise, quickly picked it up, and read: “Best + Me”
Below the note was a little sticker with the word: “Friendship”
– “Friendship” — you echoed under your breath.
Your finger traced the sticker, your gaze locked on it. And then, out of the whirlwind of thoughts, one pierced straight through: "What if my name is the password?"
Heat flooded your body, your heart pounding like a drum, cheeks burning hot. You froze in place, instinctively drawing a deeper breath. Shaking your head, you pushed the foolish thought away. With hurried movements, you stuck the photo back and pulled away from the nightstand. Your eyes drifted toward her laptop, and your hands nearly moved on their own, itching to try entering the password but you stopped yourself.
– “I’m too naive” — you muttered, almost with frustration.
Closing your eyes, you tried to slow the frantic storm of thoughts. Usually, it helped. But not this time. Your body rebelled against you. Images and memories of Ellie flared in your mind.
– “This is so stupid…” — you said irritably.
Unable to bear the pressure of your thoughts any longer, you gave in. Grabbing her laptop, you carried it to the desk and opened the lid. Your fingers hovered above the keyboard, trembling slightly. Slowly, you typed in your own name.
The moment you pressed the final key, the desktop appeared before your eyes. For several seconds, you just stared at the screen, unable to believe it. You couldn’t comprehend how it had actually worked why, out of all possible passwords in the world, she had chosen your name.
You quickly shook yourself back to reality, realizing you didn’t have time to wonder why. Your gaze rushed across the desktop, skimming through dozens of folders until one caught your eye. Folder — "My Little Secret" made you freeze.
Nervously swallowing, you opened the folder, and the contents left you stunned. Hundreds of photos of you each lovingly labeled: "My cutie patootie", "The eighth wonder of the world", "My angel" and countless other affectionate names she had given them.
A deep blush spread across your cheeks. You clicked on the first photo: it was you, curled up beneath a blanket, fast asleep. Across the image, text was written: "My sweetheart is sleeping. I want to hug her". A happy smile tugged at your lips, refusing to leave.
Realization of her feelings spread through every cell of your body, filling you with both joy and confusion. You kept scrolling, picture after picture, each one sparking a different feelings: embarrassment, delight, laughter, warmth. Every snapshot sent a pleasant shiver down your spine, making you understand just how much you meant to Ellie. Every time she risked taking a photo, she could have been caught by you but that never stopped her.
You basked in that intoxicating moment of discovery… until it was shattered by the sound of heavy footsteps outside the door — You froze.
Your heart plummeted into your stomach. With each passing second, the footsteps grew louder, closer. Panic surged through you. You shot up instantly, your eyes darting around the desk, frantically searching for any trace of your presence. The door began to creak open. Without thinking, you snapped the laptop shut and pressed your back against the desk, trying to shield her laptop and diary with your body. Your fingers gripped the edge of the desk so tightly they trembled.
The door opened fully. Ellie stood in the doorway. Her gaze swept over the room, then stopped on you. Her brows furrowed in surprise. You held your breath, fear gripping your chest. Only one thought echoed in your mind: "What should I do next?"
