Degrassi - Moving Forward (10/?)
Title: Moving Forward
Rating: G
Word Count: 2,291
Pairing/Characters: Manny/Ellie, Marco, Emma
Summary:After Craig left town, Ellie and Manny both try to move on with their lives, and they're good at it. But neither can really move forward and find what they're looking for.
Disclaimer: I own nothing mmk?
Spoilers: Everything up until Rock This Town. Specifically the Manny/Ellie/Craig Triangle. Oh, and I've taken some liberties with this fic, Damien does not seem to exist, for example.
Other: This fic requires dialog, and I cannot write dialog to save my life, so hopefully it's okay. And, I was too lazy to read over this when I was done writing it/typing it, so hopefully it makes sense and there aren't too many typos.
Previous Chapters: Chapter one | Chapter two | Chapter three | Chapter four | Chapter five | Chapter six | Chapter seven | Chapter eight | Chapter nine
“It’s just not me.” The red-head slaps away Marco’s hand-currently holding a gold necklace.
“El, it looks so good on you,” the dark-haired boy sighs, placing the piece of jewelry onto the dresser, “and you wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”
Sighing, Ellie glares at her best friend before rummaging through the jewelry spread out and tangled together on the dark, wooden dresser. She did not think getting ready for a date had ever seemed so complicated before.
“Fine, fine, I get it.”
“Do you think I look too plain without a necklace?”
Marco briefly glances at the redhead’s reflection before attempting to untangle the silver knots on the dresser, “Yes, but my fashion sense has not always proven to be the best.”
“They why are you helping me get ready?”
“Moral support,” the boy nods definitively. “Ah-ha!” He shows the two separated bracelets to the extremely frustrated girl.
“Good job being no help.” The redhead sits down on the edge of her bed, smoothing out the sheets with her fingertips.
Marco takes a spot next to his friend, and gives her arm a little shake, “You’re just nervous, and you look great.”
Ellie breathes out slowly, steadily, and gazes at her reflection in the mirror. She recognizes herself; she looks the same as she has always remembered. But this time something seems different, and the redhead cannot quite put her finger on it.
“Okay, what are you thinking right now?”
Smiling, ever so slightly, the red-haired girl runs a hand through her freshly straightened hair, “that I can’t believe I’m getting ready to pick up Manny Santos for a date.” The words sound strange on her tongue, but they feel right.
“It’s a huge step.” Marco cannot help but grin. He knew the attraction was there almost all along, and now it feels like he made so much possible.
“Oh god, I know.” Ellie emphasizes her words and rests her chin in her hands, elbows bent on her thighs. “I’m nervous and excited and I just really want it to be perfect.”
“I always knew you were a romantic at heart Eleanor.” The dark-haired boy croons. A grin dancing on his lips. “Ow!”
“I told you never to call me that!” The red-haired girl slaps her best friend once more for good measure.
“It’ll be fine. It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
“I can’t even remember the last time it too me this long to get ready.”
Marco purses his lips and concentrates for a moment, “Me either,” he concludes, “and I honestly hope I never see you go through this again.”
“Oh yeah?” Ellie smirks at him, “why not?”
“Because you glare at me every five seconds,” the brunette boy shoots his best friend an accusing look.
“Do not!” The red-haired girl smacks Marco’s arm again before standing up and staring at herself in the mirror.
Quickly, the dark-haired boy follows suit and studies the girl. He wants to laugh at her anxiety, but doesn’t believe hi arm could take another blow.
“Do I look different to you?” Ellie blurts out, tilting her head slightly and biting her lip. Her blue eyes do not look to be her own today.
“Not really, why?”
Sighing, the redhead picks up a brush and runs it through her vibrant red hair. “I don’t know, I just, I think I look different.” She can’t help but struggle with the articulating her thoughts.
“Maybe it’s because you feel like a different person. Because you sort of are.”
Momentarily, Ellie contemplates rolling her eyes at her best friend and making some sort of sarcastic remark. But instead, she stares in the mirror, looking into her own blue orbs, and wonders if maybe he is right.
“Whatever, you deep girl,” Marco flops onto the bed, grinning widely.
---
The curling iron feels warm through the brunette’s hair and she knows the strands are almost ready, that when she lets them fall from the iron, they will curl perfectly. Curling her own hair is beyond annoying though; it’s a painstakingly long process. Warm the iron, wrap hair around it, wait, wait, wait. Manny tapes her fingers impatiently on the Nelson’s bathroom counter.
“Em, why did I decide it would be a good idea to curl my hair?” The dark-haired girl breathes out loudly, sitting down on the porcelain toilet.
“I warned you not to,” the bubbly blonde sings-songs from the next room.
“You should have forced me not to do it” The brunette releases her now bouncy locks and smiles a tiny bit. “At least my hair is cooperating.”
“Mmmhmm,” Emma pops her head in, a grin on her face, “looks awesome; now finish.”
“How much time do I have left?”
“About thirty minutes.”
Frowning into the mirror, Manny uses her free hand to find some lipstick. “I should have come over earlier.”
“I told you it would take longer than two hours,” the light-haired girl enters the bathroom, kneeling down to put the chosen shoes on her best friend’s feet.”
“I’m sorry if I can usually choose an outfit faster than you. No need to be jealous,” Manny smirks down at the blonde, resting her elbow on the counter.
“You can be so mean sometimes.” Emma stands up, letting her eyes fall onto the lipstick, “Is this the color you want?” she inquires, picking up the tube.
“You know I love you though, and yes please,” The dark-haired girl cannot seem to wipe the silly grin off of her face, and she is really enjoying it.
“I really like this color.”
“You can borrow it sometime if you want. Maybe when you have a hate date with Mr. Cameron.”
“This color would not look good on me,” she waves the lipstick around for a few seconds, “hold still.”
After Emma is done applying her lipstick, Manny releases her last strand of hair, accidentally hitting her finger on the hot curling iron, “Ow!”
“Oh my god,” the light-haired girl closes the lipstick and turns on the faucet, feeling the running stream, of water until it’s ice cold. “Here,” she takes the curling ieon from her friend, unplugging the device.
“Of course this happens to me now.” The dark-haired girl grins cynically as she holds her finger under the water.
Shaking her head a little, Emma sighs, “That’s life. And you’ll be fine drama queen.”
“I’m so nervous.” Manny whispers, biting her lip. She hates this nervous feeling, she loves this nervous feeling, it is all the same, really.
“I know, that’s normal.”
“Yeah, but this is different. I’m going on a date with Ellie. This is…hugely nerve-wracking.”
Turning off the faucet and offering the dark-haired girl a towel, the blonde smiles. “And it’s been a long time coming.”
“What if it doesn’t go well?” The brunette girl speaks softly, drying off her finger with the towel, allowing the slight heat to feel like fire, burning too hard, too fast.
“I’m sure it’ll be just fine. Stop worrying so much.”
“It’s hard to stop.” Standing up, Manny looks at herself in the mirror, grabbing some mascara from her make-up bag.
“You’ve never been so close and invested like you are with Ellie before. I’m sure that she’s just as nervous.” Emma sooths quietly, squeezing Manny’s arm lightly.
As she finishes putting on her make-up, the brunette sits down on the toilet again, “I guess I think that if it doesn’t work out we won’t be able to be friends anymore.”
“She’d be crazy not to love you Manny, it’s her lose if it doesn’t work out.”
“Could you be any more cliché?” The dark-haired girl chuckles a little, tilting her head to the side.
“I could if I try, if that’s what you really want.” The blonde smirks happily. She loves seeing that sparkle in her best friend’s eyes.
“Oh god, please don’t. I get enough positive attitude from Darcy everyday.”
“Well, it’s the truth,” she nods affirmatively and walks out of the bathroom. “You have about five minutes.”
“Okay-dokey,” Manny turns off the bathroom lights as she exits. Standing in front of Emma’s full-length mirror, the brunette examines herself quickly before smoothing out her top.
“You look great Manny, don’t worry about it.”
“I know, I know,” the brunette smiles brightly at her friend and reaches out, embracing the blonde tightly. “Thank you.”
“It’s what friends are for. Plus, I expect to hear all about it when you get back.”
Rolling her eyes, Manny begins her descent up the stairs, a giddy smile on her face, and butterflies in her stomach.
---
Ding-dong. The Nelson’s doorbell vibrates throughout the house. Taking one last breath and rubbing her slightly sweaty hands on her jeans, the brunette reaches out, opening the door.
“Hi.” Ellie smiles, feeling just as anxious as the younger girl, “you look great.”
“Thanks, you do too,” the brunette almost whispers, grabbing her coat and purse. “I guess we can just go.”
“Okay.” The redhead bites her lip lightly, watching Manny’s movements carefully, god, she never thought she’d be here.
---
“What do you think you’re going to order?” The older girl asks, looking through the variety of choices on the menu. “Everything just sounds so good.”
Nodding in agreement, the dark-haired girl answers, “I’m thinking chicken pollo vodka.” She flips a page in her menu, still skimming the possibilities.
“Sounds good, I think I might get cheese ravioli.”
“That stuff is so, so good.” Manny smiles enthusiastically, putting down her menu, brushing some fringe out of her eyes.
“Have you ever been in here before?” Ellie returns the smile and crosses her legs again; she’s finally starting to let her anxiety evaporate.
“A few times,” the younger girl takes a sip of her soda and glances around the restaurant. She recognizes a few people from school and she can’t help it, they make her even more nervous.
Grabbing a piece of bread, the redhead watches her date curiously, “Is anything wrong?”
“Oh no, sorry,” The brunette looks down at her hands for a brief moment, pulling on her fingers. “I guess I’m just nervous.”
“Me too, this is so new.”
“And it’s kind of the same too.”
Ellie nods her head; she thinks that sounds about right. “We eat together all the time, don’t we?” If it wasn’t for the fact that she had asked Manny out, it would seem like just another, random night.
“We really do.” The younger girl takes a sip of her soda, and grins. “This feels right, you know. I just, I like it.”
“It really does.” After speaking, the red-haired girl wants to hit herself, this must be the millionth time she has halted the conversation. She takes a small bite of bread and recrosses her legs once more.
“You know, it took me forever to get read tonight. I hate curling my hair.” Manny breaks the silence, twisting a small curl around her pointer finger.
“You didn’t have to curl your hair for me,” the older girl can feel herself blushing slightly; she really wishes she hadn’t sounded so…self-absorbed.
Manny grins wider as some color floods the redhead’s cheeks, “I wanted too. Emma tried to stop me though.”
“She’s always looking out for you.”
“She really is. Sometimes it can get annoying though.” The brunette shakes her head at the thought. “I hate when she get super protective.”
“Marco’s looking out for me usually does not even begin to make sense.”
Manny chuckles a little at that, “I’d imagine both of you are pretty self-sufficient.”
“You’d be surprised.” Ellie smiles brightly, and jumps into one of her stories, talking animatedly with her hands.
---
Holding her hand to her stomach, the dark-haired girl groans, “I am so full.”
“It’s not my fault that you ate my last ravioli’s.” the redhead shakes her head, quite amused.
“I told her I loved their raviolis. What was I suppose to do with those two ones left? You were cuckoo bananas not to eat them.”
“Well, at least I’m not overly full.” Ellie laughs at the girl sitting next to her as she drives back to the Nelson’s house. She cannot help but think that the night went beyond well. It was one of the best night’s she has had in a while.
Reaching out to mess with the radio, Manny responds, “If you are not overly full after going out to eat, then there is something wrong with you.”
“I don’t buy that.” The older girl turns into Emma’s driveway, unlocks her seatbelt and turns to look at her date.
“So…” the dark-haired girl’s voice trails off. It’s that moment. The moment. She’s seen them in movies, lots and lots of movies. She loves these moments in movies. But her stomach is doing cartwheels and she feels a little faint.
“So…” Ellie does not know at all what to do now. Her mind is telling her what she wants to do. Her heart is racing her in chest as she looks at Manny’s gorgeous brown eyes.
Leaning in, both girls close their eyes, ready for whatever. Ready for nothing, ready for sparks, ready for everything. The moment their lips meet they both know they are feeling exactly the same thing. It’s a nice feeling.
Safe. Risky. Sweet. Soft. Perfect.
As they break away, the dark-haired girl smiles, completely ecstatic. “Thank you.”
“Thank you.” Ellie repeats, a grin plastered to her face as well. “Good night.”
“Good night.” The younger girl opens the car door and climbs out, almost skipping to the door, which Emma opens as soon as Manny get to the porch.
As Ellie watches the brunette enter the house, she leans back in the seat, running her fingers over her lips. “Thank you,” she repeats to the silence.
Rating: G
Word Count: 2,291
Pairing/Characters: Manny/Ellie, Marco, Emma
Summary:After Craig left town, Ellie and Manny both try to move on with their lives, and they're good at it. But neither can really move forward and find what they're looking for.
Disclaimer: I own nothing mmk?
Spoilers: Everything up until Rock This Town. Specifically the Manny/Ellie/Craig Triangle. Oh, and I've taken some liberties with this fic, Damien does not seem to exist, for example.
Other: This fic requires dialog, and I cannot write dialog to save my life, so hopefully it's okay. And, I was too lazy to read over this when I was done writing it/typing it, so hopefully it makes sense and there aren't too many typos.
Previous Chapters: Chapter one | Chapter two | Chapter three | Chapter four | Chapter five | Chapter six | Chapter seven | Chapter eight | Chapter nine
“It’s just not me.” The red-head slaps away Marco’s hand-currently holding a gold necklace.
“El, it looks so good on you,” the dark-haired boy sighs, placing the piece of jewelry onto the dresser, “and you wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”
Sighing, Ellie glares at her best friend before rummaging through the jewelry spread out and tangled together on the dark, wooden dresser. She did not think getting ready for a date had ever seemed so complicated before.
“Fine, fine, I get it.”
“Do you think I look too plain without a necklace?”
Marco briefly glances at the redhead’s reflection before attempting to untangle the silver knots on the dresser, “Yes, but my fashion sense has not always proven to be the best.”
“They why are you helping me get ready?”
“Moral support,” the boy nods definitively. “Ah-ha!” He shows the two separated bracelets to the extremely frustrated girl.
“Good job being no help.” The redhead sits down on the edge of her bed, smoothing out the sheets with her fingertips.
Marco takes a spot next to his friend, and gives her arm a little shake, “You’re just nervous, and you look great.”
Ellie breathes out slowly, steadily, and gazes at her reflection in the mirror. She recognizes herself; she looks the same as she has always remembered. But this time something seems different, and the redhead cannot quite put her finger on it.
“Okay, what are you thinking right now?”
Smiling, ever so slightly, the red-haired girl runs a hand through her freshly straightened hair, “that I can’t believe I’m getting ready to pick up Manny Santos for a date.” The words sound strange on her tongue, but they feel right.
“It’s a huge step.” Marco cannot help but grin. He knew the attraction was there almost all along, and now it feels like he made so much possible.
“Oh god, I know.” Ellie emphasizes her words and rests her chin in her hands, elbows bent on her thighs. “I’m nervous and excited and I just really want it to be perfect.”
“I always knew you were a romantic at heart Eleanor.” The dark-haired boy croons. A grin dancing on his lips. “Ow!”
“I told you never to call me that!” The red-haired girl slaps her best friend once more for good measure.
“It’ll be fine. It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
“I can’t even remember the last time it too me this long to get ready.”
Marco purses his lips and concentrates for a moment, “Me either,” he concludes, “and I honestly hope I never see you go through this again.”
“Oh yeah?” Ellie smirks at him, “why not?”
“Because you glare at me every five seconds,” the brunette boy shoots his best friend an accusing look.
“Do not!” The red-haired girl smacks Marco’s arm again before standing up and staring at herself in the mirror.
Quickly, the dark-haired boy follows suit and studies the girl. He wants to laugh at her anxiety, but doesn’t believe hi arm could take another blow.
“Do I look different to you?” Ellie blurts out, tilting her head slightly and biting her lip. Her blue eyes do not look to be her own today.
“Not really, why?”
Sighing, the redhead picks up a brush and runs it through her vibrant red hair. “I don’t know, I just, I think I look different.” She can’t help but struggle with the articulating her thoughts.
“Maybe it’s because you feel like a different person. Because you sort of are.”
Momentarily, Ellie contemplates rolling her eyes at her best friend and making some sort of sarcastic remark. But instead, she stares in the mirror, looking into her own blue orbs, and wonders if maybe he is right.
“Whatever, you deep girl,” Marco flops onto the bed, grinning widely.
---
The curling iron feels warm through the brunette’s hair and she knows the strands are almost ready, that when she lets them fall from the iron, they will curl perfectly. Curling her own hair is beyond annoying though; it’s a painstakingly long process. Warm the iron, wrap hair around it, wait, wait, wait. Manny tapes her fingers impatiently on the Nelson’s bathroom counter.
“Em, why did I decide it would be a good idea to curl my hair?” The dark-haired girl breathes out loudly, sitting down on the porcelain toilet.
“I warned you not to,” the bubbly blonde sings-songs from the next room.
“You should have forced me not to do it” The brunette releases her now bouncy locks and smiles a tiny bit. “At least my hair is cooperating.”
“Mmmhmm,” Emma pops her head in, a grin on her face, “looks awesome; now finish.”
“How much time do I have left?”
“About thirty minutes.”
Frowning into the mirror, Manny uses her free hand to find some lipstick. “I should have come over earlier.”
“I told you it would take longer than two hours,” the light-haired girl enters the bathroom, kneeling down to put the chosen shoes on her best friend’s feet.”
“I’m sorry if I can usually choose an outfit faster than you. No need to be jealous,” Manny smirks down at the blonde, resting her elbow on the counter.
“You can be so mean sometimes.” Emma stands up, letting her eyes fall onto the lipstick, “Is this the color you want?” she inquires, picking up the tube.
“You know I love you though, and yes please,” The dark-haired girl cannot seem to wipe the silly grin off of her face, and she is really enjoying it.
“I really like this color.”
“You can borrow it sometime if you want. Maybe when you have a hate date with Mr. Cameron.”
“This color would not look good on me,” she waves the lipstick around for a few seconds, “hold still.”
After Emma is done applying her lipstick, Manny releases her last strand of hair, accidentally hitting her finger on the hot curling iron, “Ow!”
“Oh my god,” the light-haired girl closes the lipstick and turns on the faucet, feeling the running stream, of water until it’s ice cold. “Here,” she takes the curling ieon from her friend, unplugging the device.
“Of course this happens to me now.” The dark-haired girl grins cynically as she holds her finger under the water.
Shaking her head a little, Emma sighs, “That’s life. And you’ll be fine drama queen.”
“I’m so nervous.” Manny whispers, biting her lip. She hates this nervous feeling, she loves this nervous feeling, it is all the same, really.
“I know, that’s normal.”
“Yeah, but this is different. I’m going on a date with Ellie. This is…hugely nerve-wracking.”
Turning off the faucet and offering the dark-haired girl a towel, the blonde smiles. “And it’s been a long time coming.”
“What if it doesn’t go well?” The brunette girl speaks softly, drying off her finger with the towel, allowing the slight heat to feel like fire, burning too hard, too fast.
“I’m sure it’ll be just fine. Stop worrying so much.”
“It’s hard to stop.” Standing up, Manny looks at herself in the mirror, grabbing some mascara from her make-up bag.
“You’ve never been so close and invested like you are with Ellie before. I’m sure that she’s just as nervous.” Emma sooths quietly, squeezing Manny’s arm lightly.
As she finishes putting on her make-up, the brunette sits down on the toilet again, “I guess I think that if it doesn’t work out we won’t be able to be friends anymore.”
“She’d be crazy not to love you Manny, it’s her lose if it doesn’t work out.”
“Could you be any more cliché?” The dark-haired girl chuckles a little, tilting her head to the side.
“I could if I try, if that’s what you really want.” The blonde smirks happily. She loves seeing that sparkle in her best friend’s eyes.
“Oh god, please don’t. I get enough positive attitude from Darcy everyday.”
“Well, it’s the truth,” she nods affirmatively and walks out of the bathroom. “You have about five minutes.”
“Okay-dokey,” Manny turns off the bathroom lights as she exits. Standing in front of Emma’s full-length mirror, the brunette examines herself quickly before smoothing out her top.
“You look great Manny, don’t worry about it.”
“I know, I know,” the brunette smiles brightly at her friend and reaches out, embracing the blonde tightly. “Thank you.”
“It’s what friends are for. Plus, I expect to hear all about it when you get back.”
Rolling her eyes, Manny begins her descent up the stairs, a giddy smile on her face, and butterflies in her stomach.
---
Ding-dong. The Nelson’s doorbell vibrates throughout the house. Taking one last breath and rubbing her slightly sweaty hands on her jeans, the brunette reaches out, opening the door.
“Hi.” Ellie smiles, feeling just as anxious as the younger girl, “you look great.”
“Thanks, you do too,” the brunette almost whispers, grabbing her coat and purse. “I guess we can just go.”
“Okay.” The redhead bites her lip lightly, watching Manny’s movements carefully, god, she never thought she’d be here.
---
“What do you think you’re going to order?” The older girl asks, looking through the variety of choices on the menu. “Everything just sounds so good.”
Nodding in agreement, the dark-haired girl answers, “I’m thinking chicken pollo vodka.” She flips a page in her menu, still skimming the possibilities.
“Sounds good, I think I might get cheese ravioli.”
“That stuff is so, so good.” Manny smiles enthusiastically, putting down her menu, brushing some fringe out of her eyes.
“Have you ever been in here before?” Ellie returns the smile and crosses her legs again; she’s finally starting to let her anxiety evaporate.
“A few times,” the younger girl takes a sip of her soda and glances around the restaurant. She recognizes a few people from school and she can’t help it, they make her even more nervous.
Grabbing a piece of bread, the redhead watches her date curiously, “Is anything wrong?”
“Oh no, sorry,” The brunette looks down at her hands for a brief moment, pulling on her fingers. “I guess I’m just nervous.”
“Me too, this is so new.”
“And it’s kind of the same too.”
Ellie nods her head; she thinks that sounds about right. “We eat together all the time, don’t we?” If it wasn’t for the fact that she had asked Manny out, it would seem like just another, random night.
“We really do.” The younger girl takes a sip of her soda, and grins. “This feels right, you know. I just, I like it.”
“It really does.” After speaking, the red-haired girl wants to hit herself, this must be the millionth time she has halted the conversation. She takes a small bite of bread and recrosses her legs once more.
“You know, it took me forever to get read tonight. I hate curling my hair.” Manny breaks the silence, twisting a small curl around her pointer finger.
“You didn’t have to curl your hair for me,” the older girl can feel herself blushing slightly; she really wishes she hadn’t sounded so…self-absorbed.
Manny grins wider as some color floods the redhead’s cheeks, “I wanted too. Emma tried to stop me though.”
“She’s always looking out for you.”
“She really is. Sometimes it can get annoying though.” The brunette shakes her head at the thought. “I hate when she get super protective.”
“Marco’s looking out for me usually does not even begin to make sense.”
Manny chuckles a little at that, “I’d imagine both of you are pretty self-sufficient.”
“You’d be surprised.” Ellie smiles brightly, and jumps into one of her stories, talking animatedly with her hands.
---
Holding her hand to her stomach, the dark-haired girl groans, “I am so full.”
“It’s not my fault that you ate my last ravioli’s.” the redhead shakes her head, quite amused.
“I told her I loved their raviolis. What was I suppose to do with those two ones left? You were cuckoo bananas not to eat them.”
“Well, at least I’m not overly full.” Ellie laughs at the girl sitting next to her as she drives back to the Nelson’s house. She cannot help but think that the night went beyond well. It was one of the best night’s she has had in a while.
Reaching out to mess with the radio, Manny responds, “If you are not overly full after going out to eat, then there is something wrong with you.”
“I don’t buy that.” The older girl turns into Emma’s driveway, unlocks her seatbelt and turns to look at her date.
“So…” the dark-haired girl’s voice trails off. It’s that moment. The moment. She’s seen them in movies, lots and lots of movies. She loves these moments in movies. But her stomach is doing cartwheels and she feels a little faint.
“So…” Ellie does not know at all what to do now. Her mind is telling her what she wants to do. Her heart is racing her in chest as she looks at Manny’s gorgeous brown eyes.
Leaning in, both girls close their eyes, ready for whatever. Ready for nothing, ready for sparks, ready for everything. The moment their lips meet they both know they are feeling exactly the same thing. It’s a nice feeling.
Safe. Risky. Sweet. Soft. Perfect.
As they break away, the dark-haired girl smiles, completely ecstatic. “Thank you.”
“Thank you.” Ellie repeats, a grin plastered to her face as well. “Good night.”
“Good night.” The younger girl opens the car door and climbs out, almost skipping to the door, which Emma opens as soon as Manny get to the porch.
As Ellie watches the brunette enter the house, she leans back in the seat, running her fingers over her lips. “Thank you,” she repeats to the silence.