Ellie: "Oh, give me a fucking break! You always do this, twist shit around like I’m the asshole just for telling the truth."

She throws up her hands, pacing, shaking her head like she’s trying to hold back saying something worse. But then, she doesn’t.

Ellie: "You wanna talk about problems? About who’s ‘hard to deal with’? Jesus Christ, have you even looked in the mirror? Half the time, I don’t even know if you’re arguing with me or the voices in your head!"

Her words hit like a slap. The second they’re out, there’s a shift in the air, something cold, something ugly.

Ellie: "Yeah, that’s right." she pushes, bitterness lacing her voice. "You wanna act like I’m the one who’s difficult? At least I know what’s real. At least I don’t go off the deep end over shit that isn’t even happening!"

Ellie exhales sharply, her chest rising and falling like she’s just realized what she’s done, but she’s too stubborn, too caught up in her anger to take it back.

Ellie: "You wanted honesty? Well, there it fucking is."