Sean scowled as he looked around the school in disgust. Come to think of it, he had been scowling a lot since he broke up with . . . Sean shook his head and put on his headphones to rid his mind of Emma. *Everyone thinks that you should just be who you are. But the moment you take off that mask that you've worn for so long, the people around you realize they don't like who you really are. They want you to go back to the person they've grown accustomed to. But you can't. No matter how hard you try, you can't go back to being someone you're not. You've outgrown the mask. So, you have to outgrow your friends. * Sean's thoughts were interrupted as he spotted Jay walking out of the school building. He jerked his head toward the car, motioning for Sean to get in. Sean hopped into the backseat as Jay got into the passenger's side. Almost as soon as they were in, the driver took off.
Craig sat outside of Degrassi on the chilly January afternoon. He was eating lunch with a few of his friends, when he witnessed Sean jump into a car, just as it was about to speed away. He shook his head, then took a bite out of his cheeseburger. He chewed slowly as he thought about how to word the question he was about to ask. He swallowed his food, then asked, "What's the deal with Sean?" *That sounded really thought out! * Craig thought sarcastically to himself. He had been so busy with his own problems, he hadn't noticed Sean's. Or anyone else's, for that matter.
Spinner raised an eyebrow at Craig, "Where have you been? Oh, wait, that's right . . . "By the threatening look on Craig's face, he knew he should shut up. Ashley hadn't told anyone except for Ellie about the . . . incident, because she felt as if it her fault. She also didn't want anyone to feel bad for her. Manny hadn't told anyone because she felt somewhat ashamed for what she did.
Spinner reached over to grab a french fry out of the red basket sitting in front of Paige. She quickly swatted his hand away, and Spinner acted like she had really hurt him. Paige rolled her eyes before focusing her attention back on Craig, "Well, hon, it's like this: Emma, perhaps the love of Sean's life, broke up with him. Or maybe he broke up with her . . . " Paige seemed to argue with herself for a moment until she heard Craig clear his throat impatiently, "Right, anyway, they broke up. Sean started hanging out with Jay and his crew, and things have gone down hill since,"
Paige smiled, and nodded her head in triumph.
Craig looked at her strangely for a second as she placed a fry in her mouth, "Since when did you pay attention to people in lower grades . . . to anyone except yourself?" Craig corrected himself.
Paige opened her mouth in mock shock, then smiled at him, "You have to know the gossip on everyone . . . especially when it's juicy."
Spinner was looking at her in awe, "Ain't she great?"He asked Craig as he kissed Paige on the cheek.
Craig wasn't really paying attention to them. Paige's last comment had gotten to him, "You have to know the gossip on everyone . . . especially when it's juicy." *She knows. She has to know. Spinner must've told her. * His glare shot daggers at Spinner, who was too involved with Paige to notice. *Maybe he didn't. It could just be a coincidence. *
Craig shook the crazy thoughts from his head, but they all came back as he watched a girl in a pair of jeans and a vintage tee walk toward the school building. She was of course accompanied by her best friend with red braided pigtails who was dressed all in black. As they disappeared into the building, Craig thought to himself, *I should talk to Ash before someone else does. * Craig sighed as he thought about how complicated his life had become in the past few months. He knew he didn't love Ashley. He did care for her, but not as much as he cared for Manny. He was afraid of Ashley blaming herself for his mistakes. She acted like she didn't care what people thought about her, but he had seen how insecure she could be at times.
Craig decided to let it all go for now. He cleared his throat loudly so Paige and Spinner both looked up from their 'cute talk', "Spin, so are you and Sean friends?"
Spinner scoffed at him, "Dude, he's only in grade nine."
"You're in grade nine English, and we still hang out with you," Craig retorted, making Spinner's face turn red, and Paige choke on the soda she was drinking, "Look, I'm sorry Spin. But a couple years ago he helped me out, and I think it's about time to return the favor."
Spinner could tell Craig already had a plan, and there was no use in trying to get out of it. He was alleviated when Craig asked, "So do you have plans tonight?"
Spinner let out a sigh of relief as he gladly remembered asking Paige to the movies earlier that day, "Yep, sorry Craig. I'd really like to help you out, but I've got plans with Paige." He put his arm around her shoulders. *I won't have to hang out with that punk Cameron kid. *
"Spin, it's okay. The movie doesn't start till 8:35. You'll have plenty of time," Spinner quickly pulled his arm away from her. Betrayed by his own girlfriend! He shook his head, and was upset even more by the amused look on Craig's face.
"Besides, I kinda wanted to talk to Ashley tonight . . . "Craig began, but was cut off by Paige.
"Why did she slap you at the performance? She won't tell me."Paige sounded somewhat frustrated, "You guys broke up so quickly. You must've really screwed up, Craig."
Craig mouthed the word 'no' at her, before continuing his conversation with Spinner, "Well, I'm going to head inside. It's getting really cold out here! When school gets out, I'll meet you at my locker, then we'll head over to Sean's."
He threw the remains of his lunch in a nearby trash can, and started up the steps. He could still hear Spinner complaining as he ran into the warm school building.
Spinner stopped talking as he watched Marco and Dylan enter the building behind Craig, "That's so gross."
Paige followed his gaze to Marco and Dylan as the doors closed behind them, "Spin, Marco was like, your best friend. And Dylan's my brother. So, just get over it."
Spinner decided he didn't want to argue with Paige, but in his mind, Marco was no longer his friend.
The rest of day was rather dull, and all of Craig's classes seemed twice as long. Just as he figured, Sean didn't come back to school that day.
Craig waited for ten minutes before he finally saw Spinner, practically dragging his knuckles, come into sight.
"Are you sure you wanna try and be friends with Cameron?"Spinner grumbled.
"This isn't about Sean," Craig said quickly as he turned and walked quickly toward the exit.
Spinner's face brightened, and he followed Craig just as swiftly, "It's not?"
"Well, it is. But mostly I need you to make sure I call Ashley and give her a *real* apology," Craig explained as they walked down the street.
"See? There you go. You get my hopes up, and you tear 'em down!"Spinner half-joked. He wasn't sure why, but he was actually intimidated by Sean. He wouldn't ever let anybody know, especially because not only was Sean shorter than he, but in a younger grade!
Craig had been to Sean's house a few times, and managed to find it without difficulty. Now he hoped that Sean was at least home. He knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again. Still, no answer. Craig pounded on the door, and shouted, "Hey, Cameron! Get off your lazy ass, and answer the door!"
Craig didn't see the expression of horror that crossed Spinner's face. Spinner was shocked yet again, when he heard Sean's voice yell back, "Hey, Manning! Don't be such a chicken and open the damn door!"
Craig smiled and opened the door. Sean had the blinds closed, and was lying on the couch wearing a wife beater, and a pair of boxers. The only light in the room was the glow from the TV.
"This is definitely worth skipping school," Craig said sarcastically as he watched his friend veg in front of the television, "What're ya doin tonight?"
Sean let his head fall over the arm of the couch so he saw Craig upside down, "Hi Spinner," he waved to the blonde haired boy standing behind Craig. *He hated me for making out with Ashley when she was still going out with Jimmy, but that's ancient history! What's his problem now? *
"Sean . . . "Craig waved his hand in front of Sean's face, "Did you hear my question?"
Sean sat up and turned to face them, "Well, I was thinking about just staying in tonight. Jay said he might stop by . . . "
"Good!"Craig said as he slapped his hands together, "So you have no plans. Why don't you get dressed, and meet Spinner and me at my house?"
"Craig, I dunno . . . "Sean began. Wasn't he just thinking about how you couldn't go back?
"You're coming! And if you don't show up, then I'll come looking for you," Craig said as threateningly as he could.
"Fine, fine, fine! I'll meet you guys over there," Sean said, "Just as soon as my show's over," He turned and laid back down on the couch.
Craig and Spinner shook their heads, and started the walk to Craig's house.
"It's ringing!"Craig whispered as he waited for Ash to pick up.
"Phones tend to do that," Spinner said as if he were talking to a three-year-old.
"Hello?"Ashley's voice answered quietly.
"Ash? Please don't hang up. . . . "Craig said quickly as he heard her frustrated sigh.
"Craig, I don't have anything else to say to you," Ash said impatiently.
"I have some things to say to you. Do you think you could meet me at The Dot, tonight?"Craig almost pleaded.
The other end was silent for a while before he heard, "I don't think my parents would want me going out tonight. I'm supposed to stay and watch Toby. But, I guess I can sneak out after my parents go to dinner . . . "
"Please Ash?"
"Ellie's over here right now, and I don't wanna leave her alone with Toby,"Ashley started to back out.
"She can walk around with Spinner for a while," Craig suggested. Spinner hit his head, knowing that they could only be talking about Ellie Nash.
"My parents are leaving at eight, so we'll meet you there at 8:15, okay?"
"8:15 sounds great," Craig saw Spinner flailing his arms.
Spinner whispered, "I have to pick Paige up at eight. Remember our movie starts at 8:30."
"Ash, Spinner can't come, but I'm sure Ellie will be fine by herself for a few minutes." Craig tried to reason.
"I dunno Craig. Maybe this isn't such a good idea," Ashley tried to get out of it again.
Just then, there was a knock on Craig's bedroom door, "Hey, Manning, you really should lock that door."
"It was locked!"Craig yelled back at him.
"Oh, ya, well, maybe you shouldn't have one that's so easy to pick," Sean joked as he entered Craig's room.
Craig forgot he had Ash on the phone, then she said, "Ya, I don't want to leave Ellie alone. It wouldn't be very polite. Bye, Craig."
Craig looked over at Sean, whose eyes widened by the plotting look Craig had. He could tell he was going to be involved, whether he wanted to or not, "Ash, don't hang up! I've got someone!"
Craig sat outside of Degrassi on the chilly January afternoon. He was eating lunch with a few of his friends, when he witnessed Sean jump into a car, just as it was about to speed away. He shook his head, then took a bite out of his cheeseburger. He chewed slowly as he thought about how to word the question he was about to ask. He swallowed his food, then asked, "What's the deal with Sean?" *That sounded really thought out! * Craig thought sarcastically to himself. He had been so busy with his own problems, he hadn't noticed Sean's. Or anyone else's, for that matter.
Spinner raised an eyebrow at Craig, "Where have you been? Oh, wait, that's right . . . "By the threatening look on Craig's face, he knew he should shut up. Ashley hadn't told anyone except for Ellie about the . . . incident, because she felt as if it her fault. She also didn't want anyone to feel bad for her. Manny hadn't told anyone because she felt somewhat ashamed for what she did.
Spinner reached over to grab a french fry out of the red basket sitting in front of Paige. She quickly swatted his hand away, and Spinner acted like she had really hurt him. Paige rolled her eyes before focusing her attention back on Craig, "Well, hon, it's like this: Emma, perhaps the love of Sean's life, broke up with him. Or maybe he broke up with her . . . " Paige seemed to argue with herself for a moment until she heard Craig clear his throat impatiently, "Right, anyway, they broke up. Sean started hanging out with Jay and his crew, and things have gone down hill since,"
Paige smiled, and nodded her head in triumph.
Craig looked at her strangely for a second as she placed a fry in her mouth, "Since when did you pay attention to people in lower grades . . . to anyone except yourself?" Craig corrected himself.
Paige opened her mouth in mock shock, then smiled at him, "You have to know the gossip on everyone . . . especially when it's juicy."
Spinner was looking at her in awe, "Ain't she great?"He asked Craig as he kissed Paige on the cheek.
Craig wasn't really paying attention to them. Paige's last comment had gotten to him, "You have to know the gossip on everyone . . . especially when it's juicy." *She knows. She has to know. Spinner must've told her. * His glare shot daggers at Spinner, who was too involved with Paige to notice. *Maybe he didn't. It could just be a coincidence. *
Craig shook the crazy thoughts from his head, but they all came back as he watched a girl in a pair of jeans and a vintage tee walk toward the school building. She was of course accompanied by her best friend with red braided pigtails who was dressed all in black. As they disappeared into the building, Craig thought to himself, *I should talk to Ash before someone else does. * Craig sighed as he thought about how complicated his life had become in the past few months. He knew he didn't love Ashley. He did care for her, but not as much as he cared for Manny. He was afraid of Ashley blaming herself for his mistakes. She acted like she didn't care what people thought about her, but he had seen how insecure she could be at times.
Craig decided to let it all go for now. He cleared his throat loudly so Paige and Spinner both looked up from their 'cute talk', "Spin, so are you and Sean friends?"
Spinner scoffed at him, "Dude, he's only in grade nine."
"You're in grade nine English, and we still hang out with you," Craig retorted, making Spinner's face turn red, and Paige choke on the soda she was drinking, "Look, I'm sorry Spin. But a couple years ago he helped me out, and I think it's about time to return the favor."
Spinner could tell Craig already had a plan, and there was no use in trying to get out of it. He was alleviated when Craig asked, "So do you have plans tonight?"
Spinner let out a sigh of relief as he gladly remembered asking Paige to the movies earlier that day, "Yep, sorry Craig. I'd really like to help you out, but I've got plans with Paige." He put his arm around her shoulders. *I won't have to hang out with that punk Cameron kid. *
"Spin, it's okay. The movie doesn't start till 8:35. You'll have plenty of time," Spinner quickly pulled his arm away from her. Betrayed by his own girlfriend! He shook his head, and was upset even more by the amused look on Craig's face.
"Besides, I kinda wanted to talk to Ashley tonight . . . "Craig began, but was cut off by Paige.
"Why did she slap you at the performance? She won't tell me."Paige sounded somewhat frustrated, "You guys broke up so quickly. You must've really screwed up, Craig."
Craig mouthed the word 'no' at her, before continuing his conversation with Spinner, "Well, I'm going to head inside. It's getting really cold out here! When school gets out, I'll meet you at my locker, then we'll head over to Sean's."
He threw the remains of his lunch in a nearby trash can, and started up the steps. He could still hear Spinner complaining as he ran into the warm school building.
Spinner stopped talking as he watched Marco and Dylan enter the building behind Craig, "That's so gross."
Paige followed his gaze to Marco and Dylan as the doors closed behind them, "Spin, Marco was like, your best friend. And Dylan's my brother. So, just get over it."
Spinner decided he didn't want to argue with Paige, but in his mind, Marco was no longer his friend.
The rest of day was rather dull, and all of Craig's classes seemed twice as long. Just as he figured, Sean didn't come back to school that day.
Craig waited for ten minutes before he finally saw Spinner, practically dragging his knuckles, come into sight.
"Are you sure you wanna try and be friends with Cameron?"Spinner grumbled.
"This isn't about Sean," Craig said quickly as he turned and walked quickly toward the exit.
Spinner's face brightened, and he followed Craig just as swiftly, "It's not?"
"Well, it is. But mostly I need you to make sure I call Ashley and give her a *real* apology," Craig explained as they walked down the street.
"See? There you go. You get my hopes up, and you tear 'em down!"Spinner half-joked. He wasn't sure why, but he was actually intimidated by Sean. He wouldn't ever let anybody know, especially because not only was Sean shorter than he, but in a younger grade!
Craig had been to Sean's house a few times, and managed to find it without difficulty. Now he hoped that Sean was at least home. He knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again. Still, no answer. Craig pounded on the door, and shouted, "Hey, Cameron! Get off your lazy ass, and answer the door!"
Craig didn't see the expression of horror that crossed Spinner's face. Spinner was shocked yet again, when he heard Sean's voice yell back, "Hey, Manning! Don't be such a chicken and open the damn door!"
Craig smiled and opened the door. Sean had the blinds closed, and was lying on the couch wearing a wife beater, and a pair of boxers. The only light in the room was the glow from the TV.
"This is definitely worth skipping school," Craig said sarcastically as he watched his friend veg in front of the television, "What're ya doin tonight?"
Sean let his head fall over the arm of the couch so he saw Craig upside down, "Hi Spinner," he waved to the blonde haired boy standing behind Craig. *He hated me for making out with Ashley when she was still going out with Jimmy, but that's ancient history! What's his problem now? *
"Sean . . . "Craig waved his hand in front of Sean's face, "Did you hear my question?"
Sean sat up and turned to face them, "Well, I was thinking about just staying in tonight. Jay said he might stop by . . . "
"Good!"Craig said as he slapped his hands together, "So you have no plans. Why don't you get dressed, and meet Spinner and me at my house?"
"Craig, I dunno . . . "Sean began. Wasn't he just thinking about how you couldn't go back?
"You're coming! And if you don't show up, then I'll come looking for you," Craig said as threateningly as he could.
"Fine, fine, fine! I'll meet you guys over there," Sean said, "Just as soon as my show's over," He turned and laid back down on the couch.
Craig and Spinner shook their heads, and started the walk to Craig's house.
"It's ringing!"Craig whispered as he waited for Ash to pick up.
"Phones tend to do that," Spinner said as if he were talking to a three-year-old.
"Hello?"Ashley's voice answered quietly.
"Ash? Please don't hang up. . . . "Craig said quickly as he heard her frustrated sigh.
"Craig, I don't have anything else to say to you," Ash said impatiently.
"I have some things to say to you. Do you think you could meet me at The Dot, tonight?"Craig almost pleaded.
The other end was silent for a while before he heard, "I don't think my parents would want me going out tonight. I'm supposed to stay and watch Toby. But, I guess I can sneak out after my parents go to dinner . . . "
"Please Ash?"
"Ellie's over here right now, and I don't wanna leave her alone with Toby,"Ashley started to back out.
"She can walk around with Spinner for a while," Craig suggested. Spinner hit his head, knowing that they could only be talking about Ellie Nash.
"My parents are leaving at eight, so we'll meet you there at 8:15, okay?"
"8:15 sounds great," Craig saw Spinner flailing his arms.
Spinner whispered, "I have to pick Paige up at eight. Remember our movie starts at 8:30."
"Ash, Spinner can't come, but I'm sure Ellie will be fine by herself for a few minutes." Craig tried to reason.
"I dunno Craig. Maybe this isn't such a good idea," Ashley tried to get out of it again.
Just then, there was a knock on Craig's bedroom door, "Hey, Manning, you really should lock that door."
"It was locked!"Craig yelled back at him.
"Oh, ya, well, maybe you shouldn't have one that's so easy to pick," Sean joked as he entered Craig's room.
Craig forgot he had Ash on the phone, then she said, "Ya, I don't want to leave Ellie alone. It wouldn't be very polite. Bye, Craig."
Craig looked over at Sean, whose eyes widened by the plotting look Craig had. He could tell he was going to be involved, whether he wanted to or not, "Ash, don't hang up! I've got someone!"