Craig POV

This was it. The day I had been dreading all summer. Today was the day I would see Ash, after almost three months of no contact with her. I shifted on my feet in front of Degrassi, unable to move. What would happen when I saw Ashley? Would she dump me publicly? Or would we make up? I grinned at the thought of the more likely choice. But all that was over when Marco interrupted my train of thought.

"Hey, Craig? I don't know if you know this, but you're supposed to go inside the building." He said, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

"It's just…Ash is gonna be here. All summer—no phone call, no e-mail, no letters. It was like we're not even together." I said.

"You're not with Ashley anymore. She dumped you, so you need to get over it and move on." Marco said.

I shook my head.

"You are dead wrong. Ash is still my girlfriend, and that's it." I said.

Marco sighed. I smiled happily and we walked into Mr. Simpson's class. I looked, but couldn't find Ashley. I was struck with a sudden paranoia. Did Ash stay in England or something? Suddenly, Ashley and Ellie brushed past me.

"It really was amazing, El. I can't wait to go back." Ashley said, sitting down in between Paige and Ellie.

"So, forget the sights. How about a guy? Come on Ash, there had to be a guy. Spill." Paige said with excitement.

I sat down, my legs weak. Ashley looked down and smiled. She opened her mouth to speak, but I didn't hear her response, because the bell rang. Mr. Simpson started talking and passing out papers, but all of my attention was on Ashley.

"Ash!" I whispered.

Ashley looked over at me, shook her head and went back to work.

"Ash, we have to talk!" I hissed.

"No, Craig." She whispered sternly.

Ashley turned in her chair, ignoring me completely. I ripped a piece of paper from my notebook and stole Marco's pen.

I scrawled:

Ashley, what is going on?

I threw it to Ashley, who looked at it and glared. She wrote:

Craig, LATER

I sighed with impatience. Ash looked over at me and bit her lip. She looked sad, which was strange, since I was the one getting dumped. Finally, the bell rang, and Ashley made a run for the door. But she wasn't quick enough, because I grabbed her arm and whirled her around.

"Craig, I can't do this. Not in the middle of the hallway." She said.

"Fine. Then let's just hang out in my garage after school. Forget this summer ever happened." I said.

I moved in to kiss her, but she pulled back and sighed.

"Craig, it's over. I'm really sorry, but that's the way it is." She said.

Ashley edged her way around me, and went to her locker. I followed after her.

"Ashley, why? I waited for you all summer, thinking about us. Why would you mess it all up?" I yelled.

Ashley slammed her locker shut.

"If anyone ruined our relationship, it was you, Craig. We would still be together if you didn't stop taking your meds and try to follow me to England." She said, seething with anger.

"I actually think it might have been your little boyfriend in England who broke us up." I shot back.

Ashley froze at this, and fell back on her locker.

"W-what?" she asked.

"Yeah, I know all about your bit on the side!" I shouted.

"You should be the last person accusing me of cheating, Craig." She replied.

Ashley shook her head and gave me a quick slap in the face before dashing off to her next class. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around. It was Manny.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied.

"Listen, Craig, I'm going to give you a note, but don't open it until I leave, okay?" she asked.

I nodded as Manny thrust a piece of paper at me and ran away. I unfolded it and read:

Craig—

I heard about the way you and Ashley broke up, and I'm really sorry. But I need you now. I have no one else to talk to. I'll meet you in your garage at 7.

Manny