Disclaimer I own the character Maeve and no other characters

A knock on the door didn't stir him. He continued staring at the ceiling; not noticing her entering his room; perching herself on the edge of his bed. She cleared her throat. He rubbed his eyes quickly, removing any trace that he may have been upset. He couldn't let her see him crying. What sort of wuss would she think he was then? And how could he possibly explain to her the pain he was going through right now? She would not understand; she would get upset and possibly angry and he did not want to risk that.

"Craig, are you alright?" Sarah asked.

Craig sat up. "Yeah. Why shouldn't I be?" he hastily replied.

"You just seem a bit…quiet. A bit distant" Sarah said.

"I have a lot on my mind. You know exams and stuff." Craig said, getting up off the bed. "Did you want something?"

Sarah flinched. He sounded as if he wanted to get rid of her.

"I'm supposed to be your girlfriend Craig! Do I need a reason to come round?" Sarah asked, standing up.

"No, of course not. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Craig pulled her close into a hug and kissed the top of her head.

Meanwhile, John Paul was crossing the village. He had been on his way to see Craig but he had changed his mind. He had been doing that a lot recently. What was wrong with him? Craig was a mate. There was nothing wrong with wanting to spend time with him. "But you want more" John Paul thought to himself. He put his hand to his face and rubbed it, wishing he could rub all his problems and thoughts of Craig away. He was so lost in his own world he didn't notice he was about to walk into somebody. He didn't notice until it was too late. He crashed into a girl and her bags fell to the ground.

"Oh I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going!" the girl said, her broad Northern Irish accent making John-Paul smile.

"Let me help you. It was more my fault." He bent down and started picking up cans of soup and other groceries which had fallen from the bag. "You're not from around here."

"No, I'm visiting my brother. I'm considering HCC for next year!" the blonde girl said, smiling. "I'm Maeve. Do you know my brother? His name is Kris."

"Oh yes! I've seen him around. I'm John-Paul." John-Paul held out his hand.

Maeve smiled and shook it. "Maybe see you around!"

"Yeah, maybe!" he said smiling and they walked off their separate ways.

Preview of next chapter:

Spike stormed into the pub.

"Where is he? Where the heck is Craig Dean?"