Author's Note: This is my very first fanfiction ever. Writing's not exactly my thing, but I've always wanted to give one of these a shot. This is going to be based around the relationship, CrAsh, although keep in mind, nothing will be how it seems. I'm also not guaranteeing that Craig and Ashley will end up reunited as that would basically give away the whole fic, but have faith as I am a firm believer that itrue/i love conquers all. Hopefully, if I keep you guessing at least once or twice, I've done something right. Please comment and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi: The Next Generation or any of the characters mentioned.
Setting it up: The story takes place immediately after the episode High Fidelity (Although it will start with a flashback to when Ashley was in England, but I will specify that) So basically it's the summer between season 5 and season 6, to clarify. Nothing's changed as far as Craig's dating Manny, Ellie likes Craig and Ashley still dated Ali when she was in England. The things I am changing are: Ashley and Craig broke up when she left for England, not through the email. Ashley never kissed Jimmy and as a matter of fact she never even really spoke to him. Also, Craig left for Vancouver in Together Forever, but he's back too as things obviously didn't work out (will be explained later) and will be attending Degrassi next year as well along with Ashley, Jimmy and Spinner.
Warning: This chapter briefly mentions blood and loss. If these are sensitive subject matters for you, please do not read. Although, it is crucial to the story.
Chapter 1-"Complicated"
Ashley arrived home late in the evening. She'd just left The Dot after celebrating with her friends, the graduates of 2006. She was truly happy for them, but part of her was somber being as how she knew how much she wanted to be a part of that graduating class. Nevertheless, she smiled at the thought of them throwing their caps into the air. Then the thought of something or should she say someone else came to mind...Craig. Ashley's mind was filled will many thoughts on the subject of Craig but her body wanted to rest. She was exhausted. She lay on her bed and quickly fell into a deep sleep...
The dream was very clear. It was like looking back on it like it was yesterday. Ashley paced back and forth in her father's living room. Her heart and mind both racing. How icould/I she get herself into this mess? Why did Ali have to just ibe/I there? So many thoughts filled her head at one time, she thought it was going to explode. She flopped down on the sofa, put her head in her hands and started to sob.
"Why is this happening?" Ashley managed through the stream of tears.
"Ash...are you ok?" a voice questioned from behind her.
Ashley turned around to see a concerned Chris looking pitifully at her. Ashley almost jumped off the sofa. She had no idea she wasn't alone in the apartment. She was glad though, as she went over to Chris and wrapped her arms around him.
"I messed up...big time. I can't believe this...he told me I'm a liar. How can I lie..." Ashley breaks her half formed sentences to start sobbing again.
"I don't understand. Is this about Craig?"
Ashley lets go of his warming hug. She looks down at the floor almost afraid that it's going to fall out from under her. After all, everything else seems to be crumbling down as she speaks.
"No! Sorry, I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at myself," Ashley wipes away some tears "I'm pregnant, Chris, with Ali's baby..."
Chris looks taken back but pulls Ashley back into another tight hug.
"It's all going to be ok."
"It's never going to be ok. I don't love him, I never loved him, to be honest, I never really iliked/I him...he was just comfortable for the comfort I needed," Ashley once again pulls from the hug and sits back on the sofa. "I...I...I didn't even know his last name. When I told him I was pregnant, he told me I was slut and it couldn't possibly be his..."
Chris broke Ashley off in mid-sentence. "I kill him! You are not a slut! No one calls you that...ever!"
"Chris, he can call me whatever he wants as long as he never calls me, talks to me or sees me again"
Still furious at this little Brit asshole Chris managed to go back to a level of calm and start asking the much needed questions. "How far along are you?" He asked this knowing that Ashley had only been in England for two months now and as far as he knew had been seeing Ali for only one of those.
"One month to the day. I know what you're hoping Chris, it can't possibly be Craig's. He and I were together over three months ago. How'd this all get so complicated? Dad. How am I going to tell Dad...OW!"
Ashley doubled over in pain, looking down at her pants to notice blood running down them...
Ashley woke up a cold sweat covering her entire body. She quickly put her hand to her lower stomach. Nothing, no bump. She still didn't know how to feel about that. Sadness? Yes. Relief? Even though it wasn't an ideal situation that she put herself in, no. She's had that same dream every night for the last month since she lost her baby.
