Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi. Any copyright infringements are unintentional.
Summary: The tale of two lovers... Craig and Ellie. And a little help from an assortment of rock bands. Who else could tell their tale? CraigxEllie AU--Songfic
A/N: Okay... I have been thinking about this for a few days and decided to just go for it. I'll have about two full-length stories about these two going on simultaneously. I really should be writing for the Office, but since coming to New York with every corner music playing... it's hard to find motivation for dull fluorescent lights. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this. I'm pretty excited about this because I love music. I attempted the same thing for the Office, but I don't think it worked as well as this will turn out. Also, the alternative to 'Weird Fishes' will be a part of this story, so look out for that. Without further adieu, please read, review, and enjoy!
"Take Me Out"; Franz Ferdinand
Craig strummed on his guitar, feeling the horsehair play between his fingers, leaving its trace across the many visited digits. He smirked, knowing that in his hands lied the truth, the difference between harmony and motion, the line between right and wrong. His guitar was his home, his friend, his confident, only with it in his hands did he feel like himself or a close resemblance to what he thought he could be.
He was looked around the small bar, seeing some familiar faces amongst the crowd, a few roadies from previous shows, a few people he saw the week before, seeing everyone talking and casually waiting for his arrival on stage. He sighed, knowing that he wasn't the big rock star he dreamed he'd be at this point in his life, but here he was, holding his own set. In his eyes, it wasn't bad at all.
He felt someone tap his shoulder, smiling when he recognized the stage hand, "Hey. What's up, Bill?"
Bill nodded, "Hey. You're up in five."
"Thanks. See ya out there."
"Yeah, man. See ya." Bill smiled and headed over to the other end to do a quick sound check. As he watched them working the soundboard, something caught his eye from the other end of the room. He turned, taking a small glance at the girl across the way. She was laughing with small dimple in her smile, sitting closely to another guy at the small table. The two seemed completely enraptured in their own conversation, seemingly close. Craig smirked, wanting to know what they were talking about, intrigued by the girl with the fiery red hair and her companion, curious of her smile and her contagious laugh. Before he could inquire any further, someone came to the stage. "And now, here for your listening pleasure, a star on the rise... Craig Manning!"
The lights seemed to dim and the crowd cheered healthy, seemingly eager to hear him, but Craig couldn't help but look at the girl was the infectious coy expression. She seemed to be smirking more than smiling, but it was as if she was holding a secret, knowing something that everyone else was still trying to figure out. He smirked, knowing that in every concert, he would pick one person in the crowd to sing to, and he had found the lucky secret contestant.
As he played his set, he continuously looked at her the entire night, not paying attention to anyone. He was aware that he would receive a hearty applause after every song, even a few of the attendants sang along on a few of his crowd favorites. He smiled at the spotlight, trying not to look at her and watch his audience, but he had this innate feeling to watch her reaction, to know if she was watching like he was watching her.
After the set, a few people came up to him, shaking his hand, giving him a pat on the back, smiles all around. Craig nodded appropriately, giving them the smiles and hand shakes in return, occasionally looking over at the alluring woman across the room. Without another thought, he crossed toward her. He felt her friend turn his way, a faint smile laying on his lips. He nudged the redhead, eventually turning as well. Craig felt his throat constrict slightly, only being able to give them a friendly smile.
Her friend chuckled, "Craig Manning... nice to meet you." He extended his hand, grasping Craig's hand as they met.
Craig nodded, "You too." He found his voice, taking a seat next to the redhead at the bar. "A Molson."
The bartender nodded, "Sure, buddy." Within several seconds, a bottle slid down the bar.
Craig nodded as he drank down the bottle, trying to let the eventually buzz help his tension. He turned to his left, noticing that the redhead was looking his way. He extended his hand, "Craig Manning."
She smirked, "I know." She took his hand, "That was great set."
Her friend scoffed, "I'd say. You were talking about it all night."
Craig chuckled as he watched her neck blush. He cleared his throat, "Well... thanks."
Her friend came over to the other side, "I'm Marco and that over there is Ellie."
Craig turned to his left, letting a smile spread across his face, "Ellie."
Ellie nodded, "Yup." She chuckled, "So... I really liked the second song." She blushed, "The chorus was amazing."
Craig smirked, "Thanks." He felt Marco watching the two of them exchange, wishing that he'd stop.
Before he had the chance to vocalize his request, Marco took Ellie's hand, "Let's dance."
Ellie shook her head, "No..."
"Oh, c'mon, El." He started to shake his hips, pulling her off her stool.
Ellie smirked, "You know... there's a cute guy across the way. You should ask him to dance."
Marco turned a deep shade of crimson, "Shut up." He took a seat next to Ellie again, but nudged her, "You think he'd dance with me?"
Ellie laughed, "Go find out." She pushed him off the stool and watched as he walked to the other side of the bar. She nodded approvingly and turned back to Craig. "He's gorgeous, but he's so damn shy." She rolled her eyes, "I swear, he wouldn't have any dates if it weren't for me."
Craig looked over at Marco, who was talking to the guy across the way, "He seems to be doing pretty well."
Ellie nodded, "Yeah." She smirked as a song played on the speakers. "I love this song."
Craig nodded, listening to the lyrics, "Yeah, me too." He watched her play with her hair, secretly indulging in her insecure tendencies. "So... are you a musician too?"
Ellie snorted, "Hardly. I used to play the drums for fun, but nothing serious." She nodded, "I'm more of a listener than a player... if that makes any sense."
Craig chuckled, "Totally." He finished off his beer, feeling the slight buzz finally take shape. He looked at her, having this longing feeling to stay with her here. He watched her fidget on her stool, panicking slightly that she would leave. "So... what music to you listen to normally?"
Ellie shrugged, "I'm in this stage where all I want to listen to is Tom Waits and Broken Social Scene." She chuckled, "I know... completely different but that's where I'm at right now."
Craig smirked, "Interesting. I get Broken Social Scene... but Tom Waits?"
"I don't know... I just think I relate to his music at this stage of my life."
"So... you're a depressed outcast who admires Bob Dylan?"
Ellie nodded, "Yup... sounds about right." She chuckled, "But I like your music."
Craig felt himself blush slightly, trying his best to hide it, "Thanks."
Ellie turned closer to him, "I don't know... it's just when I saw you up there, you seemed so... bare... like you were shed of everything and let the world just see you."
Craig felt his throat constrict again, "Uh..."
"Sorry!" Ellie face flushed instantly, "I... um... I didn't mean to get so... intense... I was... um... I was just saying what I saw."
Craig shook his head, "No, it's not that. It's just... it's just that was the first time anyone was ever spot-on to anything I felt before." He smirked, "You got it exactly right."
Ellie rolled her eyes, "Don't tell Marco. He's always going on about how I tend to... I don't know... read people to well for my own good."
Craig felt the wave of panic again, not wanting to leave her. She was the coolest girl he ever met at any of these sets. She got music, not like the all his friends who played for the fame or for the release it caused to their soul, she got the art of it, what to him what it was really all about. "Hey... um... are you free tomorrow night?"
So if you're lonely
You know I'm here waiting for you
I'm just a crosshair
I'm just a shot away from you.
Ellie turned with a smile, "Why?"
Craig was caught off guard, used to most woman usually throwing themselves at him, but not her. She didn't seem as eager as the women he was accustomed to, including the two that tried to pick him up before the set. The thing was, he wanted her.
And if you leave here,
You leave me broken, shattered I lie
I'm just a cross hair
I'm just a shot than we can die.
Ellie gave Craig a thoughtful look, "Hmm... I don't think I busy tomorrow."
I know I won't be leavin' here
With you...
She folded her arms, "Are you asking me out?"
Craig shrugged, "Maybe."
Ellie chuckled, "Are you or aren't you?"
"What's with the hostility?"
"I'm not hostile... just curious."
Craig chuckled, "Curiosity can get the better of us."
Ellie punched him in the arm, "Stop stalling."
I say, "Don't you know."
You say, "You don't know."
I say, "Take me out."
Craig nodded, "Would you go to drinks with me tomorrow?"
Ellie smirked secretly, finding herself stalling for a response.
If I move this could die
Eye move this could die
I want you to take me out
Craig sighed, "Don't do that."
Ellie chuckled, "Don't do what?"
Craig scoffed, "Stall."
Ellie shrugged, "I don't know... it's fun. You were doing it so well... I thought I give it a try." She smirked again, watching as Craig seemed to actually take offense to her coy behavior. "Fine... don't be such a baby."
Craig rolled his eyes, "I'm not a baby."
Ellie chuckled, "Are too." She smiled wider, "Are you gonna cry?"
Craig smirked slightly, "Shut up."
Ellie chuckled some more, "You are so gonna cry."
Craig laughed, "You are the meanest girl ever."
Ellie shrugged, "What can I say? I like to torment all my eligible suitors." She smirked, "It's just something that I do."
I know I won't be leavin' here...
Craig tried not to laugh, finding it hard not to stare into her green eyes that seemed so guarded yet inviting. "So... is that a yes or a no?"
I know I won't be leavin' here...
Ellie grabbed her clutch from the bar, sliding off the stool and leaning closer to Craig as she watched Marco dance with his new friend, "I'll see you at eight." With that, she walked across the bar and tugged at Marco's sleeve.
I know I won't be leavin' here...
Craig was completely thrown by her delivery, stunned by her confidence and intimidated by her poised grace and how she had completely floored him with one look. He never seemed effected by a woman like her before, but knew that he in fact had a date with the mysterious redhead with the coy smile, willing to know what lied behind it.
I know I won't be leavin here
With you...
Okay... that's it for now. I should have another chapter up by tonight or so. I hope this didn't throw anyone off to much. It does get better, I promise.
PLEASE REVIEW!!
