Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi, the characters or their histories.
I'd known Craig forever, it seemed. I remember when he left, yes, but I remember more when he came back. He had changed, but I couldn't see exactly how. Asking was out of the question because somehow, in the time he'd been gone, he'd turned into "Craig, the guy I wanted to ask me out." I missed hanging out with him without worrying about what he was thinking. Everything had turned upside down.
He took pictures of me when I wasn't looking. Well, really pictures of Angie, but I was in them, too. Later, I found out he had them hanging in his room. I was practically his sister. I might as well have been for all the attention he paid me.
Then came that fateful night of the 80's dance. I looked like my mom, Manny told me. Craig snuck us in and later, as he walked toward us, she assured me he was going to ask me to dance. But we all know how that turned out - he asked Manny. He chose her, as he would so many times in high school. And I got to do the best friend thing. I was there when they were pregnant. I was there when Manny changed, and yes, I ran away. I was jealous, okay? I wanted us to stay like we were in grade eight, but Craig waltzed in and changed all that.
I wonder if it would have been different if he'd chosen me that night at the dance. Would it have worked out? Would our very screwed up home lives have enabled us to create a peaceful, loving relationship and avoid so much heartache? I guess we'll never know. We both made mistakes, and we can't take them back, but this time, I want to be the one he says good-bye to. I want to be the girl he can't help but wrap his arms around and kiss. I want to be the girl who makes him wish he didn't have to go. I want him to wish I could go with him.