Ok, this summer? It could have been the greatest of my life if one person hadn't been invited along. I got a free ride to Vancouver (with Marco, of course) to spend three months with the amazing Craig Manning. Marco and I were excited when we got there. Hell, I even jumped on Craig when I saw him in the airport. Marco did it, too, so it's not as desperate as one may think. When I looked past this best friend of mine and spot the ever-so-slutty Manny Santos. That's right. Craig invited her to spend the summer, too.
He wanted to have fun with his best friends! (Minus Jimmy because he wanted to stay with his on-again girlfriend, Ashley) Well, basically he ruined it all.
Seriously. Manny was so…pushy. Example: I'd pour some water on Craig (a little harmless fun) and he'd respond by throwing a lot more water at me. Then he'd chase me around, trying to capture me for the big soaking. Marco would be laughing the background, wondering why Craig never picked me, when the star of "Degrassi Girls Gone Wild" would intervene and soak Craig back. So then he'd chase her, grab her, and soak her mercilessly. Of course, she had given up easily so she could be caught, before I could give up so he could grab me.
And she did that all summer long. Does anyone know how annoying that is? I mean, I wanted to have some fun with my friends, but she'd grab his wrist at times when I'd want to play cards or do something fun and say (in that whiny voice of hers), "Oh Craigy, I want to do something else." And he'd do what she wanted to do. Even though Marco and I wanted to participate in my idea. But that was the summer. Manny stealing Craig so Marco and I were basically hanging out together in a city we didn't know that well…without the guy who invited us.
I am so glad I graduated. If I had to see Manny one more day, I'd probably wring her neck.
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I really hate not doing anything. Ok, I am doing something, just not something I want to do. I'm waiting for Ash and Jimmy to get out of school so we can hang out. This was Ash's idea, but I really don't like being a third wheel. I mean, they're not all couple-y around me, but sometimes I still feel that way. I hate it, I really do. I don't want to feel that way, but I just get a little lonesome sometimes.
I mean, my mom and I rarely speak to each other. Ashley, my first best friend here in this place, has Jimmy; Marco has Dylan…again; Craig is far off being a rock star, but he still has Manny. And me? I have music, art, and my rubber bands.
There's nothing here for me anymore. I really would just like to leave this place. And that's what I told Ashley when they arrived at The Dot.
"Well, then, go somewhere. Going to London was the best decision I ever made, El," Ashley told me over coffee.
"Yeah, but you had your dad there. I can't go anywhere where I know anyone. I mean, anyone I can stand for more than an hour," I responded as I played with my spoon.
"What about Vancouver? Craig's there."
"Are you joking? Craig would never let me stay with him."
"Oh, come on, Ellie. Craig is one of your closest friends. I'm sure he'd have a room for you."
"But he's busy being a rock star."
"I'm sure you'd be able to get a job," Ashley said. It was easy for her to say. Her father had lined a job up for her before she even arrived. I doubt Craig would be able to pull that off.
"Why do you want to get away?" That was from Jimmy. I think he was still recovering over the crush he had on my last year. I'm glad he had Ashley back.
"I don't want a mundane life. I'm not going to get anywhere waiting for you two to get out of high school so we can all run off somewhere. I just need something new."
"Ellie, go to Vancouver." Ashley said.
When her piercing blue eyes bore into you, you kinda can't say no. It is freaky when she doesn't blink, either.
So, yeah, I was on my way to Vancouver. My mom cried, but I told her I'd write and email and call and whatever else you're supposed to do. I got out my savings and purchased a one-way ticket to Vancouver for the next Tuesday. Yeah, I was really going.
And, yeah, I was freaking out. I didn't know what I was going to say when I arrived at Craig's doorstep. All I knew was that I was surprising him. He hated surprises, after all.
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My flight landed a few minutes after noon. I got off the plane with my carry-on bag with Craig's present inside. It was his birthday, after all. After I grabbed my suitcase from the baggage claim, and called for a taxi and twenty minutes later arrive at Craig's door.
After a few deep breaths, I approached the oak door and rang the bell. May I add that Craig had a very nice three-bedroom condo. He hadn't even been a famous musician for long and he was already raking in the big bucks. I rang the bell again after he didn't answer. I started freaking out. Maybe he wasn't home. Maybe he saw me and was trying to avoid answering the door. But that wasn't Craig, so I pushed that idea out of my head.
As I rang the bell again, I heard the lock turn and the door opened. There standing in a tee shirt and boxers, with tousled hair, was Craig. He had been asleep. But when he saw me, he quickly woke up and a grin spread along his face. "Ellie!" he exclaimed. I had taken that for excitement. "What are you doing here?"
"Hey, it is your birthday, after all. I can't come by and surprise you?"
He laughed softly. "You know I hate surprises."
"Well, how's this for a surprise: do you need a roommate?"
Craig looked at the bag on my shoulder and the case at my feet. "If you'd be the tenant, I'm absolutely in need of a roommate."
I smiled as he opened up his arms and let me advance to embrace me. I don't know why I worried. He was an awesome friend, and an awesome guy. Of course he would take me in! I'm Ellie Nash, ex-drummer for Downtown Sasquatch.
And God how I missed it.