Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi or Radiohead. It depresses me too.

A/N: Next up, this installment is one of two during that coveted summer between Season 4 and 5. Also, this is one of my all-time favorite songs by Radiohead. It's flawless. And don't forget to check out my profile for the link to the playlist. Again, read, review and enjoy!


"How to Disappear Completely"; Kid A

Craig Manning was walking along the side of his house, watching as the sky turned a shade of dusky pink. He felt the sweat trickle from his brow, waiting for the heat to finally take him out of his misery. It had been especially hot that day, everyone withering under the merciless sun, trying to find refuge inside their homes. It only seemed to get hotter as the sun went down. He tried to stay outside, only after Angie got sick from the heat and Joey told him to go for a walk while he tended to his sister. So on this evening, he found himself wondering through the backyard when he caught a flicker of red in the corner of his eye. He turned, seeing Ellie Nash walking through the alley.

He ran over to her, quietly coming behind her. "Boo!"

Ellie jumped clear into the air, spinning around and slapping Craig on his arm. "Ass!" She hit him again repeatedly until Craig begged her to stop. "Why would you do that?"

Craig straightened his shirt. "Why are you walking in an alley at 7:30 at night. Are you trying to get attacked?"

"Apparently if the mean streets of Toronto are filled with scumbags like you, I should be more fast with my mace." She shrugged him off after he laughed some more. "What are you doing out anyway?"

Craig pulled a leaf off a tree, twirling it in his hands. "I was just walking around the backyard. Angie got sick and Joey kicked me out."

"Sucks to be you." Ellie continued to walk while Craig walked alongside her. She smirked slightly as they eventually walked in the same stride.

Craig paused. "Wait a minute. Why are you out and about in an alley? You never answered the question."

Ellie chuckled. "I don't know. Too many people were walking on the sidewalk. You know, with everybody bumping into each other. It's too hot to walk around, touching people."

Craig rolled his eyes. "Said the girl wearing a black long-sleeved tee." He chuckled, throwing the leaf down. "Hey, I have a bright idea."

"I guess there is a first time for everything." Ellie snorted while Craig scoffed. "And if you are suggesting that I wear less clothing, I'll have to side with you being one of those scumbags."

Craig chuckled. "Please, Nash. If I wanted to see you with less clothes on, I wouldn't try to do it in a back alley. You have to give me more credit than that."

"I suppose." Ellie continued to walk as a comfortable silence fell on them both. "So... what was your bright idea."

Craig shook his head. "It's stupid. Never mind."

"I'm pretty sure it's not stupid." She paused as they reached the end of the street. "Besides, we're supposed to get away with doing a few stupid stuff during the summer. It's what we kids do."

Craig chuckled. "Fine. I was just thinking we could down by the lake and take a swim. But I'm sure everybody's down there with a day like this."

Ellie smirked. "But it's after seven, mostly everyone is probably heading home. And I'm pretty sure no one is by that cove over there by that stream."

"Oh yeah. I went there once." His smile faltered. "But isn't it kinda dangerous over there?"

Ellie smirked. "Is Craig scared of a little water?" She chuckled when Craig lunged at her, tickling her sides. "Okay, okay! Sorry." She pushed Craig aside as they leaned against an adjacent fence. "So, you wanna go?"

That there
That's not me
I go
Where I please

Craig grabbed her hand. "Come on. If we hurry up, we can stay there longer."


They ran to the end of the next street, heading toward the wooded area by the ravine. As expected, most everyone was already gone or heading toward the ravine where most high schoolers hung out. Craig spotted Jimmy Brooks and Paige Michalchuk along with Marco Del Rossi and Hazel Aden. Ellie headed toward that way when Craig pulled her back. "I don't feel like hanging with them."

Ellie looked confused. "Why?"

Craig shrugged. "I just wanna hang out with you. Is that a problem?"

A swarm of live butterflies erupted in her stomach, making her feel slightly lightheaded. She hated that he had this effect on her, how he could just smile or something as simple as wanting her company could turn her from her usual collected self into one of those mindless flackies she despised at school. Damn you, Craig Manning. "No. I think we can go over there to the cove."

Craig nodded as he led her over to a group of trees, resting in front of the opening of the cove. Craig stripped off his shirt, discarding it as he started to take off his jeans. "C'mon... while the water still cool."

Ellie blushed as she stripped off her shirt, revealing a white undershirt over her bra. She felt her chest redden as she watched Craig jump into the water, disappearing under its surface. She stripped off her jeans, feeling more nude than she ever did in Physical Education and more exposed than she did in group. She slowly walked into the water, feeling herself cool down after a day long marathon of heat.

"Feels amazing, doesn't it?" Craig was lying on his back, his curls surrounding his head. "This was the best idea ever."

Ellie chuckled. "Yeah. It feels wonderful." She felt her legs leave the ground, trying to stay afloat. A few goosebumps trickled up her arm as she looked at the darken shades of the sky above. "It's getting darker."

Craig eyed Ellie incredulously. "Are you afraid of the dark or something?"

Ellie stiffened up slightly. "No, just... I just want you to be aware."

"I'm in water, Ellie. I'm not blind. And besides, the mosquitoes can't get us if we're in the water." He slowly drifted away from Ellie. "C'mon, lay on your back."

Ellie did as she was told, feeling her legs gracefully rise to the surface. She tried to ignore the slight churn of her stomach as she let her guard down when she felt Craig aside her, his hands on her back. "What are you doing?"

"Carrying you. Well, sorta." He continued to get closer. "It's like you're levitating or something. Like Houdini."

Ellie snorted. "Cool." She closed her eyes, finding herself nestled in the water like a cocoon, gently being cradled.

Craig watched Ellie as she produced a smile on her face. She looked so serene under the trees, in the water as if she could go to sleep right there in his arms. For a fleeting moment, the thought of her going to sleep in his arms seemed irresistible. "You look peaceful."

Ellie smiled. "I feel as light as a feather, like I'm invisible. Like I'm floating on air."

Craig looked at her smile, wanting desperately to touch it. "You are."


I walk through walls
I float down the Liffey
I'm not here


Ellie sighed pleasantly. "I wanna stay like this forever." She let Craig continue to carry her, reveling in his touch. She never let others touch her, not really. There was always the occasion hug from Marco or a high five from Jimmy or Craig, but with physical contact, she really didn't explore since her time with Sean, which had went south. The truth was she could only imagine Craig touching her. He knew her better than any of her other friends. Marco had always been her ally among the popular kids, but Craig knew the one thing she could never explain to Marco, the feeling of inadequacy. She never felt like she was enough to keep around. She wasn't pretty enough to keep Sean. She wasn't persistent enough to keep her mother sober and she wasn't strong enough to keep from not cutting. But it was only with Craig when she felt that maybe she could be all those things and more. "Is that alright?" She chuckled as Craig smiled above her.

Craig continued to carry her, finding it somewhat romantic. He looked down her slender shoulders, seeing the fading scars from her past. How he wished he could take back every infliction and put them on himself. He hated what they did to her, make her bleed and cry, destroying the perfect skin that covered her. He knew what it felt like to hurt himself and he knew that he had fallen victim to the temptations a few times, but he would take any pain that life would give him to shield her from any of it. She had been his ally in group, allowing him to rant about whatever problem presented itself through the day or simply giving him the wisdom that seemed to seep through her like the water they were surrounded by. She gave him hope that he could be better, but the truth was, she made him want to be better. "It's fine with me."

This isn't happening
I'm not here
I'm not here

There fell a silence, lulling over them as they both seemed to disappear under the now prominent stars in the summer sky. The only thing that never seemed to fade was the red of Ellie's hair. He wrapped a strand of her hair around his finger, noticing no change at all. "Are you asleep?"

"Not yet. But I'm considering moving in." She chuckled as Craig scooped her up. "Craig!"

Craig laughed as he took her to other side of the cove, closer to land. "Sorry... you were starting to get heavy. I need a break."

Ellie pouted slightly. "Fine. But I'm gonna swim some more." She turned back around, diving into the depths of the pool. She opened her eyes, seeing it was a bit more murky in its depths, but she could make out Craig's pale legs under the starry sky. She thought about pulling him under, making him carry her, if only to feel him close to her again, but she felt like she needed the distance. He was still technically with Ashley, her supposed best friend who took off to London on their final summer together in high school, abandoning her boyfriend when he needed her the most. She tried not to think about Ashley that much these days, mostly due to the fact that she could pretend that she meant more to Craig than Ashley did. She always knew how he felt for her and she was aware of the feelings that Ashley held for him, but as each day past, she couldn't ignore the growing urge to be near him always.

Craig slowly drifted back into the water, trying to find Ellie when he saw her red hair as bright as day in the murky waters. He smiled softly to himself. "There she is." He watched as she swam further away from him, following her. And she she broke the surface, he was right behind. "Boo!"

Ellie spun around again, slapping him on his shoulder. "Damn it, Craig! Stop being an ass."

"Never." He pushed her back into the water, diving in behind her. They kicked and wiggled in the water, creating a slippery dance in the aquatic wonderland. When he drew closer, she seemed to back away and when she swam near him, he went into the other direction. Their lungs finally ached for oxygen, sending them both back into the atmosphere. "You're a good swimmer."

Ellie shrugged. "It's one of those things I just kind of got." She splashed him playfully. "The water calms me."

"Good to know." He splashed her back, sending a smile on her face. How did he love to make her smile. He stared at her for a moment, mentally snapping a picture of her face. He knew it wouldn't last long, they were usually fleeting, but while the moment lasted, he took in the pride that came with making Ellie Nash smile.

In a little while
I'll be gone
The moment's already passed
Yeah it's gone
And I'm not here
This isn't happening
I'm not here
I'm not here

Ellie snorted. "You okay, you look dopey."

Craig ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks." He looked up at the sky again, seeing the moon. "It's getting late. We better get going."

Ellie putted again. "But I don't want to. It's just now feeling normal outside." She swam a little further from Craig when he took her hand.

"Yeah, but I don't want Joey having a shit if I don't at least call him." He swam back to shore, digging out his cell from his pocket.

Ellie looked up at the sky again, wishing she could disappear in the dark, not being able to go back to the world. In this little cove, her and Craig could just be, not having to live up to others' expectations or feel small. They could hide away here, vanish and pretend that all the pain they ever felt, all the abuse they ever endured and all the fail they might have had never happened. They could just be together. But as she watched Craig putting his shirt back on, she knew that playtime was over. She walked back toward him. "You have to go home?"

Crag nodded. "Yeah. Joey said he needed me home soon." He smirked some. "But he didn't say how soon."

Ellie chuckled. "Ah, semantics. Gotta love them." She plopped next to him in the dirt, putting her toes in a muddy clay. "Thanks for this."

"For what?" Craig smirked as Ellie nudged him. "You're welcome." He nudged him back when they continued to nudge each other back and forth, sending Ellie into a giggling frenzy. Craig laughed out loud. "Did you just giggle?"

Ellie pushed him away as he fell on top of her. "Get off of me."

Craig leaned over her. "You know you like it." He smirked slightly when he saw Ellie blush underneath him. Without thinking, he kissed her gently on her lips. It was brief, but the heat that followed seemed to lull in the air for a great time after. Craig sat up, looking back at the water. "I'm sorry."

Ellie sat up as well, leaning her head on Craig's shoulder. "Don't be." She moved it as she watched Craig turn to face her. She pressed her forehead against his, feeling him bring his hand to her face. He softly stroked her cheek, sending a new round of goosebumps up her arms.

Craig chuckled. "You're shaking."

Ellie nodded. "I know." They stayed like that for a while, not saying anything as they leaned against each other, transferring thoughts that couldn't be spoken. "Craig?"

Craig didn't move. "Yeah?"

Ellie sighed. "You're so..." She couldn't find a word to describe Craig Manning. She loved him more than she had ever loved any guy before. She loved Marco, who was the best friend she ever had and she believed she loved Sean, but none of those loves seemed to compare to the adoration she held for Craig.

Craig looked up at Ellie, letting his mouth work without reason. "So are you."

As Craig leaned closer to Ellie, a bright light came through the trees. "Who's over there?!"

Ellie and Craig turned toward the voice, seeing that two police officers were by the top of the hill, leading down to the cove. Ellie grabbed her jeans, stuffing her legs into them as Craig grabbed her shirt and their shoes. "C'mon!"

Strobe lights and blown speakers
Fireworks and hurricanes

Ellie took his hand and they ran through the trees, going the long way back to the ravine, fielding large branches and leaves in every direction, trying not to fall over or drop anything. Ellie felt herself gain steam, not wanting to stop running. She thought they could just keep running, running away from their problems, away from their pain and just fade away.

When they finally reached the end of the ravine, near where they came in, Craig noticed that the cops were never following them. He was still holding Ellie's hand, giving it a small squeeze. "Hey."

Ellie chuckled. "Hey." A sharp breeze came through the trees where they stood. "It's getting colder."

"Yeah." He handed Ellie her shirt. "This might help." He watched Ellie put it on, noticing a patch of her stomach peeking through. "Better?"

Ellie nodded. "Much. Thanks." She tucked her hair behind her ear, feeling the awkward silence take hold of them. "Craig?"

"Yeah?" He looked down as she struggled to say what she wanted to say by the cove. He didn't like thinking about being awkward with her, he enjoyed the freedom he had when he was with her far too much. She was like one of the guys. She was funny, smart, fun to be around when she wasn't being distant. But she was so pretty. He didn't know where he and Ashley stood, and he hadn't thought about her properly in weeks. She left him and he knew that it would end eventually, but as he stood there, seeing one of the most beautiful girls he ever been close to, he took the moment to kiss her again.

Ellie was caught off guard with the kiss, stiffening slightly. But as Craig seemed to move away, she gradually brought her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. All her thoughts seemed to tell her this wasn't real, that she couldn't possibly be kissing Craig, her biggest crush and the one guy that seemed to see through her blocks and shields. She couldn't hide from him and as the kiss deepened, only halting for the brief intake of air, did she feel herself fading into him, wanting to never part.

I'm not here
This isn't happening

Craig finally pulled away from her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I've wanted to do that for a while."

"Me too." Ellie allowed her skin to ablaze as they drew closer. She leaned her head on his chest, sighing. "You're so awesome."

Craig snorted. "That's what you were trying to say?" He grabbed his stomach as he laughed harder.

"Shut up." She nudged him in his side, sending him to the ground. She fell on top of him as he tickled her wildly. "Stop!"

They both sighed contently, Craig bringing his hand to her face. "You're awesome too, Nash." He laid back, seeing the stars above, feeling Ellie beside him. "Close your eyes."

Ellie did as she was told. "Why?"

Craig shrugged. "Because we can." He closed his eyes as well, letting sleep take him over. He was aware that he might get a ten-minute lecture from Joey and he was sure he would get sick being out all night, but he was with Ellie. He kissed Ellie. He was holding Ellie and nothing seemed more natural than that.

Ellie snuggled closer to Craig, finding the warmth that he held like a gentle breeze taking her home. But as she had come to realize, she already was. "Okay."

I'm not here
I'm not here


If only they ended up that way... heh. Another chapter up soon, kids! --- MrsBigTuna