Author's Note: I know you hate me. Sorry, sorry, sorry about the delay. Here's chap nine. Please review afterwards.

The bell for third period shook Craig out of his thoughts. During his first two classes, he tried his hardest to think of reasons why Ellie didn't show up the previous night; it normally wasn't like her to miss band practice. Then again he'd just recruited her no more than a week ago, he had no idea of her timeliness; but then again, it wasn't practice, it was initially a planned out date.

He didn't want to get mad, but his nerves were a little shaken because he didn't get any time with her. Maybe he'd get to the bottom of things in third period, they had Kwan together.

As Craig gathered his books, preparing to leave Mr. Henry's class, Marco rushed into the room as students poured out. It was clear he was looking for Craig.

"Hey," he called, rushing over to his friend with a wide smile on his face.

"You waited for me?" Craig asked, putting away a book in his carrier bag.

"Yep. Wanted to know how your date went last night."

"You haven't talked to Ellie?" Craig put his bag over his shoulder and stood up from his desk.

"Nope, I only have fourth period with her. So, last night?" Marco and Craig proceeded out the classroom and into the busy hall.

"Well, last night…didn't happen. She never showed." Craig said, the disappointment clear in his voice.

"What? Why? Did you call her?" Marco's ecstatic grin immediately slumped into a concerned frown.

"Her cell was turned off and her mom didn't pick-up. At around nine I pretty much figured she wasn't coming." Craig came to his locker, Marco at his side. He fiddled with the lock until the little door opened.

"Well…maybe she forgot." Marco suggested.

"Maybe." Craig said, shoving a book into the locker and taking out another.

"Or, maybe she had to work late." Another suggestion from Marco.

"Maybe." Craig repeated. He tried hard not to make his frustration known, but it was clear to Marco.

"Hey, don't be mad."

"I'm not-"Craig raised his voice, turning to Marco.

"Okay you're not. Sorry." Marco said on the defensive.

"No…I'm sorry," Craig apologized, his voice calmer. "It's just, I was ready to tell her how I felt and…whatever; I'll get another chance. It's not like she's dating someone." Craig closed his locker.

"Right. Just, next time plan your dates a little more wisely; like on nights she's not working."

"Yeah, right."

"You'll get your chance bud," Marco patted his friend on the shoulder. "See you later," he walked off.

"See yah," Craig headed off to Kwan's room.

He wanted so much to forget about last night and listen to Marco, but there was still that little voice inside of him that was curious to know where the redhead was.

Spinner couldn't stop thinking of his night with Ellie. Every conversation they had, every laugh they shared played over and over in his head. When he got home that night, Ellie Nash was the only thing planted in his mind. Ellie Nash was the only thing he dreamt about.

Why do I feel this way? Spinner thought. He never, in million years, thought that he'd have feelings for Ellie Nash (not that she wasn't attractive or unlikable) he just couldn't imagine being with her; they seemed like two completely different people at times. But for some reason, he felt drawn to her. In that one single day they spent together, he felt closer to her than ever. He wanted so bad to see her, talk to her, smell her sweet perfume.

Maybe that's why he ended up waiting in front of Mrs. Kwan's room.

Craig turned a corner to his third period classroom. To his unfortunate delight, he saw Spinner pacing back and forth across Mrs. Kwan's door.

His first thought was to walk by, give the boy a snarky remark or an icy glare; but then he considered asking of Ellie's whereabouts the previous night. As much as he didn't want to talk to him, he was curious to know if he knew.

He was just as curious to know why he was outside Mrs. Kwan's room.

"Hey Ellie," Spinner called as he saw her approach.

"Uh…hey." She greeted, a little taken back to see him. "You have Kwan now?"

"Huh? Oh, no. Just came to see how you were."

"I'm good, I guess."

"Did your mom like her sandwich?"

"Yeah, we had to warm it though. It got kinda cold."

"Right," Spinner got a little fidgety. He began removing and replacing his hands in and out his pockets. "Was she okay with you getting home late?"

"Well, once I told her the place got a little messy and we had to clean up, she didn't really mind."

"Oh, okay. Cool."

"Yeah."

"Ellie!" Craig stepped in front of Spinner, blocking his view of Ellie.

"Craig." Ellie said. "Hey, I...uh-" she tried to look around him to Spinner.

"Where were you last night?"

"Last night? Why? What was-oops."

"Yeah, oops. We needed you."

"Why didn't you call me?"

"I did, several times. Your cell kept taking me to voice-mail."

"I'm sorry, I completely forgot."

"Yeah…and I guess you weren't the only one." Craig turned around to Spinner. He was leaning innocently against the doorway to the classroom; two students walked by.

"What?" he said sheepishly.

"You were standing there when I told her about the band meeting. You forgot too?"

"Yeah, I guess. But I'm not really part of the band anymore, so why should I care who shows up to your little meetings."

"Spinner." Ellie said, signifying for him to stop before he started a fight

"Plus, I thought it would've been rude to be in your business."

"Really?" Craig furiously folded his arms. "So, what were you doing last night?" he looked to Spinner then Ellie.

Ellie was trying to avoid any eye contact with him.

"Okay you two, the bells gonna ring in a bit. Gavin you should get to class." Came Mrs. Kwan. Craig stormed off into the classroom, Ellie guiltily looked at Spinner.

"Sorry," she mouthed. She walked into the classroom.

Spinner remained in the hall as Mrs. Kwan closed her door.

A few moments later, the late bell rang.

...

"You rolling your eyes at the back of my head isn't solving anything," Craig whispered as Mrs. Kwan started her lesson plan.

"You acting like a jerk isn't doing much either," Ellie said.

"Look," Craig turned back slightly in his chair to face Ellie. He hoped Kwan didn't notice. "All I want to know is where you were you last night."

"At work."

"Really? Cause the last time I checked the Dot closed at six on Sundays."

"Okay, I had to clean up. It's not like I could've just got up and left. Why are you acting like this?"

"Well, when a band member doesn't show up to practice, the leader reconsiders letting that person join in the first place." Craig turned back around.

"And when the leader starts acting like an ass, that band member is open to quit."

"You're not serious."

"I am. If you want me to be at practice on time fine, but you don't have to be an inconsiderate jerk-off to get your point across."

"Hmm…well I'm sorry, but if we want to get these wedding gigs we've gotta prioritize."

"And if I want to keep my house and stop my mother from wanting to drink, so do I."

"Class turn to page 135 in your text books," Kwan instructed. Both Ellie and Craig reached for the textbooks in the bottom baskets of their desks.

"Look, I'll try to work something out with my boss on days we have practice, but I can't always guarantee a show-up."

"Fine, talk to your boss." Craig said, wanting to end the conversation immediately.

Looking back on his reaction, Craig realized he was in fact being a little inconsiderate. Ellie and her mom were going through a crisis; Ellie needed all the time she could get at work. Getting mad at her for not showing up to a date she had no clue about was a little immature. He'll find a chance to tell her how he feels.

Hopefully when she doesn't have to work late again.

No matter how many valid points she made in her argument with Craig, Ellie couldn't even convince herself that she was actually working late. She knew it was a lie the minute she opened her mouth to explain things to Craig. She just hated that mentally about him; when things didn't go his way, he got mad.

Ellie couldn't image how angry he'd really be if he found out she was really spending that evening with Spinner.

Or worse, she didn't really forget about band practice.