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Papa Don't Preach

Chapter Nine: If It Makes You Happy

Dinner was quiet; none of us talked at all. Oh sure, there was the occasional "Can you please pass the butter, Mrs. Padma?" or "Mr. Padma, this chicken is awfully good." But that was about it. When Craig left, he gave me a quick peck on the forehead and gave my hand a little squeeze. I'm sure my parents noticed.

Mei seemed pretty proud of herself later on when he left. Like she accomplished the best thing in the world and that was forcing amends between her daughter and her granddaughter's would-be father. And I hate to admit it, but I'm proud of her too.

It's early morning, I woke up before everyone in the six mile radius without a doubt to the Russian version of "All The Things She Said" by t.A.T.u. My school clothes are on, my camera at my side, and a half-eaten cereal bar in my lap. I look over to see my keys placed carefully on the counter for me to grab. I do and walk myself out to my little red Corvette, shaking my booty in my tight blue jeans as I go along. Unlock the door and situate myself perfectly in the driver's seat. I pop in my favorite mix consisting of Sheryl Crow, Jonny Was and Mind the Gap songs. "Sunny Days" by Jonny Was came out of the speakers, softly at first and then ending in a big boom. As I passed every house I noticed how peaceful they all looked.

I swallowed my jealously and faced forward, I saw my makeup smearing in the rear view mirror. I wiped it away with the back of my hand and sniffled. "The Farewell Song" by Mind the Gap overturned my head into fantasy. I was a damsel in distress and Craig was my knight in shining armor, coming to rescue me from hell. I opened my eyes to see a figure moving out right into me. I slammed onto the brakes to see that figure was Craig. My mouth was wide open, I almost ran over him! I didn't do anything; I just sat there in horror. Craig however glanced at my expression and let himself into the passenger's seat.

"Well good morning to you too," Craig saluted me and turned the volume on my stereo down. I can't look at him full on; I'm too in shock.

"Good morning," I let go of the brake and drove on. I looked at the clock; it read 5:12.

"What are you doing up so early this lovely morning Mr. Manning?" I said with a straight face.

"Oh Ms. Padma, you know you can call me Craig," he replied back to me with the same expression I had just given him. I burst out in a small giggle, as did he. I took out my mix and put my old Madonna cd in, letting the words to "Holiday" come out of my mouth.

"Karaoke superstar," Craig whispered. I looked at him devilishly and snarled.

"Would you rather listen to something else?"

"No," he quipped, turning his face forward. I pulled up to an open Starbucks and got out of the car, jingling my keys at my side. Craig followed me like a lost puppy into the famous coffee shop, setting himself down at a table in the far left corner.

"Two Grande Chocolate Brownie Frapachinos with extra chocolate," I said to the lady, who seemed to have just woken up. I handed her the exact change, waiting silently on the side for my drinks. Once they came, I grabbed them and sat down across from Craig, handing him one of the drinks.

"Drink up Captain," I sipped on my coffee, trying to avoid eye contact with the man in front of me.

"If it makes you happy," he shrugged, slurping up the whipped cream on top.

I smiled, feeling safe for one of the first times in a while. I reached for my camera, snapping a picture of Craig with whipped cream on his nose.

"Did I say you could do that?" Craig wiped the cream off with a napkin. His lips parted slightly, his brown hair tousled in a bed-head way.

"No," I smirked, "But I just couldn't resist."

He smiled back at me genuinely, reaching across the table and poking my nose, "Funny." He sat back down and slurped up his coffee obnoxiously.

"Why are you here?" I slammed my cup onto the table and looked at him with hurt in my eyes. "I know you're trying to be all 'it's gonna be ok' on me but why? Why are you pretending to care?"

"Pretending, 'Ana?" he searched for the words to say in his head. "I'm not pretending. I care about you and I always will. I was hoping I'd run into you because I wanted to give you something?"

"What, Craig, what do you want to give me?" I threw my hands in the air, thinking his little present would be some kind of speech. But it wasn't. It was a picture of the two of us the night when we partied and made the baby. His arm was wrapped around me, his lips stuck to my neck. My arm was wound around his back and my smile was true. Tears form in my eyes. I put my head down and let them roll across my face.

"I want to see her," he said. "I want to see the baby."

"Yeah Craig, lets go fly out to California just to visit a grave," I said sarcastically. "I know you don't have the money to do that. I'm not an idiot."

"We don't need to fly. We have your Corvette," Craig slyly threw out into the open. "I know you're just dying for a road trip, Layana."

I laughed. He wanted to go on a road trip, with me? To California? Did he not know what he was about to get into? He would burn before we even got to the boarder, which would be a little hard to get through considering we're a bit underage.

"Seriously, Layana, I think the both of us need it. You know, for some closure."

"I've had enough closure, thank you very much," I shook my head, got to my feet and started for the door. He got up after me and raced to my side.

"Come on 'Ana!" he reached my hand and took hold. "I know you want to do this, we can get away from all this-" he pointed towards Degrassi Street. "Please Layana, for me?"

I sighed and tapped my toe for a bit, pretending that I had not already made up my mind. "Sure, get in the car, I'll drive you home so you can get your things."

A/N: Sorry, I know I haven't posted for a while but here's a nice chunk of lovin' for ya!