Somewhere Out There
A/N: Um, dunno exactly what part of Canada Degrassi's in, so I guessed it's general location to Syracuse. If anyone does know, leave it in a review so I can fix this.
Chapter 8: The Runaway
After a couple of minutes, Craig found his way to baggage claim. He almost immediately spotted Nick through the crowd, and after a couple of minutes, Nick saw him, too. "Have a good flight?" Nick asked.
"Um, it was pretty good, I was asleep through most of it," Craig answered, straining to find his duffel mixed in with everyone else's luggage. After a decently short wait, Craig saw it coming near him, so he grabbed it and they made their way out of the airport. Nick was making light chit chat about Craig's new school and how he would be taking him out tonight to get some new clothes. They threw Craig's bag into the back of Nick's Lexus and made their way home.
Nick was always very modest, saying he and Maggie were "comfortable" when talking financial, but no one was fooled. He had enough money to live pretty extravagantly for the rest of his life.
Craig smiled at this thought. He had never really worried about money, but he never got anything too fancy or too pricy, and now almost anything he wanted could be his. He didn't know what to ask for, he already had the guitar. In fact, it would be waiting for him in his new room. Maybe a car? Not right now. Later, maybe. If he did, indeed, stay.
They pulled into the house, and Craig went inside without really looking around, all pumped to start playing his guitar and call up Lav to get together. Maybe even this weekend. Nick grabbed a small box off the front table and followed Craig, who had barely noticed his uncle. "Craig," he said, coming into his room.
"Hmm?" Craig said, turning around. "Isn't my guitar wonderful?" he asked.
"Yea, it is. Hey, I have something I want to give you." Craig's interest peaked, and he put the guitar down and came over. Nick handed him the box. "I'm hoping you like it." Craig was really confused, but he opened the box.
He pulled out a set of keys. "What in the..." Craig started, but wasn't able to form any more words. "Are these..."
"Car keys? Yes, they're car keys."
Craig almost fainted. "You didn't have to do that."
"It was no problem. I had to trade Maggie's in, and the guy gave me a good deal. Go check it out." Craig jumped up and ran downstairs and flew out the door. He hadn't even realized the car, which Nick had parked right next to.
"You're kidding me," was all Craig could manage at he stared at his car. He slowly walked over to it, stroking it, not sure if it would vanish or not. It was a metallic silver Mazda MX-5, probably brand new although he wouldn't be able to tell until he got inside. He wanted to cry. He wanted to jump up and down. So he settled for hugging his uncle and taking him for a ride. As he had suspected, the car was brand new, and he felt on top of everything when he drove it. He didn't need a girlfriend. This was love, right here, driving with the top down and blasting some good music, maybe on his way to band practice or something. He felt almost guilty having these feelings, probably the same feelings Jimmy had before the accident. But then he stopped thinking altogether, just enjoyed the ride.
Ashley sat dumbfounded, not sure if she wanted to hit Paige, or find Craig and hit him, or just ignore the whole mess. How could he leave? Paige was trying her hardest to explain that Craig felt unwanted. No, Ashley just felt like Craig wasn't deserving to have everything forgiven and forgotten so easily. She wanted to scream, but she didn't. She told Paige she was fine, and that she just needed time to think, and would Paige call her later to make sure she was O.K.? She decided a minute after saying this that she wouldn't answer.
She immediately picked up the phone and dialed Ellie and started screaming. Toby popped his head in to see if everything was O.K., but she kicked him out. "I'm going down there," Ashley decided out loud.
"Where? Syracuse?" Ellie asked. "That's absurd. You can't spend that much money on a plane ticket just to tell him you hate him and that you're glad he's gone." What happened to the Ellie that was so supportive of her new found friendship and maybe more with Craig?
"No, El," Ashley tried explaining, "I want him to come home. I want to be with him. I've always wanted to be with him." She stopped her little rant. "He's hurt me, but, you know, he apologized. I forgave him. I didn't forget, I'll never forget."
Ellie just wanted to save her friend from pain. She saw how Ashley had gotten almost suicidal after Craig cheated on her with Manny. What would happen if he hurt her again? She pushed the bad thoughts away, for Ashley's sake. She would never really be over Craig, even if he was miles away. "Go get him," was all she said. Ashley smiled. She was going to get him.
Ashley grabbed the keys to her car, the one she had had for about two months, and after a brief explanation that she had to finish her report, her incredibly long report, at Ellie's and would probably stay there the next night and go to school with Ellie, she left. Kate had been more lenient lately, not really caring what Ashley did or who she did it with. She was a stable kid in school, and her heartbreak had sent her into deep depression.
Ashley couldn't believe she was doing this. It would take her almost 8 hours to get there. And what if Craig didn't want to see her? Would she have to sleep in her car? Oh well, drastic measures were needed. She made sure she had her basic driving CDs: Something Corporate, The Ramones, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and her ultimate driving mix. She stocked up on water and about five cans of Pringles before setting off for Syracuse, New York, to rescue her prince. Well, that was corny enough. This would be the ultimate gesture for her to let him know that the past was the past and that they would make it into the future.
Her entire trip took about seven hours, start to finish. She found the home of Nick Carpenter around 10:00 P.M. She got out of her car and made her way up the driveway, not failing to notice the brand new sports car she was walking by. She bravely knocked on the door and waited until she heard footsteps. The door opened, and a man she was pretty sure was Craig's uncle stood in the doorway. "Hi," he said pushing the door open so she could come in. "I don't mean to sound rude, but who are you?"
"I'm Ashley. A friend of Craig's from Degrassi." His face contorted a bit. "He, um, doesn't know I'm coming."
His facial expression lightened. "He's in his room right now. It's the first door on your right." Ashley thanked him and slowly walked the stairs.
She could hear the unmistakable sound of Craig's guitar playing before she even hit the top of the steps. She thought about knocking but changed her mind and just pushed the door open. He didn't notice her come in, and she thought him sitting there, playing like that, was the most beautiful she had ever seen him. She took a seat on the floor, out of his line of vision even if he did look up. Ten minutes later, after he had decided for and against many chords, he noticed his door was open and looked down at her. His eyes widened, and he slowly put the guitar down and fell onto the floor, so he was at her level, and crawled over to her. He put his hand out and felt her hair. "Don't say anything," she warned, pressing her finger against his lips. He nodded. "God this is so embarassing." She began to hum softly, and he leaned closer, enticed by her song.
"If I woke up alone, I won't stop 'til I find you and you are with me/Cause by now I know you better than you know yourself and I know what you really need/What you need, or I need/But either way this is where you should be/here with me..." she stopped and looked up at him. His eyes pleaded with her to continue. "You better not," she sang more, this time with tears coming out of her eyes, "You better not run." She stopped, the emotion too heavy for either of them to even breathe. He leaned over and kissed her, stopping the words from coming out.
When Nick entered five minutes later, he was quite dumbfounded. This being his first time having a teenager, he wasn't sure what to do in this situation. "Ashley, do you need a place to stay?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, please," she said looking up.
"Alright, this, unfortunitely, is the guest room, so I'm afraid all I have to offer is a couch."
"A couch would be perfect," Ashley said.
"I'll just grab a few blankets, then," he said, leaving them alone.
"Thank you for coming," was all he could manage. He looked up, seeing Nick in the doorway again. "Good night." He kissed her one last time, and she made her way downstairs, following Nick.
A/N: Um, dunno exactly what part of Canada Degrassi's in, so I guessed it's general location to Syracuse. If anyone does know, leave it in a review so I can fix this.
Chapter 8: The Runaway
After a couple of minutes, Craig found his way to baggage claim. He almost immediately spotted Nick through the crowd, and after a couple of minutes, Nick saw him, too. "Have a good flight?" Nick asked.
"Um, it was pretty good, I was asleep through most of it," Craig answered, straining to find his duffel mixed in with everyone else's luggage. After a decently short wait, Craig saw it coming near him, so he grabbed it and they made their way out of the airport. Nick was making light chit chat about Craig's new school and how he would be taking him out tonight to get some new clothes. They threw Craig's bag into the back of Nick's Lexus and made their way home.
Nick was always very modest, saying he and Maggie were "comfortable" when talking financial, but no one was fooled. He had enough money to live pretty extravagantly for the rest of his life.
Craig smiled at this thought. He had never really worried about money, but he never got anything too fancy or too pricy, and now almost anything he wanted could be his. He didn't know what to ask for, he already had the guitar. In fact, it would be waiting for him in his new room. Maybe a car? Not right now. Later, maybe. If he did, indeed, stay.
They pulled into the house, and Craig went inside without really looking around, all pumped to start playing his guitar and call up Lav to get together. Maybe even this weekend. Nick grabbed a small box off the front table and followed Craig, who had barely noticed his uncle. "Craig," he said, coming into his room.
"Hmm?" Craig said, turning around. "Isn't my guitar wonderful?" he asked.
"Yea, it is. Hey, I have something I want to give you." Craig's interest peaked, and he put the guitar down and came over. Nick handed him the box. "I'm hoping you like it." Craig was really confused, but he opened the box.
He pulled out a set of keys. "What in the..." Craig started, but wasn't able to form any more words. "Are these..."
"Car keys? Yes, they're car keys."
Craig almost fainted. "You didn't have to do that."
"It was no problem. I had to trade Maggie's in, and the guy gave me a good deal. Go check it out." Craig jumped up and ran downstairs and flew out the door. He hadn't even realized the car, which Nick had parked right next to.
"You're kidding me," was all Craig could manage at he stared at his car. He slowly walked over to it, stroking it, not sure if it would vanish or not. It was a metallic silver Mazda MX-5, probably brand new although he wouldn't be able to tell until he got inside. He wanted to cry. He wanted to jump up and down. So he settled for hugging his uncle and taking him for a ride. As he had suspected, the car was brand new, and he felt on top of everything when he drove it. He didn't need a girlfriend. This was love, right here, driving with the top down and blasting some good music, maybe on his way to band practice or something. He felt almost guilty having these feelings, probably the same feelings Jimmy had before the accident. But then he stopped thinking altogether, just enjoyed the ride.
Ashley sat dumbfounded, not sure if she wanted to hit Paige, or find Craig and hit him, or just ignore the whole mess. How could he leave? Paige was trying her hardest to explain that Craig felt unwanted. No, Ashley just felt like Craig wasn't deserving to have everything forgiven and forgotten so easily. She wanted to scream, but she didn't. She told Paige she was fine, and that she just needed time to think, and would Paige call her later to make sure she was O.K.? She decided a minute after saying this that she wouldn't answer.
She immediately picked up the phone and dialed Ellie and started screaming. Toby popped his head in to see if everything was O.K., but she kicked him out. "I'm going down there," Ashley decided out loud.
"Where? Syracuse?" Ellie asked. "That's absurd. You can't spend that much money on a plane ticket just to tell him you hate him and that you're glad he's gone." What happened to the Ellie that was so supportive of her new found friendship and maybe more with Craig?
"No, El," Ashley tried explaining, "I want him to come home. I want to be with him. I've always wanted to be with him." She stopped her little rant. "He's hurt me, but, you know, he apologized. I forgave him. I didn't forget, I'll never forget."
Ellie just wanted to save her friend from pain. She saw how Ashley had gotten almost suicidal after Craig cheated on her with Manny. What would happen if he hurt her again? She pushed the bad thoughts away, for Ashley's sake. She would never really be over Craig, even if he was miles away. "Go get him," was all she said. Ashley smiled. She was going to get him.
Ashley grabbed the keys to her car, the one she had had for about two months, and after a brief explanation that she had to finish her report, her incredibly long report, at Ellie's and would probably stay there the next night and go to school with Ellie, she left. Kate had been more lenient lately, not really caring what Ashley did or who she did it with. She was a stable kid in school, and her heartbreak had sent her into deep depression.
Ashley couldn't believe she was doing this. It would take her almost 8 hours to get there. And what if Craig didn't want to see her? Would she have to sleep in her car? Oh well, drastic measures were needed. She made sure she had her basic driving CDs: Something Corporate, The Ramones, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and her ultimate driving mix. She stocked up on water and about five cans of Pringles before setting off for Syracuse, New York, to rescue her prince. Well, that was corny enough. This would be the ultimate gesture for her to let him know that the past was the past and that they would make it into the future.
Her entire trip took about seven hours, start to finish. She found the home of Nick Carpenter around 10:00 P.M. She got out of her car and made her way up the driveway, not failing to notice the brand new sports car she was walking by. She bravely knocked on the door and waited until she heard footsteps. The door opened, and a man she was pretty sure was Craig's uncle stood in the doorway. "Hi," he said pushing the door open so she could come in. "I don't mean to sound rude, but who are you?"
"I'm Ashley. A friend of Craig's from Degrassi." His face contorted a bit. "He, um, doesn't know I'm coming."
His facial expression lightened. "He's in his room right now. It's the first door on your right." Ashley thanked him and slowly walked the stairs.
She could hear the unmistakable sound of Craig's guitar playing before she even hit the top of the steps. She thought about knocking but changed her mind and just pushed the door open. He didn't notice her come in, and she thought him sitting there, playing like that, was the most beautiful she had ever seen him. She took a seat on the floor, out of his line of vision even if he did look up. Ten minutes later, after he had decided for and against many chords, he noticed his door was open and looked down at her. His eyes widened, and he slowly put the guitar down and fell onto the floor, so he was at her level, and crawled over to her. He put his hand out and felt her hair. "Don't say anything," she warned, pressing her finger against his lips. He nodded. "God this is so embarassing." She began to hum softly, and he leaned closer, enticed by her song.
"If I woke up alone, I won't stop 'til I find you and you are with me/Cause by now I know you better than you know yourself and I know what you really need/What you need, or I need/But either way this is where you should be/here with me..." she stopped and looked up at him. His eyes pleaded with her to continue. "You better not," she sang more, this time with tears coming out of her eyes, "You better not run." She stopped, the emotion too heavy for either of them to even breathe. He leaned over and kissed her, stopping the words from coming out.
When Nick entered five minutes later, he was quite dumbfounded. This being his first time having a teenager, he wasn't sure what to do in this situation. "Ashley, do you need a place to stay?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, please," she said looking up.
"Alright, this, unfortunitely, is the guest room, so I'm afraid all I have to offer is a couch."
"A couch would be perfect," Ashley said.
"I'll just grab a few blankets, then," he said, leaving them alone.
"Thank you for coming," was all he could manage. He looked up, seeing Nick in the doorway again. "Good night." He kissed her one last time, and she made her way downstairs, following Nick.