After school the next day, Craig walked home with Michelle. Right before she went inside, he stopped her.
"What is it?"
"Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? My step-dad Joey wants to meet you."
It seemed as if Michelle had to think about it, and then she said, "Okay! What time should I come over?"
"Seven is good. See you then!" Craig said and then ran off.
As he ran all the way home, Craig wondered why he did that. Then he knew. He didn't want to lose her. Lose her? She isn't mine to lose! I just want…I want someone to trust and trust me back. I need something real. I want to feel again. I feel so dead inside, I need someone to…to….I don't know. I just need someone. And she could easily turn against me so early on in our friendship. Got to keep her close.
Michelle went into her kitchen as soon as she got home.
"Mom?"
Her mom stood up. She had been ruffling through the cupboards.
"Yes, dolly?"
"A friend, Craig Manning, invited me over for dinner tonight. He only lives a few blocks away. I don't have too much homework, I got a lot done at school. My chores are finished too. Is alright if I go?"
"Yes, sure. Just be home by…nine o' clock, okay?"
"Okay! Thank you!"
Michelle ran up to her mother and gave her a hug, then ran upstairs into her room. She needed to find something nice to wear. This was going to take awhile. She was rustling through her closet when the phone rang. She answered it after the first ring.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is Michelle there?"
"This is."
"Hi! This is Paige. Michalchuk? We met at lunch?"
"Yeah, I remember! I gave you all my phone number. What's up?"
"Well Hun, Ash was telling me how you have been spending your first few days with Craig?"
"Before you say anything, I just want to clear something up. I have been here for only three days. I don't want to cause trouble. There is some tension between Ash and Craig, I know that, but I hold nothing against him, and until he gives me a reason to, then I'm going to be friends with him. I hope that means I still be friends with you and Ash and everyone else who hates Craig."
Paige let out a sigh.
"That's fine. For now. See you tomorrow Hun!"
Click.
Why was she calling me hun? And more importantly…I've already screwed up. I must be doing something wrong. I don't like this game of keep away, it isn't cool.
Two and a half hours later, Michelle had finally decided on an outfit. A white-collared shirt with vertical black stripes that goes to the elbow, and brown stripped pants. She decided she looked nice. She headed down stairs and grabbed her coat. Someone pushed her from behind.
"Have a nice time at your friend's house, loser." Her brother said.
Michelle just sighed and left. When she got to Craig's front door, she was shaking. Not from the cold, from her nerves. She rang the door bell. A bald, middle-aged looking man answered the door.
"Hi! You must be Michelle! I'm Joey, Craig's step dad."
They shook hands.
"Thank you for having me over to your house for dinner."
"You are more than welcome."
Joey went over to the stairs and yelled up them.
"Craig! Your friend is here!"
A little girl with black curly hair like Craig's came from another room. She spoke with a curious voice.
"Ohhhh, daddy she's pretty! Are you Craig's girlfriend?"
Michelle blushed and Craig came racing into the room.
"No, I'm just his friend, my name is Michelle."
Craig put a hand on Angie's shoulder.
"This is my little sister Angie. You can put your coat over there."
"Thanks for having me over Craig. Your house is really nice."
"Yeah, it's not too bad, is it? Wow. I just noticed something. You dressed up. You didn't mean to do that."
Once again, Michelle blushed, and Joey saw she was uncomfortable.
"Hey, let's eat! I made a big dinner."
"Joey…." Craig said with aggravation.
Michelle put a hand on Craig's shoulder.
"It's okay! I'm hungry."
The later it got, the more awkward Michelle felt. Not that she wasn't comfortable with Craig and his family, but she knew she had to go home soon, and she didn't know how to say that without sounding desperate to leave. So when Angie, Craig and Joey were finally in the room at the same time, she took that chance.
"Thank you again for having me over for dinner, Craig. And Joey, it really was great. But I should get going, my mom wants me home at a certain time."
"Alright, I'll drive you." Joey offered.
"No, that's really okay. I wouldn't want to impose. Besides, I live not to far from here."
Joey smiled.
"Alright, if you insist."
Angie tugged on Joey's pants.
"Daddy? Is Michelle going home? I want her to stay…forever!"
"Ang, she doesn't live here, she can't stay forever. But, I have an idea. Michelle, Craig is babysitting Angie this Saturday. It would be great if you could come over and help."
Craig looked embarrassed.
"I'd love to! But I really do have to go now. See you tomorrow, Craig!"
"Yeah!…Bye…?"
Craig went upstairs quickly. He ran to his room and looked out the window. He watched as Michelle walked farther and farther away, and then out of sight.
Saturday rolled around sooner than Craig thought it would. He was nervous. And he found that very weird. He was just going to have a friend over, nothing to be nervous about. Besides, it wasn't a date. Not even close. Especially since Joey had set it up. He was just going to get help babysitting. Craig looked into the living room to make sure Angie was being good. She was sitting there coloring, like usual. Craig kept looking at his watch over and over. It was 5:10. Michelle should be there any minute. As he stood in the kitchen and waited, he let his mind drift a bit. Not too far off though. No, his mind was focused on a girl. And slowly, the image came into his mind. It was Michelle, walking towards him. And then smiling. And then saying something…but he couldn't make out what she was saying…and that's when he realized that he wasn't daydreaming, but Michelle was actually standing in front of him. Angie must have let her when Craig started spacing out.
"Helloooo? Anybody in there? Craaaaiiiig?"
"Wha….oh, sorry! Just lost myself for a minute."
"Happen a lot to you, doesn't it?"
Craig let out a wimpy laugh.
"Yeah...sure…as much as the next person anyways."
Angie's shrill voice came into hearing.
"Craig! I want to play tea party with Michelle!"
Michelle grabbed Angie's hand.
"Alright! Craig, we'll be upstairs for a little bit."
"Umm…okay…"
Craig may have felt a little bit left out, but that's ok, he thought as he watched the girl he cant' stop thinking about and his sister run up the stairs.
About a half hour later, Craig called up the stairs.
"Angie! Michelle! Food is ready!"
They both came racing down the stairs. Angie continued into the kitchen, while Michelle stopped so she could talk to Craig.
"Mmm…smells good. Are you quite the chef?"
"I am, I am. Tell her Angie!"
As Angie shoved a spoonful of Macaroni and Cheese into her mouth, she looked up.
"Craig makes the best macaroni!"
She went back to scarfing down her food. Craig and Michelle soon joined her.
"Alright, dinner is done with, now what?" Angie asked.
"How about…we watch a movie. Go pick one out. I'm going to help Craig clean up" Michelle said.
Angie hoped off her stool and ran into the living room in search of a movie.
"Michelle, you don't need to help me."
"It's alright, I want to. I'm good at it. Besides, you cook, the least I can do is help clean."
"but you're already helping me baby-sit."
"You never give up, do you Manning?"
Craig smiled. "Nope."
Michelle grabbed the hose on the sink and sprayed him.
"Hey!"
"What are you gonna do about it?"
"I'm gonna…"
"Craig! Michelle! The movie is starting! We're gonna watch Beauty and the Beast!"
Michelle ran into the living room, followed by Craig, and sat down on the couch.
SORRY I WAITED SO LONG TO UPDATE
By the time the movie was over, Angie was fast asleep in Craig's lap, so Michelle and Craig had to whisper.
"I'm going to carry her up to bed, okay? Joey should be home in an hour." Craig said.
Michelle didn't bother to speak, she just gave him the okay sign. A couple of minutes later, Craig was tip-toeing down the stairs trying not to make any noise. He went back over to the couch and sat down next to Michelle who was flipping through the channels.
"So…are you going to Hazel's party?" Craig asked.
"Yep. Are you? I mean, I figured since Hazel is good friends with Ashley, you wouldn't be invited…"
"yeah, but Hazel's boyfriend Jimmy is a good friend of mine, so I got in like that."
"I guess you know all the right people."
He looked over at her.
"I do now…..anyways, I was wondering, do you wanna go with me? I mean, like as friends, not as a date or anything, because that would jus--"
"Craig. You're babbling. That'd be great. No one wants to show up at a party alone."
"Yeah…"
By now Craig was starring into her eyes and just couldn't look away. Michelle was flipping channels anymore. She had turned so she could look at Craig.
"Craig…I'm really glad I met you. You are like no one else I've ever met."
"wow…that's gotta be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. I'm glad I met you too. You aren't like the girls at Degrassi. I think we need more Americans up here."
Somehow while they were talking, they had gotten closer. Michelle's eyes were frantically darting back in forth, trying to look into both of Craig's eyes. Her hand found a resting place on top of his, which was resting on his knee. Craig started leaning in and closed his. Michelle took a quick gulp. She knew what this meant. She closed her eyes too, and started leaning. Just as her top lip grazed Craig's bottom lip, she put a hand on Craig's shoulder to stop him from leaning in any farther.
"Craig…" She whispered, eyes still closed.
"This is wrong. We have something. But this will ruin it."
She opened her eyes to find Craig starring at her.
"I'm so sorry Craig, I should go."
She jumped off the couch and ran out the door so he couldn't see her cry. As she was shutting the door, she didn't hear him whisper a plea for her to stay.
"Don't…leave me…" Tears fell from Craig's eyes. But this time he was too distraught over what just happened to go into self destructive mode. That could wait til morning.
"What is it?"
"Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? My step-dad Joey wants to meet you."
It seemed as if Michelle had to think about it, and then she said, "Okay! What time should I come over?"
"Seven is good. See you then!" Craig said and then ran off.
As he ran all the way home, Craig wondered why he did that. Then he knew. He didn't want to lose her. Lose her? She isn't mine to lose! I just want…I want someone to trust and trust me back. I need something real. I want to feel again. I feel so dead inside, I need someone to…to….I don't know. I just need someone. And she could easily turn against me so early on in our friendship. Got to keep her close.
Michelle went into her kitchen as soon as she got home.
"Mom?"
Her mom stood up. She had been ruffling through the cupboards.
"Yes, dolly?"
"A friend, Craig Manning, invited me over for dinner tonight. He only lives a few blocks away. I don't have too much homework, I got a lot done at school. My chores are finished too. Is alright if I go?"
"Yes, sure. Just be home by…nine o' clock, okay?"
"Okay! Thank you!"
Michelle ran up to her mother and gave her a hug, then ran upstairs into her room. She needed to find something nice to wear. This was going to take awhile. She was rustling through her closet when the phone rang. She answered it after the first ring.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is Michelle there?"
"This is."
"Hi! This is Paige. Michalchuk? We met at lunch?"
"Yeah, I remember! I gave you all my phone number. What's up?"
"Well Hun, Ash was telling me how you have been spending your first few days with Craig?"
"Before you say anything, I just want to clear something up. I have been here for only three days. I don't want to cause trouble. There is some tension between Ash and Craig, I know that, but I hold nothing against him, and until he gives me a reason to, then I'm going to be friends with him. I hope that means I still be friends with you and Ash and everyone else who hates Craig."
Paige let out a sigh.
"That's fine. For now. See you tomorrow Hun!"
Click.
Why was she calling me hun? And more importantly…I've already screwed up. I must be doing something wrong. I don't like this game of keep away, it isn't cool.
Two and a half hours later, Michelle had finally decided on an outfit. A white-collared shirt with vertical black stripes that goes to the elbow, and brown stripped pants. She decided she looked nice. She headed down stairs and grabbed her coat. Someone pushed her from behind.
"Have a nice time at your friend's house, loser." Her brother said.
Michelle just sighed and left. When she got to Craig's front door, she was shaking. Not from the cold, from her nerves. She rang the door bell. A bald, middle-aged looking man answered the door.
"Hi! You must be Michelle! I'm Joey, Craig's step dad."
They shook hands.
"Thank you for having me over to your house for dinner."
"You are more than welcome."
Joey went over to the stairs and yelled up them.
"Craig! Your friend is here!"
A little girl with black curly hair like Craig's came from another room. She spoke with a curious voice.
"Ohhhh, daddy she's pretty! Are you Craig's girlfriend?"
Michelle blushed and Craig came racing into the room.
"No, I'm just his friend, my name is Michelle."
Craig put a hand on Angie's shoulder.
"This is my little sister Angie. You can put your coat over there."
"Thanks for having me over Craig. Your house is really nice."
"Yeah, it's not too bad, is it? Wow. I just noticed something. You dressed up. You didn't mean to do that."
Once again, Michelle blushed, and Joey saw she was uncomfortable.
"Hey, let's eat! I made a big dinner."
"Joey…." Craig said with aggravation.
Michelle put a hand on Craig's shoulder.
"It's okay! I'm hungry."
The later it got, the more awkward Michelle felt. Not that she wasn't comfortable with Craig and his family, but she knew she had to go home soon, and she didn't know how to say that without sounding desperate to leave. So when Angie, Craig and Joey were finally in the room at the same time, she took that chance.
"Thank you again for having me over for dinner, Craig. And Joey, it really was great. But I should get going, my mom wants me home at a certain time."
"Alright, I'll drive you." Joey offered.
"No, that's really okay. I wouldn't want to impose. Besides, I live not to far from here."
Joey smiled.
"Alright, if you insist."
Angie tugged on Joey's pants.
"Daddy? Is Michelle going home? I want her to stay…forever!"
"Ang, she doesn't live here, she can't stay forever. But, I have an idea. Michelle, Craig is babysitting Angie this Saturday. It would be great if you could come over and help."
Craig looked embarrassed.
"I'd love to! But I really do have to go now. See you tomorrow, Craig!"
"Yeah!…Bye…?"
Craig went upstairs quickly. He ran to his room and looked out the window. He watched as Michelle walked farther and farther away, and then out of sight.
Saturday rolled around sooner than Craig thought it would. He was nervous. And he found that very weird. He was just going to have a friend over, nothing to be nervous about. Besides, it wasn't a date. Not even close. Especially since Joey had set it up. He was just going to get help babysitting. Craig looked into the living room to make sure Angie was being good. She was sitting there coloring, like usual. Craig kept looking at his watch over and over. It was 5:10. Michelle should be there any minute. As he stood in the kitchen and waited, he let his mind drift a bit. Not too far off though. No, his mind was focused on a girl. And slowly, the image came into his mind. It was Michelle, walking towards him. And then smiling. And then saying something…but he couldn't make out what she was saying…and that's when he realized that he wasn't daydreaming, but Michelle was actually standing in front of him. Angie must have let her when Craig started spacing out.
"Helloooo? Anybody in there? Craaaaiiiig?"
"Wha….oh, sorry! Just lost myself for a minute."
"Happen a lot to you, doesn't it?"
Craig let out a wimpy laugh.
"Yeah...sure…as much as the next person anyways."
Angie's shrill voice came into hearing.
"Craig! I want to play tea party with Michelle!"
Michelle grabbed Angie's hand.
"Alright! Craig, we'll be upstairs for a little bit."
"Umm…okay…"
Craig may have felt a little bit left out, but that's ok, he thought as he watched the girl he cant' stop thinking about and his sister run up the stairs.
About a half hour later, Craig called up the stairs.
"Angie! Michelle! Food is ready!"
They both came racing down the stairs. Angie continued into the kitchen, while Michelle stopped so she could talk to Craig.
"Mmm…smells good. Are you quite the chef?"
"I am, I am. Tell her Angie!"
As Angie shoved a spoonful of Macaroni and Cheese into her mouth, she looked up.
"Craig makes the best macaroni!"
She went back to scarfing down her food. Craig and Michelle soon joined her.
"Alright, dinner is done with, now what?" Angie asked.
"How about…we watch a movie. Go pick one out. I'm going to help Craig clean up" Michelle said.
Angie hoped off her stool and ran into the living room in search of a movie.
"Michelle, you don't need to help me."
"It's alright, I want to. I'm good at it. Besides, you cook, the least I can do is help clean."
"but you're already helping me baby-sit."
"You never give up, do you Manning?"
Craig smiled. "Nope."
Michelle grabbed the hose on the sink and sprayed him.
"Hey!"
"What are you gonna do about it?"
"I'm gonna…"
"Craig! Michelle! The movie is starting! We're gonna watch Beauty and the Beast!"
Michelle ran into the living room, followed by Craig, and sat down on the couch.
SORRY I WAITED SO LONG TO UPDATE
By the time the movie was over, Angie was fast asleep in Craig's lap, so Michelle and Craig had to whisper.
"I'm going to carry her up to bed, okay? Joey should be home in an hour." Craig said.
Michelle didn't bother to speak, she just gave him the okay sign. A couple of minutes later, Craig was tip-toeing down the stairs trying not to make any noise. He went back over to the couch and sat down next to Michelle who was flipping through the channels.
"So…are you going to Hazel's party?" Craig asked.
"Yep. Are you? I mean, I figured since Hazel is good friends with Ashley, you wouldn't be invited…"
"yeah, but Hazel's boyfriend Jimmy is a good friend of mine, so I got in like that."
"I guess you know all the right people."
He looked over at her.
"I do now…..anyways, I was wondering, do you wanna go with me? I mean, like as friends, not as a date or anything, because that would jus--"
"Craig. You're babbling. That'd be great. No one wants to show up at a party alone."
"Yeah…"
By now Craig was starring into her eyes and just couldn't look away. Michelle was flipping channels anymore. She had turned so she could look at Craig.
"Craig…I'm really glad I met you. You are like no one else I've ever met."
"wow…that's gotta be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. I'm glad I met you too. You aren't like the girls at Degrassi. I think we need more Americans up here."
Somehow while they were talking, they had gotten closer. Michelle's eyes were frantically darting back in forth, trying to look into both of Craig's eyes. Her hand found a resting place on top of his, which was resting on his knee. Craig started leaning in and closed his. Michelle took a quick gulp. She knew what this meant. She closed her eyes too, and started leaning. Just as her top lip grazed Craig's bottom lip, she put a hand on Craig's shoulder to stop him from leaning in any farther.
"Craig…" She whispered, eyes still closed.
"This is wrong. We have something. But this will ruin it."
She opened her eyes to find Craig starring at her.
"I'm so sorry Craig, I should go."
She jumped off the couch and ran out the door so he couldn't see her cry. As she was shutting the door, she didn't hear him whisper a plea for her to stay.
"Don't…leave me…" Tears fell from Craig's eyes. But this time he was too distraught over what just happened to go into self destructive mode. That could wait til morning.