The weeks passed on and the story about Manny and Craig had spread like of Paige Mickalchuk (sorry, no idea how to spell it!).
Now, Craig was receiving threatening notes in his locker, getting dirty looks with every step he took inside the school and sometimes outside of it, and his obsession to be with Manny had yet to die out. He became more and more secluded as the time went by. Sean was his only true companion, but now, since his return to school, and Emma, he was often off limits. Craig felt like he was digging himself a hole to hide from everyone...digging it deeper and deeper each day, no way to escape.
One particular day...
Craig needed to do something to get his mind off of Manny. He was trying with all his might to listen to Mr. Armstrong's lesson, but his hearing seemed to be blocked out by his misery. He had never really thought about how bad things were for him until now. Both his parents were dead, the whole school hated him, his only friend was always occupied, and he had deeply hurt the only girl he had ever loved. Nice way to end the year, he thought.
A part of Craig was furious with Manny for telling Paige about they're private life. It was like a written rule, you tell Paige something and within a week almost everyone knows about it. On the other hand, he hated himself for being mad at Manny...none if this is her fault...it's all mine, he thought.
Craig's hand shot into the air. "Yes, Craig?" Mr. Armstrong asked. "Can I go to the washroom, sir?" Mr. Armstrong glanced at the clock. "Oh...I guess so. Take your things with you. Class ends in five." Craig nodded and gathered his stuff.
Craig sat on the ground of the boys washroom. Guys walked in and out and payed no attention to Craig. The final late bell rang and Craig sat, unmoved, in the same spot on the floor. Ha, he thought, I'm late, I don't care. It doesn't matter anymore...nothing does.
What Craig did next was unexplainable. He reached into his school bag and took out his fairly large pocket knife. He stared at it for a moment. He traced his finger around the edge of the blade, judging it's sharpness. He then held it to his chest, point right in front of his heart. There's no turning back now, he thought, nothing to stop me.
Just then, Sean came in. The first thing that he saw was Craig with the knife point steadily placed right in front of his chest. Sean just stared. Craig looked up into Sean's frightened face. He felt a pang of guilt that Sean would have to see this. But it had to be done. It was now or never.
Sean spoke quickly. "Woah, Craig put that down. Man, please, you're acting crazy." Sean's voice was choked up. He knew that he could not stop this, but he could at least try. Tears were welled in Craig's eyes. "Tell...tell Angie and Joey that I love them, would you please. And...and Manny." "Craig, no. Give it to me, man. It's not that bad, just put it down."
Craig just stared at Sean, his face set. Whole-heartedly, Craig said, "Bye man." "Craig no!" Sean screamed. It happened in an instant. Craig thrust the blade upward into his chest. And just like that, it was over. He fell over and blood leaked all over the floor. "Craig!" Sean said as he rushed to his side. He looked down on him. There was nothing left of his best friend except for a lifeless body.
"Craig...Craig..." Sean repeated, thinking that maybe he would come around, that maybe he was not dead. But he was. Craig's brown eyes were cold and like glass. The tears streamed down faster and faster before Sean reached a point of bawling. He would occasionally say Craig's name...just in case. Sean sat there, on the floor, next to Craig's body, crying.
The door swung open and Mr. Raditch walked in. "Oh my lord!" he cried. "Sean, Sean are you alright?" Sean nodded his head. Mr. Raditch went to Sean's side. "What happened?" he asked, staring at Craig's body. Even though it was very obvious, Sean said quietly, "Craig's dead. He killed himself." "I'm going to call an ambulance. I'll be right back."
He got up quickly and left. Sean sat there, lost in his thoughts. He had just watched his best friend die. It had to be some sort of punishment for him being happy for once, he thought. Mr. Raditch reentered. "They're coming...so is Mr. Jeremiah. Sean, lets go to my office. I'll lock this door so no one can see." "No." Sean said, "I want to be with him. I don't want to leave." Mr. Raditch nodded. He hesitated and then left. Sean pulled his knees up to his chest and rocked slowly back and forth. "It's alright." he said to himself. Sean started to lightly sob again. "Craig..." he said one final time, in hopes that maybe, just maybe, he would wake up.