Chapter 2

I sat up in bed hearing the obnoxious sound of my alarm clock going off. The constant beep annoyed me, but I hadn't had the motivation to get a new alarm clock. I stretched my arms over my head and then ran my hands through my hair. I reached over and hit the alarm off. Six in the morning, did I mention I'm not a morning person? I just sat there thinking about the last school year. Everything had been such a blur. When had I let my life get so out of control?

"Craig? Are you up yet?" I heard my door creak open and saw Joey's face appear in the doorway.

"Yeah, I was just thinking." I pulled the dead weight that I called my body up out of body as my cell phone started to play 'What Happened' by Sublime. I didn't want to answer it knowing who it was already. I braced myself as I picked up the phone. "Yeah?"

"Hi," she whispered in my ear.

"What do you want? I can't talk; I have to get ready for school," I said harshly, not really caring if I hurt her feelings.

She sighed, "I just wanted to hear your voice. I don't want you to be mad at me. I've apologized a dozen times, Craig. What do you want me to do?"

I took a deep breath, "Leave me alone, Manny. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. Please..." I waited for a reply but there was none to be found. I hung up the phone and placed it next to my Algebra 2 book.

I walked to the bathroom and stared at my reflection in the medicine cabinet mirror. I had changed so much from my sophomore year. Not that much physically, but emotionally I had matured. I had made some pretty bad choices that I had to grow up. After learning that my first child was to be killed, I made some life altering changes. I prayed that this year would not even compare to last year. I wasn't planning on talking to Manny this year after all she's put me through. But she hung around like a bad habit that I couldn't kick. Sure, she had apologized; it still didn't make it right.

I started the water for my shower knowing that it was getting late. I stepped into the waterfall and let it wipe all my thoughts and problems. I wouldn't let her get to me.

I turned off the water and grabbed my white towel that was hanging on the towel rack by the shower wrapping it around my waist. I went back to my room getting ready for the day ahead. I walked over to my closet to pull out some clothes. I grabbed a pair of black jeans and a brown fitted t-shirt and of course my signature leather jacket. I threw the clothes on and ran back to the bathroom to fix my hair. Brushed my hair and ran gel through it making sure it wasn't going to be a big mess. I finished up some last minute details. I put my Algebra 2 book away, grabbed my camera off my desk and picked up my cell phone placing it in my front jeans pocket.

I walked into the kitchen to see Angela and Joey getting ready for their day. Angela was sitting at the counter eating cheerios while Joey ran around collecting papers for work.

"Craig! Craig!" Angela screamed as I walked in. I leaned forward kissing her head. Angela was my half sister. She was Joey's daughter with my mom. My mom had died a few years ago and I had moved in with Joey because I couldn't bear to live with my father. I have the scars to prove it.

"I got to go. I have to finish a project for photography. I have to get to school. I'll see you guys later," I swung my bag over my shoulder. I gave Angela another kiss and began my journey to school. I sat down in my 1986 camaro and that's when my phone started going off again. Why did she keep calling me? "What do you want?"

"Craig, I just want to know things are cool between us. I'm sorry for what I did, but I couldn't ruin my life because of one little mistake. Please forgive me," Manny said. She almost sounded as if she were in tears.

"Why is this such a big deal to you? We broke up; things are over, Manny. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. We had fun, but it's over now. Move on," I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. "I have to go. I have stuff I have to do." This time I didn't even wait for the response I knew I wasn't going to get. I slammed my phone shut and replaced it in my pocket. I started the car and started the drive to Degrassi Community School.

I arrived when there were absolutely in the student parking lot. I pulled in to the last spot in the front row. I grabbed my bag and camera and ventured into the school. I walked to my locker to throw my stuff in it. I held my camera as I walked around the school looking for something to shoot for my project. I needed something different, something new. The whole project was to take pictures of something you've never seen in Degrassi before. And considering I've been everywhere in the school there wasn't much that I hadn't seen before.

I walked aimlessly around the school. Maybe I could just take pictures of me. I've changed and I'm new. I'm the new Craig. I knew that wouldn't count for anything. I kept walking in circles trying to find something that I could pass off as if I've never seen it. I just started taking pictures not really caring if I hadn't seen that before or not. I took pictures of the secretary typing away on her computer, the few kids at their lockers, and the janitor already moping up someone's spilled coffee. Of course all these things were familiar to me. But what could be new that I haven't seen? I've been in the same school for the past three years! I was going to fail my first official project in my junior year in my favorite class.

I finally just decided to wait in the hallway by the main doors; maybe something interesting would walk through them. I stood there focusing my camera on the doors. I turned away for two seconds checking behind me for anything interesting when I heard one of the doors open. I still had my camera to my eye focused on the doors. I saw the most beautiful thing: a stunning beauty. She had to be 5'1", 5'2" tops. She had light brown hair with blonde highlights that went down past her shoulders. She had lovely hazel eyes and a smile that took my breath away. She was wearing a purple halter top, tight blue jeans and a leather jacket that I could have sworn was mine. She noticed me looking at her with my camera and gave me one of those million dollar smiles. I took the shot. She was different, she was new; she was something I had never see before. But when the shutter opened again she was no where to be found. I removed the camera that was permanently attached to my eye and looked at the floor. She crashed into one of the new freshman. I smiled to myself thinking that today was Monday, the beginning of a long week to get to know this girl.