It was lunchtime, Craig walked down the school halls with his camera around his neck, looking a little dejected, as if he had just put on the first thing he saw when he got out of bed. Emma saw this from a distance, finding it a little odd because he was usually up beat when it came to taking photos. She actually hadn't seen him this way since the summer time. She decided to stop what she was doing and catch up with him to see what was up with him.

"Craig…slow down," she said almost out of breath from chasing after him.

"What is it?" he asked finally stopping in his tracks, turning around to face her.

"I've been chasing you for a few minutes." Looking into his eyes, "What's up with you, you don't look like your normal self?"

"I can't talk about it," he said starting to walk away. But it was just killing him inside.

Emma grabs his arm to try to stop him, "Why not, you look like it's really disturbing you."

"I promised I wouldn't," he pleaded for her to stop asking.

"Well I hope it's worth keeping, cause whatever it is looks like it's really iodinating you." Emma started to walk the opposite direction.

He just couldn't keep it in, he needed to talk about his feelings with someone, "If I tell you, will you promise not to say it to anyone?"

"I promise, so spill it," eager to hear.

Grabbing her arm, pulling her, "Not here, let's go somewhere else, somewhere more private."

"Alright."

Emma followed Craig to the little creek behind the school. The creek seemed to be deserted, so they decided to sit down on the damp ground, against a big oak tree.

"So what's the matter with you? I haven't seen you like this since the summer," Emma said looking at his face.

"See I have these feelings for Kelsie, but the only problem is she has a boyfriend," looking at the leaf he was fidgeting with in his hand. He knew what she was going to tell him already, and it wasn't as if he wasn't thinking about it himself.

"Last thing you need is another triangle like last year," worried that he might get himself into some more trouble. She knew how hard it was after that all came out, and she hated the thought of him going through it again.

"I know, I know. But that's not even the problem," he sighed, leaning his head up against the tree, looking right ahead of him.

"Then what is it?"

"Kelsie came over to my house early, see she was coming to see my band play. She walked in on something personal to me, something that I didn't want others to know about me. She had me open up about it, and it felt good to know that she knew how I was feeling. Then we were drawn into a kiss, the most passionate kiss I've ever had, the only reason we stopped it was because the boys showed up. She says it didn't mean anything, but when she was kissing me, it said other wise. I'm just so confused, I mean if the guys hadn't walked in, what would have happened?"

"Maybe she needs time to really see it. Show her that you care, but don't tell her you like her because you might scare her away."

"Are you sure?" unsure if this was the right thing to do. He rather wanted to be totally honest with her.

"Yes, trust me," patting him on the knee.

Putting his hand over hers, "Thanks!"

They both walked back across the field towards the school before the bell rang for next block.

Kelsie scurried right to Paige who was already sitting down at her desk, as she turns up into their Social Studies class.

"Hey girl, how's it going?" Paige said in a cheerful mood, smiling.

Kelsie sat down right in front of her, not at Paige, "I have a problem."

Seeing that Kelsie was real upset, "Calm down Kels, what's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath, having a hard time getting it to come out, "The other night…Craig and I kissed."

"What, why?" wondered why she would do that when she had a great boyfriend back in Sechelt that worshipped her.

"Lately since it's near my birthday I've been really missing home…and Chris. I was talking with him about his life, and the next thing I know my lips are on his, and we're kissing."

"Oh My!!! Did you like it?" prying to know details.

"I don't know,' slumping back in her chair. "See I really love Chris, and truly believe that we're meant for each other, but something in me is drawn to Craig and how he makes me feel when I'm around him."

"Do you have feelings for him?"

"I don't know, and even if I do, I think that it will all change once I see Chris again," trying to convince herself.

"I don't know," thinking that there was more there than Kelsie was willing to admit.

Kelsie decided to change the subject, and perked up, "My parents have decided that for my birthday that they would pay for me to go to Sechelt."

"Your parents are way cool."

"I know I could hardly believe my ears when they told me. I just can't wait to be in his arms again, holding me, among other things," she said raising her left eyebrow.

"You will have to fill me in on the details," she laughed.

"I will, but before I leave next week, we have to a girl's night since this means I wouldn't be here for my birthday."

"I agree, maybe a girl's night at my house," she already had a plan unraveling in her head.

"Yeah, I like that idea."

"You don't worry about any of the details, I'll do it all." This was a night that Kelsie wasn't going to forget, Paige thought.

"Thanks," she grinned