Chapter 14
Written by: Sister-Cousin

The next morning Marco woke up, locked his bedroom door and packed up his belongings. He took a good look at his bedroom for the last time and saw a picture of his father on the nightstand. He picked it up and out of anger he threw it at the wall causing it to shatter into pieces. "I hate you!" He shouted and grabbed his backpack and gym bag. Marco escaped by going out his window.

'Where should I go?' He thought. 'Paige's? No, that's too desperate. I'll go to Ellie's. She'll understand.'

Marco rang Ellie's doorbell and nobody answered at first so he just waited because he nowhere else to go. Finally Ellie answered the door in her pajamas and slippers.

"Marco? What are you doing here?" She asked and noticed his load of stuff. "Marco, what happened?"

"My dad kicked me out. He hates me so I have no where to stay."

"What? Oh please come in." He came in and they went into her kitchen. "Your father kicked you out. Why?"

"Mr. Raditch called my house and told my dad that I was getting harassed for being gay. My dad freaked out and so did my mom so here I am."

"Oh Marco, that's horrible. I'm so sorry." She hugged him tightly. "You can stay here in my guestroom as long as you want."

"Really I can stay with you?" Marco grinned.

"Of course for now at least. My mom wouldn't mind. Half the time she's asleep. Help yourself to some breakfast while I finish getting ready."

"Ellie, you don't know what this means to me. You're my best friend. Thanks so much." Marco said.

"You're my best friend too." Ellie smiled and headed to her room to get finished getting ready.

Craig went to his locker joined by Jimmy and Spinner.

"I can't believe Hazel broke up with me. I need to get her back." Jimmy said.

"Dude, I'm sorry, but I still can't believe Paige and JT kissed." Spinner said.

"Me neither. These last few days have been hectic."

"It's been crazy. Craig, what do you think?" Spinner asked because Craig hasn't said anything.

Craig shouted, "Manny loves me."

"What?" Jimmy and Spinner asked.

"Here look." He said and handed them a note from Manny. Spinner and Jimmy read the note to themselves.

"Wow, now this is hard to believe." Jimmy said.

"No it isn't. She just came to her senses. I need to go find Manny." Craig responded.

"Whatever!" Jimmy said.

"Good luck man." Spinner said.

"Yeah he's gonna need it." Jimmy shouted back to Craig, but he didn't care.

Craig saw Manny sitting in the library with JT. He smiled and walked over to her.

"Manny, can we talk?" He asked.

"I don't think she wants to talk to you." JT said.

"No JT, it's okay." Manny replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. See ya in class." JT glared at Craig and then walked away to look for Paige.

"What is it Craig?" Manny asked.

"You should know. Didn't you send me this note?" Craig said and handed her the note.

"What? I never wrote this. It's not even in my handwriting."

"Oh...well then sorry to bother you." Craig said, looking heartbroken and disappointed. He turned around and headed for the door. Manny felt horrible.

"Wait Craig, do you wanna go get something to eat after school?" Manny asked and Craig turned around with a smile across his face.

"With me? Are you sure? Is this like a date?"

"No...but maybe I'll go on a date with you one day. This will be just like two friends spending time together."

"Oh are you and JT dating?"

"No, I just want to take things slow with us. You did break me heart and I need time to be able to trust you again."

"Okay I guess I can go for that and I am sorry for everything I did to you. I was stupid."

"You can say that again."

"I deserve that so I'll meet you up in front after school, okay?"

"Yeah I'll see you there." Manny said and Craig walked away.

Ashley, Ellie and Marco are in Computers together talking since it's a free period.

"He kicked you out. This is insane." Ashley shouted.

"Shh ...don't say it too loud. I'm trying to keep it a secret." Marco said.

"Oh sorry but I can't believe this. It's all my fault."

"What do you mean?"

"I was the one who convinced you to talk to Mr. Raditch about it. I should've kept my mouth shut."

"Ashley I gave him advice too. It's nobody's fault. We'll work this out somehow." Ellie said and then Sean walked passed the glass wall in front of the classroom. She watched his every move and he watched her. Ashley and Marco stopped talking.

"Are you okay?' Marco asked.

"I don't know. I miss Sean." Ellie replied.

"I do too. You were a lot happier then, but lately you've been moody." Ellie looks upset. "No offense."

"I don't think he did it. You know writing in graffiti on the wall. It's just not something he would do." Ashley said.

"Me neither. Maybe you should forgive him, Ellie." Marco suggested.

"I'll try to talk to him later at lunch." She replied.

"I hope it works out, but isn't it strange? I mean everything that has been going on. There have always been a lot a drama and rumors going around Degrassi, but now it's getting out of control." Marco mentioned and Ashley and Ellie nodded. It was true and somebody had to stop it, but how?

Paige and Hazel haven't been talking to Ashley lately because they think her and Jimmy were secretly going out. Ashley couldn't believe Hazel slapped her in front of the whole school. Who took that picture? Why would someone want to blackmail her? She kept thinking of who it could be but nobody came to mind. Suddenly, she bumped into somebody.

"Oh I'm so sorry." Ashley said and picked up the papers that were on the ground.

"Oh it's okay. Hey Ashley." Jimmy said and scratched his head.

"Hi Jimmy, did you and Hazel work things out?"

"No she hates my guts. I've tried talking to her so many times, but she just walks away."

"I'm sorry. I feel really bad. Somehow I feel this is my fault."

"It's not your fault. It was just a misunderstanding."

"Do you want me to talk to Hazel for you? Maybe she just needs some girl on girl talk." Ashley suggested.

Jimmy laughed. "Um I don't think that would be really wise. I heard she slapped you and I wouldn't want to put you into any kind of danger."

"It's not funny. It really hurt." They both started laughing uncontrollably. "Oh my god Hazel Aden slapped me. That is pretty funny."

"Sure is." Jimmy said.

"Hey Ashley can I borrow some money for lunch?" Toby asked and Ashley turned around.

"Oh hi Toby. I thought you brought your lunch."

"I guess I forgot it at home."

"What happened? You seem sad."

"Kendra broke up me yesterday, I lost my best friend...I guess you could call me sad." Toby replied.

"Oh my I completely forgot."

"Everybody seems to."

"Come on and eat lunch with Jimmy and me. I'll treat you and while I'm at it I'll try to cheer you up and so will Jimmy. Won't you Jimmy?"

Jimmy couldn't say no even though he didn't really like Toby. "Yeah. We got a funny story to tell."

"Yeah we do." Ashley said and laughed.

At lunchtime Ellie looked for Sean because she wanted to talk to him. Maybe they could straighten things out between them. Finally she spotted him up front with a bucket and brush in his hand. Him and Emma were talking and Ellie just watched them. Then Emma walked away and looked pretty mad so did Sean. Ellie stood tall and walked over to Sean.

"Um hey Sean." She said.

"Oh hi have you come to lecture me like Emma?" Sean shouted.

"No why would I?"

"Because you hate me."

"I don't hate you, not at all. I came here to discuss us."

"There is no 'US'. You broke up with me remember? Excuse me but I have to work to do."

"I never broke up with you. I overacted that day. It was just so embarrassing."

"I didn't do it. I promise. Somebody put me up to it."

"Sean, I believe you and I think we should get back together." Ellie said and Sean stopped scrubbing and turned around.

"But we never broke up remember?"

"Oh yeah." And then they kissed.

Author's Note: So how did you like this chapter? Tell what you think in your review. Bye for now!