Summary: 17 year old Tara Spaulding recently moved to the area. With her emotional problems, she has home school, and her parents and doctor thought it would be best for her to start going to group therapy since she did like to go to the troubled teens summer camp where she met Ellie. She is having second thoughts about the group therapy session until she meets the one and only Craig Manning.

Tara sat nervously in the cold metal chair. She played with the safety pins on her plaid skirt as teenagers began to file in one by one and took seats in the circle. A woman in her mid 30's walked in.

"Hi everyone we will begin shortly feel free to get to know others around you." she said warmly as she looked around at the young people in the room.

Tara didn't look up. Why do I have to be here? She thought to herself. People around her began talking in soft murmurs she tried to drown them out. She looked over at the clock 6:25. The time seemed to drag along until it reached 6:30. The woman looked up and noticed the time.

"Alright, we will begin…for those who don't know I'm Mrs. Peterson the mental health advisor for…"Before she could finish a tall boy, with dark curly hair ran into the room.

"Sorry to interrupt but is this the teenaged group therapy session?" He said breathing heavily as though he ran the whole way. A few of the girls giggled at his goofy cuteness.

"Why yes it is we're just getting started have a seat." Mrs. Peterson said gesturing at an empty seat next to Tara.

The young man took the seat next to Tara. She looked up briefly and locked eyes with him. He smiled and she smiled back.

"I'm glad you all made it today. And I hope that you all find this helpful, we are here to help and I do not want any of you to feel ashamed to what we about to share here. Today we are going to keep things simple. I want each of you to find a partner someone you can keep in contact with at all times through out this process. So please pair up and introduce yourselves. I will be back shortly with some paper work "

She quietly got up and everyone began talking. Tara still gazed down at her safety pins.

"Ugh..I hate these things. I never like introducing myself. But I guess we have to..My name is Craig Manning what's yours? He said extending a friendly out to hers.

Startled that any one would talk to her she looked up.

" Oh..um. me too. My name is Tara..Tara Spaulding." She reached her small hand out to meet his.

. "Nice to meet you. Do you go to Degrassi?" he said still shaking her hand.

" No. I'm home schooled." She realized how long they were holding hands so she quickly retracted her black nail polished hand.

"Lucky you, no annoying teachers, disgusting lunches." He said laughing

Tara laughed, as she laughed a lock of purple hair fell in front of her bright blue eyes.

"That is an awesome color" he said as he tugged on it. As she felt her face get warm she quickly tucked it behind her ears.

Noticing she was embarrassed he quickly changed the subject. "So I guess we should exchanged info? I'll give you my number and email address would that be ok?"

"Sure" she replied as she fumbled around in her purse for her prized journal book. Craig reached for it and she quickly snatched it back.

"Sorry" he said startled by her reaction.

No, it's just that this is personal to me. He told her his info then she ripped out a page in her journal and wrote down her info. By the time this took place Mrs. Peterson was back.

"Ok everyone quiet down, Now that you have a partner we will begin to discuss what will take place here. … "

Craig and Tara sighed and sank back into their seats.

The hour and a ½ went by surprisingly quickly for Tara. When it was over Craig walked her to the door.

"So..would it be ok if I called you or emailed you when I need to talk?" Craig asked as he held open the door for her.

"Anytime". She said softly. Craig smiled and replied: "Hopefully you will do the same in return. She looked up at him and gave a soft smile."

At that moment a loud honking noise interrupted their conversation. "Tara! Over here!" yelled a pretty woman from her car.

Tara groaned," Sorry but I need to go call me if you need me." Tara rushed over to the car. Craig watched as her purple locks bounced as she jogged to the car and got in. She looked back and gave him a final wave then the car sped off. He looked down and realized he was still holding the piece of paper she written for him before, that's when he noticed the writing that was on the back.

You will never hurt me again, never hurt me again, never. From this date November 18th you will never hurt me again. NOONE will ever hurt me again like you have. NOONE.

Who would hurt HER? She seems so frail as it is. He thought to himself. Craig carefully folded the note back up in his pocket and began walking home.