Chapter 8
(Craig's perspective.)

"Can we talk ?"

Craig watched as Emma walked out of the school. She had a frown on her face. Emma stopped abruptly. She had made eye contact with Craig. He stood frozen and dazed back at her. She started walking faster. Craig wasn't waiting for Emma.

Ever since the kiss between Ellie and him. He wasn't able to shake the memory out of his head. There short kiss had felt like it lasted forever. It was just one tiny kiss. Why could he not think about anything else? It was weird. He had kissed Emma tons of times but had never felt that same joy. The kiss with Ellie was exciting, fresh, and something so new. Maybe it was just because it was a spur of the moment He wasn't sure why he had enjoyed it so much.

All he knew was he had to talk to Ellie. He wanted to be able to tell her how he felt. Then maybe he would be able to caress her and hold her hand. They could be together and just be happy. So he waited and waited. Finally she came strolling out of the school. Her mind seemed to be on something else. Because she walked right pass Craig without looking at him.

"Ellie!" Craig yelled, "Can we talk about what happened in the library?"

Ellie gazed at him. She hadn't heard one word he had said. Ellie had on headphones and a walkman in her hand.

She took the headphones off and said "What did you say?"

"Can we talk? Please, just for a second."

Craig gave her a puppy dog look. He wanted to find out if the kiss had meant something. Because if it had… well he would figure out the rest later. Right now he just wanted to know if there was some chemistry between them.

"Okay, but not for long." Ellie said in a very averse tone. She didn't sound too thrilled to be talking to him. Maybe she wasn't. What if she had thought the kiss between them was gross? What if Ellie had told everyone that Craig was a repulsive kisser? He decided he didn't care. He had to take a chance.

Craig motioned for her to sit down on the school steps. A gentle breeze blew their hair back. They sat mutely for a while. Craig was searching for the right words to say. Well, he knew what he wanted to say but… it was still so difficult. It had always been complicated for Craig to share his emotions with anyone. In fact his old girlfriend Ashley had broken up with him once because of that. Craig was like a dairy when it came to secrets and sharing things. The key was hidden very well.

Before he found the right words to say how he felt… Ellie told him how she felt.

"Craig, I'm not going to lie to you. I think we shared a moment in the library. I think we have chemistry but my best friend is your ex. I'm not going to do that to her. Not now or ever. I'm sorry Craig. I don't want Emma hurt either." Ellie babbled her eyes looked like they were fighting back tears.

Craig had never seen Ellie come so close to crying. Rebel, Ellie Nash, wasn't supposed to sob. Craig let what she had said soak in him. "Not now or ever" seemed to kind of hurt him. It was like someone hitting him. The second she had said it… Craig began having a sharp pain.

"Ellie if you like me. Then you need to be with me. I'm sorry Ashley was hurt but that was last year. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Ashley doesn't have to be hurt. Maybe she would understand?" Craig pleaded.

"No, I'm sorry Craig." Ellie said "I have to go now."

Craig sat on the cold school steps for a little longer. He just didn't feel like going home so he went to the dot instead. It was empty. Which was really odd because usually after school it was filled with kids. It was the only place we could go to just hang out.

Craig opened the dot door. The familiar bell jingled as he shut the door. He didn't really feel like eating. He just wanted to sit and think. Craig looked around for a table that was out of sight so he could have some privacy. He spotted Marco.

Marco was sitting in the back by himself. It looked like he was working on something. It was probably his poetry assignment. Marco always had to have things flawless.

Craig sat down and Marco gave a surprised look. Then the mess he had made of his life seemed to just pour out of his mouth…

Marco tried giving him advice but Craig knew nothing Marco said would help him. He would have to handle this one on his own. He wasn't a child anymore.

He had to stop hiding. He needed to figure out what he wanted. Emma was so kind and great then there was Ellie. She was so different and fresh. Ellie was completely different from the other girls he had ever liked. She wasn't Ashley and she defiantly wasn't like Manny.