Chapter 11
(Craig's perspective)
"It's all up to fate now."

Craig sulked in misery the next few days. School had became dreadful. He was piled down with homework. The teachers had started ganging up on him too. It seemed like almost everyday some teacher was calling him "Mr. Manning" and lecturing him. Sometimes he would catch a glimpse of Emma or Ellie. Neither of them had spoken to him since the day of the library incident. Craig was just going to let whatever happen… happen. It was all up to fate now.

He drowned himself in his music. The garage had became louder then usual. (The neighbors were complaining again.) He started on a new song. Something that he put a lot of work into. He hoped it would be special. It had to do with him hurting two people he cared about.

Once again, his life had turned into an inspiration for his music. That is all he wanted to do was play. He didn't want to leave the garage. It was starting to become his new room. Laundry piles and dishes were scattered everywhere. Joey or Caitlin would scold at him ; ask him to clean up the filth.

The next day was unusually cold. Craig fastened the last button on his jacket before leaving for school. He walked and hummed the words to his new song. Spinner was sick. So Craig walked to school lonely. The school came into his view. Just as he was almost there he absentmindedly walked into someone. He had been trying to remember a verse of the song.

His stomach sank. It felt like a bottomless pit. Emma turned around facing Craig.

"Oh it's you. How are you?" Emma asked as if it was a normal conversation.

Craig was stunned that Emma was talking to him again. He suddenly felt better. His stomach didn't feel so empty anymore. In fact, the bottomless pit feeling was now replaced with a very happy emotion.

He smiled at her and spoke, "You know I haven't smiled for days. It's really good to see you."

The morning bell rang, and Craig waved good bye to Emma. He didn't want to leave her. All his thoughts were on her now. (Ellie wasn't on his mind.) He just wanted to talk to her.

Craig walked into his first class of the day, Media Immersion. He was greeted by a tired Snake. Who sat at his computer yawning. Baby Jack must have kept him up again. Even thought Jack was well over one year old… he still stirred and cried late at night.

Craig sat in his seat happy but the happiness soon faded when he saw Ellie enter the classroom. She wasn't in the class but was delivering a note to Snake. Her eyes were locked on Craig.

Craig blushed and turned his head looking away as other students entered the class. Ellie walked out of the class… not giving one more look to Craig.

He didn't listen to one word Snake had said. Snake to him was just a man talking on and on. When the bell rang he was out the classroom door in a flash. Craig gathered up courage. He needed to be brave… what he was about to do required courage. He took out a piece of paper and jotted something down quickly.

He then stuck it in a locker. He looked around to see if anyone had saw him stick it in. Just as he was leaving… he was caught by a familiar voice.

"Oh… Craig… what are you doing?" Manny questioned.

Craig ignored her inquires and said a polite hello and continued down the hallway.

His smile was now a large grin.