CHAPTER 29-Goodbye

Kate POV

I walked back to Ben's hotel the next morning. I opened up the door with my key, and saw Ben sleeping at a table over a piece of paper, hair rumpled, and still in his clothes from last night. I walked over to him and took the paper. I sighed as I read what it said.

Dear Kate,

I am truly sorry for everything I did last night. Marriage should be an equal partnership, and I should have treated you with respect. I hope you know that I love you more than anyone in the world, and ordering you around was not my intention at all. When you said we were too young, I realized you were right. I thought a lot about this, and I think that I could complete high school in LA, while you go to Degrassi. After I graduate, I could come to college here, and we could see each other on weekends and take it slow. I beg you, please think about this. I am willing to do whatever it takes to make our life together happy.

Love,

Ben

I looked over at Ben. He stirred in his sleep and sat up. Ben saw me and looked surprised. He started to apologize, but I held my hand up to stop him.

"No Ben, I'm sorry. I acted insane last night, and it was unfair to you. I was cruel." I said.

Ben looked at me.

"I read the letter. It was sweet." I said softly.

"And?" he asked.

"I think that I have a solution. I need to be single for a while, to think things over. I'll go back with you to LA, but I'll move in with my dad. Maybe, one day…" I said, trailing off.

Ben took my hand and nodded.

"We can leave tomorrow." Ben said.

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Ellie POV

I was sitting on the couch reading a book while Sean slept. His job was really taking it out of him. I smiled as I thought of how selfless Sean was being about his life now. A knock came at the door. I glanced at Sean and stood up. I opened the door and there was my mother.

"Eleanor! What are you doing? You have to come home!" She slurred.

"Mom?" I asked shakily.

"Ellie, please come home. You can't stay with this no good-"She said.

"Sean! Help!" I cried.

Sean woke up and came in front of me, separating me from my mom.

"Mrs. Nash, you have to leave. Ellie can't be upset right now." Sean said.

"And why not? She's my daughter, and she cannot live with you! Come on, Ellie." She said.

She grabbed my arm but I yanked it out of her reach.

"Mom! You have to go!" I yelled.

She grabbed at me but I stumbled backwards. She fell over on to the ground. Finally, all of the pain came rushing back to me. I sobbed in my distress as Sean tried to carry me to the bedroom. I struggled against him.

"Sean, we have to help her!" I cried.

I fell from Sean's arms and fell as I ran towards my mom on the floor. I felt my head hit the wall, and all went black.

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Manny POV

Chris and I were becoming good friends, and he had encouraged me to talk to Jimmy again. I decided to go to his house after dinner. When Jimmy answered, I could see the pain in his eyes.

"Jimmy, please just listen." I said.

"Fine. Whatever." He said.

"I am so sorry. I was just so alone… not that it's an excuse. I never stopped loving you, the whole thing meant nothing to me." I said.

Jimmy sighed and rolled his eyes.

"When you and I got together, I had no friends. Everyone hated me for what I did with Craig. And how I hurt Ashley. Craig found Kate and Ashley got with JT, but I still was hurt deeply by what happened. You helped me through it, and didn't push me for sex…you loved me, Jimmy. And now, I'm back at the bottom, the school slut again." I said softly, letting tears flow.

Jimmy looked at me sadly.

"I should leave. This was stupid." I said, turning away.

"Manny, wait. Come back." He said.

I looked at him and he wrapped me in a hug.

"It's going to be hard for me to trust you again. But, we can start by going out on dates slowly. Maybe one day, we can go back to the way we were." Jimmy said.

I smiled at him.

"Okay." I agreed.

"And Spinner is dead to us, okay?" Jimmy asked.

I nodded and hugged Jimmy again.

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Kate POV

I was leaving tomorrow for LA, but I couldn't leave without trying to talk to Craig.

I walked to his house and heard guitar from the garage. I walked inside and watched Craig play. I tapped Craig on the shoulder and he turned around.

"Craig. Can I talk to you." I said.

"Sure." He said, trying to seem nonchalant.

"First, thank you for what you did last night. Second, I'm going back to LA tomorrow. With Ben. We're not together, but we might be. One day. I'm going on the three o' clock flight tomorrow, unless…you give me a reason to stay." I said.

"Kate, you really hurt me. I was truly in love with you, and you broke my heart. I just can't forget that easily. You've put me through too many heartbreaks." Craig said.

I nodded, knowing that tears were streaming down my cheeks. I ran out, trying to save the sobs for when I was home.

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Ellie POV

I slowly woke up and saw Sean next to me.

"Sean what happened?" I asked, dazed.

"You fell, Ellie. But don't worry, you're okay. You can leave tomorrow morning." Sean said.

"And the baby?" I asked.

"Ellie, we lost it. When you fell…" he broke off and looked away.

"No. This can't be happening. Our baby…she can't be dead. No!" I cried.

Sean looked at me tearfully.

"Now I'll have to go back to her." I said.

I looked at the band on my finger. I yanked it off and gave it to Sean.

"And now no wedding." I said.

I cried and fell back on to the pillows. I continued to sob as Sean handed me tissues.

"Ellie, you can still live with me, and we can still get married. You will never go back with your mom." He said.

"Our baby." I whispered.

"We can have others. We could move on." He said.

Sean kissed me gently on the lips and smoothed down my hair.

"I'll help you, Ellie. You're going to be okay." Sean said.

I nodded and leaned my head on his shoulder.

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Kate POV

I was getting ready to leave for LA, but I was biding my time, hoping that Craig would change his mind and come to me.

"I think you should leave, Kate. What are you waiting for?" Ashley asked.

"Nothing." I said.

I gathered up my bags and headed to the taxi outside. As the taxi drove away, I waved goodbye to Ashley and JT. I turned around and looked out the front window. I remembered the first time Craig and I had met, our first date, and our first…everything. I had spoiled it because of my stupidity and Craig couldn't even bear to forgive me. I looked back, hoping to see Craig chasing after the cab. I would beg the driver to stop the car, and Craig and I would just kiss and kiss. But all I saw was a long row of plain houses. No Craig. Things like that just happened in movies, not real life.

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