Craig POV

I walked into school, not the happy person I was yesterday. Ashley and I were apart, and I felt miserable. As soon as I got to my locker, I could tell something was up. Guys kept patting me on the back and cheering me. I turned around, confused, only to slam right into Hazel.

"How could you do that to Ashley? You jerk!" She cried.

She brushed past me. I didn't have much time to ponder her accusation, because Sully slapped my back.

"Good work, Manning. Didn't think you had it in you." he said.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Getting to fuck Manny Santos not once, but twice? You are my hero!" he shouted.

I turned my head, and saw Manny run outside. I quickly ran out after her.

"Manny!" I called.

Manny looked back as I caught up to her.

"What is wrong with you? How could you let people say stuff like that about me?" she yelled.

"Manny, I didn't start that!" I shouted.

Manny looked off into space, deep in thought.

"Paige did." She said in a soft voice.

Manny sat down on a bench.

"And to top it all off, I saw Spinner today. He's back at Degrassi. I can't believe this!" she sobbed.

I awkwardly put an arm around her. She gave me a look and I backed off.

"Sorry." I said.

"We should probably stay away from each other. You know, until the heat dies down." She said, wiping her tears

I nodded.

"Yeah. Good plan." I said.

Manny gave me a half smile and headed back into the building. After a few minutes I followed after her. I was about to head to Math when Ashley sidetracked me. Before I could say a word, she yanked me into an empty classroom.

"Hey." She said.

She tossed her hair out of her face, and that was when I got a good look at her. Ashley seemed to be wearing more eye make-up than usual, which showed off her green eyes. But the shirt was what really threw me. It was the Ramones shirt I got her for Christmas. Ashley had cut it shorter, so that it hugged her curves.

"So what do you think?" she asked, twirling around.

"Why are you wearing that? And being so nice to me?" I shot back.

"Craig…" she said.

The bell rang. Before I could open my mouth to question her more, she left. Later, as I was thinking about what had happened, I made my way to support group. But all I could think about the entire time was Ashley. Afterwards, Ellie approached me at my car.

"Okay, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Why do you think something's wrong?" I asked.

"Well…You forgot to say hello to me today, you sat all by yourself at lunch, and you said nothing all through the meeting. So what is it, Manning? Spill." She replied.

"It's just…Ash is acting weird lately. And I can't figure out why." I said.

"Ah. Girl mind games. Can't help you there. Although I am technically a girl, I know almost nothing of their ways." Ellie said.

I smiled.

"I think I should run a study." She continued.

I sighed and opened my trunk. I lifted out my guitar.

"You know Craig, not all girls are like Ashley. You shouldn't tie yourself down like that. There's still hope for you." She said.

Ellie turned to leave but I stopped her.

"El?" I asked.

She turned around.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"Would you want to hang out sometime? You know, just with me?" I asked.

Ellie smiled, willing me to go on.

"Completely casual, no strings or anything." I finished.

"Sure." She replied.

Ellie stepped closer to me as her smile grew wider.

"There are such things as casual kisses, right?" I asked.

Ellie nodded.

"Of course." She replied.

I leaned in, but stopped as I remembered something.

"Ashley." I breathed, as I pressed my forehead against Ellie's.

"Oh." She said, thinking the same thing.

"Well…" I said.

"Maybe we just won't tell her." Ellie said.

I nodded. I could feel that this was a bad idea, that I was on the rebound, and this could backfire horribly, but our lips met.