Chapter 4: It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To

"So, Ash, when are you going to tell your parents? It's been two more weeks. They deserve to know," Ellie reprimanded Ash, on their way to Ash's first social outing in weeks (she's been at home for a month now), Sean's Welcome Home Party. It was held at the new dance club, Teenage Wasteland.

"I don't know. I'm still determining whether I want to live or not."

"You have to at least tell Craig!"

"I'm not so much as looking at that scum ball!"

"Well, sorry to say, but he's invited. He was Sean's first friend here and he's helping me set this whole thing up."

"Still not talking to him," Ash singsonged.

"Then I am."

"But El!"

"Tell him yourself if you don't want me to."

This immediately makes Ash stop talking. They arrive at the club early, because Ellie is helping host the party. The place is nearly deserted with a few stragglers at the bar drinking their heads off. This angers Ellie.

"All right! Everybody out! This is a private party! Out now!"

Everybody leaves except one person, standing in the corner. This guy looks really scruffy. His face is unshaven, his hair isn't brushed, and he has huge bags under his eyes. Ellie assumes he's a hobo.

"Okay, bud, what don't you understand about the term 'private party'? Is it too big of a term to understand?"

"Calm down, El! It's just me, Craig."

"Whoa! No way! You look so tired! Didn't you get any sleep last night?"

"I was too busy worrying about your best friend, Ash. She seemed a bit worried when she logged off the other… week."

"I'm right here, Craig," said Ash, making her presence noticeable.

"Wow! You look… different… Did you get any sleep?"

"Ash, you don't have to answer him."

"No, El, I want to. No I did not get any sleep. Not for the past month."

"That's not good. I'm sorry if I caused you to have a lack of sleep."

"You are so egoistic! You think everything's about you!"

"Whatever. I'm still sorry."

"You should be! Do you want to know why? Do you? Well, guess what! I'm pregnant! So, yeah, you should be sorry!"

Craig's jaw drops. He tries to hug her but she pushes him away, crying. Sooner or later, Ash needs comfort and falls into Craig's arms. She has her head against his chest.

"I'm sorry, Craig. I didn't mean to get pregnant. I'm sorry."

"That's okay, baby. You're all right now that you're with me."

Ellie walks away to decorate more. Craig was about to pull away, but Ashley held him tighter.

"Don't you dare ever let go of me, Craig Manning!"

"I won't, sweetheart. I promise."

They hold onto each other while guests pour in. Paige arrives and sees Craig and Ash embraced and decides to do something about it.

"Excuse me, Craig," Paige asked rudely.

"Paige, go away," Craig replied.

"Excuse me, but I'm your girlfriend."

"Right now you aren't!"

"Excuse me?"

Craig lets go of Ash and faces Paige.

"Listen, Paige, it's not that I don't like you. It's just that Ash and I are caught up in something."

"When were you going to tell me this?"

"I just found out the big news," Craig said, turning to Ash, "And I think it's wonderful."

Ash looks at Craig with a huge smile on her face. She kisses him on the cheek. All of a sudden, Ellie stands on top of the bar.

"Listen up," shouts Ellie.

Everyone gets quiet and looks at Ellie.

"Now that everyone is here, it's time for me to pick Sean up from the airport. So, I want everyone to be ready and hidden when I come back in about half an hour. Don't forget to hide!"

Ellie gets down and walks up to Craig.

"Craig, can you make sure everyone's ready?"

Craig nods his head in agreement.

"Oh, Ash, after the party, I want to have a long talk with you about your options."

"'Kay. Have fun seeing your boyfriend for the first time in months!"

"Thanks. I'm really nervous."

"Don't be. He loves you," Craig says.

"I really have to go. I'll be back soon!"

Ellie walks out the door and drives to the airport. She walks to the gate where she's supposed to be meeting Sean. He's nowhere in sight. The next thing she knows, she feels someone's hands on her shoulders. El turns around to see the smiling face of her boyfriend.

"Sean! Oh my god!"

Ellie wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him, passionately.

"You've changed so much," Ellie exclaimed, looking at his new style, consisting of a graphic tee shirt, a denim blazer and tight-fitting jeans.

"But my feelings for you haven't changed a bit," Sean replied, sincerely.

"Aw, you're so sweet. Anyways, do you want to go to the Teenage Wasteland with me?"

"The Teenage Wasteland?"

"It's the new club in Toronto. They have great food."

"Sure, El. Sounds fun."

"Great! Let's go!"

Meanwhile, Craig and Ash are talking.

"So, why don't we celebrate after the party," Ash suggested.

"Celebrate?"

"Yeah. If you know what I mean…"

"I think I do."

Meanwhile, Ellie and Sean drive to the club and park right outside the door. They walk up to the front door and open it up. When everyone sees Sean, they jump out of their hiding spots and yell, "Surprise!"

"Welcome home, Sean," Ellie shouted, bracing Sean.

"Thanks, El! This is amazing!"

"Thank Craig. This was his idea!"

Sean runs up to Craig and gives him a big hug.

"Whoa, Sean! What the hell are you doing?"

"Thanks for the party. You have no idea how much this means to me!"

"You're welcome. Just let go of me, please," Craig asked, pleadingly. Sean lets go of Craig.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to act all gay on you. I was just overly excited. I'm really sorry. Trust me, I'm straight."

"I understand."

Paige walks up to them and gives Sean a hug.

"Welcome back," Paige said.

"Thanks."

"Did you hear the news?"

"What news?"

"The news that Paige has no right to tell you," Craig interrupts, "The big news is… Ashley's pregnant."

"No way," Sean exclaimed.

"Yeah, she is!"

"Excuse me," Ash asked.

"I was just telling Sean our big news."

"Oh. Wait, what big news?"

"That you're pregnant…"

"Oh, yeah! Yup, I'm pregnant."

"Wow! Well, I'll be right back," Sean said.

Sean walks away and joins Ellie, dancing. Ash walks away to talk to Hazel. Craig is left standing. Manny notices that he looks a little out of it and decides to help him.

"What's up, Craig," Manny says in a friendly voice.

Craig doesn't respond. He just stares at her. This is beginning to creep Manny out.

"What did I do?"

"Nothing. I'm just remembering something."

"Remembering what?"

"When you were pregnant, why did you choose to have an abortion?"

"Because I was too young. I was 14. Plus, my mom would send me to the Philippines like my cousin. Didn't I tell you that?"

"But, 17 going on 18 isn't too young, right?"

"Why? What did you do?"

"I got Ashley pregnant."

"You what?"

"I want you to talk to her… about her options. Tell her I want her to keep it, but she can do whatever she wants."

"Why can't you do that?"

"Because I cheated on her again and… she doesn't seem to like discussing that topic with me…"

"Oh. Well… I guess I could talk to her during lunch one day."

"She refuses to go to school."

"Hmm… I'll talk to her after the party, then."

"'Kay."

Meanwhile, Ellie and Sean are dancing.

"You know, this means a lot to me. Ellie, I love you."

"I love you too, Sean-"

All of a sudden, Ellie's mom storms in the place, drunk.

Sorry it was so long. I hope you loved it! I know I loved writing it... 'cept for the fact that it took me about a week to write, I think. I have a lot more coming! R&R!