A/N: Sorry this took so long. I lost my inspiration and it took forever to get it back. So, I wont let this take so long in the future. again so sorry.
"Ellie's not here " Marco commented as he sat down. "Again"
"Two days in a row?" Paige questioned starting on her lunch, "that's not like Ellie"
"I am little concerned" Marco admitted, "I have tried calling and I get no answer at her house"
Craig took all of this information but kept all comments to himself. Somehow he knew Manny wouldn't care for his showing concern towards Ellie. That is ridiculous, Craig told himself, when did I sign up to have Manny police my personal life?
"Ellie is a big girl" Manny advised them coolly, "She can skip if she wants"
Marco coughed and looked at Craig awkwardly. Craig stood up and glared down at Manny, "Nice" he hissed before throwing his trash out and heading for the door. He could hear footsteps behind him and Manny calling his name but he kept walking.
"Craig, please" Manny said when she caught up. She grabbed his arm forcing him to stop walking. "Craig, what's wrong?"
"Those people are Ellie's friends and they aren't concerned with her attendance, they are concerned that something is wrong" Craig explained, "What you said was little cold Manny"
"I am sorry, I think you guys blow things out of proportion" Manny replied crossing her arms.
"I can't-I can't deal with you right now" Craig shouted as he stormed away. He went outside and paced for a minute wondering how his love life became so warped. Not like it's the first time, Craig thought before sitting down on the ground. He was out there for about thirty minutes when he heard Manny's voice again.
"Everyone is all concerned" Manny joked, "She is probably sitting hold up in a dark room somewhere with her death metal music and a razor blade"
The cruel comment earned a chuckle from Manny's friends. Craig was fuming and almost approached the girls when he heard another voice interject, "Amy is in my math class, she mentioned that she saw Ellie at the ravine, with Jay"
For a moment no one spoke and then Manny giggled, "So she is whore and head-case, wow, I am really glad I don't have to deal with her drama. I only tolerate her for Craig and soon I wont do that. He will just have to deal with it."
He chose that moment to come around the corner, Manny stopped mid sentence, her face grew red and she looked to the floor, "At least you have the decency to be ashamed," Craig told her.
"Craig-" Manny started but Craig cut her off.
"Don't even" he snapped, "I heard everything I need to from you today" Before she could register his words he stalked away.
Marco was walking out of the bathroom and saw the look on Craig's face, "Talk to me Craig, what happened?"
"Manny is a bitch" Craig answered, "Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"She's not a bitch, she has some issues" Marco said softly. "What happened?"
Craig relayed the story and Marco just shook his head, "Maybe I was wrong. Maybe she is a bitch," Craig laughed but suddenly he stopped remembering what he heard about the ravine.
"I heard from one of Manny's brainless friends that Ellie was at the ravine with Jay" Craig whispered. Marco's mouth fell open.
"No, can't be" Marco replied.
"Maybe the girl was wrong, she said she heard it from Amy" Craig responded, not believing it himself.
Marco pulled his cell phone out and started to dial, "Alex" he said a moment later, "Meet me at my locker. We could have problem with El" He put the phone back in his pocket and drug Craig behind him. "Come with me, we will settle this issue once and for all."
A few minutes later Alex had met Marco and Craig at Marco's locker. Alex looked just as shocked by the news, for a long moment she was silent. The she broke into a brisk walk. Marco and Craig followed her and tried to get her to talk.
"Amy" Alex cried when she found her ex best friend. Amy didn't acknowledge Alex's presence. "Amy" she cried again only to be ignored a second time. Alex sped up her pace and slammed Amy against the wall.
"What?" Amy asked, "What is so important?"
"I hear you are telling people you saw Ellie Nash at the ravine" Alex told her. Amy crossed her arms, "is it true?"
"Yeah, so?" Amy countered, "Why do you care?"
"Ellie is my friend" Alex snapped, "I don't want her associating with trash like you"
Amy looked wounded by the words, "She was with jay" Amy said softly, "and she was drinking and she looked like she wasn't doing too well. Maybe you should save her before she ends becoming trash like me"
Alex didn't respond and Amy walked away with her tail between her legs. Marco and Craig caught up with Alex. "We have to find Ellie, now" Alex whispered, both Craig and Marco nodded in agreement.