Sean went home to see his mother. She was going to be okay but was facing serious charges for driving under the influence. He stayed there for a week helping his father around the house, visiting his mother in the hospital, and hoping everything would turn out okay. The lawyer they hired told them that because this was her first offense and there was no one else in the car, she would likely get off with as little as a fine and license revocation for a few months. However, she could also face jail time because of the high level of alcohol in her system at the time. As bad as his parents had been in the past, Sean could not imagine his mother in jail.

By the following Sunday, Sean packed his things. He had to get back to school.

"Alright, Dad," he said as Tracker started the car outside. "I'm gonna get going."

"Just wait a second," Mr. Cameron called from the kitchen. He came out and stood in the doorway. "I…I just want you to realize how sorry your mother is. She's checking herself into rehab as soon as she gets out of the hospital."

"I know." Sean was disappointed in his mother but he realized that being there to support her was more important now than getting angry. This realization made him see how much he had changed since he had left the last time.

"And…just don't be afraid to come home. It's not going to go back to the way it was." The older man cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"I know," Sean said again. He was not one for emotional scenes and knew his father avoided them even more. "I'll call soon. And I'll be back. I promise."

His father nodded at him with a tight smile.

Sean got into the car with Tracker and let out a long sigh. They drove off, Tracker speeding as usual.

"So…" Tracker pulled onto the highway. "We haven't really gotten a chance to talk since you've been home."

"Pretty busy week."

"How's life back at Degrassi?"

Sean shook his head. "Don't ask. The ride isn't long enough."

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Sean barely got two hours of sleep that night. Tomorrow was going to be a nerve-wracking day. Not only did he have to take a biology make-up exam, but Craig was supposed to be back in school by now. Not to mention the half-dozen or so messages Ellie had left on his answering machine threatening to show up at Degrassi so they could talk.

Finally his alarm went off and he got out of bed reluctantly. The thought of staying under the protective comforter was almost too tempting. But no, he needed to face this.

He took the biology test during homeroom so he did not see Craig until Math. Sean spotted him standing just outside the classroom looking around anxiously. He smiled slightly then walked over.

"Looking for someone?"

Craig looked up and smiled. "Nope. Just hanging out outside math classrooms like I always do."

"Oh, too bad."

"Enough of the witty banter. How did things at home go?"

Sean shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Mom's gonna be okay but we're not sure what's going to happen once she gets out of the hospital. Most likely a fine but could be jail time…"

Craig bit his lip sympathetically. "Well, I'm sure it'll work out. I know it will."

"Yeah…so how have things been with you?"

"Well…" Craig looked around then grabbed Sean's arm and pulled him into an empty hallway. "I've been clean for the last seventy-two hours. Or so." He smiled sheepishly. "It's not much, I know." The smile faded. "And it's been really hard. Really really hard. Joey's starting to get suspicious because I've been sleeping and eating like crazy. I snapped at Angie yesterday and I think she's still mad at me. I haven't seen Ellie in days…" He rubbed his forehead. "I can't even remember the last time I hung out with Jimmy or Marco or anyone else. And school…I'm pretty sure I failed a quiz this morning and completely forgot to do homework last night…I've been just exhausted."

"Withdrawl," Sean said slowly. "Maybe…maybe you need help. Like…professional help."

Craig shook his head quickly. "No, no, no. I can handle it. No one can know about this. Joey has enough to deal with and Ellie…I can do it myself." He started back to the classroom as the bell rang.

Sean stared after him, wishing that Craig would for once admit that he was not okay.

Craig turned back. "You coming to class?"

"Yeah." Sean followed him into the room and took the seat behind him. He watched Craig for the majority of the class, fretting over the way Craig's leg kept shaking, the way his head kept falling forward as though he was nodding off. When the bell rang, Craig jerked upright then turned in his seat.

"Did you happen to get anything Armstrong said?"

Sean held up his empty notebook. "I just heard him say test next Monday."

"Great. Okay, you and me, study session, my house, this weekend." He sighed. "The very real possibility of failing should distract me from…other things."

"I hope so," Sean replied shoving his things into his backpack. "I really do."

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Sean could not concentrate on his homework that evening. He had finally called Ellie and told her what was going on. Well, not all of what was going on. He had just told her about his mother and that he had 'met someone' whom he was not sure he should get involved with. She was on her way over after her last class to give him advice and homework help.

Sean fiddled with a pencil, staring blankly at his textbook until finally a loud buzz erupted from the intercom box next to his door. He got up and pressed the button. "Yeah?"

"It's me."

Sean buzzed her in and in a few minutes they were sitting on the couch in awkward silence.

"Uh do you want something eat? Drink?"

Ellie shook her head. "I'm good. Thanks." She looked around. "I really like the place. It's homier than the old one."

"Thanks." Sean cleared his throat and picked up the textbook from the coffee table. "So I guess we should start with math. I have a test next week and I don't get—"

"So who is this mystery girl?" Ellie burst in suddenly. "Sorry. I just don't want to beat around the bush anymore."

Sean smiled slightly, his heart starting to race. "Well…"

"I know this is awkward, us being ex and all, but I honestly want to help. I want you to be happy. Everything I said about wanting us to be friends is true."

"I know." Sean looked down at his hands. "Well, uh, she's a girl from Wasaga. I met her, at…at a party a little while before I left. But I don't know if she's interested."

"Well did she give you her number or anything?"

"Yeah, we've been talking and stuff, but I think she may just want to be friends. She said she doesn't really want a relationship right now."

"Well people say that all the time. That doesn't mean they won't go for it if the right person comes along."

"Yeah. Well that's not the only problem. She's…she's into some not too good stuff."

Ellie raised an eyebrow. "What kind of stuff?"

"Dr-drinking. She's pretty heavy into it. She said she's trying to stop and she has for the last few days."

"I see." Ellie sat back for a moment, thinking. "Well, do you really believe that she's going to stop?"

"I believe that she wants to."

"And do you really care about her?"

"Yeah, I do."

Ellie bit her lip. "Well...I think you should find out if she wants to be with you first."

"How do I do that?"

"Um, asking usually helps."

Sean chuckled softly. "Yeah, not as easy as it sounds."

"You'll never know if you don't ask. I mean it sounds like something that's been eating you up inside."

You have no idea, Sean thought.

"And then, if you're really ready to be there for her through the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, and if she's ready to change, then I think you should go for it." Ellie got a faraway look in her eyes as she said this. "Just be prepared to dael with a lot of hard stuff. But it may just be worth it."

Sean thought for a long moment. "I think you're right." He knew what he had to do.

I'd appreciate any reviews. Next chapter or so is gonna have some pretty intense stuff...