A/N: Okay, so i didn't get ONE review for chapter 7...if i dont get any reviews im just gonna stop writing this because I'm figuring everyone's stopped reading it...so please review if u are still reading it. thanks

Diclaimer: No affiliation with Degrassi or the Canadians...lol i own none of this...other than the details and the plot of the story..and what not.

"Joey, Ellie needs to stay with us for a while." Craig told his step dad as he walked into the living room.

Joey chuckled at this.

"Why?" He asked a bit uncomfortable with the whole idea of one of Craig's friends, his "friend girl" as he tells Joey, staying with them.

Craig grabbed Ellie's arm and pulled her out from behind him figuring that Joey needed a reason.

Joey's mouth dropped at the sight of Ellie.

Her left eye was bruised, her bottom lip was a little puffy and the cut was visible.

Her cheeks had huge nail marks embedded into them and her neck was brushed, almost as if someone was trying to strangle her.

"What happened?" Was the first thing that came out of his mouth, She sighed knowing she was going to get this from everyone she saw.

Ellie was getting sick of that question already, and she'd only heard it twice.

Though she was sick of it, she answered as politely as she possibly could.

"It's a long story." She told him hoping he'd get the hint.

Joey looked at her, he realized she didn't want to tell him so he left it at that.

"Yeah, you can stay here as long as you need to." He smiled.

"Do you want my bed or the couch?" Craig asked holding the bags of clothes that they had just went to her house to get.

Ellie smiled.

She thought about it but couldn't come to a decision. "Umm…You choose."

"I can't." He said.

Ellie giggled.

He smiled, walked up to her, and placed his hands on her shoulders.

He kissed her forehead.

"I'll take the couch." She said as she got up.

She turned around to face him.

As self conscious as she was now, it was hard to look at Craig.

It felt like he wanted to laugh at her.

"Thank you." She said as she gave him a shy, yet quick kiss on the cheek.