I actually didn't know how to start this chapter off. I'm not really good at relationship talks or fighting scenes, so I'm sorry if you don't get a good image during these scenes, because this chapter compared to the previous ones are much more action filled.
Craig's POV
2 Weeks Later
Roughly a week into Degrassi and I had already gotten suspended. I was thankful that Joey hadn't gotten a message regarding that.
The only good thing about this suspension was the fact that Toby had also gotten suspended, meaning we were able to hang out during that time. Jt had also came along which I was fine with. I had just wanted to not be alone for the majority of the time here.
Of course, I spent some more time at the studio making more music, which I had enjoyed. Roughly a year into this, and I was content with the music I was making.
The only two concerns I had at the moment were the Lakehurst students and Ellie.
More like, Lakehurt, they really were threatening us, with the proof in person and through friends.
I had heard reports through Jimmy and Emma that Lakehurst students had been showing up at Degrassi a lot more trying to pick fights. Aside from the infamous gym fight, nothing escalated to more than just verbal blows, thankfully.
As with in-person experiences, we have had threats from Lakehurst students in person attempt to try and pick fights with us. Nic included, in particular threatening Jt, who clearly had a thing for Mia.
However, I wasn't focused with them. I was focused on Ellie. Sweet Ellie. I had texted Marco asking for the address of their room, and I had planned on visiting them, Ellie in particular. The longer I dragged this, the more it hurt, and thus I knew I had to get whatever Ellie and I stood at known.
Right now, I was in my apartment, it was Sunday, and tomorrow I would have to go to Degrassi after the suspension. However, I wanted to go and see Marco and Ellie for a while.
While they had known I was back, I hadn't visited them ever since my return, and now I wanted to.
Picking up my stuff, I had one stop to make. Ever since Sean had been arrested, I had kind of avoided speaking to him in person. He had called me through the time he had available to ask me for help, which I of course did. However, knowing the conditions and the way he would probably look there was unsettling.
But today, I told myself I would go. He was my friend regardless.
Hopping on my motorcycle, with some money and clothes, I took off to see Sean.
Finding myself in a weird hall, I immediately noticed Emma sitting there, an expression that looked like a mix between betrayal and anger.
"Uhh..." I didn't know how to start off due to the surprising glare Emma gave me.
Immediately though, her expression changed to relief, "Oh good, I thought you were Peter."
I raised my eyebrow, "What happened between you and Peter?"
She sighed, looking towards a door, "He planted the pot in Sean's locker."
I looked at her, thankful that Sean wasn't actually a part of that, "So are you two-"
"Yep." Was all she said. I nodded, opening my backpack with $35,000 in it.
She seemed to stare at it, "Craig, what is this for?"
I sighed, "It's for a lawyer, I haven't really visited Sean ever since this, so at least-"
She stopped me, "He's not mad at you, and I already got enough for one."
I sighed, but before giving her the bag, "Take it. It must've been expensive and tough."
She hesitated.
I spoke, the bag still close, "I have plenty of money, and I'm still gaining through royalties and savings, don't worry."
"Alright." She finally said before taking it.
Just as that happened, the door opened, to reveal a badly beaten Sean.
"What the crap happened to you?!" I shrieked; his face badly bruised with red spots.
"Don't worry." was all he said before sitting down, two burly men who were officers keeping a hold of him.
It was awkward and sad to see Sean in this state, vulnerable, weak and hurt.
Sitting down, I spoke to him, "I raised $35,000 to get you a lawyer, and Emma apparently already found one for you."
He nodded, "Thanks for the help at least."
I gulped, "Sorry I didn't come sooner,"
"It's fine, at least you don't see me as a ruthless killer."
I smiled at him, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, "You'll get through this, stay strong."
He gave me a small smile. I turned to see Emma, who looked worried.
Walking to her, I told her, "Just make sure he gets out, and you might want to explain the pot."
She seemed scared, "But Peter-"
"I don't care. It's his pot he put there, and he blamed Sean for it."
She seemed scared, "Peter's the principle's son!"
I laughed, "So? And I'm a Rockstar, but Hatzilakos told me I don't get any special privilege, so I don't see why her son gets."
Emma seemed a bit calmer, before I sighed, "How about I speak to her about it, I'll get Sean back to Degrassi, you get Sean out of here."
She nodded. Turning around and giving them a wave, I walked out and towards my motorcycle. One stop down, another to go.
It took quite some time, as I had mixed the address up, but I had gotten there. The address to Marco's room probably, Ellie either was nearby or with Marco.
I sighed, "This is it." I quietly told myself, my anxiety shooting through the roof.
I laughed at myself softly.
Getting someone off of my friend? Easy. Confronting the principle after a fight? Easy. Going to see your friend in custody? Apparently easy. Going up stage to entertain thousands of people? Somewhat easy. Visiting your best friend who you also had a crush on ever since? Fricken impossible.
Eventually, I got myself to knock. Shortly after, the door opened to a rather short man, his hair tied up.
"Craig!" He exclaimed, before hugging me. I grinned.
"Surprise Marco!" I laughed as he hugged me tight. "I can't breathe!"
He stepped back, "Sorry."
I looked around to see Dylan and to my mild surprise, Paige.
"Oh, hey Craig, what are you doing here?" She asked.
I shrugged, "I haven't seen my friends in a while, and since I got suspended, I decided to spend some time.
Marco made a noise of disappointment, "What did you get suspended for?"
I laughed, "Beating up someone who tackled Toby on the ground."
"Oh." I laughed at both Paige and Marco's response, "Can I come in?"
Marco and Paige nodded, "Sure, make yourself at home."
I grinned before finding the couch, and sitting on it, the furniture surprising me by how comfortable it was.
Marco noticed my expression, "What's wrong? I thought your rich man would find a luxurious area to stay."
I chuckled, "I mean, yeah, but I just wanted a place that would support me living there, I'm not three people." I finished, eyeing the three standing figures looking at me.
Marco laughed, "Four actually, Ellie's here as well."
"Great" I thought, so Ellie's also Marco's roommate. But I looked around.
"Where is she?"
Marco replied, looking at me, "She's working at her job."
I gave a nod in response, somewhat impressed with Ellie's rapid progression.
"I'm glad she's doing okay, then."
Before I knew it, the three standing figures sat down right next to me, with no regards of personal space.
I didn't really know what had happened in the next hour, the three were just talked while a movie played on the TV. For the most part, it reminded me of last year before I left.
I had missed these times.
Before I knew it, however, the closed space I had with Marco and Paige squishing me was too much, and I got up.
"Where are you going?" I heard Marco.
"Need some space to fill up my body." I groaned, as I felt my body hurt from all the squishing and bones.
"Alright."
Moving to the kitchen, I was looking for a simple snack, when I heard the door open.
Smiling towards the person who was walking in, I made a slight gasp when I saw who was at the door. Her dropping her bag upon spotting me.
Ellie. Ellie Nash. Despite the silence, we were eyeing up each other. Our body languages communicating without any verbal speech. It was amazing, I saw how much better she looked, and she saw how much I changed.
"What's up Nash?" I grinned at her, to which she scoffed.
"What are you doing here Manning?" She sarcastically shot back. So, she still had that attitude I liked, amazing.
I shrugged, "I'm back, and I thought I would visit you all after a while.
She nodded before walking to the living room, but I stopped her.
"Can we talk in private?" I asked her, to which she smiled and nodded, a slight blush I noticed on her pale cheeks.
Smiling, I brought her out, before I sat down on my motorcycle.
"A motorcycle?" She asked, to which I saw her eyeing up. "I hadn't expected that from you."
I laughed at her remark, it was nice to hear after a while, "Yeah, I thought so as well, but you know, the people you hang around influence you."
She looked at me, "Good or bad?"
"Both, but it's your take on whether or not you follow their lead."
She nodded at me, before sitting down, looking at the stars of the night sky. It was peaceful, and I loved it, especially since I was spending it with my best friend, my crush and the person I wanted to be my girlfriend.
Looking towards her, I asked, "Want to go out and I don't know get something to eat?"
She looked at me, "What about those roommates up there?"
"Their spending their lives hypnotized by a movie, I'm sure an hour won't hurt."
She smiled before nodding. Handing her my helmet, and getting on, with Ellie behind me, I drove off.
I didn't really know where to go, honestly. Everything I thought I knew was now foreign. I didn't know what was good anymore. Thankfully, Ellie still knew, and we found this nice place. Ordering, we decided to take out, and sit down near a cliff.
It was quiet, with a nice atmosphere and perfect. Ellie and I, just sitting here, enjoying the time we spent together, just like that summer, where it was just the two of us.
It was times like these that I missed the most, times like these that I yearned for, and times like these that made me realize what I truly saw in Ellie.
The sweet girl, who had her own demons, only made me respect her and love her more.
I swear the longer, we spent time together the more tempted I was to just kiss her. Just like the times in Joey's house when she was staying over, slow, passionate, letting out months of emotions. Just like the memory, it was addicting. I wanted it.
"Ellie." I started, looking at the sky.
"Hm?" She turned her head to me.
"What do you think about the future?"
She looked confused at where I was going, "The future?"
I nodded, "Yes, the future, the future with your friends. Marco, Jimmy, Paige, and me?"
I heard her take a deep breathe, which made me tense, "Well, I definitely can't see my life without you guys, so I know I'll always keep you all close, no matter the distance."
I smiled, "I mean, yeah, if I could do it when I was across the continent, then anyone could, right?"
"Yeah." was all she said, the quiet atmosphere taking over yet again. Just like the aftermath of my first ever performance, and the times we spent together, we always had this schedule whenever we were around each other.
We would talk, and then let the quiet atmosphere take over, enjoying our presence. Our bodies did all the talking during those times, our mouths could take a break, and our brain could comprehend what he would say next.
Deciding what I wanted to do, I scooted next to her, our shoulders now touching. Ellie turned to see what I was doing, but I continued to stare off.
"Ellie." I started, and I turned to her this time.
"Yes?" She asked, our faces a bit closer this time.
"What do you think about me?" I started
She seemed to scratch her wrist, meaning she was uncomfortable, I didn't want to do that.
"Maybe I shouldn't have asked that," I interjected, looking down.
"No, it's alright, it's just there's so much I could talk about regarding you." She smiled at me unexpectedly, and I liked it.
"I could say the same for you."
She laughed slightly as we talked.
Before I could get anywhere between us, however, I heard the ringing of a phone. Kind of expecting it to be mine, due to all the fan calls, I was mildly shocked to see it was Ellie's phone that was ringing.
Looking at the caller, though, my heart dropped, and skipped multiple beats.
The caller was named boyfriend.
"Boyfriend?!"
"Um, Ellie, you have a call." I said uneasily, before looking back, my breathing becoming a bit erratic.
"Hello? Hey Jessie!" I couldn't bother hear whatever Ellie and Jessie were saying.
"She has a boyfriend; she has a boyfriend."
I had to keep myself composed, so when I felt Ellie touch my shoulder, I saw her looking at me.
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend, Ellie." I said uneasily, my voice not trying to falter.
She seemed a bit upset, but went on, "That was Jessie, my boyfriend."
So, it was true, I heard it through Ellie's own words. The hope I once had in us being together was now gone. All shattered into small barely visible pieces.
Getting up, I said nothing as I made my way towards my motorcycle.
"Craig! Craig wait!" I looked back to see Ellie running towards me, "Why are you running?"
"Stay strong Craig, don't falter, just get her home and end it."
Knowing what I had to do I turned to her, "I'm dropping you home, I shouldn't have taken you out." Was all I said.
Not saying anything, I found the apartment where I had found Ellie, and now I was dropping her off, possible forever. The ride home had been awkward and quiet, rather than the cheerful it had going away.
"Thanks Craig." She said, hesitating on whether or not to say more.
But before she could say anything else, I drove off, not caring that she was going to say anything. Not caring she had my helmet.
"I'll just buy a spare."
I didn't say anything, I just let my mind ponder, and I didn't want to. I didn't want to think, I didn't want to do anything anymore.
The one positive in my life now, was officially gone. I was too late, and all I had to do was blame myself. Blame myself for my fears. The decision I had made so that I did not lose her back then, was temporary.
I knew, now, that I had lost her.
"Fuck!" I screamed after three minutes of thinking, as I punched the wall repeatedly, my fist now bleeding. But the pain I felt physically was nothing compared to what I was feeling in my heart.
"Ellie..."
With nothing left to go on, I had a temptation. I picked up my guitar and played a chord, and let my thoughts play on.
"So, I'm packing my things
And I'm running away
Gotta find a safe place, to call home
Haven't got anything
Guess it sucks to be me
What a wonderful day, ahh oh."
Toby's POV
1 Week Later
Back to Degrassi, and stuff had happened. For one good thing, Sean was back. He was living with Emma now, trying to better himself after everything he had done. As for Peter, I don't know what his fate was, and I didn't care. I knew Emma and him were no longer together.
Craig, was interesting.
I had noticed from the way he had picked himself up, and how he had moved. He clearly was upset about something.
And for the first three days, I didn't know why, but once I had gotten him alone, I had learned why.
Ellie got a boyfriend.
And just like how I had predicted, I was right.
He would be too late, and he wouldn't realize until then.
"I'm sorry Craig, but either you move on, or-"
"Whatever." Was all he said before he went to the music room, something he had been doing a lot more recently.
I didn't blame him. Unlike others who would probably seeking post-secondary education, and thus needed great marks, Craig just needed to pass his classes, and while he told me he was hitting 70s, he clearly wasn't trying.
One time while staying after school, I had heard a different side of Craig.
"All these voices in my head,
Angel on my right side,
Devil in my bed,
I ain't in my right mind,
You turned me to a mess,
How you say you love me,
Then you leave me out for dead,
Girl you leave me out for dead."
It was sad, surprisingly, and I knew Craig would be hurt. But either it would work out, or not. Either way, he would move on.
Moving past a heartbroken kid, there was more issues I had to deal with.
Talking to Jt and Jimmy, I had gotten a full update on what was happening regarding Lakehurst, and it was a lot worse than I had thought.
Originally thinking it was just them taunting Degrassi students or verbally insulting them, there was also vandalism, and even them attempting to trespass in our homes.
That was concerning, and maybe we would have to take them seriously.
So far, though, there wasn't any reports of them actually harming Degrassi students, which made me a bit relieved, but it also scared me.
Jimmy, Jt and I were in a room discussing such things.
"There's a possibility this could get violent, and with the recent incidents, I can only theorize that it can lead to more violent outcomes." I heard Jimmy speak.
"So, what do you expect us to do? Arm ourselves with knives and guns?" I heard Jt exclaim.
To be honest, I was actually somewhat scared. Even if I was able to take myself in a fight, why does it matter if someone can just strike you down in one easy action.
"Listen, there's been no reports of actual physical violence, so unless we have an incident of them actually attacking a student, then we should lay low."
"Are you sure?" I heard Jt ask, to which Jimmy simply nodded.
Our little talk would have ended if someone else didn't but in.
"Hey guys," I heard Spinner say openly to us.
While Jimmy and Jt greeted him, I quietly fumed.
Fortunately, I saw Spinner look at me, and he seemed to realize from my facial expression and lack of voice what was going on.
Unexpectedly, I heard him sigh, "Can Toby and I talk alone?"
Jimmy looked at me, "Sure."
Getting out, I was now left in the room with Spinner.
"So." Spinner started, "Someone's been working out, and judging from your suspension you got some fighting experience."
I rolled my eyes, "the guy simply tackled me and I fought back and I got suspended."
Spinner unexpectedly chuckled, "That's the school system for you."
I simply turned my head away, noticing the glare he was giving me.
"Going to beat me up for Jay, huh?" I asked.
"What?" He seemed confused.
"I saw you eyeing me up ever since then."
He shook his head, "Nah, Jay is doing his down thing, and so am I."
Well that explained some things I guess, "Just so you know, Jimmy and everyone else may have forgiven you, but I haven't."
"I know." He said, which made me look at him in surprise. Since when did he care about me?
I nodded, for him to continue, "I know what I did to Jimmy, but I also know what I did wrong to you stems from earlier, and I only apologized for what I did to Jimmy."
I nodded, "Okay, so where is this coming from?" I was relatively surprised. Since when was Spinner thoughtful?
"Well, I had a good influence in my life for quiet possibly the first time, and she made me realize how lucky I've been and what I must do to earn the forgiveness to everyone, and maybe move past all of this. I'm a born-again Christian, now."
Well this was surprising. To think that Spinner out of all people was a born-again Christian was somewhat unexpected.
But I also knew it was a matter of time. Knowing Spinner, he would probably screw up.
"So why are you asking me for forgiveness? Shouldn't you be asking Jimmy?"
He sighed, "I already got his forgiveness, but I need it from everyone, including you, someone who I had been wronging way earlier than this."
I was surprised, definitely. While I had told myself, I would give him a chance once I had saw Jimmy and Spinner at the end of the school year, I didn't plan on forgiving him all together.
"I can't see myself forgiving you." Spinner nodded, looking down, "But maybe in time I can."
He looked up, a bit hopeful, "I just wanted to tell you this especially now with the whole drama between us and Lakehurst. I just thought in a scenario like this, I must at least be on decent terms with everyone here."
I nodded, getting the idea, "Don't think I don't hate you, because I still do, it's going to take a while for me to get over years of torment from you, but don't also think that I would wish for bad to come to you."
He nodded, "Truce?" He asked, taking his hand out.
I sighed, "truce." I finished, shaking his hand.
With what he wanted finished; he exited the room where we had been talking at.
Would Spinner actually stay true to his promises? I hope he did.
Shrugging, thinking that maybe I wouldn't have to just deal with him again, I got out.
Right now, it after school, and for the most part the Degrassi students were gone. The only other person I knew that was here was Craig, in the music room, and Jt and Jimmy somewhere probably walking across the hallway.
Making my way outside, with my backpack, I immediately began to feel weird. A feeling of someone watching me, ready to pounce on me.
I started feeling goosebumps alongside my skin, and I began to get tense.
When I started hearing footsteps, I quickened my pace.
The footsteps got louder and louder, and it wasn't until I felt a touch on my shoulder when my anxiety snapped.
I turned around and swung my right fist across as hard as I can, striking the left cheek of a short haired blonde guy wearing a red shirt.
Upon the strike, he collapsed, unconscious.
"Well, Degrassi nerd, I didn't expect someone like you to fight back." I heard a voice in front of me.
There, with a beanie on his head, was Nic. I turned around to see that he had reinforcements. A medium sized guy with a grey t-shirt and a black cap, and the big burly guy I recognized from the guy fight. Then on the ground, unconscious was the blonde guy.
This was bad.
I gulped. I knew my backpack may be able to block some blows, so I focused on my front flank, Nic, which was where the first strike came.
I ducked, before quickly grabbing Nic, and pushing him back. The strength forcing Nic to fall back on a nearby seat.
With Nic temporarily taken care of I turned around, and quickly dropped my backpack, barely dodging the punch from another flank.
I immediately went for the tall and burly guy, as I could tell he was the biggest threat.
I stepped towards him, trying to kick him, which only made him back up. I quickly caught the fist of the other guy behind me, before kicking him in the stomach. The impact pushing him back.
Focusing on the burly guy, I side stepped a grab from him, before I sent back a swing of my own.
To my horror, however, he merely grabbed my fist, which gave the other guy, who had just gotten back up to punch me, while my captor was trying to force me down.
Putting my weight in my feet to stop me from losing balance, I jerked my body sideways which caused the blow to hit the burly guy, which promptly made him lose his grip on me.
Taking the chance while he was stunned, I jumped and chopped the side of his neck hard, which caused him to collapse, clutching his neck in pain, I didn't want to strike him there, but he was too tall to strike his face, or kick his stomach.
With the biggest threat out of the way, I turned to the long-haired medium sized man who quickly tried to retaliate, charging me in an attempt to tackle me, but I ducked below him, grabbing his legs before and bringing him down. Pinning him to the ground, I punched him repeatedly with him resisting and trying to get up,
Once I had punched him in the celiac plexus, however, he ceased his resistance, instead clutching the spot in pain.
Getting up, breathing a sigh of relief, I was unexpectedly brought down by Nic, who had come back to his sense. Pinning me down, his hands were on my throat, attempting to choke me.
"You think you're so strong nerd, it'll cost you." Nic told me while I was struggling.
I quickly realized he had also pinned my legs, preventing the usual way I would break the hold.
Getting desperate, I headbutted his jaw, which made both of us recoil in pain, but he had taken his hands off to hold his jaw.
Taking the chance, I grabbed his neck and side before yanking him to the side.
He hit the ground with a thud, him now clutching his head, the beanie that was once on his head, now in my hands. Walking up to him, I punched him as hard as I could on the nose. A crack was heard, and Nic had gone unconscious.
I was panting hard. After ultimately winning a 4v1, I had a bit of pride in me, glad that I could take care of myself around groups of threats. I smiled, despite my tired state.
Looking around, I had realized what I had done. On the ground, were two Lakehurst students, clutching their stomach and neck in pain, while another two, were unconscious, one with a bleeding and probably broken nose.
Looking back at me, I had bruises all over me, my head was hurting from the headbutt, my neck was red, and my back was probably filled with cuts and scratches.
Luckily, however, they were minor compared to the conditions of the four aggressors.
My mind was interrupted when I heard the footsteps and the sound of a wheelchair. I turned to see Craig, Jt and Jimmy running towards me, their eyes of confusion turning to concern when they saw me. Then turning to shock once they saw me around 4 Lakehurst students on the ground.
"Toby, what the hell?" Jimmy asked.
It was around that time when I realized how hard it was to speak.
"They." I panted, "Attacked me," *pant* "so I" *pant* "fought back."
That's all I could say, going down on one knee, as the three Degrassi students helped me back up.
"This is bad," I heard Craig say.
"This is all my fault," I heard Jt say.
"What do you mean?" I asked. For a bit, I had known that Jt was trying to talk to Lakehurst students in an attempt to calm the tensions down.
"When I started to date Mia, Nic got even more angry, apparently they were dating, so he challenged me to a brawl, and when I rejected, he probably just searched for anyone."
I sighed, "It's not your fault Jt."
"Let's get him inside, before the Lakehurst students gets up and try to fight again." Craig spoke.
Nodding, they helped me up the stairs, my legs were also hurting, probably from all the pinning and blows.
I was mildly surprised when I saw that Spinner, Manny and Mia were also in school. Well maybe not the last one, but definitely the first two.
Naturally, their reaction to me in my state shocked them.
"What the hell happened to you Toby?!" I heard Manny scream, which then got the attention of Spinner, and Mia, who were aways from Manny.
"Lakehurst students jumped him," was all Jt said.
"Oh my-" I heard Mia exclaim before Craig interrupted.
"Toby beat them all senseless don't worry."
"What?" I heard Manny, Spinner and Mia all say.
I saw Craig, Jt and Jimmy laugh.
"Don't believe me? Look over there," Jimmy said pointing towards the four Lakehurst students who were still on the ground.
"Oh my..." Mia and Manny said in unison, while I just saw Spinner smirk at me.
Goddamnit.
Sure enough, I saw Craig bringing some stuff over.
"This is hydrogen peroxide, now it's going to-"
"Ow" I said gruffly as I felt a slight burn.
"Burn." He finally finished, which made me laugh slightly, despite the pain.
While the most of us remained silent, I saw Mia looking outside, and Jt saw this as well.
"What are you thinking Mia?" Jt finally asked, putting a shoulder of support on her.
She sighed, "I'm just thinking what this is going to do."
"What do you mean?" Jimmy piped up.
She sighed, "I know Nic well, he was my associate, and I know he won't stop until he sees someone down."
"What do you mean, down?" Spinner asked, to which Mia unfortunately responded with a shrug.
"What I'm trying to say is that he doesn't give up easily on his objectives, expect to see more altercations, and with you beating them up, it's only going to make them angrier." She finished before laying her head in Jt's shoulders.
Great, as if I needed more drama in my life. More tension.
I was still in pain, plus with the burning of the hydrogen peroxide, I was struggling not to say anything.
I was also still panting relatively badly, after all, the adrenaline was still pumping, but now it wasn't at the prospect of a fight, but rather the prospect of escalating tensions.
