Eight;

I feel like a hero and you are my heroine.

(Hero/Heroine-Boys Like Girls)

Craig held her hand the entire way to his house. Once there, they immediately went inside the garage.

"This is pretty impressive," Veronica said as she plopped down on the love seat that Ellie sat on earlier this morning.

"Joey's been pretty cool about it," Craig picked up his acoustic guitar, brought it over to the love seat and sat down, "It helps that he was in a band when he was my age, I guess."

"Joey was in a band?" Veronica giggled.

Craig nodded, "Yeah, it's actually sometimes a long and very embarrassing story. I love him to death but I don't ask him about it."

Veronica gave him a thumbs up, "Gotcha."

Craig adjusted the guitar in his lap, "So, writing the music for Kevin's movie has been a little hard for me. But after the show and spending time with you I felt…inspired. For the first time this Summer. When we logged off messenger last night, I managed to not only fix three of my previously written songs for the movie but also completely write two new ones. The new ones are the important ones because they were fully inspired by you."

Then, he started to play the first song. He focused on playing the correct chords because he was afraid of messing up from a mix of excitement and nervousness. He only left a few short moments between songs. Once he finished the second song, he leaned the guitar against the arm of the love seat and folded his hands in his lap.

Veronica was quiet for a moment, she reached out and held his hands, "I inspired those?"

Craig ran his thumbs over the back of hers, "Yeah, I mean, I still have to show it to Kevin's music guy so it might change a little, but I wanted to show you it first."

Veronica smiled before leaning forward and kissing him. Craig has been sweeter to her in the two days they've known each other than Ryan had their whole relationship. She was ready to embrace her fresh start but having Craig by her side made her feel more at ease.

They spent most of the day in the garage listening to music and talking about whatever came to mind. Craig made up a couple of silly songs to sing to her and even tried to show her the basics of playing an acoustic guitar. Of course, he used the typical move where he guided her hand from behind her. Veronica didn't seem to mind at first but she eventually gave up trying to play.

Veronica put the guitar down and turned towards him, "I think I'm just going to enjoy you play all the music. My fingers are far too clumsy and you're far better than I could ever attempt to be."

Craig chuckled, "You'll get the hang of it, I promise. I wasn't born playing the way I do, I had to practice."

"I'll be your biggest fan from the side," Veronica touched the side of his face, "Cheering is something I at least know how to do."

Craig liked that she let him shine in something he does best and that it didn't feel like she was constantly trying to hitch a ride onto his star.

"So does this mean I get to see some of your cheering skills then?" Craig joked.

Veronica glanced at the room, "Not in here, I'd break something for sure. But definitely another time, promise."

Craig raised his eyebrows, "I'll hold you to it."

"We'll see about that," Veronica giggled.

Later that evening, Craig walked her home. The street lights had already turned on and it had started to sprinkle outside just before they left Craig's house.

"We're outside now, you gonna show me those skills now?" Craig said as they walked, taking the same route they did earlier.

"You're not going to let it go unless I do, are you?" Veronica questioned.

"Nope," Craig said.

"Fine," She sighed lightly before getting a running start, she was a little out of practice but she knew she could still do it. She made sure to keep it short with starting with a cart wheel and into a back handspring. When she landed, she was facing him. Veronica raised her arms over her head as if to say 'ta da'.

Craig clapped, "See there's no way I could do that."

"I wasn't born knowing how, it took practice," Veronica mocked him from earlier.

"You think you're funny don't you," Craig raised his eyebrows at her and smiled.

"Yup," She smiled, too, "Clearly you do, too."

"You think you'll cheer when school starts?" Craig asked her as they started to walk again.

Veronica shrugged, "I don't know, really. Like, I doubt it but there's a chance. Like I loved cheerleading but at my old school it was, like, vital that I had to do it. I didn't have an option. It made or break some of the relationships I had."

"Well, if you decide to or not," Craig grabbed her hand and gave it a small squeeze, "I'll support you in whatever you choose to do."

Veronica laughed softly, "You mean like a cheerleader's cheerleader?"

"If that's what you want to call it…" Craig said.

"Thank you, though, I appreciate it."

When they reached her house, Jay's car was still in front of Spinner's house with the both of them standing by the side of the car.

"Hey, neighbor!" Spinner shouted to them as he and Jay waved at Veronica. Then, he took notice of Craig,"And Craig."

"Hi!" She smiled and waved back.

Craig and Spinner weren't on speaking terms and he never really liked Jay but he wasn't going to make a scene. But that was all that was said them, thankfully. Craig walked her up to the porch and stood by her while she fished for her house key. She unlocked the door but didn't open it.

"I'm not ready for you to go," Veronica admitted to him. She looked down at her shoes almost as if she was worried about his response.

Craig lifted her chin gently so she'd look him in his eyes, "Then I don't have to. I'm right here."

"But you'll have to go home sometime tonight, though," Veronica said softly.

"No, if you want me here tonight. I will make it happen." Craig said before kissing her softly.

Craig called Joey when he was inside to tell him he'd be staying with a friend tonight, which wasn't a lie, and Joey didn't question it. Not to Craig at least. This would be the first of many sleepovers of the Summer.