Nine;

A touch of redemption, a hint of elation, a recipe for disaster

(Circles-All Time Low)

Waking up next to Veronica made Craig feel like he was on cloud nine. Monday rolled around and he finally showed Kevin and his music guy what he had came up with. Granted that production technically wrapped Saturday but Kevin gave him a few extra days considering he was struggling. Which definitely paid off.

Veronica seemed to be spending most of her time at the Jeremiah house between babysitting Angie and hanging out with Craig. However, when she couldn't be around Craig would spend time with Ellie, who he was still close with. But he almost always found every chance he could to spend the night with Veronica. He even opened up to her about being bi-polar and she was more than accepting of him. They never defined what their relationship was but they both didn't find it necessary.

Summer was ending as school and Craig's birthday was two weeks away. His best friend Marco Del Rossi would be returning home from his stint in Africa and everything would be returning to normal. Which means Ashley would also be returning and Craig. He had already decided once Ashley was home he'd call it quits officially. Craig just wanted to do it in person, he wanted to do it the right way in his eyes. He wanted his attention on Veronica and only her. Since it had already been that way all Summer.

That afternoon, Craig had went clothes shopping with Veronica for school and they returned later on back to Craig's house to find Ellie waiting in the living room for Craig.

"I'm glad you had fun today, V," Craig said before kissing her cheek. He didn't notice Ellie until she cleared her throat.

"Uh, hi, Ellie," Craig quickly shoved both of his hands into his pockets, "Veronica this is my friend Ellie."

Veronica smiled at her but Ellie didn't return the gesture.

"Angie's babysitter, right?" Ellie crossed her arms.

"And she's been a good friend to me, too," Craig exchanged nervous glances between the two girls.

Veronica wasn't offended at what he said but she was confused by why he was so nervous.

"Funny, I don't kiss my good friend like that," Ellie retorted. Although she had recently developed feelings for Craig, she wouldn't do that to Ashley, "And she doesn't look at all like Ashley."

That deepened Veronica's confusion and made Craig's face go pale. Before Craig could interject, Veronica spoke up.

"And Ashley is…?"

"Craig's girlfriend who was away for the Summer and should be back by the time school starts." Ellie scoffed.

Veronica felt the blood rush to her ears and her cheeks. She felt angry and embarrassed. "You had a girlfriend this whole time?"

Craig was quiet for a few moments. He never intended on hurting Veronica that was the last thing he had ever wanted to do. "She hasn't spoken to me once over the Summer and I-"

"And you didn't say anything to me before you slept with me?" Tears welled up in her green eyes. She didn't give him a chance to respond before she tried to make a break for the door.

But Craig followed behind her. "V, please, listen to me I was going to break up with her once she got home…"

The tears were falling freely down her face smudging whatever eye make up she had on, "The point is that you lied to me when I told you everything. You made it seem like you were telling me the whole truth. But I'm an idiot for believing that someone could actually be on my side and be honest with me."

"Veronica, you mean more to me than anyone ever has," Craig reached for her hand. He felt his entire world crumbling from beneath his feet. He thought his luck with girls had finally changed but he obviously screwed that up.

She yanked her hand away, "The thing is, if I knew the honest situation, I would've understood and waited until you sorted everything out. But I find out from a friend of yours and not you."

"Then let me fix this," Craig begged. "Please let me."

"I cared about you, Craig," Her voice cracked, "But you so easily lied to me. I-I can't do that again."

Veronica turned to leave, she needed to get out of there before she gave into him. After Ryan she promised that she wouldn't let another guy lie or treat her less than she deserved. This was a true test in her promise.

"Please don't leave me, Veronica," Craig started to cry, his voice cracking with every word.

She didn't say anything until she got to her car, "I'll see you at school, I guess."

Veronica got into her car and shut the door and that's when Craig lost it. His legs felt like jelly and all but completely gave out on him. His mouth dry and his face was hot with tears. She was hesitant to leave but when she finally did Craig felt like he was going to be sick. He stumbled back into the house and Ellie was still standing in the living room.

"I'm sorry, Craig," She started.

"I just need to be alone," Craig headed up the stairs to his room not bothering to look at her once. He felt sort of this way the first time he and Ashley broke up but definitely not when she left for England. He fully understood why Joey reacted to Caitlin's leave the way he did.

He pulled a mixed CD from the stack on his desk. It was one that she made for him at the beginning of the Summer and admired the doodles and the words 'For when I'm not around' written in her familiar bubbly handwriting. He popped it in his CD player and crawled into bed while the first track played. Craig cried until he felt numb.

Meanwhile, Veronica had went immediately home she tried to stop crying but she hadn't felt this betrayed since Ryan. Even then she cared more for Craig than she did Ryan. She quickly pulled into her driveway, put her car in park, and cried more. Her dad was away for work again so she would be alone feeling this way.

There was a sharp knock on her passenger window. She didn't look up until the person knocked a second time. It was Jay.