A short note…..this chapter starts right after the graduation ceremony, but before the class goes outside. There is this adorable picture on The-n's website that has 'Ashley' sitting on 'Jimmy's' lap, from HF2(in the flipbook)...it must have been a promo pic, because that scene wasn't in the episode…so I'm going to use it. Also, there will be no season six spoilers in this chapter.
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT
CHAPTER 4: CELEBRATION
"C'mon Ashley, were heading outside", Paige called across the crowded hallway, Marco and Hazel following close behind.
Ashley looked into the crowd. "Have you guys seen Jimmy?", she asked as they got closer. They all shook their heads no. "We were sitting together in the gym, but then he said he needed to talk to Spinner…"
"Spinner?", Paige questioned. Ashley nodded. "Jimmy told me he was ready to forgive Spinner….we talked about it last night after dinner, and today he said.…"
"You had dinner with Jimmy last night?", Hazel interrupted rudely. "Yeah, but that's beside the point", Ashley shrugged, it off. "They were talking by the door, then Spinner left. We stood up to clap and when I looked over, Jimmy was gone", Ashley explained disappointedly. "You don't think he left, do you?"
Marco shook his head. "He probably wanted to avoid the crowd…I bet he's outside waiting for us", he said, reassuringly. Just as they turned for the door, Jimmy came up behind Ashley and knocked her onto his lap. Marco grinned. "Looking for me, Miss Kerwin?", Jimmy laughed.
Ashley smiled. "I thought you'd left", she replied, leaning back into him, the side of her head, touching his. "Naw, I wouldn't do that to you", he chuckled lightly. "Just needed a little air", he admitted, pressing his forehead against hers. "How'd it go?", she whispered, looking into his eyes. "It went.…we're okay now", he answered, relieved that he and Spinner had finally made peace.
Ashley was trying to fight the overwhelming temptation to kiss him."Let's go you two", Marco called from the entrance. Jimmy smiled at her. Ashley leaned forward to get up, but Jimmy held her back. "This ride's on me", he chuckled, mocking his own stupid joke.
"Jimmy", she shrieked as they made their way outside. "Excuse us", Jimmy called out to some people blocking the way. "Hang on Ash", he laughed as they neared the ramp. Ashley flung her arms around Jimmy's neck and closed her eyes tightly.
When they came to a stop, Ashley opened her eyes and jumped off of Jimmy's lap. "You are one crazy guy, Jimmy Brooks", she joked, shaking her head. Jimmy laughed, "But you love me anyway.…right?". Ashley looked at him and smiled. She put her hand on his back and rubbed lightly. "I'll be right back", she whispered.
"El", Ashley called running up the steps. She gave Ellie a great big hug. "Congratulations", she whispered as they broke the embrace. "Thanks Ash", Ellie replied, with a smile.
She looked over her left shoulder to see Craig hugging Manny. "He's back", she groaned, looking down at the ground. "And for her", Ashley said disgustedly. They both looked over and Craig smiled, they returned the gesture with half smiles.
Ashley put her arm around Ellie. "Let's go have an awesome time at Marco's party", she insisted. Ellie nodded and they walked down the steps to a waiting Jimmy.
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"Ma please, he's embarrassing me", Marco pleaded, watching in horror as his father mingled with his friends. "Okay Marco, I'll have him help me in the kitchen", she answered, squeezing Marco's cheek and smiling.
Marco rolled his eyes and joined his friends in the living room. They were all laughing and joking when the doorbell rang. "Do you want me to get it Marco?", Ashley asked, getting up from her place on the arm of the couch, nearest the door. "Sure, thanks Ash", he nodded.
"Oh my God", Ashley squealed when she opened the door. "I cant believe you're here…you look wonderful". Paige and Hazel ran over to see what all the commotion was all about. "Oh...my…gosh", Paige stuttered. "Ahhh!", Hazel screamed. One by one the group went over to greet Terri McGregor.
"How have you been?", Ashley asked excitedly. "I've been great...I mean, I still have really bad migraines and I'm a little forgetful, but other than that, I completely fine", Terri replied cheerfully.
"Yeah, Dylan and I ran into Terri at the mall last night, and since she's in town for a few days, I invited her to my party", Marco explained. "You didn't tell me you saw Terri", Paige scolded her brother, smacking him on the shoulder, everyone laughed.
"Ter-ri", Jimmy called out in a booming voice. Terri laughed as she turned around her eyes looking straight ahead, then traveling down to meet Jimmy's. For a split second, she forgot all about the shooting. "Jimmy", she gasped, trying hard to keep the smile on her face.
"Ter, please don't", Jimmy pleaded when he noticed her trembling lip. "I'm so sorry Jimmy", she whispered as she hugged him, a few tears falling onto his shoulder. Jimmy swallowed hard. "It's fine Terri...I'm fine. See?", he said smiling. He gently pushed her up and raised his brow. She smiled and nodded.
Sensing the awkwardness, Marco put his arm around Terri. "So Terri, tell us all about home...Connecticut, right?", he asked cheerfully, escorting her into the kitchen.
Instead of joining the others, Ashley walked over to Jimmy. "It was good to see Terri again, eh?", he asked after clearing his throat. "Yeah, what a surprise", Ashley agreed, standing to his side, hoping he wouldn't notice the slight mist that had formed in her own eyes.
"You okay?", she asked concernedly. "Fine", Jimmy answered a little too quickly. Ellie walked over and handed Jimmy a can of pop. "Thanks El", he nodded, taking a sip.
They were just about to join everyone else in the kitchen when the front door opened and in walked Craig, with Manny on his arm. "Hey guys", he greeted enthusiastically. Ellie rolled her eyes. "Great", she mumbled under her breath.
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"So Marco, what do you have planned for this summer?", Spinner asked as the group gathered in the middle of Marco's living room. "Yes, what type of humanitarian aide are you going to distribute this year, Mr. Del Rossi?", Craig asked with a strange accent.
"Unfortunately, there will be no service to the needy...this summer is solely for personal enjoyment", Marco smiled, looking at Dylan. "Yeah, me, Marco, Paige and Hazel are going on a road trip to..."
"Remember Jimmy, the one you were supposed to go on this summer?", Hazel said bitterly, interrupting Dylan. Jimmy gave Hazel a disgusted look and shook his head. "So what about you Spin?", Marco asked, breaking the tension.
Spinner shrugged. "What else...workin' at The Dot", he groaned. Marco nodded. "Ashley?", he asked. "I'm not sure. Probably hang out with Ellie and Jimmy all summer", she chuckled, taking hold of Jimmy's hand. Jimmy looked at her and smiled.
"Wow Jimmy, you sure move on quickly", Hazel spat. "But you better watch out Ashley", she added, glaring at Ellie. Jimmy closed his eyes in disbelief. Ellie looked around uncomfortably. "Do you really have to do this Hazel?", he asked angrily. Hazel huffed and stormed out of the room.
"Oo-kay. Your turn Craig", Marco said, turning to his friend. "Well, I'm headed back to Vancouver in two days, then I'm off to New York...Leo got me a bunch of gigs in the big apple", he replied excitedly.
"Wow, that's amazing Craig", Ellie praised. "Thanks", Craig smiled, making Ellie blush. "And I'm going with him", Manny squealed. "Yeah, I couldn't imagine spending the whole summer without you...the last two months were torture enough", Craig stated, kissing Manny.
Ellie groaned and walked to the other side of the room. Ashley quietly slipped away and followed her. "Talk to him El, tell him how you feel", she encouraged. Ellie shook her head. "What's the point Ash? He's totally in love with her", Ellie whispered, looking over to see them still kissing. "I'm just the friend. Right?", she added tearfully, running for the kitchen.
Ellie stood on the back porch, looking down, over the railing. With all the noise coming from inside, Ellie didn't hear anyone come up behind her, until Jimmy cleared the small step from the house to the porch.
Ellie quickly wiped her eyes, then turned and smiled. "So it's always been Craig, huh El?", Jimmy asked quietly. Ellie noddeded slightly, looking down at her feet. "How could I be so stupid Jimmy...thinking he'd ever like me?", she questioned, pleadingly.
Jimmy moved closer. "People cant help who they love Ellie", he replied and Ellie smiled shyly. "You're not stupid El...Craig is, for not seeing what was right in front of him", he added with a smile.
Ellie tried hard, but Jimmy's smile was so infectious, and the corners of her mouth turned upward. "Sometimes I really cant stand you", she joked, taking his outstretched hand. "You always make me feel better...even if I don't want to".
"Well, well, well...", Hazel said as she walked up the steps to the porch, she had seen, but not heard, the entire exchange from the backyard. "You just cant keep your filthy paws off of him, can you Nash?", she yelled. "Ya know, I warned Ashley..."
"Hazel, what the hell is your problem?", Jimmy asked angrily, stoppping right in front of her. "This little tramp broke us up Jimmy", she replied, placing her hands on her hips.
Jimmy laughed bitterly. "First of all, never talk that way about one of my friends", he said, raising his finger. "And second...that's insane Hazel, you were looking for an out, to our relationship, for a long time...Ellie just happened to be the perfect target".
"What are you talking about Jimmy, I loved you", Hazel defended. "No Hazel, you loved who I used to be...and when you found out that guy was gone, you became distant", he retorted.
"Tell me Haze, how many times did you visit me in rehab...two, maybe three times?", Jimmy questioned. "Ashley came more than you". Anger was building inside of him. "After I got home, how many dates did we go on? How many time were we alone? Huh?...Oh, that's right...none", he yelled. "Did you ever come to a doctors visit or a physio session? No."
"You don't want to be with him, but you don't want him to be with someone else?", Ellie questioned, walking over to Hazel. "You're the most selfish person I know, Hazel", she scolded. "Go to hell, Ellie", Hazel snapped back, hitting Ellie across the cheek. Reacting just as quickley, Ellie slapped Hazel back.
Hazel turned abruptly and headed back into the house, bumping into Ashley on her way in."Hazel?", Ashley gasped, from the doorway. "El, are you alright? I saw what Hazel did...", Ashley asked as Jimmy started for the door. "Jimmy leave it", Ellie pleaded, taking a seat in one of the lawn chairs.
"No El, I'm not gonna let her get away with that", Jimmy defended. "No, it's fine...I deserved it", Ellie admitted. Ashley sat down next to Ellie, Jimmy pulled up next to Ashley.
"It was worth it though", Ellie added, a slight giggle escaping. Ashley nodded and started to chuckle. "Yeah, did you see the look on her face when you slapped her back?", Jimmy asked, unable to control his laughter.
The three were practically doubled over when Paige came to the door. "Well, I'm glad to see you guys so happy", she chirped. "Hazel ran out of here, a few minutes ago, without so much as a goodbye". The three laughed harder.
"Okay? I just came out to remind you not to forget about my party tomorrow...it's open house, all day", Paige said excitedly. " 'Night all", she added, with a waive.
Jimmy leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. "I think I might skip Paige's party tomorrow", he stated seriously. "Yeah, I don't think I can take any more drama", Ashley agreed, shaking her head. "Me neither", Ellie said, rubbing her right cheek. The three looked at one other and erupted in laughter...again.
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My note...Okay, I'm sorry to all the Hazel fans, but I never liked her and I absolutely hated her with Jimmy. I did feel bad for her in TSS2, when she found out it was Jimmy who was shot, but after that I really didn't like her...she always seemed so self-absorbed. There was hardly a mention of Jimmy while he was recovering(only of the stress she was feeling), and in Secrets2 when Jimmy said to Marco and Craig 'I need to see something other than you two, and these ugly ass walls'(priceless, I love Aubrey), that gave me the impression Hazel didn't bother visiting Jimmy very much. I also wanted to bring back the character of Terri, at least for one chapter, because I really liked her and I wanted the connection between her and Jimmy noted...they were both hurt by Rick, but they both made it through. I hope you enjoyed it and please review.
Many thanks to Samitiny and Raina-Bess for the wonderful reviews...I'm so glad you guys like it.
My disclaimer...the Degrassi characters are not mine...and neither is Celebration, that belongs to Kool&the Gang.