EIN

Chapter 1~ Why?

Craig’s POV

Why? Why did I do it? I had a great thing with Ash. I mean, she was there when I needed her, there when I didn’t. And, yes, maybe, she was a little dramatic at times but isn’t that what I love about her?

Yeah…that’s right, LOVE! I do love her. I don’t know why I could not tell her when she wanted me to, and why I was so unconvincing when I finally did. I do not know why I had to brag to Spinner when I found out we were going to make love, or why, WHY I went home with Manny that night. I should have stayed; I should have talked to Ash.

However, I didn’t stay. I ruined the best thing I have ever had, just so I could get to second base with Manny Santos.

Do you ever wonder why things work out the way they do? I mean, why did I keep going back to Manny? Why did I tell her I wanted to be with her? I know why… I was scared. Scared of losing Ash. I thought, maybe, if I made myself believe she was not the one, I would not lose her like I lose everyone else I love.

There was no risk with Manny. I could never love her like that. Not the way she deserves. And, it was not fair of me to drag her along, to hurt her the way I did. I should have stopped it a long time ago.

I should have just told Ash. Right after the first time I made out with Manny, I should have confessed. I knew then what I really felt. I should have stopped it with Manny and begged, on my hands and knees, for Ash’s forgiveness.

But, do we ever do what we should?

I ruined three people’s lives, and now I have to fix it. I need to find a way to apologize to Manny. And more importantly, to Ash. And maybe, and that is a huge maybe, I can find a way to get her back. I need her. I need to show her she can trust me, and that I truly love her.

If I can do that, then maybe I can fix my life too.

Now, if I could only find a way to do that. Vacation is over tomorrow, and then I have to face them, both of them, and their friends…

Chapter 2~ The Next Day (Pt. 1)

Craig’s POV

So, I think I have a beginning to my plan to make Ash and Manny not hate me. I don’t know if it will work, but at this point, I am willing to try anything. I am just going to walk in to school, walk up to them, and be completely honest. Tell them exactly what I was thinking; I owe them that much.

There are just a few problems with this plan. My “honest” explanation would shatter Manny even more. I mean, what girl wants to be told by a guy that he was just using her.

It wasn’t that I was using her, it’s just that…well, I’m not sure what it was. I just know I would like us to be friends again...one day, nothing more. But, how can I tell her that?

And Ashley…

I know the truth will only make it harder for her to trust me, not that she even wants to trust me. I doubt she even wants to look at me.

Ugh! What am I going to do!?

Maybe, I will just have to tweak the truth a little, just so it doesn’t come out too harsh, right?

Okay, this is getting me nowhere. I just need to walk into school and face them. Just go with the flow.

This is it…I walk into Degrassi Community School, and I know the first person I should talk to is Manny. She will be the easiest to deal with. I walk to her locker and see Emma standing next to her, (I thought they weren’t speaking?!), giving me a look that warns, “You come near her and I’ll kill you.” However, I can’t let little Emma get in my way.

So, I just walk up to them.

“Manny, could I please talk to you?” I look at Emma, “Alone?”

But Manny says nothing; Emma steps closer to me. “You have nothing to discuss with her!”

I look at Manny, pleading with my eyes.

She sighs, “Its okay, Emma, I have to deal sooner or later.”

Emma looks at her, then at me, and walks over to her locker.

“Thanks Manny, I—“

She cuts me off, “Listen Craig, I don’t know what you have to say, that I would want to hear, so listen to me…”

She pauses, “I have never felt as hurt as I did when I found out you lied to me. You made me look like a fool! You tell me, ‘I love you, I want to be with you,’ and then you go off with Ashley, Little Miss Perfect! I hate you so much for what you have done to me! I don’t know how I could ever trust you again.”

She looks at me, tears threatening to fall.

“I just have to know Craig, did you mean any of it, or was it just some big joke?”

I look at her and I hate that I caused so much pain, and I don’t know why, but all thoughts of honesty goes out the window.

I take her hands, “Of course I meant it, at the time; however, I may have been confused. I was feeling all these things and I didn’t know what to do. I’m so sorry; I never meant to hurt you.”

She smiles, “Well you did.”

Then she hugs me, “But, maybe we can work it out.”

I start to push her away, to try to explain, but I look up and I see the icy cold glare of the beautiful blue-green eyes that I love.

‘Why couldn’t I tell her the truth!?’ My head screams.

Manny is still hugging me while I focus on Ashley, walking down the hall, giving me a killer glare. I can see the tears and I want to kill myself for what I have done. If I just would have followed the plan, none of this would have happened. Nevertheless, it’s too late; the damage has been done.

I quickly push Manny away.

“Manny, I am so sorry, but I don’t love you like I said. I do not like you as you want me too. The truth is I was using…no that’s not right…Listen, I felt safe with you because I knew I could never think of you that way. The truth is, I love Ashley, and I was afraid that if I let myself believe she was the one, I would lose her. So, I tried to make myself believe she wasn’t the one.’

Her tears are falling freely now.

“I’m so sorry that I did this to you! It wasn’t right. But I would like us to try and be friends.”

She gives me this incredulous look and slams her locker shut.

“I HATE you Craig Manning! Don’t you ever come near me again!” Then she slaps me. And just like that, she runs off.

I sink back into the lockers. I know I deserved that. God! I can be so stupid sometimes.

Even before I can start to think about the situation with Manny, my head springs to Ash.

Oh no…How could I be so stupid!?

I run towards her locker as fast as I can possibly move. I have to explain; tell her it is not what she thinks, but when I get there, I see Paige putting stuff in her locker.

“Where is Ashley?”

She turns giving me a look ten times worse than Emma’s.

“What’s it to you?”

“Please Paige, I need to talk to Ash; I need to explain.”

“Explain what?! That you’re a low life rat who gets off on making a girl think you love her, and then cheats on her with that slut, Manny Santos, and then, flaunts it in front of her! She already knows that.”

I feel like I have been punched in the gut, “Okay, I deserve that…but this is not between you and me. This is something I need to talk about with Ash. Please, where is she? I need to explain things to her.”

Paige sighs, “Well, she isn’t here. She was sick all vacation because of what you did and after seeing you with that whore, she got sick again. She went home. Don’t you understand, Craig? She loved you, she trusted you. You just used her and then you gutted her. I believe her exact words were that she felt like you had ripped out her heart, stomped all over it, shoved it back in, and then laughed in her face. I would be surprised if she ever speaks to you again.”

I just nod my head and walk away. There is nothing I can say. That’s exactly what I did. I still have to see Ash though. I have to try anyway.

I resolve that after school, I will go over to her house and force her to at least listen to me.

That’s easier said than done. One of the things I admire most about her is her stubbornness when she believes in something. I guess I’ll find out what she believes after school. I look at that clock…8:00…but first, I have to get through the whole day…

Chapter 3~ Please

Craig’s POV

Okay, this was the longest school day in the history of the world. All day, everyone was giving me these horrible looks. I guess they all know about me. I know I deserve it, but it is really hard when all your friends hate you. Well, except for Spinner. He’s just bummed that Ashley and Manny found out.

Now that school is over, I’m making my way to Ashley’s. I’m hoping I can make it before Toby gets home. He might not let me talk to her. Even before I get all the way up the driveway, she opens the door, glaring at me.

“What are you doing here?” She asks.

“Look, Ash, I know I have no right to be here, but I need to talk to you. I want to explain what happened. What you saw this morning was not what you think; that was all her. I know you don’t want to see me, but please, let me explain.”

“I don’t think I want to let you explain. I don’t want to hear it. So, please, just leave.” She slams the door, and I can see her going upstairs through the window.

What am I going to do now? I sit down on their bench and just stare off into nothing, trying to think of something. I must have zoned out, because I didn’t even realize when Toby sat down next to me. I look over at him, in silence, not knowing what to say or do.

“Just give her time.” He says.

“What?”

“She’s hurting right now, a lot, and she doesn’t want to hear what you have to say. Not yet. Nevertheless, she does love you, and eventually she will want to know why. So, just give her some time. She will make the first move.”

I’ve never given Toby enough credit. I’ve always known he was bookish smart, but I never pegged him for relationship smart. He does make a lot of sense though.

“I know what you mean Toby, but I have to tell her that what she saw with Manny today was not how it looked. I have to tell her that it’s her I love, not Manny. It was a stupid mistake.”

“She’ll know eventually. Right now she needs her space, so give her that, please.” And with that, he gets up and walks inside.

I just sit there for a while. I don’t know where else I could go. Well, there is home, but everything reminds me of her, and of what I’ve done. I look up at Ashley’s window and she is looking back. I just stare at her. She is so beautiful. Why did I screw this up? Before I can stop myself I mouth ‘I love you’ to her. She doesn’t respond of course. She just pulls down her blinds and turns away. Well, I’ve done everything I could for now. I get up and begin to leave, to walk home.

“Craig, wait!”

It can’t be. I’m positive that it is Ashley’s voice, but my mind tells me she’s not really there.

“Craig, please, I need to ask you something.”

Now I know she is there. I turn around to face her, “Anything,” I smile.

“I’m not ready to fully discuss what happened,” she tells me, “but I do have to know what it was I saw this morning, when Manny was hugging you. Are you two together?”

“No. Ash, you are the only one I want to be with. This morning I went to school with the intentions of explaining why I did what I did to both you and Manny. I didn’t want to make her feel used, so I glossed over some things, and she thought I wanted to be with her and hugged me. But, I pushed her away and explained.” I looked into Ashley’s eyes, “It’s you I want to be with Ashley. You are the only one I love. I was just scared because--“

“Okay, thanks Craig. I just needed to know” She turns around and runs inside the house.

I can’t help smiling. At least she didn’t yell at me, and I got to explain some of it. I can’t give up. I have to keep trying. With that, I walk home. Tomorrow is a new day, who knows where it is going to lead…

Chapter 4~ Pain

Ashley’s POV

I do not need him! I never needed him! Ugh! I cannot believe that jerk! What made him think he could do that to me? That he could…

God! I can’t even say it. Men are such crap! Who needs them? And, why are they so hard to keep hold of?

I am trying to get over it. To get past it, but I can’t. I loved him…no, I love him, so much. I just, I cannot believe he would take my love, that he would even think about doing this to me.

He cheated on me. I still can’t believe it. It has made me physically sick. I’ve thrown up all vacation because all I can think about is him and Manny, kissing. On his bed, in his garage…the same place we kissed and made love. Well, I thought we were making love. Apparently, it was just sex to him.

I wanted to die when I found out. And to have found out from Manny! That’s almost as bad as walking in on them making out.

I don’t know why it should surprise me. What goes around comes around, right? I mean, I did the same thing to Jimmy. Granted, I didn’t have total control over my mind, but I did take “e” on my own accord, so, I was completely at fault for making out with Sean. Now I know what Jimmy must have felt like. I hate myself for doing this to him.

Still. It does not change the face that Craig cheated on me. God! I just want it to end. How can I possibly face him tomorrow? He’ll probably be with Manny. What happened to the Manny I used to know? The nice, sweet, considerate Manny. Now when I see her the only word that comes to mind is ‘slut.’ And why would Craig want that?

I talked to Paige the day after I found out. Her and Terri came over, and tried to make me forget about him. We watched chick flicks, and I burnt everything that reminded me of Craig. Well, mostly everything. The pictures, the notes, etc…My mom wouldn’t let me burn my bed. I don’t think she understood why I wanted to.

Anyways, they tried to help. It didn’t work though, and Ellie has been gone all vacation, so I couldn’t turn to her.

Therefore, this week, I became the epitome of the depressed girl who was just dumped. I spent the week in my room, eating ice cream, and listening to sappy love songs.

Pathetic, huh?

Nevertheless, I am not going to show Craig that he broke me. I will walk in with my head high. I will not let him bother me. I will not let him think that I care. I don’t care. Well, maybe, I can convince him of that, even if I can’t convince myself…

Chapter 5~ The Next Day (Pt. 2)

Ashley’s POV

So, walking into school, everything is thought out. When I see him, I will not show any emotions. None! Because, I do not care…

Yeah right! Maybe if I say it fifty more times, I’ll start to believe it. Anyways, this is it. I dread the fact that I have to go by the grade nine lockers to get to mine. I do not want to see her.

But, of course, I do see her. She has her arms around Craig. She is hugging him, smiling.

Oh my god!! My head is screaming. All that bravado I built up has just come tumbling down, and I can feel a new batch of tears falling. I look at him, and he’s looking back. There is something in his eyes…I don’t know what. I quickly forget that thought as I rush past, devastated, and pissed that I let him see me cry. Oh, that jerk! I hate him!

I make my way to my locker and Paige is there. She only has to take one look at me to know what just happened. Even though we spent most of last year hating each other, she is still my friend. And she still understands me.

I open my locker and begin tearing down all the pictures, throwing them on the floor. Why? Why did he hurt me? Why did I let him?

I start to feel that familiar turn in my stomach, and I run in the bathroom, dropping my stuff in the corridor.

Paige follows me in and just waits for me to finish throwing up. I walk out of the stall, trying not to look like I was just run over by a truck.

“Hun, you can’t let him get to you like this. He’s scum!”

I look at her. “I know Paige, but it’s so hard, I gave so much to him.”

She puts her hand on my back, comforting me. She looks at me in the mirror. “I know. I know what it feels like to want to crawl into a corner and die. When Dean raped me, I felt cheap and worthless, and I made myself so sick—“

“Paige…” I don’t know what to say. My issues are not nearly as bad as hers are.

“Don’t Ashley. You may not have gone through what I did, but it was still a horrible experience. You cannot let him win. You have to show him you’ll survive.”

“Thanks Paige. I know, but I can’t do that today. Paige, it’s as if he ripped out my heart, stomped all over it, shoved it back in, and then laughed in my face. I think I’m just going to go home. “

“Maybe that’s best…I’ll clean up your stuff, you go ahead and leave.”

I smile gratefully. “Thanks Paige, for everything. You’re a great person.”

She smiles. “Well, thanks hun, but don’t tell too many people. I have an image to keep up around here.”

I laugh and hug her before leaving to go home.

I will not let him win. He may have today, but he won’t anymore…

Chapter 6~ Bridges

Ashley’s POV

I came straight home after I left school. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to cry anymore but somehow the tears came. Why? Why did he do this to me? Part of me doesn’t care, but then the other, more rational part wants to hear an explanation, a reason. Just to know why! Maybe that would help me cope, to move on. However, I’m not ready to know. I guess I’m afraid of what he’ll say.

When I saw him today in school, with her wrapped around him I got so angry. I wanted to hurt him…and her. Then I just got so sad. I don’t understand. Why does he want her? What does she have that I don’t? She can’t understand him the way I can. They don’t share the same likes. So, why? I need to know why I saw what I did this morning.

I happen to look out my window, and I see Craig turn into my driveway. He has some nerve to come here! Who does he think he is? I run down the stairs so I can meet him before he knocks.

I throw open the door. “What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Look Ash, I know I have no right to be here…” He’s got that right. “...but I need to talk to you. I want to explain what happened. What you saw this morning was not what you think; that was all her. I know you don’t want to see me, but please, let me explain.”

I can’t believe him. Is he actually thinking I want his stupid explanation? Why should I let him explain? He doesn’t deserve my time.

“I don’t think I want to let you explain. I don’t want to hear it.” I respond angrily, “So, please, just leave.” And with that, I slam the door and run upstairs.

Why did he have to come here? I can feel a completely new batch of tears coming on, as well as a new wave of anger. Just as I am thinking about how much I want to hurt him, his words catch up with me.

“What you saw this morning was not what you think; that was all her.”

Does that mean what I think? Is he not with Manny? Moreover, why do I care? Still, a part of me needs to know. I guess if I know he’s not with her, a part of me will feel better. I move over to the window, see if he’s close. Maybe I could catch up with him. I have to know for sure, one way or another. Looking out the window, I see him sitting on the bench, talking to Toby. Why is he talking to Toby? What does Toby know? That really irritates me; I don’t need Toby telling him anything about how pathetic I’ve been. It’s bad enough he’s seen me cry.

Toby gets up and goes inside. Then much to my dismay Craig looks up, and his eyes lock with mine. “Look away Ash! Stop looking at him!” My mind shouts. But I can’t. He looks so sad, so sorry. God, I love his eyes. They say so much...More than I’m ready to hear. Then he does something I don’t expect, he mouths, “I love you” to me.

I quickly close my blinds and turn away. I can’t help the smile on my face. He still loves me. That’s it. I have to know. I run down the stairs and outside to catch him.

“Craig, wait!”

He stops but doesn’t turn around.

“Craig, please, I need to ask you something.”

He turns to me, hope in his eyes. “Anything,” he smiles.

“I’m not ready to fully discuss what happened, but, I do have to know what it was I saw this morning, when Manny was hugging you. Are you two together?” I almost can’t ask. I’m so scared of what his answer will be.

But I’m so relieved as he quickly answers. “No. Ash, you are the only one I want to be with. This morning I went to school with the intentions of explaining why I did what I did to both you and Manny. I didn’t want to make her feel used, so I glossed over some things and she thought I wanted to be with her and hugged me. But, I pushed her away and explained.” Then he looked right into my eyes and with more sincerity than I have ever heard, said, “It’s you I want to be with Ashley. You are the only one I love. I was just scared because--“

“Okay, thanks Craig. I just needed to know.” I have to cut him off. I’m not ready to hear this. I can’t listen to the full explanation yet.

I turn and run inside. Leaning against the closed door, I sigh. He’s not with Manny. I smile and giggle, slightly relieved, slightly happy. Then I sober up when I think of what he said,

“I didn’t want to make her feel used.”

So he was using her. Why? He had me. I was there for him. I loved him.

“I was just scared because--“

Why was he scared? Didn’t he know he could tell me anything? Talk to me about everything? What was he scared of? And why didn’t he trust me enough to tell me? I feel the new tears falling now, and I walk upstairs to my room. It hurts so much now that I realize there was, no, is something wrong. I know that he loves me. But why didn’t he trust me?

Chapter 7~ Hope?

Ashley’s POV

When I walked into school the next day, I felt so much better than I had for two weeks. When I got to my locker, there was a note on it from Craig:

Ashley,

Thank you so much for letting me explain yesterday. I understand you not being ready for more. I’ll be here when you are.

Love Always,

Craig

“You are not going to believe him are you?” Ellie said behind me.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He’s just playing you. He doesn’t mean it. He cheated on you once, he’ll do it again,” She explained.

“I don’t think he will—“

“Are you crazy, Ashley? Are you really going to trust him with your heart after he already broke it once?”

“Ellie, you are my friend. I thought you would support me with whatever I decide.”

She sighed, “I will support you. I just don’t want him to hurt you again.”

“I really don’t think he will El. I don’t think he realized what he was doing in the first place. I don’t think he ever wanted to screw up our relationship like this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I don’t know how to explain it. I just feel like there was more to his cheating than just hormones. When we talked yesterday, he said some things that worried me. I think there is more going on in his head than I realized. I feel like if I love him so much I should be able to tell what’s wrong, but I can’t; and it hurts me that he is hurting so much,” I confessed.

“Well, you know my opinion, but if you feel you have to do this then I am here for you. Just be careful.”

I smiled at that, “I will El. I’m going to start slow, I won’t jump back into a relationship until I know what is going on with him and we talk about it.”

“Okay. I’m here if you need me. Come on, let’s get to class.”

Classes were normal, except for English. It was hard to concentrate with Craig sitting a few seats from me. I couldn’t stop looking at him. I knew as I was watching him writing in his notebook, that I had to try again. Nevertheless, there was a lot that we still needed to talk about.

At lunch, I sat with the usual group, Paige, Hazel, Ellie, Marco, Spinner, and Jimmy. I saw Craig get his lunch and look around for somewhere to sit. Paige was giving him a death look, and he started to move to an empty table when I called to him:

“Craig, there is an extra seat here by me.”

“What?” Paige cried, “Hun, you can’t be serious, after what he did to you?”

“Paige,” I responded, “I’m completely serious.” I looked at Craig, who looked unsure. “Really Craig, you can sit here.”

He looked back at Paige, “That’s okay Ash, I’m fine here.”

“Paige, what is your problem?” I asked.

“My problem? What about you? I cannot believe you have just forgiven him like that after what he did to you. I am trying to be a good friend. I won’t let him do it again,” she replied.

“Well thanks Paige, but I believe that is my choice.” With that, I picked up my lunch and moved over to Craig, sitting next to him.

“Hey Craig. How was your day so far?” I asked.

He looked so cute then, his face a mixture of shock and surprise. At that moment I knew this would definitely work out.

“I, um, It’s been okay. Yours?” He stuttered.

I smiled, “Mine’s been okay too. I miss sitting next to you during English.”

He just kind of stared at me, not really knowing what to day. I understand why; I feel like I’ve done a complete 180 overnight. I didn’t think I could forgive and forget so quickly. After sitting in silence a few minutes, he breaks in.

“I’ve missed you.”

I try not to tear up; his voice sounds so broken, so lost. I didn’t really know what to say, so I just said what I really feel.

“I’ve missed you too, Craig. I love you.”

“I love you too Ash, and if I could take back what I did and the pain I’ve caused you, I would. “

“Don’t Craig. Yes, you did hurt me, but it is in the past now. We should just focus on us and rebuilding our friendship and trust.”

“Friendship?” He questions.

“Yes, our friendship, for now. I’m not quite ready for more. We need to talk, and I have to know that you fully trust me and can tell me everything. And, I have to be able to trust you.” I hope that he is thinking about why he cheated on me and that he’ll be able to tell me why he was so scared and didn’t feel he could come to me; why he felt he had to cheat.

He gives me a sad smile and places his hand over mine, “I understand Ash.”

We ate some more in silence.

“Thank you Ashley.”

“Why?” I know why he’s thanking me but I need to hear it from him.

He smiles, “For loving me. And for giving me a second chance to show you how much I love you.”

At that perfect moment, the only person I’ve ever truly felt hate for came up to our table.

“So Craig, we still on for tonight?” Manny asks.

If I didn’t know Craig so well, I would have thought she was telling the truth; however, I know she is trying to make me jealous so that she can try and squeeze her way in again. She wants something she can never have because it’s mine, his heart. Before I can jump in and say something to her, Craig does,

“I don’t know what you are talking about Manny. I made it clear yesterday that we are over. I love Ashley. I am sorry I hurt you, but I never want to go out with you again. I’m sorry but I made a huge mistake. So please stay out of mine and Ashley’s relationship, it does not include you.”

I don’t think I have ever been more proud of him.

She looks at him for a moment before walking away. I can’t help but smile.

Craig’s POV

Oh my god, please tell me Manny did not just ruin this perfect moment. I’m afraid to look at Ashley, afraid of what I will see. But when I look at her she’s smiling, at me. She doesn’t look mad, in fact she looks proud. She is so beautiful, how could I ever hurt her like I did.

“I’m sorry about Manny,” I say.

“Don’t apologize Craig, you didn’t make her come over here.”

“No Ash, I mean I’m sorry for ever getting involved with her.”

“Well thank you Craig, but please stop apologizing.”

“Would you like to go out with me tonight?” I ask. “As a friend?” I quickly add.

“Well I don’t really have any money, so maybe we can just watch a movie at one of our houses,” she replies.

“Okay, that sounds great. Joey and Caitlin are going out, so I you want we can hang at my house,” I suggest.

“That sounds great,” she says as she gets up to go to class, “I’ll see you around 8:00 then?”

“Yeah, 8:00 is great,” I smile, “I’ll see you later.”

This will be perfect; I’m finally getting my life back on track. I just hope that it leads in a good direction.

Chapter 8

Craig’s POV~ Second Chances

Okay, so I’m all ready for tonight. Joey and Caitlin won’t be back until after midnight, Angela is at her grandma’s, and I have the house to myself. I called Ashley and told her not to eat because I was going to make dinner; Caitlin helped of course, but Ash doesn’t need to know that. I also rented one of Ashley’s favorite movies, Moulin Rouge. I know she said tonight was just about our friendship, but I have to show her how much I care. It’s almost 8:00, I put the finishing touches on the dinner, set the table, dim the lighting, and light the candles...Wait! Tonight is about friendship, right? Candles maybe overboard. So, maybe I’ll just leave the lights on instead…

*Ding Dong*

Okay, that’s her. Just be yourself Craig. There is no reason to be nervous. I run to open the door, and there she is, as beautiful as ever.

“Come on in Ash. You look great!” Just as I tell her that I realize that in all my preparation, I forgot to change. I’m wearing torn jeans and an old tee shirt.

She laughs as I look at myself, “And you look like my Craig. That’s all I need.”

I smile at her comment and begin to excuse myself so I can change, but she stops me: “Craig, what you are wearing is fine. I just want to be with you tonight, I don’t care about what you wear.”

“Thanks Ash. Dinner is right in here. I made your favorite, lasagna.” I lead her to the dining room and we take our seats.

She gives me a doubtful look, “You made lasagna?”

Yep, I’ve been caught. “Well, actually Caitlin prepared it for me, I just put it in the oven,” I tell her sheepishly.

She smiles, “It’s still wonderful; I can’t believe you remembered my favorite dish.”

“Well, it is all you talked about on out first date,” I joked, “and besides I remember everything about you.”

“This lasagna is really good. Let Caitlin know I loved it.”

“I will. So, after dinner, I was thinking we could watch a movie. I rented Moulin Rouge.

“Wow! You remembered that too. That sounds wonderful. So, how are your classes going?”

“Ummm, they’re pretty good. I am having some trouble in science. Maybe you could help me with it sometime?”

“Yeah of course, anytime.”

We sat in silence while finishing our dinner, neither of us knowing what to say. When we finished, we went into the living room. I put in the movie and sat on the other side of the couch, opposite of Ashley. She scooted over right next to me and leaned her head against my shoulder. It felt great, like she belonged there, right next to me.

Ashley’s POV

I don’t know how it happened, but half way through the movie, I stopped paying attention to it. I couldn’t help it, being next to Craig again felt so good. He smelled great and with his arm around my shoulders, I felt so safe, so protected. Next thing I knew, I was kissing him. And not a friendly thank you kiss either. I kissed him with all the passion I had inside me. He returned the kiss quickly and the night became a huge make out session, complete with groping. We ended up lying on the couch, him on top of me. Being in his arms again was the most amazing feeling. We let our hands roam freely reacquainting ourselves with each other, and we didn’t watch anymore of the movie.

After a very intense make out session, we fell asleep on the couch in each other’s arms. I didn’t mean to fall asleep; I was just so comfortable, until Joey’s voice woke us up…well, more like scared the crap out of us.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING?”

“Whoa! Joey what’s wrong?” Craig said as he jumped off the couch.

“What’s wrong?!” I don’t know Craig, you tell me. I just received a call from Ashley’s very worried mother. It’s two o’clock in the morning, and Ashley has yet to return home; and that is because she was asleep with you on my couch!”

Wow! Okay, I have never seen him this mad. Then what he said finally registers; it’s two o’clock in the morning. My mom is going to kill me!

Craig followed as I walked to the door. “I’m sorry Ash, about Joey.”

“It’s okay Craig. He is just worried.” I kissed him on the cheek and left for home. I am in so much trouble. Mom is going to kill me…and what happened tonight? It wasn’t supposed to go that far that fast. I wanted to talk to Craig first, about everything between us, before we got back together. Well, I guess I’ll talk to him tomorrow.

As I pulled into my driveway, I could see my mom and Jeff in the living room and she looked pissed.

“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN YOUNG LADY?” She yells as I enter, “Do you realize what time it is?”

“Sorry mom, I was with Craig. We lost track of time and fell asleep.”

“You were supposed to be home at 12:30. How could you be so irresponsible!?”

“I didn’t do it on purpose. Calm down mom.”

“Don’t you tell me what to do. I don’t want you seeing that boy again. He’s nothing but a bad influence.”

Excuse me? Was she really telling me I couldn’t see Craig? “Mom, I love him, and he has been the best influence in my life. You can’t tell me who to love, and I will not stop seeing him!”

“You love him? He cheated on you!”

“It’s not how you think mom.”

“Ashley, you will not see that boy again, do you hear me? Not as long as you live under my roof.”

Wait. She can’t do this to me. I love Craig, and I will not let her keep him out of my life. So, I started moving to the door.

“I’ll come get my things tomorrow mom.”

And with that, I left. I had to. So, with nowhere else to go, I went to the only place I could…

T.B.C.