Chapter Eleven

            After the party I felt really bad about the whole Craig and Ashley thing, I felt like it was my entire fault! I was so mad. I was very frustrated as I went to my locker and when I arrived Sean did as well, “Hey,” he said leaning up against the locker next to mine. I looked at him and nodded with my yes, signifying hey. “Me and Emma broke up,” he said all calmly, I turned to him quickly, “What!? Why!? When!?” I was mad now. Now two of my friends broke up with their girlfriends with in the weekend! He shrugged the question off, “Listen Danielle, I was hoping maybe…me and you could…I don’t know…” he looked at his feet as he said this to me, “You wanna go out with me?” I said, he nodded but still looking at his feet, “I don’t know I mean, considering our history and everything I think it would be weird,” I said feeling a little let down, he said oh and walked away, now I felt even worse, “Sean wait!” I ran to catch up to him, “That sounds good,”  he smiled, I smiled, it was a corny moment but I figured why not and wait it out, see what Sean is really like as boyfriend.

            At lunch Sean wanted to me to sit with him, I told him that I had to talk to Craig first so I went over and sat at his table. “I know your life is sucking in the sex department but guess who landed themselves a boyfriend?” I said really happy, hinting a smile, “Marco.” he said really depressed, “I’m actually working on that. But, no….” I hinted another smile. “Who?” he said with a smile on his face, I guess he was happy for me. “Sean,” I said laughing, “Sean!? Emma’s Sean?” he asked, I nodded and he smiled and gave me hug from across the table, “Well congratulations,” he said taking his seat, “Just don’t tell Emma, at least not yet…” I looked at him like duh, “Why should she care, I’m not her friend,” I said getting up from the table, “I’ll…see you later.” I walked over to where Sean and Jay were and sat down and then looked back at Craig who gave a two thumbs up.

            For Christmas I went to Sean’s house and watched movies…well we didn’t exactly watch the movies if you know what I mean. When we kissed the first time I felt a connection but not like when I kissed Craig. When we were watching the movies Sean was in the corner on the left hand side of the couch, I was in his arms lying on the couch with my head under his armpit and he had his arm around me. In the middle of the movie Sean looked down at me and I looked up at him, “What?” I said, he nodded his head no signifying nothing and I went back to watching the movie. Then he looked back down and him and I again looked up at him and he kissed me, and before I knew it, it was a pretty passionate make out session. When we first started kissing, he turned over so he was on top and I was on bottom. While we were making out he took his hand and slowly dragged it up to my breast and then he went down to my pants and he started to un-button them, I pushed his hand away and we kept making out. As his hand made its way back up to my neck I saw flashbacks of my dad and I kept pulling away, “What’s wrong?” he’d say, “Nothing,” I would say nodding my head no and we’d go back to kissing. When his hand made it down to my pants again, I pushed his hand away and got out from under him, “I’m so sorry,” I said grabbing my things, “What? Where are you going?” he said trying to grab my arm, “I…I…I don’t know…” I said closing the door behind me, “Danielle! Danielle wait!” he called after me and I kept walking.

            I started walking around Degrassi aimlessly; I had no idea where I was going. I walked and walked and every once-a-while I would turn to look back at where ever I came from. It was dark and I was scared. I didn’t know what was going through Sean’s head and I didn’t know where I was going. I wasn’t going home and I wasn’t going back to Sean’s, I just couldn’t, not after that. I kept walking and walking and before I knew it I was at Craig’s house. I looked up at the house and no lights were on. I looked in the backyard and I saw lights on in the garage, I figured Craig was working on something for the band. When I walked over to the garage I felt something on my cheek, I wiped it off and it was a tear. I don’t remember crying but apparently I did because I had evidence.

            I opened the door and found Craig on the couch with a notepad in his hand and his guitar in his lap, I was right, he was working on something for the band. He looked up when I closed the door and noticed that I didn’t look so good. He got up and came over to me putting his hands on my arms, “What happened?” I looked up at him and I could tell I was crying again, “Craig I need your help.” I was hysterical.

            He sat me down on the couch and asked me again what was wrong. “Craig, over the summer you mentioned something about your dad.” He looked at me looking a little upset. “Well, how’d you do it? Get away?” I asked and he had a blank stare on his face, he had no idea what I was talking about. “My dad…um…I was wondering if you could help me, get away?” He nodded, “I need to know why? Why Danielle?” he said looking more concerned than before. “He abuses me…I guess, I don’t know…” I said looking away, “Danielle, you have to tell me, what does he do?” he said picking my face up so I was looking into those hazel eyes, again. “He…he, comes into my room saying that he’s afraid and scared and that he loves me then….he….he….throws me on my bed and, and, takes off my clothes and he…he molests me, has sex with me....” I started crying even harder and all he could do was pull me in tight and hold me.

Chapter Twelve

            When I woke up I didn’t open my eyes but I felt someone. I thought I fell asleep at Sean’s house and I thought that me going to Craig’s was just a dream. But, when I opened my eyes I noticed I was in Craig’s garage. I looked around and it looked quiet, well Craig was still asleep, there was just something about the way the room was set up that it felt too quiet. I felt safe in Craig’s arms so I quickly fell back to sleep except Joey woke me up when he got the wrong idea about me and Craig last night. He came in the garage to get something, saw us and started screaming at us, “You guys should know better than that!?” I looked at him, “You should know something Mr. Jeremiah:  I would never do something like that,” I said leaving Joey and Craig all alone. I felt bad, but I also felt like that was my only choice.

            When I got home I snuck threw my bedroom window and tried to be as quiet as possible but it didn’t work because I tripped over the window, spilling onto the floor. Since it was 6 in the morning I just got ready for school. I quietly snuck out of the house, undetected, so my dad wouldn’t notice I was out all night long, I’m just glad I wasn’t with my dad for Christmas, I practically spent my whole time at Sean’s. I arrived at school and I walked down the hall uneasy, uncomfortable with myself, I mean I refused to make out with Sean and then I went to Craig for my problems. School was weird, I met up with Sean and we worked everything out, I told him I was having my period and I didn’t want him to get mad at me if I refused to sleep with him and I also told him that I thought I missed my curfew, he totally understood and kissed me goodbye as he walked to his next class.

            I went around the rest of the day trying to find Craig and he was nowhere in sight. I kept going around the rest of the day as if he would show up out of the blue. I felt like he was the only person I could talk to, the only person I could relate to, and somehow it felt easier talking to him about my dad because I felt comfortable around him. And what bugged me the most is that I didn’t want to be close around him, I’m dating Sean and he’s everything, so I shouldn’t be thinking about some other guy I hardly know.

            At lunch, I was having mixed feelings when I was with Sean. I was sitting talking to Jay and Alex, and then someone threw a piece of bread at Alex so she got up and poured salsa on their head and before I knew it there was a food fight and everyone in the cafeteria got really into it; it was so much fun. Then I saw Sean across the cafeteria and he looked at me and waved then threw ketchup at me, I screamed and chased him out of the cafeteria. When we got outside in the hall, we slide down to the floor against the lockers laughing. It was a sweet moment, one I’ve never had. I looked over at him and smiled, and wiped off something on my pants, and he smiled and I kissed him. We had a passionate kiss and I took my right leg and put it over his lap so I was on top. We continued making out and  then I took off his grey sweat jacket without even opening my eyes. Then he unbuttoned my blouse to reveal my purple floral lace bra. While taking a breath I took off his navy blue tank to reveal his muscular, gorgeous body. When we continued kissing he grabbed my face and slowly made his way down my neck, down my arms, to my pants and unzipped and unbuttoned them, he started to take them off until we heard footsteps. I turned around and saw Mr. Raditch! I turned over, off Sean, and grabbed his sweat jacket to cover my bra, “Put your clothes on and meet me in my office,” he said. Sean and I put our clothes on and headed to his office and as we headed to his office Sean put his arm around my waist. He’d never done that before and I felt safe.

           I plopped myself in a chair in Mr. Raditch’s office. “I am very disappointed in you, Danielle.” I just sat there looking out the window and Mr. Raditch yelled at me and Sean. As I was sitting in the chair, Sean had his leg up against mine and again I felt safe. In the end Mr. Raditch gave us detention and I didn’t mind going, I mean all I had to do was sit their and stay out of trouble, except Mr. Raditch wasn’t thinking when he put me and Sean together in detention.

Chapter Thirteen

            The next day after school I went to Sean’s house, I didn’t have detention until tomorrow so it was okay. When I got to his house, he was on the phone so he motioned his head for me to come in. I sat down on the couch and Sean walked into his room to talk privately. I decided to keep myself amused by watching Snatch.

            About ten minutes into the movie, Sean walked in looking nervous and pale.

“Sean are you okay?”

“I just got off the phone with Craig,” I got up and poured myself a drink as he said this.

“Oh yeah? How is he? He hasn’t been in school for awhile.”

“I can’t do this anymore, Danielle. I’m sorry.”

”Can’t do what?”

“This. Us.”

“Um. Why?”

“Yesterday…in the hall…you did it with your dad,” I dropped the glass I had poured myself.

“He told you. Craig told you. After I told him not to.”

“Why’d you go to him and not me huh? I’m your boyfriend.”

”I don’t know. I guess I was afraid of this, that’s why!”

“I just don’t know if I could be with someone who had sex with their dad.” I stood in the middle of his kitchen, frozen for awhile, as the soda ran into my shoes.

”You know what? You’re right, how can you? A girl with such a burden…when I, do it everyday!” I picked up my bag and slammed the door behind me as I ran out of the house. It was official; Sean and I were no more.

            I ran home to find Joey and Craig sitting on my front steps. “What are you doing here? I said as I started to inch closer to them, the two of them got up in unison and it made me feel like I was in trouble. “Craig told me…” Joey said, he told two people, now I was mad, “And I helped Craig with his dad and I was thinking maybe I could do the same.” “You can’t do anything,” I said pushing the two of them out of my way. “Yes we can, you have to listen,” Joey said grabbing my shoulder and spinning me around, “If you pack your things, we’ll help, Caitlin will take you in until the court date.” “Court date?”

“You have to take theses kind of cases to court.”

“They’re not gonna believe some sixteen year old such as myself.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Oh, trust me…I do.” I turned around and opened my door and had this essence of my father. “What happens if I lose the trial?”

“Then you’ll stay with Caitlin, she already agreed, she’d be more than happy to help.”

“I don’t want to go with Caitlin.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know her.”

”She’s the only hope you have right now, Danielle.”

”No, she’s not.”

“Yes, she is.”

“I have family, Joey. What? What’d you think I was some orphan with nowhere to go? Is that it? Well I’m not a orphan, Joey.”

”I didn’t say that.”

“Then why do you want me with Caitlin? If anything put me with J.T.”

”I can’t do that.”

“And why not?”

“Do you really think he’s gonna believe me, Danielle?”

            Joey talked to Caitlin on the phone while Craig helped me pack. It was weird because I knew he spoke to Sean about the whole father/daughter love and affection thing. I thought it’d be better if I didn’t bring it up, so I didn’t. Craig pulled out some of my suitcases and I got out the boxes my Aunt Maggie sent me just a few days ago, I grabbed some stuff from the bathroom and came outside to find Craig holding my medicine case, “When I was twelve, I had a pregnancy scare…So ever since then I’ve been on the pil,.” I said taking the case out of his hand, he looked upset and scared when I said this; I took the case and threw it in my trash, “Well, I won’t be needing that no more.”

            After a while of packing Craig and Joey helped move me move everything to Joey’s car. I picked up the last box when Craig grabbed my arm and pulled me down to sit on the bed, “I need to tell you something.”  I sat down on the bed next to him and he looked really scared. “Shoot.”

“Okay, well…over Christmas I sort of cheated on Ashley with Manny, and I short of got her pregnant.”

“What!? My god how could you!?”

”I know and I’m sorry.”

“You’re not sorry!”

“Yes I am!”

“So first you sleep with Manny and then after you promised you wouldn’t tell anyone you go and tell Sean about my dad, we broke up thanks to you!”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not. You know I bet you never would’ve slept with Manny if you knew about me,” I said picking up a box and heading to the car. I slammed the trunk and went in my kitchen and left a note in my kitchen explaining to my dad where I was. Joey came in the kitchen grabbing my shoulders saying that my dad already knew. I looked up at Joey, then the note and then I threw the note out. I got into Joey’s car and sat in the back and I left Craig and Joey to themselves in the front.

Chapter Fourteen                        

            I spent the whole week moving into Caitlin’s and her house wasn’t anything special; I mean it was a house, nothing big, nothing small. But as I spent time alone moving I thought about Joey’s decision about putting me with Caitlin, and the more I thought about it the more I agreed with him. Since I spent the rest of my week moving in, I totally skipped the detention I was suppose to go to. When I first realized I was missing detention I was pissed, then I got to thinking about it and thought it was for the best. Sean probably needed time to cool off, as did I.

            So on Friday Mr. Raditch assigned me a Saturday detention for skipping the Thursday detention. Actually, I’d rather spend Saturday in a detention without Sean then a Thursday detention with Sean, does that sound crazy? And I didn’t see Sean all day; I think we ignored one another. When I got home I told Caitlin I had plans for Saturday and she said fine, I totally left out the part that I was spending my Saturday in detention.

            When I woke up on Saturday, I braced myself for a whole Saturday in the school’s cafeteria. I arrived at school and Jimmy and Toby were there. I walked over and sat next to Jimmy, “What are you in for?” I asked taking a breakfast bar out of my bag, “Toby here got me busted,” Jimmy said putting his head back in his arms. I ate my breakfast bar as Toby rolled his eyes. Then I heard some footsteps, thinking it was Mr. Raditch I looked up and it wasn’t Mr. Raditch, it was none other than Sean. My eyes opened wide when he entered the room “What are you doing here?” I said, “I have detention for the next eight weeks because I talked back to Mr. Raditch,” he said, I short of chuckled at him and he just rolled his eyes and took a seat.

           Slowly but surely Hazel and Ellie showed up then Mr. Raditch came in to give his speech on how we couldn’t eat until he was told and how there was only one bathroom pass…blah, blah, blah. As soon as Mr. Raditch left I put my feet up on the table and “I for one refuse to be here. It’s some lame attempt for all of us to get along. Mr. Raditch is pulling some sort of Breakfast Club stunt and I, for one, am not going to fall for it”. Time passed and we all knew why each and one of us was in, except for Hazel, she didn’t even tell us one word when we asked her. Sean was in for talking back to Mr. Raditch, Toby was in for changing Jimmy’s grade, Ellie was in because she skipped class and I was in because I skipped my other detention.

We then decided to play truth or dare, everyone chose truth until we asked Hazel why she was in and then she changed her mind. Jimmy dared her to kiss Toby like she meant it and she proudly walked over and sat on his lap and gave a poor effort for a kiss but she’s kissing Toby, I give her credit for even taking the dare in the first place. We ate lunch and while when we finished eating we played hockey with the cafeteria stuff, like the trays. Mr. Simpson walked in on us and promised he wouldn’t tell Mr. Raditch, and then Mr. Raditch walked in.

            Mr. Raditch separated all of us into different room as punishment for playing hockey. At one point Ellie came storming into my room, “I can’t sit in a room by myself for three whole hours,” she said, “One more minute in here and I’m gonna kill myself.” “Then let’s go!” I smiled as she said this and I got up, we collected the others and when we got to Sean’s room he had his feet up on the table. “We’re going for a walk,” Ellie said as she opened his door. “I’m not a

Follower,” he said, “Oh, okay. Tell that to Jay next time you two plan on stealing something,” I said turning away, “Ellie wants you to\o,” Hazel said, “HAZEL!” Ellie said as she pushed me out of the way to leave.

            Sean eventually joined us and we were running and dancing around the school like total maniacs, it was so much fun. After awhile we found the basement, “I didn’t know we had a basement,” Jimmy said, “I didn’t know we had an elevator,” I said, Jimmy went in the custodian’s room and got the eyes to unlock the elevator. We took the elevator to a floor were a single ladder was, I climbed up the latter as everyone followed, “It’s the roof!” I said when I stepped outside. We wondered around the roof for a little while and at one point I saw Sean standing at the corner of the roof. I walked over to him “Can we talk?” I said and he looked over his shoulder and then back at the ground. “Sean I really think we should,” I said, he turned around, “What is there to talk about, Danielle? Lets talk about how you went to Craig instead of me, huh?” he said. Sean, look I told you, I knew you’d act like this and I couldn’t risk it!” “Yeah well look where you are now!” he said turning back around, I didn’t know what to say, me and Sean were clearly over but I somehow couldn’t except it. “He would come into my room and tell me how afraid and how scared he was and I would believe him! He’d tell me how much he missed my mother and so on and so fourth and then he would…Sean everyday I stand in my shower knowing that I will never be clean! No matter how long I stand in there or how many times I wash my body nothing will ever change! All I wanted was for you to accept me for who I was and I wanted you to let me know that my scars were okay with you, and apparently they’re not,” I turned around and walked towards everyone else.

               As time went on I noticed a little spark between Ellie and Sean and honestly I was okay with that; I wanted them to be happy. Toby decided to take control of his fear of heights by throwing a rock over the school and just missing Mr. Raditch. When we noticed it was indeed Mr. Raditch we quickly ran back inside so we wouldn’t get caught, but in the middle of the hall Jimmy dropped the keys trying to unlock Sean’s door. We left the keys in the hall and ran into our rooms. Mr. Raditch then made us all meet in the cafeteria “All I wanna know is who did it, who took the keys.” Mr. Raditch said and just as soon as Jimmy was about to stand up and turn himself in Toby said he took the keys. “Saturday detentions for the next three weeks, all of you,” Mr. Raditch said, we all huffed and then he turned back around and said that we didn’t have to come, we all smiled and he left telling us we could go home. “Wait! I wanna take a picture; I have a camera in here somewhere!” Ellie said picking up her bag looking around for her camera she knocked out her tape recorder revealing Sean on tape saying how he stole all the stuff from the school. “Not cool Ellie,” I said as I left the cafeteria and then Sean stepped on the tape. I stayed home all weekend just trying to think but nothing came to mind. I pretty much spent my whole weekend staring up at my ceiling. Caitlin thought someone had dumped me, which was true but that wasn’t the reason why I didn’t move. In school on Monday Sean came up to my locker and apologized for acting like a total ass. We hugged and made up and parted as friends, which I didn’t mind, I was very happy with the whole just friends deal. Really.  I was…I think…

Chapter Fifteen         

            So the next day Ashley mentioned something about a band competition, she had asked me because I could play the drums and they really needed someone who could play the drums. “I don’t know Ashley,” I said walking away, she grabbed my arm to stop me “It’ll give us a chance to get back at Craig.” Okay so me and Ashley weren’t on the best terms with Craig since she cheated on her and all, I turned around and gave Ashley the biggest smile I haven’t given anyone in a real long time. Ash and I walked over to the sign up sheet which Craig and his so-called band where already surrounding, “Excuse us posers,” Ash said pushing her way through, “Real musicians coming through.” “Oh you’re signing up. A little competition never hurt,” Craig said. “Cause nothing ever gets in the way of what Craig wants. Not emotions, honestly, not other people’s feelings,” Ash said signing us up and once she did we left.

            The next day in English, Mrs. Kwan made us read our poems aloud in class, Ash was first to read. She stood up and read her poem aloud: “These are the lyrics to a song I just wrote. “Black, twisted agony. The fires of chaos burn on. Run for her tombstone before it’s too late. The blood runs cold in her veins.” she read it in a very depressed tone and when she was done me and Paige stared at one another and Craig and Marco started laughing behind us. “Great, uh just great. Let’s leave our discussion until we’ve heard more shall we?” Mrs. Kwan said, then more kids read aloud their poems and before I knew it class was over. When we left class Ashley wondered why no on had said anything about her song, “Uh, hun, maybe because nobody got it,” Paige said, then Ashley told us that it was about this girl who died in the Spanish civil war and Craig came up behind me and Ash and put his arms around our necks and said “Yeah, um I feel her pain,” and then he walk away. “Alright, you’re supposed to write about things you’ve experienced,” I said then Hazel interrupted me by saying “Like your ex!” And you could see it Ashley’s eyes that she automatically thought up of some lyrics.

            So for the next couple of school I’d to Ashley’s and we worked on our song and it’s actually pretty good, pretty catchy and we could tell that Craig was gonna pay big time. Before we knew it we had to perform the song so the judges could see what progress we’ve made. Craig’s band went first and we waited for lyrics, and we waited and waited, then they were done. NO LYRICS! Craig thinks he actually has a shot at winning with no lyrics? Pa-lease. So it was our turn next. Hell Hath No Furry went up on stage and we started to perform our song:  “The song is the price for breaking my heart. Should have written these words to you right from the start. You say it doesn’t matter, it’s all in the past, but pain doesn’t show, it’s disguised by it’s mask. I can’t pretend to forgive and forget. Gonna make the day you met me, a day you’ll regret. Cuz you’re the dust in my eye, you’re the rock in my shoe. Yeah you lie, lie, lie.” As we performed this song the look in Craig’s eyes was so mad and so scared and I loved it, I enjoyed the look in his eyes as  I sang the song, it was such a greatly feeling to feel, getting Craig back like that; I was glad that I had become a part of Hell Hath No Furry.

            After performing the song for the judges it was homeroom and me and Ash took our seats, we’ve been sitting together in the same seats in the M.I. room since grade nine.  Craig came storming in the room slamming his books at the computer next to Ashley’s. “Those lyrics of yours! Not cool!” Craig said looking Ash dead in the eyes, “Typical. Self absorbed Craig actually thinks the song is about him,” I said looking him right dead in the eye, he looked at me then back at Ashley, “What’s your problem? You attack me every time I pass you in the hall and now you’re performing that. Ash I swear if you play that song in the competition I’ll…” he said, “What? Have sex with more grade nines?” Ash said interrupting him, then Mr. Simpson yelled at them to shut up and of course they didn’t listen, it was between Craig and Ashley and they were gonna finish this fight even if they meant they had to stay after school.

Craig said, “You know, if you weren’t such a prude I’d never have been with Manny!” to which Ashley responded sarcastically, “Oh but I thought you loved her.” “Oh you know what!! Go –“ “Hey! One more word and double homework!” Mr. Simpson interrupted.

            When I got to Caitlin’s there was a note from Caitlin saying how Joey got injured and how she was over helping him out and the second that I got this I should go over to Joey’s, I rolled my eyes, put my books in my room and walked over to Joey’s. When I arrived at Joey’s,

Joey was sleeping on the couch and Caitlin was helping Angela with her homework and cooking dinner. Caitlin heard me come in and turned around, “How great Danielle, can you help Ange with her homework?” she asked, I rolled my eyes and walked over to help Ange. “Alright so what are we doing?” I asked and she showed me and before I knew it me and Ange were watching cartoons, I guess I’m a good tutor. “Dani, can you do me a favor and tell Craig that dinner will be ready in ten/” she asked, “Why do I have to go tell Craig?” I asked rolling my eyes, “Just do it, please.” I got up and left Ange alone inside and walked outside to the garage. I walked into the garage and Spinner and Jimmy were rapping some sexiest rap, I froze just inside the door and watched them, rap, I hate rap but it was too funny to just let go.

Jimmy: A homie is a player, that is all, so why’d you have to go and kick his

Spinner: ball and chain, ain’t that your name? Cuz you a playa hata and that’s a shame.

Jimmy: And chicks like you ain’t worth too much, so shut up girl

Jimmy and Spinner: and make my lunch! Yeah!

Once their excuse for a rap was done I started laughing and Marco asked to talk to Craig outside. Craig and Marco got up and walked toward me. When Craig got to the door he pushed me up against the wall  “That song, stays here,” he said, I nodded still laughing and Marco and Craig left. Jimmy and Spinner looked at me “Dog,” I said leaving them to themselves.

            I took my time to find Marco and Craig. I was able to find them cuz I heard Marco scream, so I ran for them, I thought something had happened to Marco. When I found them Craig was screaming and there was nobody around, “Okay, I know we wanna kill each other right now, well I wanna kill you and you just…well you’re just mad at me…ugh…dinner’s ready in ten,” I said, he looked at me and then he started walking toward his house, and Marco and I slowly followed.

            When we arrived at Joey’s, Jimmy and Spinner had already left, I said goodbye to Marco and when I walked into the house Craig was already sitting at the table with everyone else. “Hey guys,” I said, then I noticed that Caitlin was at the table too, “Caitlin, we’re eating here?” Caitlin nodded and pointed to my seat, right across from Craig. My eyes popped open and then I threw my head back with a groan and dropped into my seat and looked Caitlin dead in the eye with the facial expression of ‘I don’t want to be here’ and she didn’t get it, instead she told me to eat. I looked across the table and saw Craig with the same facial expression he had when we performed our song for the judges and instead of being happy I was angry and sad. I just looked right at him and took a fork full of whatever was on my plate. Joey and Caitlin talked amongst themselves and Ange was playing with her food, other than Ange, Craig and I weren’t talking, we just kept shoving food in our mouths. “Interesting song your band has,” I said.“Yeah, and your song is shit that you’re not gonna play!” “Why!? You deserve a good realization of yourself!”  “What!? That song his mean and hurtful!” “Oh, like you?” Then Joey and Caitlin broke up us because it looked like we were gonna kick one another’s asses. “I think we should go.” Caitlin said grabbing my arms, holding me back. “Yeah, I think that would be best,” Joey said holding Craig back. Caitlin showed me out and the car ride home was very quiet until we got home. “What was that!?” she asked throwing her bag on an end table, “I’m going to bed!” I said slamming my door.

            The next day at school Ash came up to me early and handed me Hell Hath No Fury t-shirts with Craig’s face in flames on it, I looked at it and my face lit up, I put it on over my other shirt and then Hazel, Ellie and Paige came up with the same shirt but in different styles. We all smiled at one another and then walked down the hall. We passed Craig’s band, Downtown Sasquatch, “Is that Craig?” Marco said. “You like? It’s amazing what you can do with a computer these days!” Ash said.

“I give up, Craig said

“I’m sorry, I care why?” Ash said

“All you care about is making my life a living hell.”

“Do you have any idea what my life has been like for the past few months?!”

“Please not this again.”

“You think this t-shirt’s hard to deal with or our song? I wanted to die Craig, I felt that bad!

“Ok, well you’re not listen-“

“No, it’s not ok! It’ll never be ok!”

“I’m sorry ok!? I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!! How many times do I have to say it?”

“Until you mean it.”

And with that Hall Hath No Fury walked away.

            We went to the gym to perform our song and we blew the crowd away, it was amazing. Then it was time for Downtown Sasquatch. We got off the stage and they got on, except Craig wasn’t there. Yes! Me and Ash, well Hell Hath No Fury got to him and that was all that mattered. Spinner said that they had a song and right before they started to perform I realized that they were gonna sing the sexiest rap.  I put my head in my left hand and looked away, then a spark of luck came when Craig came out on stage, I never thought Craig would bring luck but it was either Craig or the sexiest rap and I’d choose Craig any day, even if I wanted him dead.

Craig began to sing, “I don’t know if you’ll forgive me for being so blind to how you felt. Don’t ask me why I couldn’t see it and that it’d take me years to figure out. And that’s not something I know much about, but there’s only one way to find out. What I know is that I hurt you oh, what I know is that I sucked and what I know is that I’m sorry. What I know is that I’m a loser, what I know is that I screwed up and then I never earned your trust. What I know is that everything I touch just turns to dust.”

            The song was really good. It was directed toward Ashley but a part of me felt like it was also directed toward me too. Well in the end Downtown Sasquatch won and they deserved it, but that doesn’t mean Craig and I are friends again, like Craig and Ash are.

Chapter Sixteen                           

            Well Sean emancipated himself from his brother cuz Tracker was moving. So Jay and Alex would always go to Sean’s house after school, I’d only go on the weekends cause Caitlin wouldn’t let me go on the weekdays. So anyways before I knew it the year was almost over and the dance was coming and at first I refused to go and then I thought about it and thought “what the heck?” I mean it’s just a dance right?

            Spinner and Paige were hanging out on the Degrassi steps when Marco and his dad pulled up, Marco got out of the car with posters for the dance tonight, “Hey Spinner, maybe you can help Marco find a nice date, huh?” said Mr. del Rossi, Spinner nodded and I said “I know the perfect person for Marco, Mr. del Rossi, no worries.” Then Marco, Spinner and Paige looked at me with worry on their face then Mr. del Rossi patted my arm and hopped into his car and drove off. Marco left with this sad look on his face and I looked over at Paige and Spinner, “I was talking about Dylan.” Then I followed Marco inside to Degrassi and left Paige and Spinner to look at Dylan. I mean I could tell that there was a little love connection going on and I could tell that Marco really wanted to go to the dance with Dylan.

            Well after school I went home and got ready for the big dance. I looked in my closet for anything the least bit Indian. See, the theme of the dance was Bollywood so we all had to dress in Indian clothes. I looked and looked and I couldn’t find anything. I finally found this pink lacey corset and I put that on with a denim skirt which had two belts, one was pink and the other was a chain with the heart at the end, I left my hair down which was straight but had some curls at the bottom, I put on my army boots and when I was done I turned around and looked in the mirror. I stared at myself in the mirror, this outfit wasn’t going to work. Caitlin knocked on the door so I turned around, “Um, Dani, can we talk.” She sat down on my bed and I followed, “I got an offer to travel Africa.” I stood up, “No, you can’t go.” “It offers good money.” “Where am I gonna go!? No, no your not.” “Danielle this is an offer that you only get once in a lifetime, I have to take it.” “Well what does Joey have to say?” “Joey, why does he have a say in this?” “Well you like him don’t you.” And she looked shocked, “Well whatever, I just have to find a suitable outfit for the dance tonight. That’s great Caitlin,” I said leaving my room, leaving the house.

            I went shopping for an outfit for the dance and finally found one that was pink and had gold symbols along the hem and I got the matching gold pants to go. I got to the dance and had a hell of a good time until I all of a sudden felt really hot and then Liberty yelled “FIRE!” and I turned around and right behind me was a drape catching on fire. Mr. Raditch told us to treat it as a fire drill and we did, we ran out into the parking lot. By the time the fire trucks had come the fire was already put out and kids were dancing in the street, we were listening to real music, and kids were literally on top of the fire truck and I think the dance had to be the best one I ever went to. But nothing happened at the dance unlike last year and before I knew it, it was time to go home. So I waited and waited for Caitlin to pick me up but she never came. I started walking home but

I heard someone calling me from behind. I turned around and it was Joey running to catch up  with me. “Joey?” I said stopping, “I’m here to pick you up. I told her it was okay.” “Okay for what?” “To go to Africa,” he said holding up the house key “She wants you stay with me for the summer. I know you have a camp thing but other than that you’ll be staying with me.” “As in you and Craig?” “Yeah,” He said pulling me to his car, “And I don’t want another scene like dinner.” We got into his car and I unwillingly sat next to Craig in the back and we drove to my house to pick up my things.

            I picked up my things and this time Craig didn’t help, not one bit. So when we got to Joey’s he said I would sleep on the couch until he got a bed for me, which he assumed would be after I went to camp but at least I was away from Joey’s for two whole weeks.

Chapter Seventeen

            For what I had of the summer before camp I spent as much time away from Craig as possible, which was really hard because we hang around the same people. Well before I knew it I was on the plane over to Vancouver for camp. When I got to Vancouver I felt very isolated, the people already knew one another and I just kind of walked by looking at each unique person as I passed. I got my cabin and walked aimlessly there. When I had arrived all of the other girls were there packing there stuff away. I threw my bag on my bed and took out everything slowly and placed them just right. I took my pictures out and found a picture with Craig on it so I tore him off,

“Ex-boyfriend?” someone said, I just looked up at them and put the picture on my head board, and I did the same for all of my other pictures. “You’ll warm up in no time,” said another girl, I just looked at her not sure that I was gonna warm up.

            So I don’t know what you would call warming up but me and this girl Meghan did not get along so well, we were always fighting and I was always manipulating her, she really made me just want to leave, but I didn’t want to go home with Craig, so I thought of another way to get out, but it was really hard to do considering the camp counselors kept an eye on us twenty four seven. I went about like until about four days before camp ended.

            Four days before camp ended we had this activity to do, we had to climb ropes, way up over the trees and that scared the shit out of me, only cause I’m so scared of heights, now I really want to get high off something, anything really. “I want you all the way up to the top and down again.” said Joe, the head camp counselor; he noticed I wasn’t paying attention, “Danielle…” “Yeah, I heard you,” I said, “Okay.” So first Augustus climbed the ropes, then Simon, then

Kyle who was too afraid of heights, he climbed about half way there when Kate said “You can do it Kyle! You too.” she said turning to me, “I didn’t ask you to be my cheerleader, okay?” I said leaving the activity. I got about five feet away until I heard a voice calling me .“What?” I said real angry. “You got an old sole.” “Oh jee, groovy.” “And a hard shell too.” “Are you a counselor or something? Or are you just here to give out some free advice.” “I’m just a visitor” “On what planet?” I said storming off and leaving who ever it was behind me to just stand there.

            When I got back to the lodge, which was the main cabin, Joe was waiting for me. “Why didn’t you climb the ropes?” “We all have our little phobias.” “You’re afraid of heights?” I just turned away “Well  I want you to write a two hundred word essay.” “About what?” “Me and

My Shadow” He walked away and left me to stand there in the front door. I walked into the lodge and found Kate talking to Kyle, I knew  Kate had to have paper so I went over and asked. “Kate do you have paper?” “What are you writing?” “Oh, Joe’s punishment for not climbing the stupid ropes.” “About what?” asked Kyle “Me and my shadow” I said “What is it about?” asked Kate, “Me – and – my – shadow.” I said in an obnoxious voice. “You know Peter had Wendy sew his shadow back on him.” I looked at Kyle with my eyes popping out of my head and just realized how dumb Kyle really was, Kate started laughing and I just left the table.

            The next day Joe got a call from Annie, she runs the local restaurant that her little daughter was missing. So Joe made the whole camp search for her, since the local search and rescue was one another case in a different town. Joe divided us with our cabin, so I got paired up with Meghan, oh joy. “It’s so sad isn’t it?” said Meghan, “It’s just another lost kid out there. What’s one less kid?” I said picking up walking speed, “Wow, that’s cold.” “Well at least were looking for her. It’s more than anyone ever did for me.” I had never told anyone about the time I ran away. I ran away when I was about 12 maybe 13, it was right after I the pregnancy scare. I slept under a bridge and washed my hair in the local gas station. It was tough but I would much rather live on the streets then with him. Well anyway my Aunt Maggie had to come and find me, that is how I wound up with her, she wanted to keep an eye on me, then my dad found another job and now I’m at Degrassi, all because I ran away. To think that if I had never done that then I wouldn’t have even spoken to Craig, not ever.

            I really just wanted to get away from her but I couldn’t, I tried so hard. I looked for mushrooms to get high off of while she was talking to a counselor. I found this nice patch for I bent down and started picking them up. “You.” she said when she found me.

“What? Oh were you preparing your queen of the rescue speech?”

“What are you looking for?”

“Getting my hands on some natural wonders. Shrooms.”

“You’re gonna eat something you found off the ground?”

“And I’m gonna say yum yum when I do.”

“She’s lost! That little girl is lost, think if it was you.”

“I was!” I said leaving her to look at just my ego left behind. We didn’t find her that day. So the next day we were able to call in the search and rescue and Joe choose me as one of the lucky people to help them look, at least I got to look for more shrooms, except Princess Meghan was with me, again. Well on my hunt for more mushrooms she found me again, “I don’t believe you. There’s a lost little girl out there and instead of looking for her, you’re looking for toadstools!” she said bending down to see what I was collecting, “It’s not everyday we get out on our own to shop.” I said and just when I did our counselor found us saying that he got a call from Kyle explaining how he found the little girl.

            We all meet up at a certain spot in the woods and waited for Kyle to bring the girl. I wasn’t looking at were he was coming from but I knew it was him when everyone gasped. I turned around and saw Kyle holding a little scared girl in his arms, when Annie called for her, her face light up and she jumped off of Kyle and ran towards her mom. Annie bent down and the little girl ran right into her arms giving her the tightest and longest hug I had ever seen. I stood there and watched Annie cry and watch the little girl with a terrified look on her face but they both knew that everything would be alright from now on. I start to get really upset; I didn’t have a mom to come home to, I didn’t have a mom to hold in my arms, I didn’t have a mom that was scared shitless while I was gone, I didn’t have a mom to protect me, I didn’t have a mom to tell me that everything was gonna be alright, I didn’t have a mom.

            So that night I felt like I had to get out of my cabin, I do better thinking when I’m alone. I told everyone in the cabin that I was going to Joe’s to talk. I got outside and it was pretty cool and I was wearing sweats. So I took a walk around everywhere. I decided I’d take a walk to the main lodge and back again and see if I could get anything good out of that. So I walked over to the main lodge and on my way there I passed this wooden bear that was standing upright and holding a younger bear beneath it. The younger bear was about my height and the holder bear was twice my size. I walked passed the bear and then I noticed that it was a momma bear protecting her cub. I walked back to the bears and stood in front of them. I looked at the bears and tears came to my eyes, this mamma bear was protecting her cub. I climbed up on the baby bear and sat on his head and let the mamma bear protect me from whatever was wrong. I started crying even harder and leaned back into the bear and for the first time in my life I felt like some cared, someone was gonna protect me no matter what I faced. And there I sat for a good hour all by myself hugging some wooden bear, it was the only way I felt comfort.

Chapter Eighteen

            I was back at Joey’s and depressed. Craig hadn’t come home yet, from whereever he was but I knew we’d get into some obnoxious fight. When I got back Joey had put a bed for me in Angela’s room. So I unpacked and got ready to go to bed when I heard the door slam. I walked down the stairs and noticed Craig had come home. I walked into the kitchen and got out a water bottle while Craig fixed himself some Macaroni and Cheese, “Sleep with any sluts like, uh I don’t know, Shannon Ryan, have you?” I said sitting at the counter.

 “Why should you care? Being the slut you are you must have slept with I don’t twelve guys.”

“Did you just call me a slut?”

“Well you did have sex.”

“Craig, that’s different.”

“Not really, you had the power to stop him.”

“No I didn’t.”

“Children’s AID”

“Oh and you went to them after your Dad died, right?” I slammed my water bottle on the counter and ran up to me and Angela’s room.

            The next morning wasn’t any different than from the night before. Joey decided we should have a family breakfast together now that I was back in town. “So I heard you two talking last night,” Joey said, me and Craig looked at one another, “Next time just be a little more quiet. So how was camp Danielle?” “Oh, fine,” I said eating my food, Joey looked at me “That’s it? Just fine?” “Well nothing special happened Joey, what do you want me to say?” “He wants you to speak the truth,” Craig said “Oh and I’m taking truth advice from you?” We looked at one another dead in the eye “So how about your summer Joey?” I said turning my head to look at Joey, “Fine actually.” “Mine was fun., Angela said, I made a fake laugh and then went back to eating, “What type of stuff did you do at camp?” “Oh summer stuff, swimming, climbing, etc.” Joey’s eyes widened and I shrugged, “Nothing special happened Joey.” “Okay, okay. So how bout you Craig? You’ve been around this summer.” “And around and around., I said “Oh Dani, why don’t you just shut up for once, huh?” Craig said, “Why don’t you keep your hands to yourself for once.” I snapped back at him, “I’m sick of this lying crap you pull all the fucking time!” I said, then realized Angela was in the room, my eyes grew wide and I took my stare off Craig then onto Joey, “Woops,” I said, “Woops? Woops? You have to do better than woops,” Joey said, “Well if Craig was such a lying, back stabbing bastard than that wouldn’t have come out of my mouth!” I said, Joey covered Angela’s ears, “I don’t know what’s going on between you two but you’re gonna work it out. Pack your things.” “What?” Craig said, “Go upstairs and pack your things.” Me and Craig got up and pushed one another on the stairs, “I was here first!” I said on the stairs “Yeah well it’s my house!” Craig said pushing me out of the way.

            When we got our stuff together we went down in the living room, “Alright I want the both of you in Craig’s room, and you’re not aloud to leave until you two get along.” Our eyes opened wide, as wide as they have ever been, then I rolled mine and headed up the stairs. I got in his room and I threw my bag on his bed and waited for Joey to slide mine in, “Joey, this is so fucking gay,” I said, he looked at me and then left, “Real smooth.” Craig said shoving me off his bed, then flopping on to it.

            For a while we didn’t say a word to one another, we’d fight here and there over the stupidest things but overall we said nothing to one another. About a week before school started we started to behave. “Why don’t we just act like we get along so Joey will let us out of the room! I need to see more than you and these ugly ass walls!” I said throwing myself onto the bed, “Sounds good.” And just like that we were on smooth ground. “So what really happened at camp?” “What are you talking about?” “Camp. Danielle, something happened. I know you and you were lying when Joey asked you.”“Craig, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He pulled me over to him and he grabbed my arms and I again saw those same hazel eyes, that make me melt every time I look right at them, and it’s the first time I’ve seen Craig have sympathy in his eyes. I sat down on my bed and he sat down on his. “At camp this little girl got lost. And it was our job to go and find her. When we did she ran to her mom and they held one another so close.”

Tears started to form in my eyes “When I was about 12, I had a pregnancy scare and I took off, I ran away, I was afraid. So when we found her and when she ran to her mom…I’ve never had some scared about me, I’ve never had a mom to hold me close and let me know everything will be alright, I didn’t have my mom call out an entire search party to look for me. I didn’t have a mom.” I was bawling by then and Craig got on my bed and put his arm around me and rested his head on mine as I cried in his shoulders. And I’ve never had someone do that.

Chapter Nineteen                       

            So right before the first day of school I decided that Craig had to get rid of his Afro. “I don’t like your hair.” I said, “Sucks for you,” he said, so I grabbed some scissors in his desk and pulled them out and snuck behind him while he was writing a song and snipped a huge chunk of his hair out, “Danielle what are you doing?” He turned around and I showed him his hair and the scissors and smiled. “Danielle!” “Well it’s time you’ve gotten rid of it…who knows maybe it might end up looking like a mullet?” “A curly mullet, now give me that.” He took the scissors out of my hand, “Are you really gonna go to school with a bald spot on the back of your head?” I asked, he put his hand were I had cut his hair and his eyes widened and I smiled, “Now, let me fix that.”

            Joey had unlocked the door that night so that morning I pulled Craig downstairs, “Joey, what do you think?” I showed Joey Craig’s new hair cut, “He gelled it down but still.” “You guys aren’t yelling at one another.” “Yeah we fixed the problem, now we’re like brother and sister.” I said resting my head on Craig’s shoulder. “Angela always wanted a sister.” “And I’m sure she’ll love being Mabel’s aunt,” I said and then Craig stepped on my foot. “Well I think were just gonna go.” Said Craig and he pulled me out of the house. “Dani, now that we’re “better” or whatever, don’t ever bring up Manny and I and…” Craig said holding my arms, “Mabel,” I said. “Yes, Mabel.” he said, I nodded my head and we walked to school.

            The first day of school was just like any other, nothing special except this year I was in grade 11 and I couldn’t believe that my High School education went by that quickly and all that stuff had happened. I spent most of the day looking back at my time in Degrassi and even though I’ve had my rough spots here and there, I had a ball and I couldn’t wait to see what good things came next. I figured since the past has been rocky that these next to years would be the best of my life. Speaking of rids after school Paige, Craig, Marco and I went and helped Spinner pick out a car. We found this red car that was perfect for Spinner. When we found the car we spent a total of five minutes trying to name the chunk of metal, “Sparky. He looks like a Sparky,” Craig said, “Um, you name a black lab Sparky, not a vibrant red car…You don’t name a car,” I said in an obnoxious voice. “The Love Mobile. It’s our love mobile,” Spinner said sitting on the 2`hood of the car and grabbing Paige, “And you’re calling me a dork?” Craig said looking at me, I shrugged and followed Marco as he checked out some other cars. “So you and Craig got away huh?” Marco said punching a car, “You landed yourself a boyfriend, huh?” I said, Marco blushed and smiled and I laughed, “I even gave Craig his new haircut. Let’s just say he was forced against his will.” I said still laughing Marco smiled and then Spinner called us over to take a drive in his new Love Mobile.

            I got to Joey’s and there was a letter from Dean on the kitchen table. I opened it and Craig came in, “What’d ya got?” he said closing the door behind him, “Dean, he’s having a frat party,” I said shaking the paper, “Who is Dean?” I put the paper down and took a seat, “An old friend.” “Well that didn’t end well.” “Excuse me.”“Your poster, the look in your eyes, your tone of voice. However you and Dean stopped being friends wasn’t on a good note.” I looked up at him and he shrugged.

“Hey.”

“Oh no, no, I’m not going with you to this guys party.”

“I wasn’t even gonna say that…But why not?”

“I don’t even know the guy,” se said, I rolled my eyes, picked up my bag and went into me and Angela’s room to work on my homework. He walked in the room, “Well are you going?” he said, “No,” I said slamming down onto the bed. “Why? It’s a party,” he said, sitting at the foot of my bed, “Let’s just say that him and I and Paige and Spinner and JT…well no one likes him.” “Is this that guy that Paige hooked up with or something like that?” he said playing with his zipper on his denim jacket, “Something like that,” I said then we heard Joey come in from downstairs announcing that he had Angela and dinner so me and Craig raced to my door but since we were both trying to go through the same door and the same time, we short of got stuck.

            So the next day I gave Spinner his magazine and him and Jimmy looked through it. “Do you think Paige will get mad if I put up a picture of Mandy Moore?” I shrugged my shoulders and took my place next to Jimmy, “Maybe Hilary Duff.” “Paige can do a better job than her,” I said.  “Why thank you Dani!” Paige said coming up behind Spinner and taking the magazine out of his hands. “Wait, aren’t you supposed to be in court today?” Jimmy said, “Court? Why are you going to court?” I said stunned. “Well I always wanted an assistant to handle my life schedule, why thank you Jim? And it was supposed to be tomorrow.” Paige said flipping through the magazine, “Wait, supposed?” Spinner said, “No, wait, why court? What is going on?” I said starting to get really ticked off, “I’m not going. I don’t really see the point,” Paige said not taking a glance off the magazine.

Spinner: I do.

Danielle: What is going on?

Paige: K, then you can go.

Spinner: You’re not going?

Paige: Nope.

Danielle: Why are we going to court?

“I can’t do this anymore.” Spinner said walking off. “Did he just dump me?” Paige said as we watched Spinner walk down the hall, “What court date!? Guys, come on,” I said, turning Paige around, “My court date, with Dean,” Paige said walking to her class. I looked at Jimmy and I could see me in his eye and we had the both facial expression on our faces, of shock and sadness.

            So I got home to celebrate Craig’s birthday and I had gotten him two CDs and a pick with an Anarchy symbol on it…I liked it, a lot. Caitlin had sent in a tape from Africa telling us about her wonderful adventures and how much she misses us and wishes she could be here. Once the tape was done Angela and I decided it was time for cake; the best part of other peoples birthdays I think. “Hey! I am the birthday person here and I’m dying to open my big present, Joey,” Craig said, Joey got up and got the presents and Craig closed his eyes and held his arms out wide because we had told him that there was a big present, which was a total lie. Craig opened the card first, “Holy…10 grand? Joey, I can’t believe you did this. Wait, it’s from my dad’s estate,” Craig said, “You okay?” I said because Craig had a shocked and sad look on his face and he was covering it up by the fakest smile I have ever seen, “Yeah I’m fine, I’m fine,” he said then the phone rang, “I’ll get it,” I said, I picked up the phone,  “Hello?” I said. “Dani, it’s Paige.” She said in a low voice, I took the phone outside “Paige are you okay?” I said sitting down on the stoop, “Tomorrow is my day in court with Dean and I was wondering if you’d be there, for me, Spinner and Hazel will be there too…You don’t have to come in but you can wait outside.” “No, don’t worry Paige, I’ll be there.” We then hung up the phone without a goodbye.

            So the next day I met up with Paige and Spinner on the steps outside the courthouse, “Why are you here?” Spinner said, “I invited her,” Paige said, “And I could be a witness,” I said, giving Paige a hug, “How? You weren’t even there,” he said with a confused look on his face, “Dean raped a friend of mine and almost raped me…My friends heard me scream and got me out before he…” I said and Paige looked away, “Why don’t we just take our seats.” We went in and took our seats and the court session began. When the judge came out with the final decision we all got tense. She made a speech on how she applauded Ms. Michaelchuck for her bravery and the second she said ‘no physical evidence’ I lost it, “No physical evidence? You waited two and a half years for the god damn trial, the chance of any physical evidence being there is long gone!” I said standing you and speaking loud and clear, “Excuse me! I am in the middle of a trial right now! I do not need a story from some girl who was here for a very similar case, not 2 months ago!” the judge snapped back, I sat down embarrassed and Spinner and Paige both looked at me and I got up and left the room.

            I sat outside and waited anxiously outside the court house for Paige and Spinner to come out and tell me what the jury had come to and I prayed that they didn’t bring up what the judge said about having a similar case. See I was supposed to have a trial date with my Dad but he had failed to show up before I decided against it, we both didn’t want to face the court with this. It showed that he was to afraid of me and what might happen and I showed that I was afraid the court wouldn’t believe a single word that came out of my mouth, but I think most of all I was afraid of facing my dad. Well they stormed out of the doors, “I can’t believe it! He was found innocent!”

Chapter Twenty

            That afternoon I was very depressed, Paige lost her trial and I wasn’t going to Dean’s, at least Spinner and Paige didn’t bring up the trial with my dad. I had a knock on the door, “It’s open!” I said lying on my stomach playing with my alarm clock, “I guess you’re not going to Dean’s?” Craig said, “No,” I said putting my clock back and turning over, “Well me and Ash are gonna go out and spend some of my dad’s money, wanna come?” I jumped up on my bed, “Do I wanna come? Your dad gave you 10 thousand dollars that you’re gonna spend! Do I wanna come? It would be an honor if I could come.” He smiled, “Alright, she’s coming over in ten minutes,” he said getting up and I straightened myself up and we waited in the living room for her.

            She came and we went to a music store and I found a 69 Stratocaster, “Oh my god. Look at this,” I told Ashley, she came over, “Wow, look how beautiful that is?” she said and Craig came over with the pick in his mouth, the one I gave him, he had put it on a lace and made it into a neck lace, which I thought was really sweet of him considering we just got out of a huge fight. “Sunburst finish. Classic,” said Ashley then the guy that worked at the store came over “Rosewood Fret board,” he said, “3 way switch with fazing,” I said and you could tell that the guy was getting a little nervous that three 17 year-olds were holding his guitar, “I feel like I’m in church,” Craig said holding it, “You think you could put that back now? It’s worth over 4 grand!” the man said, “I’ll take it! My dad would hate it,” and just like that Craig had bought a 69 Stratocaster.

            When we got home after shopping it was about nine o’clock and Craig, Ashley and I all came in laughing, “Hey, hey guys. Keep it down. Angie is sleeping,” Joey said, “Oh Joey, Remember Ashley? The bad influence?” Craig said.

Ashley: It was burning a hole in your pocket. I was trying to help!

Craig: Well uh. She MADE me do this!

“Did not!” Ashley said as Craig opened the guitar case.

Joey: Is that a Fender Strat?!

Craig: Yep! Exactly like Hendrix had! And it’s all mine!

Joey: Wow, what did this set you back? $400? What 6? 650?

Craig: Uh 4 grand…It’s the real thing. It’s a piece of history.

 “Enjoy it,” Joey said a little sad and mad and walked away and Craig, Ashley and I all looked at one another.

            So the next day I helped Craig put together a song in the computer lab for his band, “So where were you last night?” I asked. “Sean’s,” He said eating his fries. “What happened exactly?” I asked editing a piece of their song, “Joey said I had to pay rent, from the 10 grand.” And just like that the topic of last night was over. “You know you guys should try going a little more post-Emo. Still punk, but less mopey,” I said, “I don’t think the other guys even know what regular emo is. Spinner probably thinks it’s a muppet,” Craig said and I started laughing then Mr. Simpson came in and saw us working on the song. “Ooh fries and gravy! Good on a plate, not so good on a keyboard.” He said putting his bag down at his desk, “I’ll be careful. No worries.” Craig said. “You wanna tell your dad that? The uh no worries part. Called me last night…this morning.”

“I don’t have a dad.” “It’ll break Joey’s heart to hear you talk like that.”“ He’d probably make me pay for it, because apparently I’m the bank of Craig.” “Joey stepped up when no one else was going to. That takes a lot. A lot of guts and a lot of commitment. What you owe him is a little more respect than you’re showing him right now!” Mr. Simpson said taking the fries away from Craig then looking at me then leaving the room and me and Craig just sat there, nervously until the bell rang.

            So I spent the lunch in the M.I. lab with Craig working on his song and when Mr. Simpson left I waited for the bell to sound so I could leave, but I didn’t leave because the bell rang, I left because I saw Spinner get into a cop car outside. I ran to find Paige and found her outside as she watched Spinner get in the car, “What’d he do now?” I said standing next to her, “I crashed his car into Dean’s. A hit and run. And they think Spinner did it,” Paige said, I looked at her then at the cop car and saw Spinner put his head into his hands and sink into the seat and me and Paige watched as the cop car drove off, with Spinner in the back.