Story: Fall to Pieces

Author: heartgddss

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or plots from Degrassi: The Next Generation. They are property of Epitome, CTV, etc.

Main Characters: Ashley, Manny, Craig, Emma

Summary: Ashley doesn't want to forgive Craig for breaking her heart. But when Emma gets involved, will love win over Ash's pride?

Rating: Two or three uses of harsh language, and other themes.

Before you read: This story takes place immediately after Holiday, when the gang gets back from Christmas Break. The only out of place event is that Dylan is already Marco's boyfriend (yes I know that even that is not confirmed, but still...). Also, the plot is loosely based on Zoey Dean's 'The A-List: Girls on Film'. I do not intend to infringe on any copyrights or such.

"Craig? Which Craig?" Ashley Kerwin asked.

"Hon, I think you know who I mean." Paige Michalchuk replied tartly. She stared at Ashley through her blue-tinted sunglasses.

Ashley sighed. "I don't want to talk about it," she said sternly. She placed her blue English binder back into her locker and slammed the metal door.

Thirteen days ago Ashley had been Craig Manning's girlfriend. Craig was a cute, witty guy with musical talent; in other words, Ashley's dream guy. At least, if she ever had had a dream guy, it would be Craig. He had a bit of a dark past, but that didn't bother Ashley. There was plenty of that in her own life.

Ashley was a rare beauty: tall, slender, smart, and artistically talented. She had a passion for music and poetry, if it was her own work or not. It seemed as fate had brought the two together; it was as if they were the pieces of the puzzle each other's lives were missing. With each other, they had seemed complete.

But let's be honest: Craig was a two-timing bastard. And that was lightly putting it. Craig had cheated on Ashley with Manny Santos, the girl who had found herself as the new school slut. He had dated both of them at the same time, he had kissed both of them passionately, and he had even told both of them that he was in love. With both of them.

Craig's excuse? There wasn't one. At least by Ashley's standards. The fact that he couldn't pick between the two didn't satisfy her. Surprisingly, neither had it satisfied Manny.

"Watch it."

Ashley heard a cold tone come from beside her. There she was: the infamous Manuella Santos, clad in pink and white all over. Her hair was sleeked back into a fancy twist, making her eyebrows arch as Cruella DeVille's would.

Ashley stifled a smile.

"Watch yourself," she retorted.

"Hmm," Manny gave Ashley the once over. "Taking your own advice would be an idea. Your colors look as if they could play a role in 'Clash of the Titans'." Manny tightly smirked and walked off, shaking her butt as if she was on a runway, her purse bumping along with her right hip.

"Manny used to be so sweet." Paige had been standing behind Ashley the whole time. "So cute... cuddly, even."

"Your point?" Ashley eyed Paige out of her corner.

"Where does she get the idea that she's me?" Paige raised a questioning eyebrow at Ashley, putting her hands on hips.

Ashley laughed. "Come on, Michalchuk. Shelia's famous root beer floats are half-off today due to the melting of the ice cream. The school's refrigerator is broken."

As Ashley and Paige began walking down the hallway, Ashley noticed a blonde blur coming towards the pair. That blonde blur was unmistakably Emma Nelson: ex-girlfriend of Sean Cameron, daughter of Spike Nelson, and Environment Crusader.

"Ashley!" Emma called out to Ashley and Paige. She came to a halt on the balls of her feet, her hair in a huge mess and ten different sheets of paper in her hands.

"Hon, we're not in a jungle, although it might seem that way," Paige smirked at Emma, arms crossed in front of her medium-sized chest.

Emma ignored Paige's comment and continued to ramble on to Ashley. "There's this contest. I mean huge contest. It's called E.C., short for Environmentally Conscious. And since you're vice president of S.I.T.E, I was wondering if..."

"Emma, that's so sweet of you. But seriously, I'm not that enthusiastic at the moment-"

"First prize is a trip to New York City and five thousand dollars." Emma put on the smuggest look she could produce. "Per."

Paige's eyes lit up, forcing her to push her sunglasses to the top of her head and snatch one of the papers from Emma's arms.

"Talk about Gucci heaven... Fifth Avenue and five thou? I'm there." Paige quickly scanned the piece of paper in front of her.

"I don't know, Emma. New York and five grand sounds great, but I have to ask." She shifted her eyes from Paige's form to Emma. "Is Manny doing this too?"

"When I asked her she said she had her period and she didn't want to talk. But my guess is no, knowing Manny."

Relief flashed over Ashley's face. "Okay. Yeah. I'll think about it. Thanks, Emma." She smiled and took a form.

"Great. Paige, can I put you down too?" Emma removed a clipboard from under her arm and scribbled Ashley's name under Nadia's and Kendra's.

"As good as the prizes sound, I cannot deal with anymore stress. Especially stress having to do with the..." Paige's face grew a look of slight disgust. "Environment."

Emma glared at her. "Fine. Ashley, there's a meeting tomorrow at lunch. Bring your form filled out and signed by your mom or dad." She walked away, breaking into another sprint when she spied her next victim.

"So since you're about to become filthy rich, buy me a float?" Paige sweetly smiled at her.

"Get your boyfriend to get you one. What good is a boyfriend who doesn't cheat on you if he doesn't buy you stuff?" That had been an attempt to lighten things up, but it backfired on her. Paige's face grew a bit gloomy.

"What? Did I say something?" The pair began to walk in the direction of the cafeteria.

"Spinner hasn't been around much." Paige said quietly. "Actually, he's been around more than he ever has been. But not with me."

"What does that mean?"

"Dylan talked Spinner into helping him plan this huge bash for Marco's sixteenth birthday. He's been at our house every day, but only stops by my room once or twice to tell me he's leaving." Paige gloomily looked at Ashley.

"And at school?" Ashley simply asked.

"He's either trying to convince Marco that there won't be any party just to throw him off, or figuring out some kink in Dylan's devious plan. It's awful!" She let her eyes gaze onto her boyfriend, who was leaning against a locker, vigorously chatting with Marco.

"So, explain to me again why you're always at my boyfriend's house?" Marco asked with a smirk.

"Dylan's house also happens to be Paige's, you know."

"But then why are you always in Dylan's room? Wouldn't Paige rather make out on her own bed?" Marco started to fiddle with his lock as Paige stared at the two in disgust.

"Earth to Paige!" Ashley quickly swiped a hand over Paige's face.

"Marco has his own boyfriend. I'm gonna go get mine back." Paige strutted over to Spinner and looped her own arm into his, making him peck her on the cheek.

"Great. Even my best friend broke up with me," Ashley sighed. She turned the other way towards the front doors, just wanting to get out of the hell hole more commonly known as Degrassi Community School.

God. This whole place is fucked up, she thought.

Speaking of being fucked up, anyone wondering what's up with Manny?