Double standard

By: Nicole Lopez

(A/N: Since I like own fictional character, Gianni so much, I decided to make him a reappearing character in some of my stories. All of the other people belong to the makers of Degrassi, but Marco's brother is mine!)

Summary: Manny cheats on her boyfriend while in LA, continuing her dancing career. When everyone finds out, she is tagged as a slut again. Gianni is juggling two girls, as usual while Hazel and Jimmy decide to take their relationship to the next level. Oh the drama!

I Can't Believe You Had the Nerve to Say the Things You Said

"Are you gonna introduce me to the latest boyfriend or am I going to have to hear about it from the guys?" Gianni asked Manny who trying to get away from him. Somehow, he always knew how to get on her nerves, yet she took it and this was rare because she didn't take crap from anyone. Not anymore since … well since she went from a pretty princess to a skanky slut.

"It's not like it matters anyway." Manny closed her locker door. "It's just some guy that my mom keeps bringing back into my life. It's not like I even care, I'm just trying to make her happy." She admitted as the very guy she was talking about walked up to them.

"Manny." Kiowi smiled, taking her hand in his. "I just stopped by to …" His voice trailed off as he looked over at Gianni.

"You know my friend, don't you?" Manny wondered, avoiding Gianni's smirk. So he'd actually caught her being charmed by someone else, actually caring about someone.

"Kiowi." He introduced himself as Gianni lifted his chin in response.

"I'll see you later Santos." He stalked off, smiling as Kiowi embraced Manny warmly, placing a rose into her hand.

"What's this for?" Manny wondered in between a huge smile.

"For someone I love."

"This is a big step you know." Jimmy began as Hazel continued packing her things.

"I know and my parents totally don't get it at all. You need someone to be there for you Jimmy, to take care of you until you get better." Hazel began, looking over at her boyfriend who had been paralyzed by a shooting that had happened less than five months ago.

"And what if I don't get better?" He asked, touching her hand softly, momentarily stopping her from packing.

"Don't say stuff like that. You're going to get better. The said that people usually recover from stuff like this and that in 80 of the cases paralysis is temporary." Hazel reassured herself, not wanting to think about the kind of life they would have if he was only half of what he once was.

"I know you want to help Hazel, but I can manage. I'm fine."

"And what about when you try to go upstairs or take a shower. Who's going to help you?" She shot back.

"Oh. Now I get it. You want to chill at my place so you can see me naked. Is that it?" Jimmy joked, as Hazel cracked a little smile.

"No … but I am moving in."

"It's not like it means anything." Gianni mocked Manny as soon as he saw her after 6th period.

"Shut up. You wouldn't understand if I told you." She answered, lightly pushing him away.

"No, I can't believe that you actually fell in love with someone." He responded.

"So, I'm just supposed to sit around and rod while every one else gets romanced? Yeah right." Manny pulled her shades out of her bag. "That is so not the life for me."

"Yeah, well I'm not going to have some chick thinking I'm going to be all romantic and shit with her. We're in high school. It's not supposed to be serious." Gianni declared as Ellie walked up to him.

"So, you're coming tonight right?" She wondered, her eyes pleading with Gianni. He looked back and forth between Ellie and Manny, who had become instantly interested to what was going on.

"Yeah." He smiled. "If I can make it." Gianni added, just to show that he was in charge.

"I know my parents are going to love you." Ellie gave him a quick kiss before smiling at Manny and walking off.

"Don't even say it." Gianni mumbled when they were out of earshot.

"I'm not about to be all romanced and shit." Manny mocked. "You are so full of it Gi. You so played yourself back there." She laughed.

"I'm not the one melting into someone else's arms. It's just dinner." He answered as they walked over to her car.

"Just dinner? With parents? Yeah right." Manny unlocked the car.

"So, you're coming to play some ball with me later?"

"Baseball? Do I look like I'd ever play baseball? It's so grimy." Manny complained, even though she loved it.

"Four. In the park." He called back behind him, knowing that she would show up. She always did. "One!" Gianni added, running through the parking lot to see if he could find Ellie. They had some serious talking to do about … addressing him in public. Alex might have seen.

(A/N: I like this story so far, and I hope you have some comments for me. I don't mind criticism if it is constructive. And if you've read my stories in the past, I always have grammar mistakes. So tell me something worthwhile so I know someone is reading! –NL … don't you just love Gianni as a regular Degrassi character?)