Behind My Smile
OK I'm a new member and this is my first story I have written for . I have always been a Todd Manning fan. Yes I know he's done some pretty horrible things, but I think he's hilarious and think there is so much more potential for his character then the writers given the character on the show. This is pro Todd story so if you don't like the character don't read the story. This story is not suitable for young children because it deals with abuse and violence.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters on OLTL they belong to the people at ABC.
Summary: This is an A/U fic. This is a different take to when Todd Manning first came to Llanview. Popular college football player Todd Manning seems to have it all, popularity, money, good looks, a nice car, stylish clothes, and a budding football career, but looks can be deceiving. No one knows the physical and emotional abuse he has dealt with all his life from his father Peter Manning. Will anyone ever see the real Todd, and help him face his inner demons?
Chapter 1
Todd Manning came into the frat house and sat on the couch in the den area. He puts his head in hands then runs his hands through his soft strawberry blond hair. Kevin Buchanan, one of Todd's roommates and fellow frat brothers, comes in and sees that Todd is stressed about something, so he decides to comfort his friend. "Hey Todd, are you ok man?" Todd looks up at Kevin. "Hey Kev I didn't see you come in. I'll be alright I'm just stressed about that chem. midterm I took this morning. You know I need to pass or else I'll be kicked off the team. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't play football."
Todd lied, yes he did need to pass his chem. midterm, and yes he would be devastated if he couldn't play football. God how he loves that game, but failing a midterm and not playing football was the least of his problems. His father Peter Manning is the source of all his problems. No matter what Todd does he can never escape his father never ending abuse. Nothing Todd did was ever good enough for his father. Todd could never understand why his father had so much hate and resentment towards him. Todd looked at his good buddy Kevin, as much as Todd wanted to confide in Kevin he knew he couldn't. It wasn't like Kevin would turn his back on him Kevin was decent good guy compared to his other so called friends, Zach Rosen, and Powell Lord. No, no one could ever know the truth.
So Todd put on that charming fun loving smile of his and looked at Kevin. "Don't worry about me Kevin I'll be ok, why don't you get ready for the party tonight." "Ok, but remember I'm here if you need to talk" "I know" Kevin is hesitant to leave. He knows that something else is bothering Todd. He just wished Todd would trust him enough to tell him what bothering him. "Kevin, really I'm fine, just go and get ready for the party. I will be there to help in a few, I promise ok." Kevin let out a sigh and despite is better judgment he turns around and headed to his room to get ready for the frat party.
Todd just needed to get some sleep before the party so he lay down on the couch and rested his eyes. While Todd was sleeping he started to have a dream about his mother. He was a little boy around the age of 10; he was in the kitchen of his old house sitting down while his mother was saying goodbye to him. "Sweetie, I have to go away now and you have to live with your father." "No mom don't go, please stay." "I'm sorry Todd, but I lost and your father has custody, there is nothing I can do" "I hate him!" "I know, if I could take you with me I would but I can't" His mother wipe the tear away that was draping down her right eye. "Goodbye my son, I will always love you. Please remember that." Then she took one last look at him and turn around and walked out the door. Young Todd becomes hysterical and bursts down into tears as he cries for his mother. "No mom don't go please come back, mom come back."
"Todd, Todd, wake up." Todd opens eyes to see Marty Saybrooke sitting on the edge of the couch next to him. "Marty?" Todd asks in a sleepy tired voice. "Todd are you ok?" Todd rubs his face. "Yeah, Marty I was just taking a nap before the spring fling" It looked like you were having a nightmare" "Maybe I was, but what ever I was dreaming about I forgot what it was about." Todd shields away from Marty's touch, and Todd feels guilty when he sees the hurt on her face. Todd looks down at his watch and notices that it is 6:30 he has an half hour to get ready. He jumps up off the couch. "Oh my god I only have a half hour to get ready. I'm sorry Marty but I have to go. I'll see you later at the party." Then Todd rushes off to his room leaving Marty kneeling on the floor next to the couch looking confuse.
Marty gets off the floor and dusts her self off. What is up with Todd? Normally she could careless about Todd, but when she heard his desperate cries she couldn't help but want to reach out to him. Only he didn't want her help, and she couldn't blame him, she hasn't been very kind to him lately. He probably didn't even know that she heard him. One thing for sure is that there is definitely more to Todd Manning story and she is going to find out what it is. "You can't hide forever Todd." Marty whispers to herself then goes see what Kevin was up to.
This is the end of chapter 1. I hope you enjoy the story so far, feedback is appreciated, and I will update soon.