Cherish Hello! Okay, so I tackled a future fan fic. I must be a glutton for punishment, because I've decided to do a UC/AU one next. I've left a lot of things canon, though, being that this takes place a month after Weddings, Parties, Anything.So let's see: Cranny just started dating; Manny's living with Emma; Spinner and Darcy are sort of dating; Liberty's pregnant and J.T.'s trying to help; Ellie got rejected by Craig, while Jimmy's interested in her (still dating Hazel for now); Emma's single, ready to mingle; and so on and so on. The huge thing for this fic is that both Sean and Ashley return for the remainder of the school year, that is Craig and Ellie's senior year. And yep, the Ali situation and Sellie's dating history matter in this story. However, this is a Tobanny (as in Toby and Manny) story. Weird, right? Well, I came up with this idea shortly after I wrote the Jaitlin/CrAsh wedding fic, where Tobanny's basically a ship that gets together under the radar while CrAsh is the focus. I'm flip-flopping it. Tobanny's the main event, and two other ships (Sellie/CrAsh) take up the other two plots. In case you haven't noticed, I ship all three. I wouldn't recommend this to a Cranny fan (seriously...never liked them), but I like Manny enough to sort them out...nicely. :P I play with a couple other UC couples before I go into the big ones, because I'm weird. So be warned. Also, have to say that of course, this is after the scandalous video storyline, and that's referenced a lot. I address the issue with her parents at times, her acting career, anything that shapes Manny's psyche at this point. Now, what strong, provocative woman could provide the soundtrack for a Manny story? Madonna? Yeah, that's right. LOL. Each chapter is named after a Madonna song. And, that is all. :D I. Express Yourself Don't go for second best baby Put your love to the test you know, you know you've got to Make him express how he feels and maybe Then you'll know your love is real You don't need diamond rings or eighteen karat gold Fancy cars that go very fast you know they never last no, no What you need is a big strong hand to Lift you to your higher ground Make you feel like a queen on a throne Make him love you till you can't come down, You'll never come down (chorus) Long stem roses are the way to your heart but He needs to start with your head Satin sheets are very romantic What happens when you're not in bed You deserve the best in life So if the time isn't right then move on Second best is never enough, You'll do much better baby on your own, baby on your own (chorus) Express yourself You've got to make him Express himself Hey, hey, hey, hey So if you want it right now, make him show you how Express what he's got, oh baby ready or not And when you're gone he might regret it Think about the love he once had Try to carry on, but he just won't get it He'll be back on his knees to express himself You've got to make him express himself, hey hey
Her feet crinkle across the plastic covering placed meticulously on the floor, petite hands clutching paintbrushes as she passes. Manny Santos smooths down her smock, glances over the shoulder of one petite Picasso and smiles.
"Is that a duck?" she asks. "It's really good."
Alyssa adds some more orange to the beak. "Yes. I was thinking of doing a swan. But I can't do it."
Manny nods. "You'll get it."
She rubs Alyssa's shoulder, starts circling the room again. The community center is full of bright color: light green walls, red and blue beanbag chairs, pictures plastered across the message board. Sunlight streams through the window, lighting all the easels the twelve kids are working on. Manny has no regrets about accepting the position, on focusing on something other than acting since Snake told her that she was limited to drama club, who had no productions on the horizon. Besides, the kids here brought their own drama, just as riveting, and she could barely keep up with them on most days. Today has been fairly quiet at least, thinks Manny.
"I want yellow!" shouts Ryan, trying to grab a small can out of Taylor's hand.
"You're hogging all the green!" Taylor shouts back.
"No, I'm not!! Manny!! Manny!" cries Ryan, yanking the can closer to him.
"Manny, make him stop!" yells Taylor.
Manny groans. So much for peace. She takes the paint can from their grasp, hands it back to Taylor, and gets some more green paint for both of them.
"Don't make me put you guys in time-out," threatens Manny.
Sure they got on her nerves occasionally, and she still wasn't sure if taking up Emma's offer to assist the arts teacher was the best thing, but she loved helping the kids draw, dance, act, create. There were always the biggest smiles on their faces after making their little masterpieces, and that was pretty much all the payment Manny received, and up until then, it had been enough. However, last night, she got a phone call that she wasn't expecting.
Snake handed the phone to her, with a mix between a grin and a grimace on his face, and Manny put it to her ear. Emma shrugged at her.
"Hello?" said Manny, twirling the chord.
"Manuellita, are you well? Are you eating?" asked a familiar voice.
"Mom," gasped Manny. "Yeah...I'm fine. I'm eating. I can't believe you called. I mean, I can but..."
Manny's voice trails off, anxious to hear more of her mother's sweet voice, which she hadn't heard for months.
"Are you wearing your coat? It's getting chilly now."
"Yes, the pink one you got me last Christmas."
"Oh, that's a good coat," says Ms. Santos, and Manny can detect that she's talking through tears at this point.
"How are you...and Dad?"
"We're alright. Don't worry about us. So we talked to Mr. Simpson...about some arrangements."
Manny's brow wrinkles. "Arrangements? For what?"
"About you staying there," replies Miss Santos. "I'm still going to pay for school things. Supplies, any fees."
Manny's mouth hangs open. She was really touched that her mother was willing to pay for anything, especially since she was sure that her father most likely didn't know. Still, she'd been hoping her parents would invite her back home the first time they talked.
"But since you're sixteen, we think it'd be good if you got a part-time job to get other things you want, like make-up, clothes, plus help Emma's family pay for groceries," continues Ms.Santos.
As much as a part-time job didn't appeal to her, the idea of getting new clothes after wearing Emma's old outfits for weeks thrilled her. She wasn't sure where to look, though.
"I'll look for one," said Manny.
"Good," said Miss Santos. "And I hear there's a school ski trip coming up."
Manny stares blankly at the phone, then guesses that Snake probably told her before handing her the phone.
"Yeah, not for two weeks," replied Manny. "I won't have enough money in time. The job at the community service doesn't pay."
She truly wanted to go. Craig was going, while Emma had declined. She told Manny that she was sick of being their third wheel, but Manny guessed that her ravine adventures with Jay was the real cause, that Emma had grown sick of being the subject of ridicule. Manny tried to convince her that if she could go after the whole Degrassi Girls Gone Wild video debacle, Emma could go. Emma wouldn't give in.
"I'll pay," offered Miss Santos.
Manny shook her head. "You don't have to. I don't have to go."
"Manny, I miss doing things for you. Making you lunch, shopping for you. Just let me do something. Please. Papa won't know," said Miss Santos, her voice choking a bit.
The sentiment was the same on her end. She missed her mother's meals, her soft but well-meaning advice, talking about the Kevin Smith movie with her, that easy understanding. It's something she never got with her father; a five-minute conversation with him was a rarity.
"Okay, Mom. Thanks," said Manny, softly.
"I'll give Snake the money. Have fun, but not too much," said Miss Santos.
"Not too much," said Manny, smiling. "Can I talk to Dad?"
"He's at work, sweetie."
"Can you tell him to call me?"
"He doesn't...I'll tell him you're okay. The acting thing still upsets him. You understand, right?"
"I...I understand. Bye Mom. Love you."
"Love you, Manuellita. Keep safe."
Manny hung up the phone, wouldn't look at Emma or Snake, and retreated to the bathroom. She locked the door, let the tears spill, used half a roll of toilet paper to dry her eyes. Would her father ever get her, want to support her? At times, she felt so dirty, so ugly in his presence when she was living there, especially since her straight-laced brother Joseph Jr. ran a successful printing company in Montreal. To quote her father, he was "doing something with his life, not just wandering around with his head in the clouds." Manny sighed, put on her usual beaming face, and went to help Emma set the table for dinner.
A sharp yell breaks Manny out of her memory, and she turns to see Beth, usually mild-mannered, pulling Alyssa's jet-black hair.
"Owww!" moans Alyssa, twisting her neck as Beth pulls.
"Beth! Beth!" shouts Manny, getting Alyssa's hair out of Beth's grasp. "What's the matter with you!"
"She copied my picture!" complains Beth. "I was drawing a duck."
"That's no way to behave," chastises Manny.
"I wanted to draw a swan, but I couldn't," defends Alyssa. "Your picture inspired me."
"It doesn't matter," snaps Beth. "Because you're an ugly duckling just like your stupid picture."
Alyssa's eyes tear up. "Shut up!"
Alyssa makes a grab for Beth, but Manny gets in between them. Miss O'Neil comes into the room, obviously having heard the noise.
"Beth, time-out!" yells Manny. "Alyssa, hallway."
The girls obey, Mrs O' Neill following Beth to a corner, and Manny leading Alyssa outside. Alyssa wipes her eyes, sniffles.
"Don't let girls like that bug you," says Manny.
"She's right. I am ugly. I don't look like the other girls," whispers Alyssa.
Manny immediately liked Alyssa, not only because she was the sole Filipina in the group, but because she tried so hard at all the activities. The endeavors usually ended with her putting herself down, saying it wasn't good enough, but she didn't stop trying.
"Who cares? You're beautiful the way you are," says Manny, hugging her.
"You get paid to say stuff like that," murmurs Alyssa, glaring at Manny and going back into the room.
"Um, no I don't," says Manny to herself, banging herself on the forehead. "Kids!"
"Having trouble with Generation Y, or is it Generation Z now?" says a voice to her left.
She looks, grins as Craig heads towards her. He was armed with two cups of coffee, his guitar case strapped to his back. He'd probably just come right before practice to see her, which made her heart warm with delight.
"Energy booster," says Craig, handing her a cup.
"Awww, you know just want a girl needs," says Manny, kissing him lightly on the lips.
"Yeah, I'm pretty good like that," jokes Craig, putting down his guitar.
"And I have news. Really good news. The ski trip? I'm going!" exclaims Manny, after taking a long sip.
"Really?" says Craig. "Oh."
Manny's face tightens. "Oh. That's it? No this is great, Manny!"
Craig gives her a weak smile. "Oh yeah, yeah, it's great. Of course it's great. Just surprised is all."
"It's just we haven't been spending that much time together," says Manny. "You're concentrating on your music, which I totally respect. And then I'm here."
"I'm excited you're going. You caught me off guard," says Craig.
"Good," says Manny, kissing his cheek. "You have to show me how to ski. And I'll try my best to school you in skating. There's a rink at the cabin. Your height should help. You have good posture."
Craig laughs. "Thanks for noticing."
Manny clears her throat. "Gotta get back. See you tonight?"
"Mmm, practice. Ellie's got this new idea for a song, but since we're not really talking, Jimmy's basically playing mediator so it's going to take more time. I was nice to her at the wedding. Not sure what's going on there."
"It's pretty obvious what's going on, but whatever," says Manny, rolling her eyes. "Sip."
Manny finishes her coffee. "And kiss," she says, buzzing Craig's lips again.
"Don't forget to use the safety scissors," shouts Craig behind her.
Manny sticks her tongue out at him, goes back into the room. He said he was excited, but he could've fooled her by that unenthusiastic response. Why were things different this time around? The first time they dated, albeit behind Ashley's back, he couldn't wait to spend time with her. He'd ask her all these questions, about herself, about her goals, but this time, they spent the majority of their time flirting or kissing. But they'd only been dating for a month or so, and he'd just suffered a horrible break-up with Ashley, though she didn't know the particulars.
"Okay, let's finish up, guys!" commands Manny, noticing that Beth had somehow finagled her way out of timeout.
Mrs. O' Neill did always have a weak spot for Beth. Manny searches for Alyssa, who has torn her picture apart, her small hands grasping a portion that held the duck's head.
"You okay?" asks Manny, sitting down next to her.
"Leave me alone," says Alyssa.
She heads for the time-out corner, as Manny sighs, picks up the rest of the pieces.
II.
Toby Isaacs yawns, watches as the movie onscreen flashes by on fast forward, the stench of burnt popcorn filling his noise. His best friend crunches loudly on one kernel, grins giddily as Kirsten Dunst jumps on a bed, whirling her pom-poms around.
"It's hotter on fast forward," notes J.T., finishing the popcorn. "Every guy's wet dream."
"Except yours," says Toby, hiding a smile.
"Quiet, Tobias!" says J.T., casting him an annoyed look. "I'm trying to appreciate the better parts of Bring It On."
"Okay, not that I'm complaining, but you couldn't do this at home?"
"With my religious grandmother checking on me every other minute. Yeah, I'll just pause it when Kirsten's in her underwear. No."
Toby shakes his head. Luckily, the video store was pretty much dead, except for his co-worker, Clara, sticking price stickers on her jeans with a clicker at the far end of the store. It clamps up at one point, but Clara successfully manages one more on her left pants leg.
"Awesome!" cries Clara, sticking devil horns in the air.
"Wow," says J.T., averting his eyes from Kirsten from a second. "Not the smartest apple on the tree, is she?"
"Boss' niece, but she's nice," says Toby. "Easy to manage."
Clara looks at them, winks at Toby.
"And apparently smitten," adds J.T., chuckling. "This is way more entertaining than the movie. You should totally go for it. She's pretty... in an odd way."
Toby offers J.T. a shy smile. Clara, blonde-haired with red streaks and green eyes, was pretty. She even liked anime, computer games, and made sure her food was kosher. At the same time, he saw her as a friend more than anything else. Maybe because she was so pushy.
"I don't know," says Toby.
"The Kendra drought needs to end sometime," says J.T. "Seize the day, my friend. Since my ex is carrying a baby, I have to live vicariously through you to have like...a life, basically."
Suddenly, J.T.'s ringtone goes off.
Even though the stars are blind, if you show me real love baby, I'll show you mine. I can make it nice and naughty, be the devil and angel too...
"Please don't tell me that's Paris Hilton," says Toby, covering his ears.
"She's hot," protests J.T. "Have you seen the video? She's on the beach and..."
"Ugh!" groans Toby. "Don't you have to go work at the convenience store soon? Actually be productive?"
"Fine, avoid the subject," says J.T., grabbing his backpack. "You've become way too serious ever since you became vice president. You and Liberty let political power go to your heads. At least Bill Clinton had a sense of humor...and a sex life."
Toby pushes him from behind the counter, towards the exit. J.T. salutes Clara, who salutes back.
"Carry on," says J.T., then leaving.
Clara whirls around, skips happily to Toby, who pretends to check the list of new releases so he won't have to interact with her.
"I'm finally getting the last season of Sailor Moon," announces Clara, beaming at him.
"Subbed or dubbed?" asks Toby.
"Hello, subbed. I need to hear the Japanese, thank you very much," says Clara. "English isn't the only language in the world."
"Girl after my own heart," praises Toby, fingers tracing the words on the list.
"Really?" says Clara, touching his arm.
Toby coughs, moves his arm. Clara frowns, heads to the backroom.
Toby knows J.T.'s on to something, that he should be trying to date after the two-year relationship with Kendra. She didn't return his calls after she transferred to another school with a better gymnastics program. He was sure she'd moved on, but there weren't too many Kendras in the world. No, scratch that. There weren't too many girls willing to go out with him in the world. It wasn't so bad flirting with Paige or Hazel or whoever, just for fun, but a serious relationship would just remind him of times he spent with Kendra, times he supposed meant nothing to her now. Maybe if he sent her an e-card on her birthday she'd...no, thinks Toby. It's over.
And Clara. It was worth a shot, right? He puts down the list, starts for the backroom, but is interrupted by the tinkle of a bell, letting him know that someone has entered the store.
"You guys better have Clueless," exclaims Manny, walking towards the counter.
"We always have it," replies Toby. "Ever since Mean Girls, it's been on the shelf permanently."
"No one knows the real classics anymore. Lindsay Lohan over Alicia? I think not," says Manny, finding the empty video cassette.
Toby takes the cassette from her, finds a copy in the backroom where Clara is removing stickers from her jeans. He doesn't say a word to her, but she peeps out at Manny.
"Rough day at the center," says Manny, pretending to wipe her brow. "And of course, the boyfriend is busy so this is the answer. Hopefully, Emma isn't watching CNN. Weird girl."
"But we love her anyway," says Toby, laughing.
"Strangely, yes," says Manny, handing him Snake's card.
Toby swipes the card, looks into Manny's sweet, wide eyes, almost drops it. He couldn't help but find her attractive, but she appeared sadder than usual. There was no way he knew what she'd been going through after the video circulated the school, but being lonely, he knew that feeling all too well.. Manny gives him a polite grin.
"I noticed the sign," says Manny.
She points to a Help Wanted sign that was fixed on the storefront window. Toby nods.
"I'm searching for a job," admits Manny. "What would you have to do?"
"What I'm doing now," says Toby, dropping the video into a bag. "Not glamorous at all. The money's decent, but it's not your thing."
"Yeah," says Manny.
Toby looks behind him, sees that Clara is peering at a couple tapes, and puts a packet of popcorn in the bag, while Manny counts some money. He gives her change, then the bag. Manny notices that the bag is heavier, peeps inside, laughs.
"For your hard day," says Toby.
"Such a freak," laughs Manny, smiling.
"Whatever."
"Thank you, Toby," whispers Manny. "See you at school."
Toby waves, watches her go out. Clara comes up behind him, smacks her lips.
"Free popcorn, eh?" says Clara. "I see how it is."
Clara bumps into Toby, kicks a cardboard Will Ferrell before going outside.
III.
Craig turns on an amp, feeling the vibrations of Jimmy playing guitar under his feet. He nods his head to the music, glances at Marco perusing a Banting pamphlet.
"No college planning during practice," shouts Craig over the sound.
Jimmy stops playing, raises his eyebrows at Marco.
"Hello, some of us care about our future," says Ellie, settling in behind the drums.
"Care about the band's future," says Craig.
"If he didn't care, he wouldn't be here," snaps Ellie, hitting a cymbal.
Craig rolls his eyes. "Um, anyway, let's start."
Frankly, Craig was getting sick of Ellie's snotty attitude. It'd been a month since the wedding fiasco, the gig where Diane's sister only paid them half since they only played one half of the reception. Ellie didn't speak of it, which was so unlike her, and he dare not bring Manny around, at least not yet. That said, he found it very weird for Manny to be around period. She was gorgeous to stare at, but the kisses were more empty than he remembered, the conversations were getting spotty. How he was going to fake like nothing was wrong for the whole ski trip he had no clue. But he sure had a clue as to why he was holding back, why he knew it wasn't Manny's fault.
Ashley. Just the name sent shockwaves through his body, like the electricity in his guitar was racing under his skin. It shouldn't still be like this, should it? She cheated with someone else, some guy named Ali. What kind of name was that anyway? Nope, don't care. But I do, thinks Craig. The last time they were together she said she needed to get away, from him. Well, she did, so what was the problem? What led her to Ali?
"Yo, Hendrix!" yells Jimmy, trying to get Craig's attention.
"What?" shouts Craig.
"Practice," answers Jimmy. "You called it."
"Yeah," says Craig. "El, count us off."
"I don't even know what we're playing," says Ellie, tossing her hair back.
"What we always play first, unless you finally want to share this song of yours," says Craig.
"It's not done yet," says Ellie, standing up. "I don't run on your timeline. I thought a band was a democracy, not a tyranny."
Craig bites his lip. "Oh, so I'm a tyrant now? You really need to cool it, El."
"Yeah, I'll just do that," says Ellie, grabbing her bookbag. "Cool off."
"Feel like throwing a drumstick?" interjects Jimmy, as Marco tries to hold in a laugh.
"Beginning to think I threw one at the wrong person," replies Ellie, staring Craig directly in the eye. "I'm out."
Craig massages his forehead. Would this band ever get it together? Marco goes back to his Banting pamphlet, and Jimmy fetches some water from a cooler next to the couch in Joey's garage. Whatever, thinks Craig, heading to the kitchen where he sees Joey and Diane making out.
"Minor approaching," announces Craig, taking out a soda.
"You're not eighteen yet?" says Diane, pulling away, wiping lipstick off Joey's top lip.
"Next year," answers Craig.
"Practice is over?" asks Joey, putting an arm around Diane.
"Yeah, because my drummer can't control her emotions," complains Craig. "I swear she was much more mellow when she was dating Sean."
"Why do guys always blame the girls?" says Diane, crossing her arms.
Craig shrugs. "I don't understand. One girl's got a crush on me, the other girl I just started dating kind of randomly, and then the girl I want is..."
He stops himself, drops his eyes, while Joey smirks. Diane stares between them, obviously confused.
"Wait," says Diane, counting on her fingers. "Manny, Ellie, and...a third girl?"
"No, no, there isn't," says Craig. "Shooting off at the mouth. You know me. I never make sense."
Starting back to the garage, he overhears Joey and Diane.
"Craig's a pimp," says Diane, giggling.
"Nope, just confused," replies Joey. "But aren't we all?"
IV.
Ellie opens the door of the Dot, still clutching her drumsticks. It's a pretty slow night, but then again, weekdays were usually slow. She passes a table with Spinner and Darcy slurping a milkshake, and waves at him, which he doesn't see since he's so into Darcy.
"Whatev," says Ellie to herself.
Going to the front counter, she orders two cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, and a large Coke.
"Someone joining you?" asks the cashier.
"Nope, all for me," replies Ellie. "It's not like having no zits is getting me any guys."
The cashier smirks as Ellie takes a seat in a booth by the front window. She reads the menu, pretending to be preoccupied, trying not to reveal that yes, she's lonely. With Ashley in England, and being on the outs with Craig, and now Marco upping his extra curriculars for university, she really has no one. She wasn't cutting anymore, her grades were getting better, and she'd done well on her college entrance exam, so she thought this year would be her year. The perfect senior year, with great marks, great memories, and what she believed would be a great boyfriend. Why wasn't Craig interested in her? All those long talks inside and outside group, all those days she stuck around while he moped about Ashley, all those bad lyrics she had to listen to so he'd find the best lyrics. Deep down, she knows she shouldn't have to try this hard, that she had to give up.
"Little emo rat," sighs Ellie, peering down at her cellphone displaying Craig's number.
She scrolls down, sees another number she hadn't used for a while. Sean Hope Cameron. There was a small photo of him in a wifebeater and baggy jeans. A waitress sets down her order, smiles down at Sean's picture.
"Hot," she compliments. "Does he have a girlfriend?"
"Um, you've done your waitress-y thing,"replies Ellie, shooting her a pointed look. "Bye."
The waitress purses her lips. "Why I don't like punk girls," she whispers.
Ellie picks up an onion ring, sniffs it, and drops it in disgust. She didn't even really like them. Glancing out the window, she can see two people making out, the guy groping the girls' butt. For some reason, she can't look away. After a few seconds, she's glad she didn't. A familiar, slouching figure appears behind them. He wears a black T-shirt, and a similar pair of baggy jeans like the one in the photo.
"Sean," whispers Ellie.
She continues to stare at him, and to her surprise, his eyes meet hers. His hair is longer, wavy, the same color. He offers her a shy wave. Why is he back? School?
"Outside," he mouths.
Ellie wasn't sure whether to move or not. The last time she saw him, he'd decided to stay in Wasaga, leaving her with an empty apartment, with the rent. They'd had no contact since then. No, she had to stay in there, keep some amount of her pride. Although, sitting by herself wasn't actually making her feel proud.
She puts some ketchup on her burger, doing her best to ignore Sean. She guesses he's disappeared after a few moments since she can't see him out of the corner of her eye anymore. I'm a brat, she thinks frowning. A shy little brat. But part of her thought he deserved it. At least I didn't throw a drumstick, she smirked to herself. Ugh, what was I thinking then?
"Guys are so not worth the aggravation," says Ellie, pouring some salt on her fries.
A tap on the glass front window of the Dot startles her. Ellie squeals, jumps a bit. Sean. He holds up a piece of paper with some writing. Ellie squints her eyes, reads it.
"I'm back."
Ellie feels her mouth drop, and Sean grins at her. Ellie smiles a bit, not sure what to feel. She grabs a napkin, finds a pen, the same one she used to write the song for the band, one that was basically about Craig, and scribbles some words down. She holds it up to the window, and Sean seems appreciative of the message.
"Welcome back."
Sean smiles at her, the same smile that always made her smile, taps the window one more time, and leaves. Ellie grins down at her food, finding her appetite. She bites into a burger, stares at Sean's backside as he walks down the street. Suddenly, she didn't care that no one was sitting across from her.