Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.

Author's Note: Just a lot of wishful thinking.

Manny rushed out of the dining room as quickly as she could. She now knew that Ellie was sure in love with Craig. Manny also knew that she shouldn't have lost her temper at her, but Craig was obviously returning these feelings. Ellie had found ways to reach Craig during his "busy" schedule. She sent books, and Craig read them. Manny would call him, and get no answer. Manny would try to leave him a message, and she would never get a reply.

It wasn't Ellie's fault that Craig was just letting their relationship fall apart as if it never meant anything to either of them. But, then again, maybe it wasn't all Craig's fault either. Manny wanted to be with him, and she was the one that let Craig back into her life- into her heart. On the other hand, Craig had never quite left Manny's heart, but maybe that's because she never wanted to stop loving him. She had always hoped Craig would want to get back together again. And, he had, for a little while. Perhaps he had lost interest in their relationship.

Manny wanted to stay and prove that she was the one for Craig, but she was very aware of Ellie's puppy dog, leech-like devotion to Craig. Somehow Manny related to Ellie when in it came to a guy like that. After all, the past could not be erased. Ellie knew perfectly well of the past that Craig shared with Manny, and despite the bad things Manny had gone through because of dear Mr. Manning, she was jealous… Manny and Ellie envied each other. Pity, really. The two really could lead a powerful friendship instead of being enemies.

Poor Manny felt as if she were fighting a losing battle. Ellie held Craig's heart, not Manny. She was smart, pretty, and funny in a book smart kind of way. She was everything that Manny knew that she could never be.

Manny started gathering her things in the living room as Craig went after her.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"I'm leaving, Craig. This is your world, not mine," she explained.

"That's crazy my world is your world, Manny. And yours is mine," the young musician replied, trying to convince her to say.

"I want that to be true, Craig, but it's not. I can't stay in this place another second," Manny announced, quietly.

"What? Why?" Craig questioned. He could feel his heart beat faster, realizing what Manny's intentions were. She wanted to break-up with him.

"You know why, Craig! These people are in college and I'm in high school. They're into smart people books while I like reading a good fashion magazine. They talk about people who wrote something 

famous, while I could seriously care less. I feel like I've walked into some kind of parallel universe. I'm just not cut out to be your girlfriend anymore!" Manny exclaimed.

"Manny, don't do this. You're my girl. Why can't you just be happy with that?" Craig couldn't understand why Manny was torturing him like this.

"Because, it's not enough for me anymore, Craig. I'm tired of feeling jealous of somebody who I really don't want to be. It's obvious you're in love with Ellie," she replied.

"It's obvious you're insane. Manny, I want you. I need you. I love you!" Craig shouted. He turned around and yelled into the kitchen, "Do you hear that, Ellie? I love Manny!" He turned back to Manny who looked like she was on the brink of tears. "Now do you believe me? Manny, you can't leave. You're my world, and I don't care if you don't fit in with them. Just as long you're with me, I'm happy."

Manny started shaking her head. "I wish I could believe you, Craig. I want to believe you more than anything, but I don't. Once upon a time, you told me I was the one. I was crazy to believe you that time. I won't make that mistake again." Manny said. She walked over to the door, and glanced over her shoulder. "I love you, and I will always love you, but you don't feel the same way, do you? We're not meant to be. I was stupid of trying to convince myself that you wanted to be with me just as I want to be with you. But now you can be with Ellie. I won't be holding you back anymore."

"Manny, you know better than I do that you were never holding me back from anything!" Craig shouted at her.

"Haven't I? Don't make this harder than it has to be. We both know that this only a one-sided love anyway." Manny crossed her arms over her chest, turning around.

"Manny," his voice sounded soft, and weak, "don't do this."

"I have to leave. It will be better for the both of us. You'll see in time, and maybe one day you'll thank me. Goodbye, my love." She turned the knob and the door. Manny shut it tightly behind her as she started walking away from the house.

Ellie walked into the room and found Craig on the couch. "Are you okay?" No reply. Craig just looked at Ellie with tears burning his eyes. "She broke up with you, didn't she? Craig, you'll get over her. You always do. You need better, anyway. Manny isn't the one for you. She just a-"

"Ellie, just shut up, okay? I don't want a pep talk, and I don't want you to talk about Manny in any negative way." Craig snapped. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"Craig, what are you doing?" Ellie inquired. "You love her and you're just letting her go! Gosh, you're a real idiot!"

"She deserves far better than me, Ellie," Craig said slowly.



Wanting to change the subject, Ellie searched around for the piece of jewelry dropped in the dining room. "I found this in the dining room this morning. It was on the floor, so I guess now is the best time to give it back."

Craig took the small, golden bracelet out of Ellie's hands. It has little ice skates on it, and he smiled at the thought. "I gave this to Manny almost three years ago. It was the day that Ashley found out about what was going on between us, and I remember Manny loving this bracelet. She gave it back as soon as she found out that I was still with Ashley. Tomorrow is our anniversary, you know, and I was hoping to finally give it back to her, and now…"

"And now you can't." Ellie finished. "I'm sorry."

TBC…