It was her junior year in school and Manuela Santos changed her whole focus on life. A year and a half ago it was Craig. Now she was determined not to waste one more moment.
In the beginning, after her break up with Craig, she sat on her bed drawing. The designs she drew got her mind off Craig. He was back with Ash anyways. A few months later, during the summer, Manny went to seminar for design. There she entered a summer program that gave young students a chance to find their talent and see where it would lead.
After the summer was over, Manny buried her feelings for Craig. He would always hold a special spot in her heart no matter how hard she denied it. But she chose to put those feelings away and not think about them.
During the school year, Manny kept her self busy drawing more and more designs. She always went out with her friends, but drawing was her new passion.
In School, Emma and Manny are by their lockers talking.
Emma: So you wanna go out tonight?
Manny: I have some things to do.
Emma: like what?
Manny: Well, you know about the summer program I was in right?
Emma: Yeh.
Manny: While in the program, I met a designer, Melissa. She took a real interest in me. We started talking and she asked me if I had any sketches she could look at. When I showed her my designs and the photos of the costumes I made from the school play last year, she said I had real talent. She said they were good.
Emma: That's great Manny, but what's so exciting about that.
Manny: That's not all. Melissa is having a fashion show at a festival next month and my designs are going to be what the models are wearing.
Emma: Now that's exciting.
Manny: There's just one problem. I need some help getting a few of the costumes ready and I need some models for the show.
Emma: Manny….
Manny: Em please. It will be fun. There's going to be a big party afterwards and you can meet a lot of interesting people.
Emma: Oh all right.
Manny: Thanks Em.
Emma: Who else is doing this?
Manny: Well, I already asked JT, Toby and Kendra to help me with the sewing part and I've asked Paige, Jimmy, Hazel and Spinner to be models. Oh and Marco.
Emma: And they agreed?
Manny: Sure. Especially after I told them they could keep the clothes. And they would meet models at the party afterwards.
Emma: Good thinking.
Manny: I know.
Every night and some weekends for the next month, Manny and the others worked on her clothing line. It started off rough but ended up being a success. One week before the fashion show, Manny got together with all her models for final fittings. Two days before the show, she met with everyone to rehearse what exactly they were supposed to do on stage.
Manny: Ok. Everyone that's it. Make sure your here by noon tomorrow.
The show starts at 2:00 p.m. Everyone left except for Paige.
Paige: Manny, this hem came out.
Manny: Here I'll fix it.
Paige stood as Manny hemmed her outfit.
Paige: I've got to hand it to you Manny. You really did it.
Manny: Did what?
Paige: Pulled this off. These designs looked great. I'm proud to wear them.
Manny: thanks Paige.
Manny finished the hem.
Manny: There you're done.
Paige: Well I guess I'll go change now.
Manny: Just hang the dress on the rack; I've got to get them over to the show tomorrow.
Paige: ok Hun.
After Paige left, Manny started getting all her outfits together. Suddenly she stopped and thought—Please let everything go better than it's suppose tomorrow.
