Runway

Chapter 3 -Margarita ville

Authors Note – Song featured in this chapter is "Hey there Delilah" by Plain White Tee's.

Hey there Delilah, what's it like in New York city? I'm a thousand miles away, but girl tonight you look so pretty, yes you do, time square can't shine as bright as you.

Craig had been away once or twice before, to record. He had different concerts, other things. It never worried Manny. They talked on the phone every night. She figured he wouldn't stray. Several weeks after the incident on the porch though, she found out he had met a girl during a show out there. Manny was second best. Dumped for a groupie.

Hey there Delilah don't you worry about the distance, I'm right here if you get lonely, just give this song another listen, close your eyes, it's my disguise, I'm by your side.

She had about a three hour ride on the bus ahead of her. She'd managed to slip by the driver without dropping in a fee. She'd need to switch buses four times before she'd be in Craig's town. Over the ride, the memories just kept flooding back.

She remembered the first time she'd seen him at Degrassi. She and Emma had both had a crush on him.

Oh, It's what you do to me.

She remembered the painful memory, around Christmas time when he'd lied to her. Although, he'd been cute following her back to the break room during that ice skating recital. She also remembered Ashley's face, when Ashley had found out about it.

Oh, it's what you do to me.

She remembered the abortion.

Oh, it's what you do to me...

Halfway into the journey on the second bus she found herself crying. Craig was all she had left, and she was going to hang on. If she lost Craig, she'd lose herself. Trying to cheer herself up, she thought about all their little plans.

Hey there Delilah, I know time's are getting hard, but just believe me girl someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar. We'll have it good, we'll have the life we knew we would, my word is good...

The plan was for Craig to be the loving, faithful rock star husband. Manny would be the beautiful, out of the spot light, stay at home mom. They'd try again, for another baby, another chance. They were going to be the perfect couple. Greg had promised. Breaking up wasn't in the plan. They weren't supposed to be living on different sides of the country.

Hey there Delilah, you be good and don't you miss me, two more years and you'll be done with school, and I'll be making history like I do, You know it's all because of you, We can do whatever we want to, Hey there Delilah here's to you. This one's for you...

Things had been hard since he left, she wasn't going to lie. Not a day went by though, that she didn't wonder what he was doing. If he was happy. The average couple didn't have to deal with this. Manny sighed,watching the scenery outside the window pass her by.

She had no idea what she was going to say to him, what he would say to her. She'd seen him on TV, in his music videos. Manny's face was plastered all over the latest makeup magazine ad's. She thought about her boss back at the modeling agency. She hadn't told them she was leaving. If she had to give it all up, that's what she was going to do.

After switching buses, she arrived at the last bus stop. She was in the dead center of the city, not even knowing how to find Craig. Getting out of the bus, she looked around nervously. She didn't have any cash on her. To her left was a bar, to her right a sport's store. Turning to the bar, she noticed a boy about her age passing out fliers.

She smiled as she approached him, reaching out her arm as he handed her a flier. Craig was playing at this bar tonight. Her luck was getting better. She smiled at the boy. She had a little time to kill before the concert. Two hours to be exact. She walked into the bar, smiling at the bartender. "Is it alright if I just sit in here?" she asked. The bartender nodded. He watched her out of the corner of his eye while he cleaned a glass. "You look like you're a long way from home," he said. Manny nodded, "I am. A long way." The bartender smiled, looking her up and down. "How bout a margarita, with a bag of chips. On the house?" Manny smiled, nodding. Maybe a few drinks would calm her nerves.