The Party
The party was held in a huge hall. It was extravagant and everyone was dressed in formal wear. Spinner, Marco, Jimmy, Hazel and Paige had just arrived.
Paige: Can you believe this place?
Hazel: This is like a dream.
Jimmy: Now everyone be cool.
Marco: I wonder where Manny is.
Spinner: I wonder where the models are.
Paige: Spinner you have a one track mind.
Spinner: I know.
Hazel: There she is. (Pointing to Manny)
Melissa and Manny were circulating the room. They were talking to buyers, reps, and designers. When Manny saw her friends, she excused herself and walked over to them.
Manny: So, how are you guys doing?
Paige: Manny, Hun, everything looks great.
Hazel: Yeh Manny, this is exciting.
Spinner: So….Manny……Where are the other models at?
Manny laughed.
Manny: Easy Spinner they're upstairs changing. They have a shoot to do down the hall.
Jimmy: Sweet!
Hazel: What? (Quickly looking at Jimmy)
Jimmy: Nothing
Manny: Hazel, we have male models too.
Hazel: Sweet
Jimmy: Thanks Manny.
Manny laughed.
Spinner: Here they come.
Manny: Come on I'll introduce you.
Spinner: really?
Manny: of course
Spinner: let's go Jimmy.
Jimmy looked at Hazel
Hazel: Go ahead. (She said giving Jimmy her permission)
Manny: I'll be back for you guys in a minute.
Jimmy and Spinner followed Manny to the female model shoot. She introduced them to some of the girls and asked the girls if they would mind if the guys stayed to watch their shoot. The girls had no objections.
Manny: Don't get to close Spinner.
Spinner: I won't. Not till after the shoot anyways.
Manny walked back to Hazel and Paige.
Manny: Now, you two. Follow me. Oh Marco I have someone special for you to meet. Wait here. I'll be right back.
Paige: All right Hun, we're ready.
Manny: Let's go.
Manny led Paige and Hazel over to the male photo shoot. She introduced them to the photographer Laura and her assistant Samantha. Then she introduced them to the male models.
Manny: Guys, these are my friends Paige and Hazel. (She said pointing to each one)
All the guys said hello at the same time.
Manny: This is Gary, and Nick, and Mel, and over there is Tim.
Both Paige and Hazel said hello to all.
Manny: Laura, you don't mind if Paige and Hazel hang out here for a while do?
Laura: Sure.
Manny: Thanks.
Samantha: I know there's no place I'd rather be right now. (She said looking at the models)
The girls laughed.
Laura: I'll bring them back out when we're done.
Manny: Great.
A few minutes after Manny walked away, Craig walked in. He looked around the hall. It was much bigger then he thought it was going to be. Right away standing by himself, he spotted Marco.
Craig: Marco.
Marco: Hey Craig, you came.
Craig: Yeh, so where is everybody?
Marco: The guys are with the female models watching a shoot. And the girls are with the male models.
Craig: So, where's Manny at?
Marco: She should be back any minute. (A pause) So….you came here for…….
Craig: to see the pros.
Marco: Is that all?
Craig looked at Marco and again did not answer his question.
Marco: She's a great girl. And has come a long was from that love struck girl who was once in love with you.
Craig: So?
Marco: So keep that in mind tonight. Don't blow it
Suddenly Manny appeared and wasn't alone. She was arm and arm with a very gorgeous guy heading towards Craig and Marco.
Manny: Hey, Craig you made it.
Craig: Yeh.
Craig looked at the guy who was with Manny.
Manny: Craig/Marco. This is Steve Hansen. Steve this is Craig Manning and Marco Del Rocci.
Marco: Nice to meet you.
Manny: Marco, Steve's an editor.
Marco: Really?
Steve: Yeh. I work for C and C Magazine.
Marco: I read that. What exactly do you do?
Steve: Well let's go get a drink and I'll tell you more about it.
Marco: Sure.
Marco: I'll see you two later. Thanks Manny.
Manny smiled.
Manny: (to Craig) it worked. I was worried about that.
Craig: So that was a set up? That guy was for Marco?
Manny: Of course. You didn't think Steve was with me, did you?
Craig smiled. Manny giggled.
Manny: Come on. I'll show you around.
Manny went around introducing Craig. She started with the photographers who were mingling around. Then she went to one who was doing an actual shoot. She waited until they took a break and then went over to him.
Manny: Scott.
Scott: Manny, how have you been?
Manny: Great. This is my friend Craig.
Scott: Nice to meet you Craig.
Craig: you too.
Manny: Craig is a photographer too.
Scott: Really. What are you doing right now?
Craig: Right now, I've just been doing family functions and special events at school.
Scott: Nothing wrong with that. It's good experience for you.
Manny: Do you mind if he watches the rest of your shoot?
Scott: Not at all. (To Craig) Let me introduce you to the staff.
Craig: Thanks.
Manny: I'll see you later
Craig: ok
For two hours, Manny mingled around with guests. She and Melissa talked to different designers and shared ideas. Afterwards, she watched as she saw her friends having a good time. Then she made her way back to Scott and Craig.
Manny: So how's it going?
Craig: Great. I'm really learning a lot.
Scott: All right everyone (to the staff) lets wrap it up. We'll meet next Tuesday.
Scott: (to Manny) your friend has a gift. He has a good eye for detail.
Manny: So I heard from Melissa that you're looking for an assistant?
Scott: He's too good to be an assistant.
Manny: Everyone has to start somewhere.
Scott smiled at Manny.
Scott: Do you have a portfolio?
Craig: yes
Scott: Tell you what, Craig; Manny has a meeting with us next Thursday. Why don't you come with her and will talk then.
Craig. I will. Thank you.
Manny: Thank you Scott.
Scott. Thank you. And now if you will excuse me, I'm going to go find Melissa and thank her.
Craig and Manny laughed. They started walking and ended up by the dance floor.
Manny: So, you like him?
Craig: Yeh. He's a good guy.
Manny: Good.
There was a short silence between them.
Craig: So…a….do you wanna dance?
Manny: Sure.
The song was slow. They held each other like they had done so many times before. The only difference between now and then was Manny knew where she stood with Craig. Still, with Craig holding her close, she couldn't help but remember their past.
Hazel and Jimmy, who were also on the dance floor, noticed Craig and Manny dancing.
Hazel: Would you look at that?
Jimmy: I see them.
Hazel and Jimmy danced a few inches over to where Paige was dancing.
Hazel: Paige.
Paige: What?
Hazel: Look.
Paige looked over at Craig and Manny dancing.
Paige: Oh my God. It's about time.
Hazel: What?
Paige: Come on. Look at them. You know they make a cute couple.
Spinner: Check it out. (He said coming up behind Jimmy)
Jimmy: Where have you been?
Spinner: In the next room getting this one model's number.
Hazel: Anyway.
Spinner: Anyway, are we all looking at Craig and Manny?
Hazel: Yeh……..Wonder what Ashley's going to say?
Paige: Nothing. Because she's not going to find out.
Jimmy: I thought she was your friend.
Paige: She is. But that's their business. Besides, after everything Manny has done her tonight, she deserves us out of her personal life.
Hazel: Yeh. You're right. Let's leave it between them.
Jimmy: All right.
Paige: Spinner?
Spinner: Me. Tell Ashley. Right. I don't even like her. She makes Craig look weak. Real pathetic.
Paige: Good. Then we're all agreed.
An hour and a half later, the party was ending. Manny was walking with everyone to the front door. She was getting ready to leave with them when she heard a voice from the other end of the hall.
An employee: Manny, Melissa wants to see you real quick before you leave.
Manny stopped.
Manny: Ok, tell her I'll be right there.
Manny turned to her friends.
Manny: Listen, there's a car outside that will take you all home. I'll see you at school and thanks for everything.
Paige: I had a great time. I even got that guys number (she whispered to Manny as she walked out the door).
Hazel: Thanks Manny.
Jimmy: Yeh. Thanks it was a lot of fun. (They walked out.)
Marco: Thanks for introducing me to Steve. He asked for my number. (He whispered to Manny)
Manny: I knew it. (She smiled)
Craig: Thanks for the invite Manny.
Manny: You're Welcome. I told you it would pay off. Well I better go.
Craig: ok.
Manny turned and walked away. Craig stood there watching her.
Marco: Craig. Let's go buddy.
Craig: I think I'm going to wait for Manny. Make sure she gets home all right.
Marco: All right. Have fun. (He said hitting him on the shoulder)
Thirty minutes later, Manny came down stairs. Craig, who was sitting, stood up.
Manny: you're still here?
Craig: I wanted to make sure you got home all right.
Manny: Oh
Suddenly they weren't alone. Craig was surprised
Scott: Ok Manny…..are you ready to go?
Manny: Scott…Craig's here.
Scott: Oh
Manny: Is it ok if we take the other car?
Scott: Sure. Just make sure Jim drives.
Manny: Ok. Can you tell Melissa?
Scott: I will. Good night you two.
Manny: Good night.
Craig: Night
Manny and Craig walked to the front door.
Craig: Who's Jim?
Manny: The driver.
Craig and Manny got into the car.
Manny: So how did you like the party?
Craig: It was great.
Manny: Good.
There was a short silence between them.
Craig: Listen Manny, I didn't interrupt anything between you and Scott did I?
Manny: Me and Scott. No. He was just taking me home because I don't like to ride by myself.
Craig: Scott's not going to be upset is he?
Manny: Why would he be?
Craig: Well, it sounds like he's interested in you.
Manny giggled.
Craig: What?
Manny: you're batting a thousand tonight.
Craig: Huh?
Manny: First you thought, Steve was interested in me, but he was for Marco and now you think Scott?
Craig: Who's he for?
Manny: Melissa.
Craig: Melissa?
Manny: Yes. He and Melissa are dating. They're good together too. She draws the designs, gets them made and he photographs them on models, and then sends them to magazine, catalogs, or wherever.
Craig: A designer and A photographer. Sounds like a perfect match.
Manny looked at Craig. And Craig looked at her, after realizing he too was a photographer and Manny a designer.
Manny: Yeh it is
Jim dropped Craig and Manny outside Manny's house.
Manny: Thanks Jim.
Jim: You're welcome Manny. See you Thursday.
Manny: Ok
Jim drove away. Craig walked Manny to her door.
Craig: What's Thursday?
Manny: The meeting. I was going to tell you. The meeting with Steve is at 5:30 p.m. Jim will come around 4:30 p.m. to pick us up.
Craig: He drives us.
Manny: Of course. How else do you expect to get down there?
Craig: Melissa and Scott must really like you.
Manny: It's the designs they like.
Craig: It's you too Manny. You give a lot to people.
Manny: Thanks Craig. Well I better go in now.
Craig: I'll see you soon.
Manny: Ok Bye.