Chapter Seven: See it to Believe it

Scene

Manny had spent the night falling asleep outside the restaurant she had eaten in, not because she wanted to, but because Gianni had come to take the car back. And now, all she literally had were the clothes on her back, a few dollars which were probably stolen by now, and a small bag full of necessities.

What was she going to do now? Manny walked back into the restaurant and ordered the cheapest thing on the menu. She could do this. Anything was better than going back to live with Jacob. She couldn't—not just because of what he would do to her, but how it would make her look like a liar.

This was the same scenario that she had been following for three days now … she told Gianni that she was going to live with her aunt—who didn't exist and secretly prayed that he wouldn't come back her and see her hanging out on these streets.

"Are you just going to keep wandering around here or you have someplace to be?" Someone asked, but Manny kept walking partially because she didn't know who was addressing her and partially because she was afraid to respond.

"Yo. Excuse me!" The voice yelled again as Manny gained enough courage to turn around. It would be all right. She didn't have anything of value … anymore. Sixty-dollars could only get you so far.

"Yeah?" Manny put on a smile because people responded to that. No one ever killed or mugged someone who smiled in their face.

"You live around here?" The woman walked closer to her. As she came within a couple of feet of Manny, she realized that this was really a teenager, like her. The girl looked so … old … maybe it was how she was carrying herself, but Manny sudden started to get worried again. "Don't worry. I used to live on the streets too."

"I don't live on the streets."

"Where did you sleep last night? Not in a home." The girl offered as Manny clinched her jaw angrily, but she was right … as of right now, Manny Santos was homeless and nearing her last two months of pregnancy.

"I don't have any money!" Manny yelled. "If that's what you want. I just … I just need some time to fix things, that's all."

"I'm not judging you, but you look like you need help." The girl offered, flipping her red hair back. "I'm Joni." She offered as Manny became reluctant to shake her hand. "Fine. I understand you're scared, but just trust me. I can help you get a job, you can live with me and the girls."

"What girls?" Manny wondered naïvely.

"You'll see. Come on." Joni took off in the opposite direction from which Manny had watched Gianni drive off last night.

Scene

"Jimmy, get out here!" Hazel pounded on the door. Ten minutes. She waited ten minutes like a dumby. By now, Jimmy had to know that he had Hazel … anyway he wanted her, she was his… or so it seemed.

After hearing more scurrying and scuffling, then giggles, Jimmy appeared at the door completely wet … and shirtless.

"You changed the locks." Hazel commented with a pout.

"My dad did. You know I would never do that to you." He took Hazel's hand, a move that came so naturally, and lead her into her living room.

"Don't think you can just hide things from me and I won't find out." Hazel plopped onto the couch. "I want the truth." She stared straight into his eyes in fear that looking anywhere else would deter her from her mission.

"The truth … hmm …" Jimmy smiled smooth, getting Hazel to rise to her feet, kissing her tenderly. "The truth is … I have been hiding something from you." With a smile, Jimmy bent down on one knee. "Hazel, will you--"

"You can't be serious, can you?" With a pause, she thought about what to say next. All of her instincts were telling her that this was weird and awkward somehow … and way too random. And then, she thought about Sean, not like anything was going on or anything, but how would she be able to handle this when she was still trying to figure out why that kiss happened. Finally, Hazel decided what she was going to do. "There's no way that this is all about you loving me."

"What? Are you telling me I don't love you girl?" Jimmy wondered, frozen in place.

"Maybe … I don't know, but there are some things I need to figure out first."

Scene

"How does it feel to be back?" Sean wondered, holding onto Ellie tightly.

"You can let me go. I promise I won't disappear if you take your eyes off of me for a second." Ellie joked, but secretly she was looking watching Sean watching her. That suicide attempt, as weird as it sounds, was the best thing that had happened in her life.

"I worry about you."

"Don't. As long as we're together, I have no reason to all of that stuff." Ellie smiled to herself. She couldn't stop smiling.

"What are you grinning about?"

"You, lookin sexy." Ellie jumped into Sean with a force that knocked him into the wall.

"Whoa." Sean smirked despite himself.

"Months cooped up in that hospital … I dreamt about you." Ellie hopped back into the floor. "It was horrible … I couldn't find my way out. I kept calling for you and looking for you … and there were people after me, but I didn't care. I just wanted you." She cried softly, falling into Sean's arms, her place.

"Ellie…"

"You don't have to say anything. I know you feel the same." Ellie wiped her tears quickly. "Just tell me why you were kissing Hazel Aden and we'll be even."

Scene

"So, these are the girls." Joni introduced Manny after the proper arrangements were being made. Right now, Joni managed to get a job for her as a waitress in a "Gentleman's Club." As soon as Manny got rid of that baby, she could be a star. Joni had a knack for finding "Ritche's" best girls and Manny had the face, the innocence … all the things these slime balls that came here loved.

"Hi." Manny waved shyly as Joni led her to a room. She hadn't told Manny all of the conditions, but as someone who had once been in Manny's position, Joni knew that she had few options. Truly, there was only one option—prostitution. It was all right. The girls had to a system to make it work, and soon … they would be able to buy the joint themselves and make it respectable.

"You don't have to be shy like that. You're one of us now."

Manny smiled. Everyone seemed to think that she was going to be working with them when she really didn't know. All of this seemed too much for her. She'd have to think about it. "So, is there a phone here?"

"Of course. You have your own line in your room, but it's supposed to be strictly for business so make it quick."

"Okay." Manny forced a smiled again, watching Joni until she walked away. She knew exactly who to call.

Scene

"Ms. H, you can't do this." Liberty protested again after she had tried to come to school for the second day in a row and was rejected. "You're ruining my life."

"I'm sorry Liberty. You have to leave."

"I'm going to fight this. There's a clause or loophole out there somewhere. I will find it and when I do, get ready to lose your position as Head of Degrassi Community School."

"What was that about?" JT bumped into Liberty as she left Ms. H's office. "I haven't seen you in class."

"They're doing a convention. It's pretty big and I was chosen out of everyone in the whole school to do it." She lied. Pregnancy one drama, a second time with someone else mega drama

"Funny, I haven't heard anything about it." JT replied.

"It's top secret, but I know I can trust you." Liberty rushed out of the front steps of Degrassi. She wasn't even showing yet and this baby was causing trouble. There was only one thing left to do—talk to the father.

Scene

Sean tried to think of what to say as the doorbell interrupted things. Who could this be? Looking through the peep hole, Sean saw Hazel and panicked. Everything started to beat faster, he started to sweat. How was Sean going to get out of this one?

"You go get it. I'll be in the room."

"Okay." Waiting until Ellie was out of the living room, Sean opened the door and immediately closed it behind him so that he and Hazel could talk in private. "I thought you weren't sticking around anymore."

"I'm not." She sighed. "Can you just walk with me?"

"And why are you here?" Sean wondered ashamed that she had seen how he was living … it wasn't horrible, but since he'd shared all those intimate details with her, Hazel's opinion suddenly mattered a lot more to him.

"Jimmy proposed." She spat out eagerly, but Sean couldn't read the expression on her face.

"You didn't say yes to that asshole, did you?" He growled, letting jealousy get the best of him.

"I don't know what to do." Hazel whispered. "What would you do?" She asked, making her away to a swing on the playground as Sean followed.

"Swings?" Sean smirked.

"Jimmy?"

"Dump his ass. You know he's cheating."

"But I've never actually seen him do anything. It's just speculation … plus why would he want to marry me if there was someone else involved?"

"All guys want more than one girl." Sean responded quietly, trying not to pout. How could Hazel even consider going back to Jimmy?

"Does that include you? Who do you want?" She asked ever so softly, but still expectantly. "We'll be friends no matter what." She patted Sean's hand a few times before finally resting her hand in his.

"I don't get this." Sean muttered in between kisses that Hazel was giving.

"I don't either, but it feels right." She hugged him closely as the two shared a swing. Resting her head on Sean's shoulder, Hazel wondered, "What are we going to do when everyone finds out?"

"Finds out what?"

"That we feel more than platonic-y between us?"

"We can't be together." Sean stated stonily.

"I know but … if you could tell Ellie, and I tell Jimmy that we both want an open relationship, then no one can get hurt and we can just see…" She suggested, wanting this more than anything else right now.

"An open relationship? Do you think they'll go for it …" Sean, blinded by this feeling he was getting from Hazel, agreed. "You're brilliant." In one swift movement, he picked her up, swinging her around.

Scene

"Gianni, hey it's me." Manny began to leave a message on his machine. She couldn't believe he wasn't there. "Umm … I'm doing fine. My uncle—aunt, My aunt is great. She's teaching me French and I love it here." She took in a deep breath as not to cry. "So if you could--"

"Hello?" Manny heard loud breathing on the other side of the phone.

"Gianni?"

"Manny, where the hell have you been? I thought you were still going to finish the year at Degrassi."

"Right now, with the baby and all … I'm not" She admitted.

"You can't do that. People say they'll go back, but no one ever does." Gianni sighed. "Can I at least see you again?"

"Gianni. I—I have to go, but I'll talk to you later."

"I can't wait for you forever." Gianni croaked still amazed at how this girl controlled his every thought.

"I'm not asking you to. Kendra's a really nice girl. Maybe you should try her."

(Here's more for you guys … it's been nearly two months … since I've started all of this stuff for school again. I'm going to update weekly or bi-weekly, but do a regular schedule. Here it is: But I still NEED reviews for guaranteed regular updates, unless I get writer's block.  --NL)

Tuesdays: Fool of Me/In the Deep

Thursdays: Wild Horses Two: La Tortura

Fridays: Double Standard or Beautiful Goodbye

Saturdays/Sundays: You're Gonna Burn Before You're Mellow