Chapter THREE

It's after school & J.T. is on the front steps of school as he waits for Manny. Turns out

only J.T.'s going to Manny's since Emma & Sean are double-dating with Toby &

Kendra. *YES! FiNALLY! A chance to talk with Manny alone!* thought J.T. All of a

sudden, Manny comes storming out of the school, obviously upset, & she sits herself

down next to J.T. As she looks up at J.T., he realizes that there are tears streaming down

her face. "Manny, what's wrong?" J.T. asks with concern. "You wouldn't understand!

Where's Emma & Toby?" Manny asks, trying to change the subject. "They're out on a

double's date." J.T. said, "Now what's the matter?" "i SAiD YOU WOULDN'T

UNDERSTAND! DROP iT ALREADY!" Manny shouted out mindlessly while standing

up, then her angry eyes changed expressions & started crying hysterically. J.T. stood up

& let her cry on his shoulder. J.T., obviously confused & shocked about her change of

emotion, could only put his arm around her and calm her down. The weird thing was that

as soon as his arm was around her, her hysterical bawling subsided to a mere sob.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to. yell at. you." she managed to say between sobs. "It's just

that. Craig. he. doesn't wanna see me anymore. b-but. I-I thought. i

THOUGHT HE LiKED ME!" she blurted out while her cries became hysterical again.

"M-Maybe it's cuz he thinks I'm ugly. I'm so pathetic." she said devastated. "Manny,

that's ridiculous! Look at me, Manny." J.T. said while he cupped her face in his hands &

moved her head so that they were looking into each other's eyes. "You are one of the

most beautiful girls I have ever seen in my life." He said with honesty. "You're just

saying that just cuz you're one of my closest friends" she said, looking at him with doubt

in her eyes. "That's not true. I really, truly mean it. You are gorgeous. You're beautiful

from the inside out. You're fun-loving, caring, nice, trustworthy, understanding, smart, &

determined. You're strong & you've got the attitude to back it up. What more can a guy

want? If Craig was blind enough to miss all that, then he's not worth it. You deserve a

whole lot more." J.T. said, never once interrupting eye contact. She didn't know what it

was, but there was something about looking into his eyes that comforted her. Even

though they've known each other since preschool, they've never looked at each other this

way, but Manny liked it. "J.T., that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."

Manny said softly. All of a sudden, Craig could go to hell for all she cared. They gazed

into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Then Manny slowly wrapped her

arms around his neck as J.T. pulled her close at her slim waist into a hug. He held her

close & tight, afraid that if he let go, he'd lose her. After a while, they pulled apart,

looking deep into each other's eyes. "Manny," J.T. said in a deep whisper, "I need you.

I always have. I've just never admitted it. not even to myself. But now, looking into

your eyes is like being in heaven. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. You make

me wanna change from girl-chaser to, hopefully, your boyfriend. I promise that I'll

always be here for you. & I will never hurt you on purpose." Manny just kept gazing

into his eyes, surprised that he kept that all to himself for so long. Since she didn't

respond immediately, J.T. said sadly, looking at the ground, letting go of her hands, "I-If

you don't feel the same way. o-or you think it's too sudden. I-I under-" His stutters

were interrupted by Manny putting her fingers to his lips. "Yes, I would LOVE to be your

girlfriend!" She said as J.T's eyes widened with happiness. She slowly moved her

fingers from his lips as she wrapped his arms around his neck. But instead of pulling him

into a hug, she tiptoed (yes, J.T. grew during the summer) so that their faces were

centimeters away. J.T. put his arms on her hips & pulled her close enough so that their

foreheads were leaning against each other. Slowly, but surely, they closed their eyes &

their lips met for the first time. As their lips parted, J.T. grabbed her hand & they started

walking to Manny's house.

~Meanwhile~

Sean, Emma, Toby, & Kendra are hanging out at the mall for their double date. Sean &

Emma had their arms around each other while Toby & Kendra were holding hands. "You

know, I feel kinda bad about ditching Manny and J.T." Emma said guiltily. "I'm sure

they'll understand." Kendra said reassuringly. "I wonder what Manny & J.T. will do by

themselves." Toby wondered out loud. "I know this probably has nothing to do with it,"

Sean interrupted, "but I always thought that J.T. & Manny looked like a good couple." As

they all thought about it, they saw Paige in front of them, kissing a guy, but he didn't

look like Spinner. "Whoa." Sean said, shocked. He followed up with, "I can't believe

she would do this to him."