Manny had seen Craig talking to Ashley. Craig was smiling and looked happier than he had in weeks. 'I don't want him back, right? Then, why did seeing him with her hurt her so much?' Manny thought sadly. She needed to be alone. She went to the Zen Garden and sat alone crying. She felt like drowning in her sorrow, until there was nothing left of her. The sadness hurt too much.

"Hey Manny are you alright?" JT asked peeking outside, after seeing her cry through the window.

"Please leave me alone JT," Manny whispered through her sobs.

"Manny, I'm serious....are you okay?" JT insisted. "What happened? Did someone pick on you? Just tell me who, I'll set them straight," he joked.

"You're not going to leave me alone, are you?" Manny asked gazing up at him.

"Nope. Not until you tell me what's the matter," JT said. Manny stared at the ground. She pulled her hair behind her ear and looked up.

"I don't know what's wrong with me. I told Craig to leave me alone, and now that he is....I'm so sad. I saw him with Ashley earlier. I didn't think she'd start talking to him so soon. Isn't she as mad as I am? I don't want him, but I also don't want him with her." Manny paused to catch her breath. "But then, I'm not sure I don't want him. I mean....I do want him. I love him. But I don't think I can trust him. Not after all his lies. So, how do I know he's not lying now? How do I know? Does he love me? What's wrong with me?" Manny continued to cry. JT sat there thinking about what she had said. 'She loves him....he loves her,' JT thought. He looked into her eyes. They were red from her crying. She was so beautiful. He hated seeing his friend so sad.

"Manny," JT said sadly. "I'm pretty sure Craig loves you."

"What makes you say that?" Manny asked wiping her tears. "You don't know him."

"Manny...he loves you. He'd be crazy not to," JT said looking in her eyes. "I mean, you're beautiful, kind, smart, athletic, perfect...."

"Do you mean that JT?" Manny asked feeling emotionally charged.

"Of course I mean it. You're wonderful. Craig's the luckiest guy I know," JT said.

"You think I'm perfect?" Manny asked crying and laughing all at once.

"You're more than perfect Manny. Trust me. I don't know why you don't..." JT was interrupted by Manny's kiss. JT's eyes grew wide. He couldn't believe what was happening. In this one moment, all his fantasies had come true. He had waited forever for this. He reached out to hold her and brushed her soft hair with his hand. "Oh Manny," JT said softly.

"Oh Craig," Manny whispered back. JT pulled away.

"What did you call me?" JT asked shaking his head.

"Nothing," Manny said defensively.

"You called me Craig," JT said standing up. Who was he kidding? He knew Manny was madly in love with Craig. And even if something started between them, her heart would always be with Craig.

"I'm so sorry JT," Manny said putting her hands over her mouth. "I didn't mean....I'm sorry."

"I'll see you later Manny," JT said knowing what he had to do now.

~*~*~

"I'll do it," JT said shutting Craig's open locker.

"What's wrong with you?" Craig asked fidgeting to get his locker open again.

"I said I'll do it," JT repeated. "I'll go on a date with Liberty." Craig dropped his books.

"Are you serious?" Craig asked in disbelief.

"Friday. I'll pick her up at 8:00PM. Tell her not to keep me waiting," JT said holding back tears. Craig gave JT a giant bear hug. JT pushed him off. "Whoa man. Don't get all mushy about it. I'm doing it for Manny, not for you," JT said walking off. Craig screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Alright! This is one of the luckiest days of my life!" Half the school turned to stare at him, but he didn't care. He grabbed a complete stranger and told them how happy he was. He couldn't wait to tell Liberty.