"Manny, it's Craig. Please call me back." Craig hung up the phone. His heart was pounding. Everything was supposed to be better....simpler....no more drama.

Manny quickly erased the message on the answering machine. She jumped on her bed and cried into her pillow. What was she supposed to say? Hey Craig, by the way I'm pregnant. She didn't want him to hate her. She was scared what he would think. What if he left her? She would have to raise the baby alone....or she would have to deal with an abortion by herself. She didn't want to face anyone. What would they think of her? Her parents....what would they do? Her cousin was sent to the Philippines when her Aunt found out she was pregnant! Understanding wasn't in her Mom's vocabulary. 'Oh God, what have I done?' Manny thought.

~*~*~

Manny rushed to class in track pants and a grey hooded sweatshirt. "Manny!" Craig called from behind. Manny didn't stop. He rushed in front of her and grabbed her arm. "Manny, what's the matter? What happened? You can't just leave me in the dark like this! It's not fair!" Manny paused. Craig was right. He had a right to know and he didn't deserve what she was doing. She looked away. "Manny. If you're having doubts.....I told you I'd spend the rest of my life proving to you that you're the only one for me." He sounded so sincere Manny's heart softened a little.

"It's not that Craig. It's just....." Manny managed to say.

"What is it?" Craig asked. He took her hand. She fell into his arms and cried. He squeezed her tight and ran his fingers through her hair. "It's going to be okay. I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you." He pushed away from her gently to look into her eyes. "Manny, what's wrong?"

"Craig, I'm....." she said then paused.

"Beautiful? Sweet? Amazing?" Craig said smiling. "I already knew that." Manny managed to smile but quickly shook her head.

"Craig....no...please. This is serious," she said.

"Okay, tell me," he said. The bell rang.

"Craig, I have to get to class. I'll tell you later. I promise. Meet me at the Dot after school" Manny said making her way down the halls.

'What's going on?' Craig thought to himself.

~*~*~

"Manny! You have to tell him," Emma said in a harsh whisper.

"I know!" Manny said back. "It's just so hard."

"He's the father. He has a right to know," Emma said looking around to make sure no one heard her.

"Em. You're not helping. Don't you think I know this?" Manny said irritated.

"Then, what's the problem?" Emma asked.

"I'm just scared.....that's all," Manny answered.

"Scared of what?" Emma said confused.

"Nothing," Manny said under her breath.

"Tell me!" Emma said.

"I'm scared he's going to hate me. I'm scared he's going to be afraid. I'm scared he's going to.....leave me," Manny said finally.

"That boy's crazy about you," Emma said shaking her head. "You have nothing to worry about...."

'My parents disowning me...' Manny thought to herself.

~*~*~

"How super sweet was that stunt Jimmy pulled?" Paige asked.

"Yeah....sweet," Ashley said staring at Craig. Paige followed Ashley's gaze.

"Don't tell me you're still hung up on him?" Paige asked. "Hun, Jimmy's a total catch and you guys are totally cute together."

"Jimmy's a great guy. I know," Ashley said.

"But.....?" Paige asked looking at Craig again.

"We've been through this before. How many times can we break up and get back together?"

"I don't know Ash, but he's coming this way. Gotta go!" Paige said running off.

"Paige!" Ashley said in desperation.

"Hey Ash," Jimmy said hesitantly.

"Hey Jimmy," Ashley said looking down.

"Are you sure you're cool with going out tomorrow?" Jimmy asked.

"Yeah, totally cool," Ashley lied.

"Great! I'll pick you up at 7:00PM," Jimmy said smiling.

"Sounds good," Ashley said nodding.

"'Kay, see you later," he said hitting the locker twice with his fist in satisfaction.

Ashley watched him walk off. She leaned back against her locker. It was less than a month since the Christmas fiasco. Now, Craig was with Manny. Maybe Ashley said yes to Jimmy to hide her misery. Maybe she said yes because she didn't want to be alone. Either way, she said yes for the wrong reasons. She glanced at Craig. He looked so happy talking to Marco. She heard Marco yell something about how Craig's song was the talk of the school. How everyone thought he was luckiest guy at Degrassi. She saw Marco congratulate Craig. Then, the two of them walked off. Craig won. She lost. She couldn't believe Manny took him back. Didn't that girl have any self-respect? Ashley didn't hate Craig. No. She was mad at herself for still having feelings for him. 'What does Manny have that I don't have?' she asked herself.

Just then, Manny walked by with two eleventh grade guys at her side. They were asking her if it was hard to be at the top of the pyramid when she cheered. Manny giggled and answered that it's scary at first but you get used to it. Ashley looked away disgusted. Manny was in sweats for God's sake. Ashley ran into the bathroom. She looked into the mirror with tears in her eyes.

"Hun, you really shouldn't cry at school. Your mascara will run. You'll look awful." Paige said stepping out of the bathroom.

"Who said I was crying?" Ashley asked. She was trying her hardest not to let her tears fall.

"It's so obvious," Paige said washing her hands. "Listen. You're going to have a great time Friday with Jimmy. Forget about Craig."

"What does Manny have....I mean.....why do all the guys drool over her?" she asked trying to find answers.

"It's called attitude," Paige said. "You think you're hot stuff, other people will too. She's got the look, she's got the style and she's got the bod. Plus, she's on the Spirit Squad. Guys dig that."

"Can't guys see through that?" Ashley asked completely annoyed.

"Well, it's not like she's totally evil Ash. She's kinda sweet," Paige answered fixing her hair.

"Paige! She stole Craig from me. She's not exactly on my 'Sweet List'," Ashley said in disgust.

"Well, you can change your look. It worked for her," Paige said walking off. "But, you have Jimmy so don't worry about it." After Paige left, Ashley looked herself in the mirror. 'Change my look.' Ashley said silently.