Chapter 3: Beautiful Stranger
Author Notes: Third chapter... Thanks so much to my reviewers, you guys rock. This chapter is a little longer than I usually write. I know a sex club is a bit boston public', but I thought it might make for an interesting plot. And all you Manny/Craig shippers will get a treat. Hope you guys like this one!
***
Hey sexy, Sean said, opening the door of his friend's house. I was hoping you'd come. Thought you might be tempted to stay in and study or something. The drinks are flowing, help yourself to whatever you want.
Hey Seanathan. Thanks, she replied, stepping into the house from the warm late summer night. I do in fact have a very long english essay to write, but I as much as I love homework, I thought I might give this whole partying' concept a try. You know, just once in my life. Regan replied, going into the dimly lit living room and throwing her coat over an old chair in the corner.
Oh yeah, I'm sure you're a stranger to all things wild. Regan smiled teasingly at him. They both had exchanged many a interesting stories about their pasts, from Sean rending a guy deaf in one ear to Regan's last birthday, where she had to sleep in a bus station on the way home from a friend's bash, when her had refused to pick her up.
The living room was full of kids from Degrassi , which made her feel like breaking something, but they were at least mostly from the older grades. The people in her grade(with the exception of Sean and sometimes Craig and Paige) were unbearable. In fact she almost didn't come to this party, but she was poor and in desperate need of alcohol.
The first two weeks at Degrassi had been pretty shitty, since Regan had had no friends, and Ellen or Ella or whatever her name was seemed to hold her in the utmost contempt, for no reason whatsoever. She'd basically spent every lunch hour smoking up outside until she met Sean, who had taken pity on her and introduced her to some cool people. She had to admit though, she was being pretty good this year, and to this date had kept perfect attendance and tardy records. But then again, she hadn't been to a real party for two weeks. Her was being particularly annoying tonight, so she really needed to get away.
So, who's up for shots? She asked the room, and when Sean broke out the vodka and it started to kick in, she finally, for the first time in a long time, felt happy.
***
Dude, you know you want to, so just call her, That exact same night, Spinner was at Craig's house trying to convince him to ask Manny out.
I'm not going to just call her.
Why not? Craig thought about it.
One, it's Friday night, so she's probably not home. Two, even if she was, she wouldn't want to talk to me, because she hates my guts. Three, even if she did want to talk to me, and even more absurd, wanted to go out with me, how could I? You're here and we're supposed to be looking over Angela.
One, she's home. I overheard her and Emma talking about a sleep over at her house or something equally girlie. Three, she's been giving you the eye since school started. She always glances over when you're flirting with Regan. You know she wants you, and you know you want her. Craig paused.
Wow, that was pretty good.
You been practicing that?
A little- hey, shut up! Just call her. Craig grinned resignedly and picked up the phone. He knew Manny's number by heart, pressing it brought back a few memories. The skating rink, the party, the disastrous first date. God, he missed her. Her hair always smelled good. The phone rang three times before-
A girl's voice answered.
Um. Yeah. Hi. Is Manny there please?
Who's calling?
It's Craig Manning. Pause.
Craig. Hey.
Hey, Manny, how are you?
I'm ok. Pause. Did you... want something? Craig knew it was going to be hard. He didn't think it would be this awkward. He glanced at Spinner, who gave him encouraging signs.
I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime. You know, catch a movie, or get some dinner or something, he paused and took a breath. I miss you.
***
Manny sighed. How was she going to deal with this? Emma was sitting next her on the bed, giving her looks like don't fall for it, Manny. But how could she listen? She loved Craig. No matter how she tried to get over it, he was always on her mind.
Well... I hate what you did to me Craig, and I just don't know how I'm supposed to believe anything you say. Emma gave her the thumbs up, but Manny felt horrible. She wanted to forgive him so badly.
I know... I know. I regret it so much Manny. If I could take it back, everything, I would. I just miss you so much. I miss seeing you... smile. All I thought about this summer was you.
Manny bit her lip. He sounded so sincere.
How am I supposed to trust you, Craig? After everything that happened I just can't-
I'm not asking you to completely and immediately forgive and forget everything that happened. I know it'll take time, but I'm prepared to take it slow. I just want another chance. Can't you give me that? Manny practically melted on the spot.
Stay strong,' Emma mouthed silently. Then Manny was reminded of all the pain and heartache Craig was responsible for.
Craig, I have to go. I guess I'll... talk to you later.
Manny, wait- She hung up.
I can't believe I just did that, Manny said, laughing a little bit. She felt strangely empowered. Emma... I like him so much.
I know you do. But remember, once a cheater, always a cheater. If not with Ashley, then with Hazel, or Terri, or that girl Regan or me. You just can't trust him. You need a sweet guy. Like Chris. Emma's eyes glazed over at the mention of her boyfriend.
You're so lucky, Em. He's awesome.
I know. He's taking me to a club next saturday. You should come! It would be a lot of fun! Manny's eyes lit up. Just dance the night away with cute guys. Way cuter than Craig. With that, she got a bit bummed out again.
No one is cuter than Craig.
He's not all that. Come on, cheer up. We gotta get to the movie theater if we're gonna catch the late show of Honey.
Oh Em, I don't feel like going out, we have to have that meeting tomorrow anyways, for the Anti Water Pollution thing at school.
***
Spinner's eyes lit up.
Oh man, I have an idea.
I'm getting pretty tired of you and your ideas, Spinner, Craig said with his head in his hands.
Just listen. Emma's having that stupid Anti Water Pollution thingy tomorrow, right? Well, just show up like you didn't know Manny was gonna be there, and be casual and talk with her face to face. I'll come too, and we'll get Jimmy so that it looks like we're all going to just help out! He grinned proudly. Am I brilliant or what?
Well, you're... special, that's for sure. Craig pondered. Then again, Manny was for sure going to be there... he could get her alone, try to patch things up. Ok, sounds like a good idea.
Hey, where's Joey at tonight anyways?
Oh you know him. Ladies man took Caitlin out for a night on the town.
Caitlin's pretty hot. For an older woman, I mean. Craig shuddered.
I'll be sure to tell Paige you think that. Spinner's eye grew wide.
No way man, seriously? Come on, don't be a douche! Craig burst out laughing. Spinner and Ashley's lasted 3 days into the new school year. They were together and inseparable and disgustingly lovey-dovey once again.
All right, all right, we'll go. But then I guess we better call it a night early so that we can look undazed and confused tomorrow.
***
Regan woke up the next morning(or rather, afternoon) with a ringing headache. First hangover of the school year! All she remembered from the night before was that at one point she had been jumping up and down on Paul(house owner)'s bed clad only in her underwear with a bottle of Captain Morgan in one hand. And she probably made out with some guy(Tony? Timmy? who knew) who went to a university nearby. She hoped that making out was all they did.
Ew, I'm so gross,' she thought as she got off her bedroom floor to go to the bathroom. She had huge carpet crevices on one side of her face, and her hair was a mess. Her eyes were all bloodshot. Well, this is attractive. She stripped and hopped into the shower and brushed her teeth. She then got some bottled water from their fridge and saw a note from her on the counter.
Regan-
Didn't hear you come home last night, and didn't even give you permission to go out. Grounded for 2 weeks. I'm out with Trevor. Clean your room and call Tim Hortons about that job interview. Some teacher from your school called to remind you about volunteering with the Anti Pollution Club or some shit.
-Karla
Karla was Regan's foster mother. They did not get along, and didn't even pretend to acknowledge each other as mother and daughter. Trevor was Karla's boyfriend, some salesman at Holt Renfrew. Complete loser. Karla didn't date any other kind. As Regan got to the end of the letter she almost dropped her water bottle. The stupid ass Anti Water Pollution Club. They were meeting down by the river at the school to take garbage out of it or something dumb like that.
Regan groaned. She downed her water and went to the fridge for another. Pros: Simpson was the teacher supervisor, and she always got a kick out of making him sweat with her not so innocent innuendoes; she would get some desperately needed community service hours. Cons: going anywhere school-related on a Saturday was massively gay; she felt like she was going to throw up; she didn't particularly like being bossed around by kids younger than her; wading around knee-deep in shit water for garbage was not exactly appealing. Screw that, she muttered, shortly afterward running to the bathroom to puke her guts out.
***
Pretty good turnout, Emma. Why don't you get everyone's attention? It was about noon, and 22 people had shown up for the club, much much than Mr. Simpson or admittedly, Emma herself, had expected.
Thanks, Mr. Simpson. Ok everyone! Thanks so much for coming! We're gonna be here till five o'clock tonight, so I hope you all already had lunch. Today we're going to trek over to Hourglass River and clean it up a bit, making it a better environment for frogs and um... stuff. When we're done you can all see Mr. Simpson, who will sign your community hours sheets. Well. Let's get started! She turned to Manny and grinned. This is so great! With this amount of people we'll get the river cleaned up in no time! How about we start at the end of the stream, by the old shack?
Manny nodded. Craig, who was hanging nearby but pretending to not pay attention to them, heard every word.
Guys, why don't we start over by the abandoned shack? You know, at the end of the river? Jimmy and Spinner nodded, though Jimmy looked kind of pissed.
You guys said we would be shooting hoops, he said huffily.
Oh we will, after Craig gets his girl, Spinner said stupidly, laughing. Craig rightfully punched him on the shoulder.
Well let's get going then. The sooner we start working, the sooner we can leave.
With that the guys made their way to a tree, shrub infested area where Manny and Emma was putting on hipweighters and grabbing poker things to pick up the waste.
Oh my god. These are so... stylish.
And slimming, Emma added. Just then Manny said Craig, Jimmy and Spinner coming over. She lowered her voice.
Em. Craig is here. And I'm wearing. Stupid. HIPWEIGHTERS, She hissed, her face turning beet red.
Just ignore him and pretend your having a great time without him. She raised her voice to a shout. Last one in is a rotten egg!
Manny nodded and took this to heart.
All right! She said, running into the water, which she would soon learn was not a good idea. She tripped over a root in the ground and fell face first into the ice cold water. She sat up, spitting water.
Oh my god.
Manny, are you ok?! Emma said, rushing to her aid, but not running, learning from Manny's mistake.
Oh. My. GOD. She closed her eyes. Please tell me Craig somehow magically didn't see that. Emma turned and looked Spinner and Jimmy were laughing it up, but Craig... coming into the water. Without hipweighters. He grabbed Manny by the elbows and pulled her up.
Manny, are you ok? Shut up, you guys! He pulled her into his embrace, rubbing her arms in a futile effort to warm her up. Wow! It's really cold in here! His voice was a bit higher. Let's get out of this freezing inferno, kay? I have a jacket back at the school that you can wear. Manny shivered.
They walked back together, his arms around her the whole way. Manny felt a bit confused... was this really happening?
They got back to the school and Craig handed her his leather jacket.
Oh- but Craig, I'll get it all wet-
Take it, he said firmly. It's just a stupid jacket. She smiled and put it on.
She suddenly became very image conscious.
Oh God, don't look at me! she shrieked, covering her face with both hands. I must look like a drowned cat! Craig laughed and took her hands off.
You don't look like a drowned cat. You look... he paused and smiled. Beautiful. Like a drowned Manny. She laughed.
I guess I'll just change into my gym clothes, and then we better get back to the river.
Ok, but stick near me this time, so that if you decide to go for another swim I can be a more prepared lifeguard.
Oh shut up! She said laughing, swatting his arm playfully and going to her locker to get the clothes. Craig leaned against his locker and laughed to himself.
***
What do you mean I can't get a pass? Of course I get a late pass, what kind of stupid school is this?! It was quite a few days later, and Regan was beginning what would become a daily ritual with the secretary. The fat one who hated her.
Nuh uh. Not 5 times in a week, and it's only wednesday! I don't know what you're used to, Ms. Kennedy, but at this school we have policies-
Sucks to your policies!
Ms. Kennedy, I will not tolerate any more of your crude language, crude behavior and crude apparel.
What?! You can't talk that way about the way I dress! That's got to be harassment!
You can persist all you want, but I've had enough. Although I'm sure Mr. Raditch can make time to talk to you. Regan rolled her eyes at the threat and walked away.
If he's not too busy jacking off,she muttered as she stalked out of the school. Suspension: 3 days.
She is so hot, JT said to Liberty as they crossed paths bringing in attendance sheets and witnessed the exchange.
She is so stupid, Liberty said, glaring at him.
Whatever. Hey, did you hear? She looked at him blankly. I'm starting a sex club. She continued to look at him blankly.
I hope you're joking.
No, of course I'm not joking! I think a sex club is a great idea!
What will it consist of, you and Toby reading Playboy?
Very funny. I think a lot of people will join. Especially if she, she nodded to Regan's slowly fading figure. joins. And Paige, and Ashley for all those guys who dig alternative chicks. And Jane's looking pretty hot lately, she can come too.
So your plan is to invite pretty, popular girls and then hope guys will follow them? Never mind that none of those girls would actually be interested. What will you do in this club?
You know. Talk about sex. Raise awareness about diseases and pregnancy... Liberty looked at him in disbelief. all right, and look at some nudie pictures.
You're disgusting. It won't work, you'll never get a teacher to supervise it and no one will come.
We'll see, Liberty, oh we'll see!
***
Where've you been lately? Craig asked Regan a few days later.
Yeah, I hear you get around.
You know you want it. She said, motioning to her admittedly great body. Regan had to admit, she liked these flirty, teasing conversations she and Craig were accustomed to. She couldn't remember ever having a straight conversation with the guy.
Yeah, I want it, but not from you! Ohhh BURNNNNN!!! Regan gave in and laughed.
You're so lame. See you in English, aight?
Yep. I'll save you a seat. Regan went outside for a smoke, which she often did before 2nd period. It was pretty sad, how she couldn't go 2 hours without lighting up.
Ashley frowned as she saw the two laughing. She was trying to not be jealous, but it was hard, the way he kept flirting with Regan and occasionally Terri and worst of all- Manny. Only with Manny, it was getting serious, she could tell. It hurt, she wouldn't deny it- it hurt a lot.
She went past without saying anything and made her way to her favorite class, english. They were currently studying Lord of the Flies which everyone except Ashley seemed to hate. She loved it, and Mr. Miller always had insightful thoughts about it. Come to think of it, Mr. Miller always had insightful comments about everything. He always wrote little comments on her essays and journal entries. He was really funny, and he liked the Clash! Mr. Miller was always giving her a sly smile or-
Whoa, there we go. Off on a Miller tangent again. Ok. So she had a little crush on him. So did every other X chromosome in the class(and let's face it- Marco). It was nothing to write a song about. Or three. Ugh, this is so stupid. I should not think about him that way, she thought, shaking her head. But as she walked into the class her stomach got a tingly feeling. He was wearing a light blue shirt, a navy tie and jeans. He looked perfect.
Hi Ash, ready for another excitement filled class?
Oh yeah, nothing gets the day going like a good english class. It's like caffeine.
Don't I know it. He flashed her his perfect, James Bond-dashing smile. Hey, so I hear you and Ellie have a band.
Yeah, we don't really have a name yet.
What kind of music?
Punk, of course.
Of course! He laughed. Well, I'd love to hear you guys play sometime. She blushed and smiled at him. The class had filled up now. Ok guys, settle down! Today we're going to pair off and search the novel for different themes- he was cut off by loud groans. Yeah yeah yeah. Find a partner and I'll assign you a theme.
Ashley and Ellie quickly got together and went to his desk. Ash and Ellie... hmm... I'll give you guys light versus darkness. Some might find it tough, but I think you can handle it. He winked at Ashley, who turned grinned stupidly.
Someone's got a crush on a teacher, Ellie said in a low sing song voice.
I do not! Ashley lied.
***
In the ninth grade gym class, Emma and Manny were running warm up laps and trying to have a conversation at the same time. It was not easy.
Emma asked.
So what?
So- when- are- you- gonna, she paused, panting. admit- that- you- and- Craig- are- going- out?
We aren't!
You so are! You ditched me and Chris at- the- club- that- time- to- see- him!
When are you and Chris gonna- have- sex? Emma stopped abruptly and put her hands on her hips, breathing hand and bending over.
Manny! Never!
No! Not never, I mean! just... I don't know!
You're just trying to change the subject!
NELSON! SANTOS! I SEE NO SWEAT ON YOUR FOREHEADS, PICK IT UP AND HUSTLE LADIES! MOOOOOOOOOVEEEEE!! Their butch P.E teacher, yelled from across the room while eating a chocolate donut and reading the newspaper. The girls exchanged a look, but started running again.
***
Regan. You're 20 minutes late. Can I see your late slip?
Um. You could.
I... dropped it. Regan didn't care enough to make it a good lie. Mr. Miller sighed.
You also skipped my class twice last week.
Nope, only once, the other time I was suspended! She said cheerfully.
See me after class please.
She paused. I like your tie.
I'm glad you approve. Find a partner and do some theme tracking from Lord of the Flies.
Aw man, I hate that book. She scanned the room. everyone was already in partners. Hey Craig, you wanna-
He's with me, Jimmy said snottily.
So, we can have a three way. Jimmy's eyes lit up and half the class laughed.
Two per group. Mr. Miller said.
Ugh, well great, so everyone has a partner but me. She sat at an empty desk in the front row and shot a dirty look at Craig, who shrugged apologetically. I have no friends. This is so lame, she thought bitterly. Surprisingly Mr. Miller rolled over in his rollie chair next to her. You're going to be my partner?
Yeah, and I figure I can catch you up on the stuff you missed while I'm here. Can I ask why you were suspended in the first place?
Yeah, it's cause I yelled at the damn- I mean sweet and jolly secretary.
It's ok, I can't stand that woman either. Regan let out a surprised smile. Miller was cooler then she thought. You'll be doing an oral presentation- not so cool on stereotypes.
That's ok. I'm really great at oral, she lingered on the word. It's one of my talents, she kept a straight face saying this, wondering if he got her double entendre.
he laughed. That's great. I- he coughed and started laughing again. I have nothing to say to that! That's horrible! Regan laughed with him.
But not really.
Ok. Moving on, you have another journal due as well, on the subject of someone you admire. Cheesy, but what can you do.
I think I can handle it. Should we get started on this theme stuff?
Yes. Ok, I'm going to give you the beast, which is a relatively easy subject, because we know that the beast is really a metaphor for the vil that lurks inside the boys-
Ashley, sitting at the back of the class with Ellie, kept sneaking glances at them. Why would he do that? He didn't like Regan more than her, did he?
He's probably just helping her out because he knows she's a moron. Seriously, it's only been like a month and she's already failing everything, a nasty voice in her head said. She shook the thoughts away. It wasn't fair to say that, she barely knew Regan. But she just hated the fact that Mr. Miller might have someone else as a favorite.
So, can you make practice tonight in the music room? I've got a new song written out. I think we should give it a try, Ellie said while searching the pages of the book for points.
Yeah, definitely, Ashley said. They worked quietly for the rest of the class, and she occasionally glanced at Mr. Miller and Regan, who always seemed to be laughing together.
The bell rang, and everyone got up to leave, except Ashley, who took her time getting her things together. She psyched herself up.
So, Mr. M... Ellie, Terri and me... the band. We're having a practice today after school. Just you know, if you want to come watch.
Great, thanks Ash. I'll see if I can. Oh, hey Regan, come back here! You're not getting out that easy. Regan drudged back.
Fine, but I'll blame you if I'm late.
I want you to have that journal entry on my desk by the end of today. I don't care if you have to work on it at lunch or after school. Don't roll your eyes at me. Today, understand?
Not whatever. Yes.
Yeah, yes! Whatever. Jesus. With that she stomped away. Mr. Miller gave Ashley an what a drama queen look, which made her grin estactically as she left. He didn't like Regan more. He could hardly stand her.
A/N: Wow, I can't believe I wrote all this in a day. Craig/Manny, woo! Review please :)
