Sundown Colors

Manny's unborn baby leads her to a lonely life

But still being the crush of JT, might change that

Contains; Romance, Drama

Main Characters; Manny, Emma, J.T., Craig

Chapter Three; Interweave

+ - + - +

When Emma arrived at the site of Craig and me conversing, she wasn't too happy, I saw that. Craig got away quickly, lucky me I had to walk home with her. We didn't speak to each other. She would just stare straight ahead when I'd look at her. She let me know through her actions she hated the idea of Craig and I getting back together. But again, it's my choice.

I arrive home and almost instantaneously start upstairs. My footsteps sound loud trotting up the durable wooden stairs. I know mom must have heard them. I open my door and shut it tightly twisting the warm golden handle to make sure it's sealed. I hang my coat up on my rack, throw my binder down, and begin to dig into my drawers. I pull out a white mini tee and some black stretchy Capri's. I take out the stinging silver earrings and set them on silently onto my vanity's surface. I put my clothes in the hamper to wash later. I start back down the stairs, holding onto the banister, and hearing my loud footsteps again pace down them.

"Mom? Mom," I call throughout the house without patience. I hear something against ping the kitchen table.

"Manuela, that voice," she says scrunching up her face and putting a finger to her right ear. I chortle and take a seat across from her. "Ah, what is it?" she says looking back at her black and white newspaper.

"I was just wondering if we were doing anything this weekend?" I ask wistfully, letting my shoulders rise and squinting my eyes. She doesn't look at me.

"No," she says simply but sharply almost sounding a bit bothered. Okay I'm a step closer.

"Well," I start to withdraw myself from the table to make my quick escape. "I'mgoingonatwodaytripwithmybestfriendonfriday, okay love you bye!" I run hurriedly away from the kitchen hoping to reach my destination far away. I reach the banister but before I'm home free my name pounces off the walls of the kitchen. I shut my eyes tightly.

"Manuela!" she screeches. I roll my eyes before walking back unenthusiastically with my arms hanging and feet dragging. I stand there looking at her. Her paper is down and her hands are tangled together neatly in her lap. She clears her throat. "Slowly," she says. I bite my lip and walk towards her.

"My friend invited me to go somewhere this weekend and I just wanted to make sure we didn't have any plans," I say looking off into the distance. She nods.

"Mhmm, and where will you be going?" she asks suspiciously nodding. I become a little apprehensive.

"Camping," I say. Her eyes widen. "But it's just camping, mom, I mean, it'll be out in the middle of nowhere," I say sitting back down in my seat.

"And who's this friend you are going with?" she asks with an eyebrow raised. She didn't say which friend invited me.

"Paige, mom, who else?" I say stupidly. I swallow. She's on to me. I can't lie for anything. She sighs.

"How long?" she asks. I roll my eyes.

"I don't know," I lie. She gives me 'the eye'. I moan. "I go Friday, come back Saturday," I confess. "But we'll be in tents, we'll have food, and we'll be safe, I promise!" I tell her. She smirks but says nothing. I link my fingers together and make a pout lip. "Please?" she says nothing and looks down at her own linked fingers.

"Manny, are sure about this?" she looks back at me, "I mean, I know you're back in school but I just didn't think it would be this soon that you would be up and about"

"Mom, I'm fine, really," I tell her feeling awkwardness befall me. She sighs.

"All right, whatever," she gives permission. I beam with excitement. I run over and hug her tightly. I hear her gasp for air.

"Thank you so much, mommy! You are the best," I say. She laughs.

"Well get packing, mija, tomorrow is Friday," she teases. I grin and hurry up the stairs. I can't believe she said yes! I'm going to spend the night with Craig! I'm going to be his officially sweetie. I don't know when someone is going to pinch me but I hope it isn't soon.

I pack up all my favorite clothes. My 'new-me' clothes of course. I have lots of cute camouflage outfits, which are so irresistible. All my accessories and everything! I close my suitcase with a snap and make sure it's tight. I become nervous when I look at it. Craig and me all over again. I just hope everything can be patched up again the right way.

+ - + - +

I walk into the school alone. After being halted by Liberty about our essay Ms. Kwan asked for, I got the memo that Emma is sick with some kind of poisoning. At least I won't have to hear about her despising this idea all day long. I roll my suitcase in with me. Embarrassing. Who cares? I'm dating Craig. I arrive at my locker to find J.T. and Toby.

"Hey guys," I smile approaching them. J.T.'s up against my locker and Toby's just beside him. They both turn to me. "Come to say farewell?" I say. They look confused. J.T. looks down at my suitcase.

"You're moving?" he says loudly removing his self from my locker. A few people turn to look. I look around as I feel my cheeks flush with even more embarrassment.

"No," I say brushing JT aside to get to my locker.

"Well what's with the suitcase?" Toby asks. I look down at it then back it him with a conceited grin.

"Going away for the weekend," I explain. They both stare at me. "What? I'm allowed to have fun aren't I?" I say starting to grab my books from my locker. J.T. shakes his head.

"Yeah, but-"

"Where are you going?" Toby cuts in. I look at him.

"Camping," I simply but happily say. I continue going through my locker. They two look bemused.

"You, camping?" J.T. asks. I try pushing my bag into my locker. I manage to nod.

"If this would just" I try to force it in. JT tries to help. We both try to push the bag into the narrow locker but somehow our hands become lost and we find them banded together. We look at each other sensing the shy tone. JT starts to let our hands hang away from the locker. I just stare at him a bit puzzled.

"Is there a problem?" Mr. Raditch asks arriving in front of us. I hurry and pull my hand away and look at Mr. Raditch. Toby and J.T. look too.

"Um, no, sir, I was just trying to get my bag into the locker," I say looking down at the bulging bag. Mr. Raditch looks perplexed.

"What on earth?" he says coming closer. He examines it before looking at me. "Why do you need a suitcase at school, Ms. Santos?" he asks. I look up at him to explain.

"I'm going on a trip today and I need this," I say to him. He looks at the bag again.

"Make sure it doesn't stay like this," he says pointing to the bulged bag. He walks away. I shake my head. Suddenly, Sean walks by he takes a second glance at me. He looks around before he walks closer.

"You need some help," he says pointing to my bag. I look at the bag and then look back hopefully at Sean.

"Could you," my voice trails off. He nods and walks over to it. He takes his foot and kicks the locker door shut. The sounds startles us all but it does fit now. I look at Sean. "Will I be able to open it again?" I ask. He shrugs.

"Nope," he walks away with a smirk. I watch him with my mouth partially open. I look over at JT. JT shrugs. I roll my eyes and put my hand to my head.

+ - + - +

I run around the halls to find Paige or Hazel or anyone. No one. I become irritated. I turn one last corner. Spinner and Jimmy. I look around the halls. I guess they'll have to do. I walk calmly over to them but with pep in my step. Jimmy stops and looks at me while Spinner keeps talking. Jimmy hits Spinner's shoulder to cue him to look. Spinner looks at me as I approach them. I smile sweetly.

"Hey you two," I say. They both smile. "So, are you two as psyched about this trip as I am?" I ask stupidly. They chuckle.

"What's not to like?" Jimmy asks. We all laugh. I'm not sure exactly why.

"So, Spinner, have you seen Craig anywhere?" I ask. He shrugs.

"Sorry, not his owner," he says. Jimmy laughs. "Why?" Spinner asks.

"No reason. I just wanted to talk to him ya know?" I say. They both nod. I don't plan on spending lunch with Kendra again, so why not make conversation? I look at Spinner. "I was wondering, who was the lucky girl to get hit by a spitball this year, Spinner?" I ask reminding him of me. Jimmy looks at my victim.

"You threw a spitball at her, Spin?" Jimmy asks amused. He shrugs.

"It was a million and one years ago," he says. I smile.

"Hey, I got over it, how many girls get to get hit with a spitball by our own Gavin Mason," I jokingly say. I walk past him and hit my shoulder against his. I hear Jimmy laugh as I swagger down the halls searching for Craig.

+ - + - +

"Hun, how in the world did you get that bag in there?" Paige asks looking at my locker in a face of almost disgust.

"Not me, Sean. He kicked it and now I can't even get it to budge," I say aggravated. Paige stares at it.

"Well, I would call Cameron, and tell him to get his thug butt over here, and fix this," she says angry. I bite my lip. Spinner suddenly comes up behind Paige. They share a little kiss.

"What's going on?" he asks. He looks at me and I look at him. He rolls his eyes.

"Look at this, Manny's bag is stuck in the locker because wonderful Sean had to help," she explains. He shrugs.

"I guess she can't come," Spinner 'sadly' shakes his head. I look at him then at my locker. I try to push the lever up but it doesn't move. I get irritated and give it a hard kick. I almost fall from the reaction. I look at Paige and Spinner who stare back. I walk closer to it and pull the lever up again. It easily comes open and I, with little struggle, get my bag. I sit it down next to me and close my locker. I look over at the two and smile.

"What's the hold up?" Craig says peaking his head around the corner. I grin. The two start down in his direction while he starts down in mine. He approaches me with a wide smile. "Need help?" Craig asks sweetly. He bends down and picks up my bag for me. I chuckle. He sticks out his elbow cueing me to lace my arm within the open area. I smile and do exactly as planned. We go down the halls proudly, as a couple.