*Crash Into You*

Chapter 2: Freedom

Manny stood in front of her house feeling more terrified than ever before. She didn't mean to be out this late but she just lost track of time at The Dot. She took a deep breath and reached for the door knob but immediately stopped herself. My shoes! she thought and bent down to slip off her shoes. Then she proceeded to open the door and tiptoe inside. All was well until…

"Manuela." called a voice from the kitchen.

Manny squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, "Crap!" she whispered to herself. Then she turned to face the kitchen, "Hi mami, hi papi." Manny said in her sweetest voice

"Where have you been?!" Her father screamed as he stood up.

"Out." Manny said as she approached the kitchen.

"'Out'? That's your excuse for coming home this late? You were 'out'?" Her mother chimed in, "Excuse you young lady but you are not allowed to be 'out' until whatever hour of the day or night that you feel is best!"

"Yea I know mom! I know I'm not allowed, cause see, I'm not allowed to do anything! You might as well chain me up in my room!" Manny yelled.

"Lower your voice young lady! You are not to speak to us that way!" Her father said stepping closer to her.

There was silence, and both her parents sat back down. Then her mother waved a paper in the air. "Your report card came in today." She said, regaining her composure. "Your grades are slipping."

Manny rolled her eyes and looked up at the ceiling, Do they really have to get into this now?

"What is going on with you Manuela?" Her father said in a soft tone.

"I have a lot going on right now ok." Manny said fighting back tears.

Her father gave a confused look, "A lot going on? Manuela you are just a child. The only thing you have going on is school."

Manny jaw dropped, "What? I'm not a child! And no dad, that isn't the only thing I have going on! You know what, I don't have to take this! I'm going to my room!" Manny said as she ran up the stairs to her bedroom. She slammed the door and threw herself on her bed.

Three… Two… One…

"This is all you fault!" Mrs. Santos shot at Mr. Santos.

"My fault? This is your fault!" He responded, in the same tone.

Tears filled Manny's eyes at the sound of her parents arguing. She couldn't stand them anymore. She didn't even know them anymore, and they certainly didn't know her. She wiped her tears and lay her head facing the window.

Light bulb!

The window! She thought, That's it! I'm gonna sneak out! She instantly rose from her bed and slipped on her shoes. She ran to the window and looked down. Sure her room was on the second floor but it wasn't that high. Then without giving it a second thought Manny climbed out the window, grabbed the closet branch she could find, and made her way down the tree.

That was easy! she thought with a smile. She stood up and looked around, "Freedom." she said as joy filled her cheeks, "I'm free." And with that, she ran down the street. She wasn't quite sure where she was going, how she would get there, or what she would do when she got somewhere, but she didn't care… after all, she was free.

~*~

After she was a safe distance from her house Manny stopped running to catch her breath. She felt so happy to be away from it all, but as she looked up, the scenery wiped away her smile. She was standing in front of Emma's house. Suddenly everything came back. Her parents, her problem with Craig, her enemies at school… and her fight with Emma. Just as quickly as all her happiness had come, in was taken away. Manny felt the tears burning up in her eyes, only this time she didn't fight them, or hold back. Manny turned her head and wiped away her tears, clearing the way for new ones to fall, and continued walking down the street. How did things get so crazy? Just a while back things were fine, but now everything was spiraling out of control, and it was only a matter of time before they hit rock bottom. She kept walking, and kept sobbing until her feet hurt. Then she sat, and kept sobbing.

"Manny?" called a soft voice from behind her, and without turning, she knew who it was. "Crap." she muttered to herself as she wiped her tears hoping they wouldn't notice she'd been crying, but it was no use. She knew that they'd know, because… well because, it was Craig…

A/N: Hope you all like this chapter! Please review! I need reviews! BTW special thanks to BBO (Bigchilikd@aol.com), your review was simple but extremely sweet! You really made my day!