*Crash Into You*

Chapter 3: Someone To Count On

"What?!" Manny said coldly. She had to keep her guard up. She couldn't let him win her over.

"Manny what are you doing out here this late?" Craig said.

"I could ask you the same." Manny said sharply.

"I'm just taking a walk." Craig said ignoring her attitude.

"Well, so am I." she said.

Craig stepped closer to her, "Hey, Manny is everything ok?" he said with concern.

"Yeah, why?" Manny said getting nervous.

"Well, it's just that I-I, I saw you crying." Craig said lowering his voice.

"What?! What are you talking about? I was not, not, not, crying Craig, please." Manny said trying desperately to cover it up.

"Manny please, I saw you. And I can tell… I see it in your eyes…" he said as he looked deep into her brown eyes searching for something, anything, any trace of love left for him.

As he looked at her she felt him looking into her soul so she looks away, afraid he can see her pain. "I'd rather not talk about it." Manny said feeling the tears swelling up in her eyes again, but she quickly swallowed them.

Craig nodded his head, "That's cool, I understand." Then extending his hand he said "Come on Manny, let me take you home."

"I'm not going home." she said casually.

Craig gave a confused look, "What do you mean 'you're not going home'?"

"I mean I'm not going home, I'm staying right here." Manny said.

"Manny you can't just stay out here. Why don't you want to go home?" He asked still confused.

Manny paused for a second, "Things aren't so good at home now ok."

"Manny there is no way I'm leaving you out here." Craig said.

"Why not?" Manny asked curious to know why he cared so much.

"Because I lo-I mean, because I just can't ok." Craig said getting a little nervous, he was afraid to say something that would scare her away.

"Well I'm sorry Craig, but I'm not moving." Manny said firmly.

Craig stared at her for a second, almost not believing her, "Fine then… neither am I." he said as he took a seat beside her. It felt great to be that close to her again, like old times.

Manny's jaw dropped, "Craig you're kidding right? Come on go home."

"Nope, I'm staying right here until you let me take you home." he said confidently.

Manny smiled to herself.

They both sat in silence for a few minutes until Craig spoke up, "Manny I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for all I've done to you. I never ever meant to hurt you. I hope you know that."

Manny sighed, "I know Craig, but you did, big time."

"I know. I honestly don't know how you're even talking to me now." Craig said smiling to himself.

Manny let out a laugh, "Yeah, neither do I."

"Whatever made you do it, I'm glad you did." he paused then continued, "So do you forgive me? Are we friends again?"

Manny looked up at him with a serious face, "I don't know Craig. I want to forgive you, but it's not that easy. You have to give me some time to fully recover you know."

"Yeah, I know, but I can do that. I have time, lots of it… for you." He said feeling a glimmer of hope for them.

"Good." Manny said smiling.

There was another moment of silence until Craig spoke again, "Do you feel like talking about it? Why you were crying? Why things aren't good at home?"

Manny looked down at the ground avoiding eye contact, "No, not yet, but thanks."

"Ok. Just know that if you ever want to talk, or need to talk, I'm here for you, I'll always be here." Craig said sensing her uneasiness, then he reached over and took her hand in his, "Always…"

So much for keeping my guard up. Manny thought as she felt herself melting away from his touch. They stood that way for a few seconds, holding hands and looking at each other, until Manny pulled away.

"Manny I'm sorry." Craig said startled.

"It's ok," Manny said staring down at her hand. The very hand that was linked with his just a few seconds ago.

Suddenly Craig stood up. "Manny…" he began as he held out his hand to her, "would you like to come to my house?"

Manny stared at him as if he had lost his mind, "Craig, I dunno about that."

"No, I'm not gonna try anything, I promise, I just don't want you to be out here all night. Please, trust me." he said sincerely.

Then without thinking, Manny took his hand and stood up, "Ok, lets go."

~*~

"Well, here we are." Craig said as they stood in front of his house. "One thing Manny, Joey knows I'm out, but I'm pretty sure he'll freak if I come back with you. He should be sleeping by now though so we'll have to be quick and quiet ok."

Manny nodded. Then Craig opened the door, and they safely made their way to his room. Suddenly Manny had no idea what she got herself into. She was standing alone with Craig, the love of her life, in his room, at night. Manny stood stiff in her spot near the door.

"You can sit down." Craig said feeling as nervous as her.

"Uh ok." She sat taking a seat at the edge of the bed.

"You know we can go to sleep now if you want." Craig asked not knowing what to do next.

Manny's head shot up at this comment.

"Of course you'll be on the bed and I'll be on the floor." Craig immediately clarified as he went into his closet to get some blankets for himself.

"Actually I'm not very tired." Manny said in a low tone.

Craig breathed a sigh of relief, "Really? Good, cause neither am I."

"So what do you wanna do?" Manny said feel a bit more at ease.

"I dunno, we could watch a movie something. I could make some popcorn." Craig suggested.

Manny smiled, "That sounds great."

~*~

"Come on! Turn around!" Manny yelled at the scream.

"Yeah are you blind, he's gonna kill you!" Craig said as well.

Manny reached into the bowl and grabbed some popcorn and threw it at Craig. "Oops." Manny said as she started cracking up.

"Oh Manny I'm gonna make you wish you hadn't done that!" Craig said as he grabbed some and did the same thing.

"Oh it's on Craig!" Manny said as she threw some more at him.

Before you knew it they were in a heated popcorn fight.

"I'm gonna get you Manny!" Craig said as he grabbed a pillow and hit her in the leg.

"No Craig I'm gonna get you!" Manny said as she reached for a pillow and hit him over the head. This continued until they were both out of breath. Then they both laid back on the bed and began cracking up.

"I haven't had this much fun in a long time Craig." Manny said patting.

"Yeah me either." Craig added, as he looked at her and smiled.

Manny ruffled his hair and returned his smile.

They spent the rest of the night watching movies and playing around. Then they happily fell asleep… side by side…

A/N: Sorry for taking so long with this chapter. People if you are reading this please review cause I need to know I should continue it or if I'm doing a good job. Thanx, bye.