Chapter Nine
Cat Fight
Rachel Sanchez POV
I don't know what to do and definitely don't know what to say. I tried helping Manny but if she doesn't want it then she doesn't have to take it. So my last resort is to give up. Manny Santos can handle herself and if she wants to feel sorry for herself nobody is stopping her. I really could care less. Ugh but my brother would think differently. I can't believe I caught them flirting in the hallway. What if they started dating? Then I would have to see her more than normally, which is a lot. I ask you what does he see in her? She dresses sleazy letting it all hang out and a snobby person. What kind of qualities are those and I really don't want to call Manny sister-in-law any time soon. What a nightmare that would be? But I have a life too and it's time I should get on with it. I mean I have a family, cheer and Craig. Oh I feel horrible for standing him up earlier. He must hate me now! I hope I didn't completely ruin everything because I still have the hugest crush on him. Oh God please let there still be a possible relationship for us sometime soon . . . sometime very soon!
"Rachel, Hun you're five minutes late." Paige shouts as I enter the room.
"Yeah I am, sorry." I say and begin to stretch out.
"Just don't let it happen again. We have lots of work and so little time."
"I know. I'm going to get back to stretching okay?"
"Go for it but I want you and Manny to work on the bakery sale by painting signs and stuff. I can't believe how time is flying by."
"Me neither." I reply and Paige walks away. I see Manny on the opposite side of the room. How are we going to work as a team when we hate each other? I'm just going to pretend like nothing happened and try to go with the flow. I got to be the bigger person so I guess I'll take the first step.
"Um Manny Paige said we should work on the posters." I say.
"Yeah and what do you want me to do about it?" Manny asks.
"Well we got to work together. You know as a team."
"I really don't want to."
"Don't be this way."
"Like what?" She asks.
"Like this. Stop hiding the truth okay? I won't tell anybody if you're worried I will."
"Fine let's work together but don't except me to be happy about it."
"Same goes for me." So we work on the posters and we haven't said anything to one another, which is probably for the best. I really don't want any out bursts to happen because I don't want to jeopardize my spot on the spirit squad. That would not be good. I would lose everything.
Manny Santos POV
Wow, this is exciting . . . not! I really wish I wasn't here, not here with her. Ugh why can't she mind her own business? I mean honestly why does she care? She never used to care about me but now when she thinks I'm in trouble she thinks I need her help. I really don't. I can handle myself. Plus I don't even have a problem. Yes, I admit it was stupid that I brought that to school but I wasn't planning to take it, at least I don't think so. It was just for backup. Paige walks over with a grin on her face. I hope she's happy because I'm definitely not.
"Hey guys, great work. Manny maybe you should paint like Rachel instead of making everything black. We want to attract people and black is depressing. It drives people away." Paige suggests.
"I really don't think it matters." I reply.
"I was just trying to help."
"Well I really don't need it." I shout back.
"Clam down girl." I just look at her and stop talking.
"Paige, I don't think it matters what color they are. We just want to get it done." Rachel says.
"I guess it's your choice. Hey where were you at lunch?" Paige asks Rachel. Rachel doesn't answer her right away.
She replies, "Um I had somebody to see."
"Oh well Craig was going to ask you out." Rachel and Craig? Am I hearing this right? Wait what I do care? But I do care! Why?
"Oh he was?"
"Ugh yeah that's why Spin and me left you two alone." I need to stop this conversation.
"Wait hold on. Rachel, are you and Craig dating or something?"
Rachel replies, "Yeah possibly. Why do you care?"
"No reason."
"Manny we're all mature adults. See Rachel, Manny and Craig dated at one time."
"You got to be kidding me." Rachel snaps back sounding surprised.
"Is it really that hard to believe?"
"Kind of. I mean you seem so different. I just wouldn't think he would date you."
"You say that like you mean something bad by that but you two deserve each other. He's a jerk."
"I found him quite charming."
"It's all an act. One day he'll tell you he loves you and then the next he'll break you heart. I should know I've been there."
"Manny I think you're jealous!" Rachel says, as she knows everything about me.
"Jealous of what?" I ask.
"Of me and Craig."
"Do you know how stupid you sound?"
"Oh grow up and get out of my face." Then Rachel gets up and leaves but I'm glad. Paige doesn't budge and just stands there. I'm really beginning to dislike Paige too.
"I guess you two don't get along." Paige says. No really!
"Nope, not at all. Paige, why did you have to tell Rachel about the whole Craig thing? What makes you think you can tell her about my personal life?''
Paige looks at the ground and says, "I'm sorry. I just thought that . . . that you were through with Craig."
"I am. I just don't like bringing it up."
"Um I'll leave you alone. I hope you'll forgive me."
Rachel Sanchez POV
It looks like Manny is jealous. I can't believe she used to date Craig and it's like she still wants to date him.
"Hey Manny your b's look like sixes. Here let me fix it." I say taking her paintbrush.
"You messed it up." She shouts taking her brush back.
"You can't do much better!"
"Watch this!" She says purposely messing up my poster.
"Hey you did that on purpose."
"Prove it." And then before I knew it we were having a paint fight and paint was everywhere. It was on the floor, in my hair, in her hair, just about anywhere but the posters. Now everybody was looking at us. Well everybody in the gym, which was all the cheerleaders.
"Stop it now!" Paige shouts and both Manny and me stop. "What's going on?"
"Nothing. We just had a little argument, but we are sorry. Aren't we Manny?" I ask looking at Manny who is speechless.
"Yeah."
"I don't know what to do with you two. I mean you never get along and now you're starting fights. I need to really think about this. I think you should leave for the day and we'll see what will happen tomorrow."
Manny gets up, turns to me and says, "Look what you did. You have to ruin everything, Miss Perfect."
"You don't know anything about me so back off."
"Oh it will be my pleasure." She replies and leaves. Ugh she makes me so mad. I can't believe so much has gone wrong and it hasn't even been a whole week. Thank god tomorrow is a Friday, which means it is almost the weekend. That's always a good thing. I got to call my mother to tell her to come pick me up early since she wasn't expecting this, neither was I. I don't know what Paige is thinking. Is she going to kick me off the spirit squad or just Manny or worse both of us?
Manny Santos POV
I can't believe something like this happened, but it did. Hey she started it and I just snapped because I've had. I'm tired of people telling me I'm wrong. Years from now I'll be able to look back and laugh. Maybe even sooner than I thought. We probably looked pretty ridiculous flinging paint at one another. I can't help but laugh at the thought of it, but Paige looked pretty pissed off. What's the use of getting mad over something so stupid? I hear the honk of my father's car. I pick up my heavy cheer bag and head over to the car watching my every step. I probably look horrible, but I'm too scared to look in a mirror.
Dad asks, "What happened to you?"
"I love you too, dad."
"Did you get into some kind of fight?"
"You could say that."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but I'm kinda hungry."
"Is that a hint?"
"Maybe . . ."
"Okay since it looked like you've had a busy day, I'll treat you. So where to?" He asks and smiles at me. At that moment I almost forgot about him and mom fighting.
"How about Wendy's?" I respond.
"On the way."
When we get home I rush to find mom. I go into the kitchen where she can always be found and sure enough that is where I find her.
"Hey mom. We got some food." I say. She turns around and looks at me with a puzzled look.
"What happened to you?" She asks just like dad did. Do I look that bad?
"Um nothing, just a little incident with a fellow cheerleader. It's nothing, really!"
"Oh well that's good. Just go get cleaned up, okay?"
"I was about too so where is Steven?"
"I don't know. He left early this morning and hasn't been home since."
"Oh then he's probably with her."
"Oh honey please can we talk about something else?" Mom asks. I know she's still mad at my brother and I am too. Why must he keep secret from the family? We used to tell one another everything, especially him and me. That's just the way it was, but now it isn't and I really wish it was. I look at the clock and it is already 8:00. Where is he? Maybe he left town or went to get hitched. No, he's not that stupid.
"Mom, can I eat in my room?" I ask.
"Oh sure." She says.
I get into my room and check to see if I have any messages but I don't. I guess I'm not very popular. I remember the days when I used to always get phone calls from Emma but those days have passed. We will never be friends and never have our occasional girl night outs. I kind of miss those days. I kind of miss having a best friend and I miss having a boyfriend. Does that sound as lame as I think it sounds? I hear the phone ring, but just when I was about to pick it up it stopped ringing. A few minutes later it rings but once again it stops, as I was about to answer it. This time I was prepared. I kept the phone right next to me so when it rang I picked it up and said hello but nobody answered. All I heard was breathing. I don't know whether to be freaked out or more freaked out. That was the last phone call I got all night. Is this what it feels like to be unpopular? Because I don't like it, not one bit.
Rachel Sanchez POV
When I get home the first one to greet me other than my mother is Josh. Oh no what is he going to say? I hate when he grins at me like that. Come on and bring in the insults.
"Stop looking at me like that. It scares me more than usual." I say.
"Gee, what happened to you?"
"Nothing." I shot back.
"Did you get into a fight, or better yet a cat fight?"
"Nope no claw action."
"Oh you're funny. Then what did happen?"
"Me and Manny had a little argument. She is really beginning to become a pain."
"Really? Well I think she's a real catch."
"Bro, then you're hopeless."
"Oh really. Look who's talking? Where is the camera when you need it? Oh look it's right here." Josh says and before I can cover my face he takes a picture.
"Josh!" I shout.
"Just wait until I make copies. I wonder how much they will go for on eBay?" Josh says.
"I'm gonna make you wish you were never born." I shout and chase after him.
"Sis, just give up. I've already won." He says and goes behind the couch. I grab a pillow from the couch and throw it at him but darn it I miss.
"Ow that really hurt."
"Stay still why don't you?"
"Because that's not how you win." I grab another pillow off the couch and this time I hit something, but it's not my brother.
"Rachel stop it this instant." Mom shouts. I just cover my face and I can hear my brother laughing. I've lost.
"Forgive her mom for she does not know what she does." Brother says now quoting the bible. Ha ha ha!
"Sorry mom. I was aiming for Josh's head." I say.
"Well just stop and come into the kitchen. We need to talk." Mom says. Nothing good is followed by 'We Need To Talk' That is what mom and dad said when I got into the accident. And everybody knows what happened after that. When I step into the kitchen there I see my aunt, dad, and mom. Oh no who died?
Josh asks, "Is everything okay?"
"It depends." Dad says.
"Dad, what is it?" I ask getting more worried waiting in anticipation.
"Sit down." My aunt says.
"See I got a new job that pays a lot more money and has better benefits. We might even get to go to Disney Land this summer." Dad says.
"Congratulations dad, but I don't see what the problem is." I say.
"The job is back in California."
*Authors Note* Ha, ha, ha I left you hanging so how did you like it? I hope you liked it a lot because I do. This fan fiction is so fun to write. Keep R&Ring and I'll keep writing.
Who should Manny end up with: Sean, Craig, or Josh (I need your opinions)
~~~Sister-Cousin~~~
Cat Fight
Rachel Sanchez POV
I don't know what to do and definitely don't know what to say. I tried helping Manny but if she doesn't want it then she doesn't have to take it. So my last resort is to give up. Manny Santos can handle herself and if she wants to feel sorry for herself nobody is stopping her. I really could care less. Ugh but my brother would think differently. I can't believe I caught them flirting in the hallway. What if they started dating? Then I would have to see her more than normally, which is a lot. I ask you what does he see in her? She dresses sleazy letting it all hang out and a snobby person. What kind of qualities are those and I really don't want to call Manny sister-in-law any time soon. What a nightmare that would be? But I have a life too and it's time I should get on with it. I mean I have a family, cheer and Craig. Oh I feel horrible for standing him up earlier. He must hate me now! I hope I didn't completely ruin everything because I still have the hugest crush on him. Oh God please let there still be a possible relationship for us sometime soon . . . sometime very soon!
"Rachel, Hun you're five minutes late." Paige shouts as I enter the room.
"Yeah I am, sorry." I say and begin to stretch out.
"Just don't let it happen again. We have lots of work and so little time."
"I know. I'm going to get back to stretching okay?"
"Go for it but I want you and Manny to work on the bakery sale by painting signs and stuff. I can't believe how time is flying by."
"Me neither." I reply and Paige walks away. I see Manny on the opposite side of the room. How are we going to work as a team when we hate each other? I'm just going to pretend like nothing happened and try to go with the flow. I got to be the bigger person so I guess I'll take the first step.
"Um Manny Paige said we should work on the posters." I say.
"Yeah and what do you want me to do about it?" Manny asks.
"Well we got to work together. You know as a team."
"I really don't want to."
"Don't be this way."
"Like what?" She asks.
"Like this. Stop hiding the truth okay? I won't tell anybody if you're worried I will."
"Fine let's work together but don't except me to be happy about it."
"Same goes for me." So we work on the posters and we haven't said anything to one another, which is probably for the best. I really don't want any out bursts to happen because I don't want to jeopardize my spot on the spirit squad. That would not be good. I would lose everything.
Manny Santos POV
Wow, this is exciting . . . not! I really wish I wasn't here, not here with her. Ugh why can't she mind her own business? I mean honestly why does she care? She never used to care about me but now when she thinks I'm in trouble she thinks I need her help. I really don't. I can handle myself. Plus I don't even have a problem. Yes, I admit it was stupid that I brought that to school but I wasn't planning to take it, at least I don't think so. It was just for backup. Paige walks over with a grin on her face. I hope she's happy because I'm definitely not.
"Hey guys, great work. Manny maybe you should paint like Rachel instead of making everything black. We want to attract people and black is depressing. It drives people away." Paige suggests.
"I really don't think it matters." I reply.
"I was just trying to help."
"Well I really don't need it." I shout back.
"Clam down girl." I just look at her and stop talking.
"Paige, I don't think it matters what color they are. We just want to get it done." Rachel says.
"I guess it's your choice. Hey where were you at lunch?" Paige asks Rachel. Rachel doesn't answer her right away.
She replies, "Um I had somebody to see."
"Oh well Craig was going to ask you out." Rachel and Craig? Am I hearing this right? Wait what I do care? But I do care! Why?
"Oh he was?"
"Ugh yeah that's why Spin and me left you two alone." I need to stop this conversation.
"Wait hold on. Rachel, are you and Craig dating or something?"
Rachel replies, "Yeah possibly. Why do you care?"
"No reason."
"Manny we're all mature adults. See Rachel, Manny and Craig dated at one time."
"You got to be kidding me." Rachel snaps back sounding surprised.
"Is it really that hard to believe?"
"Kind of. I mean you seem so different. I just wouldn't think he would date you."
"You say that like you mean something bad by that but you two deserve each other. He's a jerk."
"I found him quite charming."
"It's all an act. One day he'll tell you he loves you and then the next he'll break you heart. I should know I've been there."
"Manny I think you're jealous!" Rachel says, as she knows everything about me.
"Jealous of what?" I ask.
"Of me and Craig."
"Do you know how stupid you sound?"
"Oh grow up and get out of my face." Then Rachel gets up and leaves but I'm glad. Paige doesn't budge and just stands there. I'm really beginning to dislike Paige too.
"I guess you two don't get along." Paige says. No really!
"Nope, not at all. Paige, why did you have to tell Rachel about the whole Craig thing? What makes you think you can tell her about my personal life?''
Paige looks at the ground and says, "I'm sorry. I just thought that . . . that you were through with Craig."
"I am. I just don't like bringing it up."
"Um I'll leave you alone. I hope you'll forgive me."
Rachel Sanchez POV
It looks like Manny is jealous. I can't believe she used to date Craig and it's like she still wants to date him.
"Hey Manny your b's look like sixes. Here let me fix it." I say taking her paintbrush.
"You messed it up." She shouts taking her brush back.
"You can't do much better!"
"Watch this!" She says purposely messing up my poster.
"Hey you did that on purpose."
"Prove it." And then before I knew it we were having a paint fight and paint was everywhere. It was on the floor, in my hair, in her hair, just about anywhere but the posters. Now everybody was looking at us. Well everybody in the gym, which was all the cheerleaders.
"Stop it now!" Paige shouts and both Manny and me stop. "What's going on?"
"Nothing. We just had a little argument, but we are sorry. Aren't we Manny?" I ask looking at Manny who is speechless.
"Yeah."
"I don't know what to do with you two. I mean you never get along and now you're starting fights. I need to really think about this. I think you should leave for the day and we'll see what will happen tomorrow."
Manny gets up, turns to me and says, "Look what you did. You have to ruin everything, Miss Perfect."
"You don't know anything about me so back off."
"Oh it will be my pleasure." She replies and leaves. Ugh she makes me so mad. I can't believe so much has gone wrong and it hasn't even been a whole week. Thank god tomorrow is a Friday, which means it is almost the weekend. That's always a good thing. I got to call my mother to tell her to come pick me up early since she wasn't expecting this, neither was I. I don't know what Paige is thinking. Is she going to kick me off the spirit squad or just Manny or worse both of us?
Manny Santos POV
I can't believe something like this happened, but it did. Hey she started it and I just snapped because I've had. I'm tired of people telling me I'm wrong. Years from now I'll be able to look back and laugh. Maybe even sooner than I thought. We probably looked pretty ridiculous flinging paint at one another. I can't help but laugh at the thought of it, but Paige looked pretty pissed off. What's the use of getting mad over something so stupid? I hear the honk of my father's car. I pick up my heavy cheer bag and head over to the car watching my every step. I probably look horrible, but I'm too scared to look in a mirror.
Dad asks, "What happened to you?"
"I love you too, dad."
"Did you get into some kind of fight?"
"You could say that."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but I'm kinda hungry."
"Is that a hint?"
"Maybe . . ."
"Okay since it looked like you've had a busy day, I'll treat you. So where to?" He asks and smiles at me. At that moment I almost forgot about him and mom fighting.
"How about Wendy's?" I respond.
"On the way."
When we get home I rush to find mom. I go into the kitchen where she can always be found and sure enough that is where I find her.
"Hey mom. We got some food." I say. She turns around and looks at me with a puzzled look.
"What happened to you?" She asks just like dad did. Do I look that bad?
"Um nothing, just a little incident with a fellow cheerleader. It's nothing, really!"
"Oh well that's good. Just go get cleaned up, okay?"
"I was about too so where is Steven?"
"I don't know. He left early this morning and hasn't been home since."
"Oh then he's probably with her."
"Oh honey please can we talk about something else?" Mom asks. I know she's still mad at my brother and I am too. Why must he keep secret from the family? We used to tell one another everything, especially him and me. That's just the way it was, but now it isn't and I really wish it was. I look at the clock and it is already 8:00. Where is he? Maybe he left town or went to get hitched. No, he's not that stupid.
"Mom, can I eat in my room?" I ask.
"Oh sure." She says.
I get into my room and check to see if I have any messages but I don't. I guess I'm not very popular. I remember the days when I used to always get phone calls from Emma but those days have passed. We will never be friends and never have our occasional girl night outs. I kind of miss those days. I kind of miss having a best friend and I miss having a boyfriend. Does that sound as lame as I think it sounds? I hear the phone ring, but just when I was about to pick it up it stopped ringing. A few minutes later it rings but once again it stops, as I was about to answer it. This time I was prepared. I kept the phone right next to me so when it rang I picked it up and said hello but nobody answered. All I heard was breathing. I don't know whether to be freaked out or more freaked out. That was the last phone call I got all night. Is this what it feels like to be unpopular? Because I don't like it, not one bit.
Rachel Sanchez POV
When I get home the first one to greet me other than my mother is Josh. Oh no what is he going to say? I hate when he grins at me like that. Come on and bring in the insults.
"Stop looking at me like that. It scares me more than usual." I say.
"Gee, what happened to you?"
"Nothing." I shot back.
"Did you get into a fight, or better yet a cat fight?"
"Nope no claw action."
"Oh you're funny. Then what did happen?"
"Me and Manny had a little argument. She is really beginning to become a pain."
"Really? Well I think she's a real catch."
"Bro, then you're hopeless."
"Oh really. Look who's talking? Where is the camera when you need it? Oh look it's right here." Josh says and before I can cover my face he takes a picture.
"Josh!" I shout.
"Just wait until I make copies. I wonder how much they will go for on eBay?" Josh says.
"I'm gonna make you wish you were never born." I shout and chase after him.
"Sis, just give up. I've already won." He says and goes behind the couch. I grab a pillow from the couch and throw it at him but darn it I miss.
"Ow that really hurt."
"Stay still why don't you?"
"Because that's not how you win." I grab another pillow off the couch and this time I hit something, but it's not my brother.
"Rachel stop it this instant." Mom shouts. I just cover my face and I can hear my brother laughing. I've lost.
"Forgive her mom for she does not know what she does." Brother says now quoting the bible. Ha ha ha!
"Sorry mom. I was aiming for Josh's head." I say.
"Well just stop and come into the kitchen. We need to talk." Mom says. Nothing good is followed by 'We Need To Talk' That is what mom and dad said when I got into the accident. And everybody knows what happened after that. When I step into the kitchen there I see my aunt, dad, and mom. Oh no who died?
Josh asks, "Is everything okay?"
"It depends." Dad says.
"Dad, what is it?" I ask getting more worried waiting in anticipation.
"Sit down." My aunt says.
"See I got a new job that pays a lot more money and has better benefits. We might even get to go to Disney Land this summer." Dad says.
"Congratulations dad, but I don't see what the problem is." I say.
"The job is back in California."
*Authors Note* Ha, ha, ha I left you hanging so how did you like it? I hope you liked it a lot because I do. This fan fiction is so fun to write. Keep R&Ring and I'll keep writing.
Who should Manny end up with: Sean, Craig, or Josh (I need your opinions)
~~~Sister-Cousin~~~