Chapter Ten
...More Mishaps
Rachel Sanchez POV
"Rachel wake up this instant." My mom shouts from outside my door.
"But I'm tired. Come back later." I reply.
"You better be out of that bed in one minute."
"I will eventually."
"Now Rachel! Hurry up! Your breakfast is getting cold." I don't know why my mom always cooks me breakfast. I never eat it all. I'm just not hungry in the morning, never was and I'm definitely not a morning person. Is there honestly anybody who actually likes getting up early in the morning? Mom sounded serious so I better get out of bed, but I don't want to. I'll just do it really slow. Now what should I wear? Nothing seems right and then I glanced at the clock and it's getting late. Finally I throw on a pair of black low-rise jeans and a pink and black striped tank top. After I get dressed I go downstairs.
"Where's my breakfast?" I ask when I get into the kitchen.
"I ate it." Josh responds.
"Oh thanks a lot."
"You're welcome groucho."
"I'll just grab an apple. I'm on a diet anyways."
"Last night was exciting, huh?"
"Exciting is not how I would describe it. I can't believe dad would even think about leaving." Josh says, "You're just thinking about yourself."
"No I'm not. I don't know how you can be so calm about this."
"I have to be."
"Josh do you know what this means? Dad will leave which means that you'll be the man in charge. Do you know how much pressure and responsibility that is?"
"Sis, let me worry about this. It's not your problem to deal with."
"Fine! Come on the bus will be here any minute." I say and that's the end of that. What Josh said was right but he's my dad too. We don't have the best relationship but I'm going to miss him. I thought my parents said we were never going back. Can you explain that to me father? Why does it bother me so much? I mean dad is never there anyways. What's so different about this? When I get onto the bus Craig isn't there. Where can he be? Is he just trying to ignore me?
Manny Santos POV
Where is Rachel? She was supposed to be here to help me with this stupid bake sale fundraiser thing. Is she really that mad at me or just simply forgot? I'm so busy and can really use some help about right now. Who knew so many people liked sweets? I couldn't eat something so early in the morning, never could. Every time the entrance doors open I can't help, but looking hoping it's Rachel. I never thought I would speak those words but hey I'm desperate. Perhaps I'm more tired than I thought.
"Hey." Somebody says and I jump dropping the platter of cupcakes I was holding. There they lay on the floor in a chocolate pool of frosting. Why? Why? Why?
"Manny, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you'd get scared." Sean says trying to pick up this mess.
"I was just blanking out. It was my fault. I was looking for Rachel who was supposed to be here but she never showed up."
"Do you need any help?" He asks.
"Are you sure you're not too busy? I wouldn't want you to go out of your way." Oh you know you would. I need help, so much help.
"Manny it's the least I can do." Sean says and smiles.
"Thanks." This seems unlike Sean, but maybe I underestimated him.
"What are you looking at?" He asks. Oh my gosh how long was I staring at him?
"Nothing." That was . . . awkward. Snap out of it Manny Santos. Get it together. Maybe I need a cupcake to wake me up. Now traffic was moving along smoothly without any more cupcake spills. We were doing great. Then the final bell rang, which meant we needed to clean up.
"Wow Sean thanks so much. I really appreciate it." I say.
"You're welcome. I better get to class. Can you handle it from here?" Sean asks.
"Yep, I'm good."
"Okay later." Then he runs to class almost tripping over his own feet. I can't help but laugh. Hopefully he's not late because of me. Oh and look who decided to make a cameo. What the nerve?
"A little late don't you think?"
"I deserve that." Rachel says.
"Yeah you do and so much more. Where were you, the beauty parlor?"
"You're funny, but no. Gee, don't get all mad. I just forgot, okay! But it looked like you handled things pretty well."
"That's not the point Rachel. This is a team effort or was supposed to be and I was the only one here."
"Meow! Look I'm really sorry." She shouts.
"Yeah you should be. I got to get to class. You can take over partner."
Rachel Sanchez POV
How could I possibly forget about the bake sale? Manny nearly had a heart attack. Who's she kidding? I know she didn't actually want me there. She just wanted to complain to make me feel ashamed about myself but do you see me crying? Nope, no tear in sight! I could be tired but not that tired to just forget I made such a huge commitment. Maybe I'm more frustrated than tired. This whole dad getting a job in California has got stressed. It's insane. I'm too young to be stressed. It can't possibly be healthy.
"Rachel we need to talk." Paige says. I hate those poor choice of words.
"About what?"
"About you! Manny told me that you completely bailed on her this morning and also about you and Manny getting in a fight or whatever you want to call it. What's gotten into you?"
"Manny and me don't get along. I'm sorry I didn't show up this morning. I just didn't want any problems."
"Are you sure that's it?" No I know that's not it.
"Yeah that's it." I say.
"I was just concerned. Look who is walking this way." She says and I turn around. It's Craig, but he doesn't stop. He quickly glances my way and then continues walking.
"I've ruined everything."
"No you haven't. Things will work out. I gotta go, but I'll see you at lunch."
"Bye." I can't believe Craig just ignored me like that. Is he really that upset? Is anybody really that upset with me? I can't help it that I had something to do yesterday, which obviously didn't work out. What? Where did everybody go?
"Mrs. Sanchez where have you been?" Mr. Simpson asked as I enter the computer room ten minutes late.
"Uh around." I reply.
"Well take your seat please."
"Yes sir."
Mr. Simpson continues. "Now that everybody is here we can start the assignment. Okay so you and your partner will work on your very own website. It should include your interests like music, hobbies, and movies. Is there any questions?" He asked, but nobody raised their hand, so he just continued talking. "Manny and Emma you'll be partners."
Thank god she's not my partner. That would truly suck! "And Sean you'll be Rachel's partner. Now please start. These are due next Friday and remember to have fun."
Uh yeah right! Since when has any assignment been fun? Sean walked up to me and sat down. "So what should we do ours on?"
He asked softly barely moving his mouth. "I dunno...movies, music, and dancing." I suggest.
"Uh like entertainment? Yeah that sounds cool." Finally a smile, this shouldn't be that horrible.
Manny Santos POV
Emma and me haven't spoken more than two words to each other. I think my first word was hi and hers was yeah. Then I sneezed and she sighed. I guess you can't really call that a conversation. It's barely even communicating. I have a feeling that she is trying to ignore me. How are we supposed to be partners when we don't communicate? Ding, Ding, Ding We can't! Ahh this silence is killing me.
"Emma I know you'd rather be someone else's partner, but you're with me so deal with it." I spurt out.
"Yeah I know. Look who Sean's with!" She says.
"Um Rachel I know. What is your point if you even have one?"
"Aren't you scared she'll steal him away?"
"Sean would never fall for her and besides even if her did why would I care?"
"Who do you think you're kidding? You're all over him, Manny."
"Oh please, Em this isn't about me liking Sean it's about you still hung up on him. You're jealous and you can't handle it."
She just stared at me and sighed so now I guess that's what we're down to: silence, complete silence. She turned to the computer screen and started working on the website. You'll never guess what we're doing it on: endangered animals. Actually anybody who knows Emma could've predicted that. Her big dream is world peace both in the human and animal world. She didn't even ask me for my opinion. She just went ahead and did it. There's Emma for you taking all control of everything. Sean caught up with me after class. I wonder what horrid stories he'll have to tell about Rachel?
"So did you live?" Sean asked.
"Thankfully. I was so close to snapping and you?"
"It could've been worse."
"Oh man do I feel your pain. I can't handle Rachel Sanchez. She has it in for me."
"Yeah I know..." Sean says and became silent. We kept walking through the hallways. "Manny?" He says kind of squeaking.
"Yeah?" "Do you wanna you know..."
"What?" Just then Jay and the rest of his gang approaches us.
Jay says, "Did we interrupt something?"
"Nah we were just talking about uh nothing." Sean responds.
"Right so we were heading to lunch. Do you wanna come with?"
"Sure I'm starving." I say and Sean nods. He's been kind of quiet today. It's really strange. Was Emma right? Did Sean like me? And what was this all about?
Rachel Sanchez POV
There is Craig standing by his locker. Here is my chance to make things right, take matters in to my own hands. Okay Rachel walk over to him and apologize. That's funny. Since when have my feet been glued to the floor? He's walking away. Run Rachel! Run after your man!
"Craig wait up!" I shout and he follows my command.
"Will you be staying this time?" Craig asks sarcastically.
"Oh sorry about yesterday. I had some business to settle with a friend. It was important, not that you aren't important. It's just that..." Did I just call Manny my friend? I must be really losing it. Craig smiles and says. "Oh I guess I understand, but you still owe me for just running away like that."
"And what is that?"
"A date this Friday at 7:00."
"Hmm---I don't know. I might have plans."
"Offering going once, twice,"
"I'll be there." I respond quickly. "And sold to the lovely lady standing beside me." Then Craig put his hand in mine and we were off as an actual couple. It was amazing. Oh my god I know that sounds so stupid, but I just can't imagine if things didn't work out. I would've died if they didn't. Okay perhaps I'm being a little dramatic. I just would've been lovesick. Oh my silly little thoughts and me.
"So you worked it out?" Paige asks.
"Yep, we did and now we're dating." I reply. Spinner could really care less about Craig and me dating. He's way more interested into eating, but when isn't he eating? Answer: Never!
Paige says, "Rachel we gotta double date some time. It would be so much fun, huh baby?"
"Oh yeah babe." Spinner says quickly.
That would be fun, but not this weekend. I'm busy." I say and instantly look at Craig.
"Oh I see. You guys go and do your thing. I'm sure Spin and me will think of something to do, hub baby?" Paige asked Spinner, but he doesn't answer so she grabs his bag of chips. Now she has all of his attention. Paige and Spinner are such an odd couple If you think about it. She is talented, trendy, and smart where as Spinner is kind of clueless, but I would never call him dumb. No I would never call him dumb.
"You get around Craig, don't you?" This girl says to Craig while she walks by. She glances at me, but not in that 'nice to see you' kind of way.
"Who was that?" I ask Craig, but he doesn't answer me. Spinner actually does.
"Oh that was Ashley...Craig's ex girlfriend, his first love."
"Spin, we don't want to get into this. Rachel doesn't want to hear about my past relationships. Nobody does." Craig announces glaring at Spinner.
I say, "Yeah I don't need to know about it Ashley. I've had boyfriends too but now that doesn't matter." I start to think about Tommy. Does that sound as horrible as I think it does?
Manny Santos POV
Sean, Jay, Bradley, Alex and me decided to go out and eat some pizza. I was so glad to get away from school and those people at school. Why is Emma Nelson ex-best friend so jealous of me? She so hard to be around and has the nerve to accuse me of liking Sean. It is such a childish game and what if I did like Sean? I mean is that so horrible to imagine?
"Manny, so you want another soda?" Sean asks.
"Yes please." I say and he goes to get me a refill.
"So Manny what's going on?" Alex asks taking off her sunglasses.
"Nothing, why?"
"Oh I dunno. You and Sean seem friendly if ya know what I mean?"
"You too huh? Sean and me are just friends." I say without looking at her. I don't know if I can. "You don't sound very sure about that." She says and walks off to Bradley and Jay who are playing air hockey. I just sit there and think about what she said? 'You don't sound very sure about that' Truth is I don't know for sure.
We just hang out at the Pizza joint for a while playing video games and about 10 rounds of air hockey. I won seven out ten. Yeah I'm good. Today for a change I was actually having fun, so much fun that I wish I would never end.
"Guys, look at the time. Lunch was over an hour ago." Jay announces.
"Yeah we better get movin' like now." Bradley says. He barely ever speaks in front of others, but in front of us he's one of the loudest people I know.
"One more game." I say and Jay nods. After a game we leave and go back to school. I guess school's out because everybody is scattered around the halls getting stuff out of their locker.
Hey Manny!" Josh says from behind me. I stop and turn around. Could this day get possibly get any better?
"Hey Josh, how's it going?"
"Great! I've been looking for you. Where were you?"
"Out...." "Cool. You didn't miss anything, just boring lectures." He says and smiles.
"I guess you're right. Teachers think they know what they're talking about, but they have no clue."
"Yeah, so do you wanna go out this weekend?"
"With me?" I ask surprised. This is so not expected. I don't even have a speech prepared. What do I say?
"No." He says.
"Oh!" "I was kidding. Of course you so are we on for tonight? A movie, dinner,"
"Heck ya. I mean yeah that sounds cool."
"Great, I'll pick you up at 7:00, 8:00. Here I'll just give you my number." He says and takes out a pen and piece of paper. He hands it me and I cuff it my hand.
"Later!" He says and walks away.I got to get ready. I'm so unprepared.