Author's Note: Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't updated this fanfic, but I was having a bad case of writers' block. But now I decided to update, so I hope you like this next chapter.R&R!

Rachel Sanchez POV

I love cheer, but I'm so glad that I don't have it right now or else I couldn't go out with Craig. Tonight is going to be a blast. I don't know what he has planned, but I just have a feeling it will be perfect. Perhaps he is my prince charming. Hey, admit it you've had your share of crushes. Josh drives me home. Mom actually let him take the jeep to school today. She said she was getting a ride to work with some guy Albert or Frankie. I don't really remember his name. All I know is that it was a guy. Should I be worried about that? Has mother found somebody new like a boyfriend?

"What are you thinking about? Craig?" My brother asks. Surprisingly this time I'm not.

"No smart one. I was thinking about mom and her guy friend." I reply. He looks at me.

"You mean that guy who drove her to work this morning? Oh not Mr. Tubby."

"I was just thinking. Mom doesn't look bad for her age." That makes her sound like an old woman. I bet parents hate that.

"Yeah I guess. Hey do you want to go get some ice cream? You treat."

"Do you think I would fall for that? Yeah, but ice cream sounds good about right now. Be quick though. I have a date tonight."

"I knew that by that goofy smile on your face."

"Why can't a girl be happy?" I say.

We decided to go to Dairy Queen to get some ice cream. Ice cream taste, especially good after a long, and stressful week. When I get home I go straight to my room at least I tried. I was stopped by my aunt.

"Oh Rachel you got a call." She shouts. She doesn't know how to whisper.

"Who?" I ask.

"I don't know Rachel one of your friends." She says and hands me the phone.

"Hello who is this?"

"Hey Chica! It's your best girl, Layci!"

"Oh my God it has been so long since I've heard from you. How is Kristin?" I ask, but she doesn't answer right that instant.

"We're not talking." Layci replies coldly.

"Oh sorry, what happened?"

"She liked Tommy a lot…for a long time and we got in a fight. She said she was glad you left because Tommy was all hers now. Rachel, she said you weren't good enough for him. She thought she could make him happier than you ever did, but she is so wrong." Layci says and I begin to cry. I have no control over my tears or my emotions. My best friend or at least that is what I thought betrayed me, stabbed me in the back and lied. How could she do that?

"Don't cry. Please don't cry."

I say, "Layci, how else am I supposed to act?"

"Yeah, I was pretty pissed off too. That girl had the nerve to raise her fist at me. I wanted to slap her silly, but there were too many witnesses."

"Are her and Tommy you know dating?"

"It's been off and on. He doesn't seem too into her, but she's like all over him. It's disgusting. Man, somebody should put a leash on that girl." She shouts. I can practically read her mind, but that is only to be expected. We've been friends since junior high. Kristin and me have been friends for even longer, since the second grade. That's the tragic thing because now that bond we had is broken. Everything we worked for is gone.

"Are you still there?" Layci shouts. She hates being ignored.

"Oh crap!" I yell as I look at the clock. "I need to go now."

"Where?" She asks.

"On a date with this guy, Craig."

"Well I see you've moved on. Wow and so soon too."

"Tommy has moved on obviously so I can too, but I still can't believe him. The jerk!"

"Angry too, huh?"

"You noticed…I got to go get ready for my date."

"Have fun Chica! Later!" Click and I'm off to my closet.

Manny Santos POV

"Hija, why are you in such a rush?" Mom asks as I pace around my room. I guess you could say I am nervous about my date tonight with Josh. I haven't had the best of luck with guys.

"Uh I have a date tonight. I'm just anxious, nervous, and all that stuff."

"You're beautiful, intelligent and have a heart of gold. There is nothing to worry about."

"Ah mama thanks." Then I hug her for a long time. I know that sounds like a cheesy moment, but it was special.

"Well I'll let you get ready. I'm gonna try to get contact with your brother." Mom says and leaves. She is always doing that when she's mad at one of us members in the family. She always refers to them as your brother, or your son as if she's ashamed of them. I don't blame her though. Steven hasn't been home since yesterday. Where the heck is he? What the heck is he doing? He has all of us worried sick. The phone rings so I jump over the pile of possible assembles laying on my floor and pick up the phone.

"Hey Manny speaking!" I say in a perky voice.

"Manny it is Sean. You sound happy."

"Oh hey Sean. What's up?" I ask.

"I'm having a few friends over and I was wondering if you wanted to come."

"I would love too…but I have a…I have plans. Sorry, but maybe some other time."

"Yeah another time. Bye." He says slightly disappointed. I can tell by the tone of his voice. Now what should I wear? There are tons of clothes here, but nothing seems right. Perhaps I should wear a dress, hip huggers, a skirt or better yet a mini skirt? I decide to wear a black mini skirt with a pink lace trim and a silky, pink tube top. It's dressy, but practical. In other words it is perfect.

Rachel Sanchez POV

"What are you getting all dressed up for?" I ask my brother who is wearing some black, dress pants and a white collared shirt.

"I have a date." He replies.

"Oh so you're a ladies man now. Who is this lucky lady?"

"Manny Santos," He says looking at his hair in the mirror applying some gel to it.

"What?"

"You heard me. I know you don't like her, but I do a lot so be a good sister and don't ruin this for me."

"You don't know what you're getting yourself into. She's a metal case."

"She can't be any worse than you."

"This isn't about me, Josh. She's trouble. I'm just watching out for you."

"This isn't about me…I need to go pick up my date."

"Mom is letting you take the jeep? That is not fair." I shout.

"Life isn't always fair sis. Have a good time with Craig. Don't be out too late." He replies and leaves the house making the door slam. My worse nightmare has happened; my brother is dating my worse enemy. Manny doesn't deserve my brother. He's too good for her. How am I supposed to have a good time tonight with so much on my mind? Then I hear a knock at my door and open it.

"Hey Rachel, are you going anywhere tonight?" My mom asks.

"Yeah I have a date."

"You don't sound very excited about that."

"I'm not. I mean I am, but a lot of things have happened that have got me depressed."

"Honey, I have a date." She says and I turn towards her with my mouth opened wide.

"What?" I shout.

"I have a date. I just wanted to let you know."

"With who that guy who drove you to work?"

"Heck no. Don't be silly. It's somebody else that I have known for awhile. My friend was the one to introduce us and we hit it off right away. I hope you aren't upset with me."

"What? Why would I be upset?"

"Because he's not your dad."

"You should be thankful for that. I'm fine with it, honest. I need to finish getting ready okay?" I say and my mom gets my hair out of my face, smiles and leaves. My dad won't be happy about this and I'm not too sure if I am either even though I said I was. When I get downstairs mom has already left and my aunt was in the backyard reading a book. I decided to wait outside on the front porch for Craig to arrive. Then a car pulled up and Craig stepped out of it.

"Hey Craig!" I say.

"Hi Rachel, you look beautiful. Oh this is for you." He handed me a pink teddy bear that was holding a single white rose.

"Oh that was really sweet Craig." I said and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"Come on we need to go or else we'll be late."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." Craig replies. He looks so hot tonight in his leather jacket with his curly locks. I was mesmerized by that handsome smile that laid across his face. God, I hope I'm not drooling. What good impression would that be? Well it wouldn't be. How long have I been looking at him?

"Uh Rachel are you okay? You've look completely blanked out. What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" He asks.

"Oh no I was just looking out the window. You have a better view so I uh oh you caught me so are we here?" I reply.

"Yep, here we are at the carnival."

"I love carnivals. My mom and dad used to bring me, but it's been such a long time."

"I'm glad that I brought you here then. We got to hurry though I reserved us seats for the showing of West Side Story and it starts in…" He looks at his watch, "in two minutes."

"Then let's hurry up." I exclaim, he took my hand in his and we run through the carnival till we reached our destination.

Manny Santos POV

Oh no he's late. Maybe he isn't going to show up. Maybe once he told that sister of his she locked him up in the basement or killed him. What am I saying? You're being crazy Manny. She would never do that; he wouldn't let her. Is that him? No, that is just my stupid neighbor Mrs. Henderson. I never liked her, but that isn't the case. Wait I see a jeep. Does he drive a jeep? I hope he does because I would hate to be seen driving in a mini van. My mother owns a mini van and it smells like feet, which is really gross. Why am I talking about this?

"Manny I'm so sorry I'm late. I bought you roses, but then I realized I left them at my house so I had to go home to get them. I kept getting all the red lights. I guess you could say I'm kind of nervous." He blabbers on. Boy, does he look hot. He could blabber on forever and I wouldn't mind.

"Oh I was just glad you showed up. Thanks for the roses. They're beautiful. Do you mind if I put them in a vase before we leave?" I ask.

"Nope not at all. By the way you look great."

"Thanks you don't look so bad yourself." After I put the roses in a vase we got in the car, and he turned on the radio. It was on the classic oldies station.

He asks, "Oh I hope you don't mind the music. I can change it if you want?"

"No, it's fine. I like War." I replied.

"Really that's cool. My mom plays oldies all the time and I guess you could say I've gotten used to it."

"It's the same with my parents. Earth, Wind and Fire are my dad's all time favorite along with Santana. I prefer Rose Royce though. Workin' at the carwash." I began to sing. I hope he doesn't think I'm a dork, but by my surprise he sang with me.

I could never do this kind of stuff with Craig. This date was already turning out to be great…no awesome. Josh and me have a lot in common and he's funny. I've been the happiest I have been in awhile and I hope this feeling never ends. He decided to take me to this fancy Italian restaurant, but I can't pronounce the name of it. It was in Italian.

"I hope you like Italian food." He says.

"I love it. I didn't know you were the romantic type."

"Yeah, well only when I'm with someone special." Am I blushing?

"Did Rachel give you a hard time? You know since we were going on a date." Why did I bring her up?

"A little bit of a hard time, but she doesn't make up my decisions I do. I don't know why she dislikes you so much." Craig's name popped into my head.

"I have an idea why she does."

"Don't worry about her though." He says and places his hand on top of mine. I hear the clearing of someone's throat and we stop staring at one another.

"Can I take your order?" The waiter asks as he placed some breadsticks on the table.

"Two salads, two servings of spaghetti, and two Dr.Peppers. Is that fine with you Manny?" I nod and the waiter takes our menus.

Rachel Sanchez POV

"So how did you like the movie?" Craig asked, while holding my hand. I hope I wasn't sweating like the rest of me was.

"It was great and so romantic, but I'm shocked that you sat through it. Thanks." I replied and we headed off the game area of the carnival.

"Oh I love teddy bears. I guess I big kid at heart."

"I'll try to win you something then."

"How sweet of you." I say and he began to throw darts at the balloons and I just watched him.

"Oh darn it. Don't worry I'll get it this time." He says and handed the guy in charge of the game stand more money. All of a sudden he blew his whistle and he started to get down a huge teddy bears that was hanging above. Craig handed it to me. Could he be any greater?

"Oh thanks so much. It's so cute." I say and hugged him.

"You're welcome. Come it let's go on some rides. The night is still young." he says and wait to get in line for this huge roller coaster. Um have I mentioned I'm deadly scared of heights.

"Are you okay? You looked nervous."

"Oh I'm fine. Really I am?" I reply as he smiles at me.

"You aren't scared of heights are you?"

"Yeah, you caught me, but I'll be okay...I think."

"Of course you will be. You're in the hands of Craig Manning."

I really felt comfortable with Craig. I could be myself around him. I could be myself with Tommy but only when we were alone. Around his friends I had to act like a rebel, and wild so his friends wouldn't think I was a loser. But now I didn't have to pretend not even around his friends.

"Let's get in the middle." He suggests and I follow him. I began to tap my feet and look down.

"That will make it worse. This will be fun and if it isn't you can blame me."

"I doubt I could ever do that." He put his arm around my shoulder and we blasted off and I screamed like a maniac, but it was fun.

"Want to go on it again?" I asked. "Because that was so much fun."

"Anything for you Rachel."

Manny Santos POV

Dinner went by smoothly and I got to know Josh better and better and I began to like him more and more. As Josh was talking I glanced at the clock and realized it was almost 10 o'clock.

"Oh my gosh we've been talking for hours." I mention and we look around the restaurant noticing it was practically empty. We looked at each other and started to laugh for no apparent reason.

He asks, "Do you still want to catch a late movie?"

"Do you?"

"No, not really. Why ruin a good thing? Besides we can't talk during the movie unless you want people to throw popcorn at you?"

"Yeah, I don't want that. I've actually experienced that once Let's just take a walk through the town. It's beautiful out tonight."

He smiled and paid for dinner. We walked and talked while holding hands. It was the perfect night and the stars were shining brightly in the sky. I looked up towards the sky.

"Look a shooting star." I shout.

"Then make a wish." Josh says so I closed my eyes and made a wish.

"What did you wish for?"

"Don't you know the rules of wishing? I can't tell anybody or else it won't come true. Nothing personal."

"Oh how could I forget. Do you smell that?" He asks and I sniffed the air.

"It smells like fresh baked cookies." I reply and we were standing in front of a bakery full of tasty pastries.

"Do you want to go inside?" He asks.

"Why not? We never did have dessert." I say.

"Yeah because that waiter nearly kicked us out. Come on."

"Okay..."

We went inside and ordered some double, chunk chocolate chip cookies and Jones Apple sodas. It sure did hit the spot. This is a wonderful date, but it was coming to an end. I wish it wasn't because soon as it was over I had to go home filled with a bunch of worried people. Mom tried not to show that she was worried about Steven, but I know she was. Dad was stressed out from work and yelling more often than he usually does.

After about an hour we got in Josh's jeep that was actually his mom's and he drove me home. We sang most of the way there and then we stopped once I got home. He walked me to my door and the date was nearly over. He leaned in and so did I. We kissed, not too long of a kiss, but it was just enough. He shyly walked away and tripped over his own feet and I waved good-bye.

That kiss will be on my mind all night. How could someone be so perfect?

Rachel Sanchez POV

I've always been scared of roller coaster, but tonight I left all my fears behind and had the time of my life. Craig was my kind of guy and more.

"Oh crap, I'm gonna miss my curfew. My mom is gonna kill me." I shout.

"Don't worry I'll get you home on time. At least I'll really try." He smiles and we run to his car.

"Thanks Craig." I say as we run.

"For what?"

"For tonight. I had a great time."

"I did too."

Craig drove me home and on the way there we talked about his band and how they liked my brother's songs. I wasn't very fond of my brother and didn't like hearing his name. Soon I would see him prancing around the house telling mom about his date. Maybe he didn't have a good time. Maybe he saw Manny for what she really was. Craig also invited me to his band practice and said I could come as often as I wanted.

"Yeah that sounds so cool."

"Maybe one say you can sing with us." Craig says stopping the car.

"Um...I don't think so. I'm not a horrible singer but not great either. Thanks anyways."

Then it happened Craig Manning kissed me, a wonderful, passionate kiss. It was amazing and then I realized I was late, but then again I didn't care. Finally I said I had to go and we unlocked lips.

"Bye Craig." I say

"Bye. I'll see at school on Monday." Then he drove away, but I stood there for a little but longer.

I slowly made my way into the house waiting for my aunt to scold me about being late, but she was already in bed. Mom wasn't home and it was already eleven thirty.

"Where's mom?" I ask Josh who is on the couch watching a movie.

"I dunno probably out on her date."

"It's getting late though."

"Maybe they really hit it off." He responds.

"Aren't you concerned about this?"

"No. Mom has the right to date. It's been awhile since her and dad got divorced. She was bound to go a date some day." He says and pops some popcorn in his mouth while keeping his eyes the television screen. I can't believe he didn't care. Mom is out late doing who knows what with a complete stranger. How can he just sit there and munch away on junk food? I went up to my room and put on my cd player. Mom didn't get home to one 'o clock in the morning, but I didn't see her. I just heard her. She probably thought I was fast asleep but I wasn't.