Chapter 13
What Did You Say?
Rachel Sanchez POV----
"Hey bro can you give me a ride?" I ask.
"Um yeah don't I always? I thought that was a given." Josh replies.
"Josh what's up with the attitude?" I ask.
"Oh I dunno." He says, puts on his sunglasses, and heads outside of the school. I follow him outside trailing behind because I wouldn't want to make him upset again. Man, why was he so rude to me? I was just trying to be polite because he's always telling me I should have manners. That is the last time I take his advice. What was I thinking anyways? I have a busy schedule this whole week, but I can't wait until the competition. It should be really fun and the whole squad are awesome dancers. Why is Manny Santos coming towards the jeep? Ugh, yeah she's dating my brother. I was trying to forget about that.
"Hey babe what's up?" Josh asks and then they share an intimate kiss as if I'm not even here. I cough and they remove their lips from each other. That was disturbing.
"Oh hey Rachel I didn't see you there." Manny says and smiles a phony smile.
"Yeah obviously so Barbie what are you doing here?" I reply and my brother elbows me in the side.
"What was that for?"
"Play nice. Excuse her Manny, she forgot to take her medication today so what brings you here?" Josh asks.
"I hate to be a bother, but can you give me a ride? I called mother but she's at work and so is my dad. Would that be alright with you?"
"No." I say, but she ignores me.
"Oh that's fine. Rachel scoot over." My brother demands so I take a seat in the back to get far as possible from Manny.
"Thanks a lot." Manny says.
"No problem so where are we off to?" He replies.
"To Emma's." She says and informs him on exactly where that is. "Rachel isn't that where you're going?"
"Yep sure am. Is your memory really that bad?" I shot back.
"God, why are you being so mean to me? I'm trying to be nice to you, but you just keep insulting me. What's your problem Rachel? Huh!" She shouts.
"You. That's the problem."
"Really well you aren't exactly my favorite person in the world, but at least I'm trying to deal with it. Make the best out of it because I'm not going anywhere."
"Yeah well---"
"We're here." My brother says and Manny and I get out of the car. We wave good-bye and don't talk to one another.
Manny Santos POV----
Wow, I haven't been here in ages. I use to take weekly visits to Emma's for slumber parties and study crams. It was fun, but now Emma hated my guts for who knows what. I didn't do anything personally to her.
"Hey Rachel, and Manny. Come in." Emma greets.
"Hey Emma." Rachel says, but I don't say anything. I think it's for the best because I wouldn't want Rachel to yell at me again. I don't know who hated me more. We went into the garage where Emma's room was. This brought back so many memories especially that time Emma almost caught Craig and me making out. That was a close call, too close. (A/N: Yeah Emma never caught them making out, but in Taking Manny's Advice it explains why they aren't friends.)
"Nice room." Rachel says, but you can tell she hates it. Nothing ever seems to be god enough for her.
"Really? Thanks. Do you guys want some soda?" Emma asks.
"Sure." She replies and I just nod looking like I've forgotten how to speak. Emma just looks at me strangely and leaves the room. No, Emma don't go. Don't leave She-Devil and me here alone. She might kill me, but to my surprise Rachel didn't say anything at to me. We just sat down in complete silence, which was kind of uncomfortable. I heard her sigh a couple of times and it got pretty annoying, but I kept my mouth shut. Finally Emma came into the room.
"It's pretty quiet in here, huh? Anyways here are your sodas and I decided to bring some cookies too." Emma says and makes her way to the computer. "So do you have any ideas on what we should write our play on?"
"No not really. I'm not the greatest writer and not very creative." Rachel says and takes a bite of her cookie.
"Okay... Manny do you have any ideas?"
"Um yeah I do." I look up and both of them are looking at me intently. "Romeo and Juliet is about a girl who is torn apart from her true love, right? So why don't we write a story about that except it takes place in modern times."
"Yeah go on." Emma says.
"There's a girl named Ma---Anna and a guy named Jake who really like each other, but belong to different social groups. He's the popular jock and she used to be popular, but then everyone turned on her so now she's a loner. This guy really likes her and tries to be with her, but he has an evil sister, who is Anna's worse enemy. She would do anything to keep them apart."
"Wow that's good." Emma replies to my surprise and I smile for the first time tonight.
"Really?" She nods and then I turn to Rachel who looks pissed. I wonder what her problem is?
"Why do I get a feeling that , that isn't a made up?" She shouts.
"I have no idea why you think what you think."
"We're not going to use your idea because it's bad. I hate it."
"No you hate it because you know it is the truth."
"Excuse me, but I'm not evil. I just speak my mind when I have something to say. Manny you could be with anyone, but why do you have to be with my brother?"
"Because he likes me and I like him and he treats me like an actual person. He doesn't judge me like everybody else does."
"Well you gotta expect people to judge you. Look at the way you act and the way you dress. It's disgusting."
"If you don't like it then don't look at me. I have a question for you. Why do you insist on making my life a living hell?" I shout.
Emma interrupts our conversation. "Why don't you guys stop arguing and get started on the assignment? We've already wasted a lot of time."
"Shut-up Emma." Both Rachel and I shout.
"Don't tell her to shut-up. Only I can tell her to shut-up." Rachel yells.
"That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard you said." I reply.
"Ugh! Manny, why don't you do me a favor and stay away from me and my brother?"
"No. Why don't you want us seeing one another and don't tell me it's because you don't like me. I want a real answer."
"You wanna know the real truth. The truth is you aren't good enough for my brother. He deserves way better than you and besides my brother doesn't date sluts."
Rachel Sanchez POV ---
Manny glared at me, then grabbed her back pack, and ran out of Emma's room. I could hear her crying and then the front door slammed shut.
"Man Rachel that was harsh, a little too harsh even if it was directed into Manny's way. And everybody knows I don't like her, but that was just mean." Emma says.
"She asked for the truth and I gave it to her. She'll be fine. Besides Paige told me about your little battle with Manny so don't act all innocent." I reply.
"You don't understand. I had my reasons."
"Oh really all I know is that you're jealous of her."
"Why?"
"Because of her and Sean. She's had a better relationship with him than you ever did."
"You're way out of line. You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh you know you're still in love with Sean. Everybody knows that. How many times have you tired to get back with him?" I say and Emma begins to cry. Gosh I feel horrible. I didn't mean to make her cry, I really didn't. Emma stands up and walks over to the computer. What do I do now? Do I try to cheer her up?
"I can do the homework by myself." Emma says.
"Then what do I do?" I ask.
"I think you should just leave."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah and don't worry I won't tell Mrs. Kwan that I did it all." Emma says.
I pick up my back-pack and leave the room. What the heck has gotten into me? Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut? Now I have one more enemy to add to my list and I still feel horrible about everything I said. I even feel kind of bad for saying those things to Manny or perhaps I'm going insane. No as unbelievable as it sounds at the back of my mind I feel like crap for saying those things to her. As much as I dislike her nobody deserves to be called a slut unless they are one. Huh, that made no sense. Obviously I'm not thinking clearly.
Manny Santos POV---
Runaway. That is what I do when ever somebody steps in my way. Sometimes it is too much to handle and I just need to get some fresh air. Rachel Sanchez.. I hate that name. It gives me chills up and down my spine. How can anybody like her? Honestly, can't they see through her like I can? Her, Emma and half the school population sees a slut whenever I walk pass them. That's my label. That's all I am in everybody's eyes. A car passes by me going super fast. Gee, people should really learn how to drive. Wait is that Sean in the car?
"Woo, hoo." I hear Sean shout as he sticks his head out the window. What is he doing? He sees me, but the cars keeps strolling down the street.
"So that's what he has been doing all day!" I say out loud.
Crap what time is it? Man, I was supposed to be at Paige's house like fifteen minutes ago, but now I don't even feel like going. Seriously, what is the point? Call me crazy, but I don't even feel like being on the spirit squad and I'm sure nobody would even miss me... I guess I should call Paige and tell her I'm not going over. I dial her phone number.
"Hello?" Paige asks. I can hear the other girls in the back ground.
"Hi Paige, it's Manny."
"Oh hey hon, where are you?"
"Um...at my house. There's been a family emergency." Lie. That is something else I do.
"What happened?"
"That's not important, but I just called to tell you I won't be able to come over."
"Oh that sucks. I hope everything goes well. See you tomorrow!"
"Bye." I reply and hang up.
Rachel Sanchez POV---
"Who was that?" Hazel asks Paige.
"It was Manny. She can't come over tonight." Paige replies.
"Really? Man, what's up with her lately?"
"I don't know, but I'm kind of worried. She's had a rough year and I feel bad for her. Poor thing." Paige turns to me. "Rachel do you know what's up with her?"
"Um...no not at all." Gosh, I've never been good at lying.
"I'm just asking because you hang out so much."
"What are you talking about? We never get along. I don't even like her. "
"Jeez, I was just concerned about Manny, but I think you do know something. You're just not telling me."
"You know what I didn't come over here to get accused. I'm leaving." And I was out of there.
Author's Note: Sorry I've been so slow to update. I guess you can say I'm kind of out of ideas. It would be awesome if you guys gave me some ideas. I hope you like this chapter. Let me know in your reviews. I'll update as soon as I can, but I need IDEAS!
-----Sister-Cousin------