Chapter 10

It had been a week since Manny and I had talked that things really started to happen between me and Autumn. What had happened was unexpected. I hadn't planned on sleeping with her but now things have gotten deeper. We don't have the same puppy love relationship. Things had moved faster than planned. I didn't plan on falling in love with Autumn. Of course she was beautiful and smart and funny and everything I wanted, but I was 17! Who falls in love at 17?

I crossed my room thinking about Autumn. She was all I thought about since that day. I needed to talk to someone and I didn't know who that could be. Joey would give me another lecture about not rushing my girlfriend into having sex. I hated it the first time around; why would I put myself through it again? Joey was out of the question. Spinner and Jimmy couldn't hold a real conversation without mentioning the Manny-Ashley thing. Caitlin would side with Joey and probably have him come in on the conversation. I wasn't left with many choices. That's when I realized there was only one person that would be able to understand my problem. I picked up my cell phone from the charger. It rang several times before she answered. "Hello, Manny Santos speaking, how can I fix your day?" her voice rung in my ears and put a slight smile on my face.

"Manny, I need someone to talk to. Can you meet me somewhere?" I asked.

"Sure, how about the bowling alley? I feel active."

"Yeah, that's fine. See you in 5 minutes." I hung up my phone and started to my car. I jumped in and started the engine.

I arrived several minutes later and saw Manny already bowling. I got shoes and a ball and joined her. "Hey..."

"Craig, ready to get your butt kicked? We can talk later," Manny said fixing her hair into a ponytail.

As I watched Manny, I couldn't help but feel that little attraction that had always been there jump up again. She had on pink sweat pants and a white tank top. She did look god, no doubt about that. I shook the thoughts from my mind reminding myself why I was there.

We bowled two games. I won the first and letting her win the second one, although she looked sexy pouting.

"What's on your mind?" Manny said sitting next to me.

I looked away and propped my head on my hands. "I think I love Autumn..."

"No you don't. Do you?" she asked. I nodded my head. "Wow! Craig has fallen in love?"

"Yeah, I can't believe it either. I've never been in love. I don't know what to do. Can you help?"

She sighed and looked out the door. "I don't know. I've never been in love before. But if I was you, I would let things happen, let things go. I would just take in every moment."

I listened to her speak and noticed she wasn't talking about my situation but her own. I turned to face her and only to be inches away from her. I breathed in her perfume. "Manny..." and I over stepped my bounds. I placed my hand on the back of her neck and kissed her lips. The same sweet taste of cherry lay upon her lips. I didn't realize what I was doing. As Manny had said, just let things happen.

"What-what the fuck is going on here? Craig?" I heard a voice from behind Manny's head. I opened my eyes and saw the one person I didn't want to see.

"Autumn, let me explain. I was talking to Manny about you. She was helping me. Then I thought of you, and kissed her thinking it was you. Autumn, I love you." I watched her and I saw the tears fall from her eyes. She stood there shaking, face turning red and her heartbreaking. She didn't say a word. She turned her back to me and walked out the door. I headed after her, but Sean grabbed me.

"Leave her alone. You broke her heart. How could you do this to her? I want to kick your ass right now, but Autumn wouldn't want me to. Autumn, unlike you, loved you. She actually has feelings, Craig. Forget about her." Sean pushed me back and went out to meet Autumn.

I turned to Manny to see her jaw dropped and eyes wide. "Why? How could this happen?"

"I'm sorry, it was my fault. I shouldn't have come to meet you. I'm sorry," Manny covered her mouth and I could have sworn I saw tears in her eyes too.

"Not as sorry as I am. I fucked up." It was the truth. I had fucked up my chance to be with a girl who I really cared for. I loved her, yet I kissed another girl. How dumb could I be? I guess I'm just not meant to be with one girl at a time. Maybe I'm not meant to love. Maybe I'm meant to be alone. Whatever I was destined to be, I wouldn't give up without a fight.