The Ravine was my secret escape from reality. My secret escape from Alex and the drama she liked to bring and an escape from my asshole mother. Perhaps alcohol and drugs aren't exactly the most intelligent way of getting away from everything, but I couldn't care less. It was what I had and it suited my needs, that's all that matters to the selfish dickhead Jay Hogart, right? So I went and sat in my normal spot on top of a dirty picnic table, sipping some sort of hard liquor. Though I kept trying to wash it down with the drink, I couldn't help but think about the first time I'd seen Manny here. She was smoking with some kid I didn't recognize and my guess is she knew just as much about him as I did. That was the night it all started.

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar laugh coming from my left. I couldn't place it at first but remembered when I looked over and saw her laughing with someone else. It wasn't the guy she'd been with the night we got together, but it was one of the boys from the Montreal Crew. Instinct was telling me to grab the closest girl and have my way with her, but instead I just continued staring down the two of them. It didn't take long for her to feel my eyes on her back and she quickly turned, softening her expression a bit when our eyes met. I expected her to come running to me but she didn't, she just turned around and continued the shameless flirting. And that's when I downed the rest of the bottle.

I didn't stop there either; I just kept chugging whatever I could reach. I even traded a girl her small bottle of tequila for 20 dollars. But no matter how much I poured down my throat, she still stayed chained to that other guy. I didn't want to look but I knew I was in no condition to drive so I got up. Usually I wouldn't get up unless I knew I was going to get some but this time was different. How the hell did she make me change this way? I shook my head roughly in hopes to shake the thoughts of her out when Amy came up behind me.

"A little drunk, eh?" I forced a small smile and turned around to look at her, only half paying attention to whatever she would begin babbling about. "You look like shit, let me help." Her face went from slightly disgusted to amused with a big smirk. Before I could stop her, her lips were pressed hard against mine and her arms were draped around my neck. Out of politeness I returned the kiss but with every intention of pulling away before it could become anything more. But when I felt a harsh push on my back, the kiss was cut short. I turned around to see none other than a very pissed off Alex. I didn't have time to say anything before she slapped me hard and began attacking Amy.

When the two were separated, I took Alex's arm and dragged her over to the familiar picnic table. "Alex, calm the fuck down." But she didn't listen, not that I really expected her to. All I got was another slap and her yelling in my ear about how we're over before she stomped off, my guess is back to the hellhole she called home. By then most people there were staring at me and without looking I knew Manny was one of them. It didn't last long though; soon enough everyone had gone back to whatever it was they were doing before and I was back at my table. I looked up to see Amy all over a different guy and a wave of relief came over me. I was spared more pathetic drama for the night.

From behind me I heard someone clear their throat and I turned around sharply to see who it was. There Manny sat, with that half frown, half smile on her face. She was incapable of pretending to be upset when she wasn't because the facial expression gave it away. "Hi." I said it so softly that I wasn't even sure if she'd heard it but she did and her only response was a small grin before she leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"I'm sorry about you and Alex." The frown/smile face was back which had this uncanny way of making me smirk.

"No you're not. And it's okay, I'm not that sorry either." Who knows why I was telling her this, I guess I did trust her after all. She let out a tiny laugh and nodded a bit, showing me that I was right. Eventually we both fell silent and it got a bit more awkward, I looked up to see her chewing on her bottom lip and glancing towards the van where we'd had so many good times together. I couldn't help but laugh a little before making the infamous offer, though she hesitated for a moment, she nodded in agreement.

When we got into the van I closed and locked the door behind me while she got comfortable, the typical routine, but when I turned around she didn't give me a sexy smile and here eyes weren't smoldering and passion filled. In fact, she almost looked on the verge of tears. I wanted to ask what was wrong but before I could she put on a pretend smile and kissed me, obviously with no intention of telling me anything, so I just went with it.