Chapter 9- Just Friends
Manny was waiting for Craig at the airport. She looked at her watch it was already 12:40.
"We will be loading now." The flight attendant lady said
Manny sat there waiting for Craig. Everyone was boarded in. Manny looked at her clock it was 12:55. A flight attendant lady came up to her.
"We are boarding the plane are you on this flight?" she asked
"Yeah" Manny answered
"We are about to leave so get on"
Manny looked over the ladies shoulder to see if Craig was coming he wasn't there. Manny grabbed her little suitcase and started rolling it to the plane. She went too the back. She was in row 12. She could have sat in first class but she hated it because you get more attention.
"I am Mr. Gilbertson I am your pilot today it's going to be 65 degrease when we get to California so I hope you brought your sunglasses. It is going to take approximately 4 hours to get there (A/N I have no clue how long it would really take but 4 is my favorite number so I guessed). Thank you" Then he started to say it in French.
Manny looked at her watch it was 11:58.
"Craig is going to miss this flight "she whispered
Half of her really wanted Craig to come and the other half of her didn't want him to come because it would be so awkward with him around Jake. Manny closed her eyes. She was really tired. She was up all night thinking about Craig. She wanted to see him so bad but when she did she didn't enjoy it. Manny was tapped on the shoulder. She opened her eyes and there was Craig.
"Your late" Manny said
"No look at the time" Craig replied
Manny looked at her watch. It was 12:00 exactly. Craig sat down next to her.
"You said noon don't be late and I'm not late" Craig said "I bet you thought I was going to be late."
"No I didn't I just thought you weren't going to come." Manny said
"Well I canceled so many plans to be here" Craig said "I mean that's how much I love you"
"What your plans of staring at pictures of me on your walls" Manny said
Manny and Craig talked and talked and talked. Realizing how much they had changed over the years. They finally reached California. Manny was excited to see Jake and Emma waiting for them outside the double doors. They stepped off the plane. Craig's heart started beating fast because he wanted to know what Jake was like. Manny's heart started beating fast because she was scared of how Jake and Craig would react together. They reached baggage claim. Manny was looking all over for Jake. To see if he was there to welcome him. He wasn't there at all.
"Are you sure that he's going to come?" Craig asked
"I'm positive he had to do an autograph thing at Sam Goody and then pick up Emma so he'll be here" Manny said unsure of what she was saying.
They got their suitcases and started heading out side. They stood there for 10 minuets. Manny then saw a limo come out.
"He's here" Manny said
"He's picking you up in a limo?" Craig asked
"Yeah he's picking me up in a limo what did you expect a minivan?" Manny said
The limo pulled up and the window rolled down. Jake was there.
"Hey Manny Pie" Jake said with a smile
"Oh my gosh Jake I missed you so much" Manny squealed
The limo driver got out and grabbed Manny and Craig's suitcase. Manny got in the car and sat next to Jake and Emma and Craig sat down on the other side of Emma. Manny and Emma smiled and exchanged squeals.
"Sorry we are late, there was a lot of traffic and stuff" Jake said
"Oh I thought that you were just late because you had to sign autographs" Manny said
"No he skipped it because he was too excited to see you. He is so nice Manny, when you don't love him anymore can I have him?" Emma asked
"No, because I will never be tired of loving him" Manny said wile looking at Craig.
Then she looked away and at Jake.
"I missed you so much; I mean the house is so different without you. But Emma kept me company. She's really nice. I wouldn't blame you for being best friends with her I mean it's better than being best friends with my sister." Jake said
"Well I don't blame you for wanting to marry him. I mean he is so nice. He wasn't late to pick me up. And if he was it would have been a bad fist impression and I would hate him. He took me out to dinner, and oh my gosh that hotel room you guys got for me I felt like the princess."
"Anything for Manny's friend's right?" Jake said with a smile
Craig stayed quiet just looking at how happy Jake and Manny were. Maybe Jake can give Manny everything Craig couldn't. He seemed nice. But Craig wasn't going to let go or give up his chance. He wanted Manny and he was going to get her back. But no matter how much he hated him he was going to be nice for Manny's sake.
"So Craig, where do you live? Where do you work? I brought you here so I could get to know you, Manny's old crush" Jake said
"Crush" Craig whispered "Well I live I my dad's basement, and I work at the DOT it's a local fast food restaurant. It doesn't pay much but it's a job"
"Really?" Jake said
"Where do you work?" Craig asked
"I am the lead singer of the band Social Suicide (A/N No one take that band name because my friend Alyssa made it up and she wants to name her band that. KK ) I'm sure you've heard of us?"
"Social Suicide? You're the lead singer. You're Jake O'Brian? I love your song Long Live The Dead" Craig exclaimed
"Yeah, it was an ok song. I mean I really like My Bloody Valentine." Jake said "The song is a true story it happened to me in high school before Manny came. A girl and I were going out and then she went somewhere for a week came back a totally different person and dumped me the day before Valentines Day so that was her Valentines Day present." Jake said
"Wow, I'm sure that can relate to so many guys" Craig said
"Well now I don't care because I got Manny"
Manny smiled at Jake and Jake put his arm around Manny.
"Um…Craig Jake how about I sit by Emma and you too can sit close and get to no each other" Manny said
Manny scooted over to Emma and Jake and Craig started talking.
"Let's just hope they get along" Manny said
"I know" Emma replied
They finally got to the hotel that Craig and Emma would be staying in. It was a five star hotel. They had silk comforters and sheets. 24 hour customer service. Hot tubs in your bathroom, a big screen TV it was fit for a princess or some really rich people in which Manny and Jake were.
"I'm going to a drop you guys off so you can get up to date again. And then I'll come back in when ever you want to get you Manny so call me. Craig we'll pick you up tomorrow so we can show you around California." Jake said
"OK" Craig replied
They got out of the car.
"It was nice meeting your Craig" Jake said
"Yeah, it was nice meeting you too." Craig said
Manny was getting out of the car when Jake stopped her.
"Kisses" he said while puckering up his lips
Manny gave him a kiss and left.
"God aren't they so cute together" Emma said
"Yeah." Craig replied
Manny showed Craig his room. Craig was surprised to see such an expensive room.
"Well you guys shouldn't have spent that much money on me. This is suppose to be for a rock star and I'm not a rock star"
"Then let's play pretend these next two weeks." Manny said "You'll be a rock star, and Emma is a famous actress"
"And who are you?" Emma asked
"It's not pretend for me. I'm the girl who found her prince charming" Manny said with a smile.
Manny knew it made Craig feel uncomfortable when she was around Jake, or talked to Jake. But she couldn't help it. She loves him.
Emma, Manny, and Craig talked for a long time about old memories. They talked about what was going on in there life's now. And what they wanted in there future. Emma looked different. She grew into her looks and got boobs her hair was laired she was really looking nice. Emma looked at her watch.
"Oh my gosh it's 7 I have to go. I met the guy who has the room next to me and he asked me to go out and eat with him today at 8. I have to go get ready." Emma said
"Well don't dress to fancy because the dress will be on the floor before 9" Craig joked
"You are so mean" Emma said slapping him
Emma got up and started leaving.
"I'll see you guys later." Emma said "Tomorrow right?"
"Yeah, tomorrow" Manny said
"Bye" Emma said waving and walking out the door.
They both waved back and Emma left. They sat there in silence.
Then Manny tired to break the silence.
"Before I call Jake let me remember to give you this" Manny said
She ran into Craig's closet and pulled out a suit.
"Here I'm not sure if this would fit you since I haven't seen you in so long but here I think it will. You were this big 5 years ago."
Craig went to go try it on and came out. His pants looked like shorts So it was defiantly too small. Manny started to laugh a little.
"Hon if it was that bad then why didn't you just tell me it was small" Manny asked
"I don't know" Craig said shrugging
"Well you look silly" Manny said
Then there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Manny asked
"Room Service" The person said from the other side of the door.
Manny shrugged and opened the door. And had a huge smile on her face.
"Ginger" she squealed "Today just keeps on getting better. What are you doing here?" Manny asked
"Your wedding is in two weeks do you really think I would miss my bestest friend in the worlds wedding to my brother?" Ginger asked
Ginger looked the same. As if she was in ninth grade again. Manny gave her a hug. Ginger looked at Craig.
"Hey and who is your friend I wouldn't mind him coming to my hotel room tonight" Ginger said with a smile "Introduce me to your friend"
"What about Shaun?" Manny asked
"He got on my nerves so I…"
"Dumped him?" Manny said
"You know me too well" Ginger said with a smile
"Craig, this is my best friend Ginger. She is Jakes sister. I met Jake before I met her but I didn't know that she and Jake were related until I went to her house."
"Hi Ginger" Craig said wile shaking her hand
"Oh, you have such a strong grip I like that in a guy" Ginger said with a smile
"Whatever" Manny said rolling her eyes. "You need sleep Ginger. What room are you in I think that the California heat is getting to your head?"
"I'm in room 542" Ginger said "Did you hear that Craig 542"
"Just go to sleep Ginger" Manny said pushing her out the door "I'm sure we'll pick you up tomorrow with Emma and Craig ok" Manny said
"Ok" Ginger said walking out "Bye Craig" she said with a smile
Ginger left.
"Sorry about my friend" Manny said
"It's ok" Craig said with a smile
He went into the bathroom and changed to what he was originally wearing. He handed Manny the outfit and sat on the bed.
"I am going to change this and get you a bigger size" Manny said sitting on the bed with him "You're a good friend for coming to my wedding I'm sorry for the way I acted yesterday. I just had so many emotions running through my head and I just blurted them all at once."
"It's ok. I shouldn't have been so mad."
"Friends?" Manny asked
"Friends? Oh yeah we're not going out anymore" Craig said
"Just friends" Manny said "I have to call Jake so I can get ready. I have a big two weeks planned out. I mean a lot so I'll see you tomorrow" Manny said
"Bye Manny" Craig said walking her out
"Bye Craig" Manny said
"Manny wait" Craig said
Manny turned around.
"You did a good job choosing Jake. He's a great guy" Craig said
"Thanks." Manny said and she turned around and started walking away
