AN-hi everybody! I'm glad you're enjoying my story, and I have gotten a lot of positive replies so I'm happy. Also their was a reply, as to why my story is rated are R, and to be truthful, its because I didn't know how far I was aloud to go. Lol. I mean I plan to have a couple of love scenes and I was just trying to be safe. Sorry, if its in the wrong place. But it was my first story on this board and I just tried to play it safe. But anyway here is the chapter:

Chapter 3: Standing Together.

Jimmy was so angry he couldn't even talk. An he didn't care that It was the middle of winter, or that it had to be below zero, he still kept trudging through the seemingly quiet industrial neighborhood that was a couple blocks away from his apartment complex.

He wanted to be happy, but he couldn't get over the fact that his parents weren't coming back. But then again, he was a free man, to do as he pleases; he could stay up till whenever he wanted, he could eat whenever he wanted. But then, he would realize that, he had been doing those things all along, since his parents were never there. It hadn't been that great. He was always lonely.

He looked around, since it was nearing Christmas, he was surprised there weren't any shoppers out on the streets. He looked around and realized he was the only one on the street. But then as he turned the corner, he saw somebody else. It looked like a girl about his age, she was sitting on a bench and she was hunched over. Jimmy crossed the street so he could be on the same side as her.

Usually he wouldn't have cared but, the girl looked really upset, and he was a gentleman after all. When he got closer the figure became more and more recognizable.

"Who is that?" Jimmy asked himself aloud. He quickened his walking pace.

Manny hadn't moved from her spot on the bench, and she hadn't stopped crying either. Ever time she tried she just cried harder. She had nothing, and that was the most depressing part of it all. A couple of times, she had looked behind her and the old rusty clinic and thought of going in and getting it over with. But then she would look back down ant her flat stomach, and she just couldn't. There was no way she could hurt her son or daughter. Not a chance.

But she couldn't help but feel horrible. As the freezing winter air wiped around her she came to the realization, she was homeless. She had no place to go. She was going be come one of those kids who washes peoples windows, that they had learned about in homeroom. The thought of that made her cry harder. She just covered her face and sobbed. She didn't look up when she heard footsteps.

As Jimmy got closer he realized the building the girl was sitting in front of, the Birthing Clinic. Jimmy sighed, their was only one Hispanic looking, girl in Degrassi who would need to be at a birthing clinic.

He had heard the rumors about Manny and Craig, but he didn't know if they were true. He had also heard about the blow out she and Craig had in the hall way a couple of mornings ago. Craig was being a real jerk. But then again, so was the whole world. Jimmy had a feeling that Manny wasn't the kind of girl to sleep around, maybe talk about it and act like it, but she didn't look like she could back it up. An until the school had found out she was pregnant, he wasn't even sure if he believed that she had done it with Craig.

He looked at her, she was shaking, out in the cold and he could tell she was crying. He figured he could at least sit with her for a couple of minutes. He didn't have anyone else to see.

"Hey" Jimmy said as he sat down next to her.

Manny was afraid to look up, it was either some other homeless bum, or a crazy serial killer. But what did she have to loose. She looked up, she was surprised to see Jimmy sitting next to her, looking the way she felt, like crap

"Hi" she whispered as she dried her tears. They sat in silence for a couple of minutes.

"Are you ok?" he asked her

"Just peachy" Manny sighed

"Want to talk about it?" he asked her

"I don't know," she said quietly

"Oh...ok but um...did you..." jimmy said as he nodded towards the building behind him

"Are you ok?" Manny asked him as she ignored his question, and Jimmy took the hint

He turned to look down at her, her chocolate brown eyes, which were brimming with tears.

"Not really" he wasn't even going to lie.

"That sucks, you want to talk about it?" she repeated his question

"Why should I? You don't want to talk to me." Jimmy smiled at her.

"Ill make a deal, you tell me, and ill tell you," she said to him

For some reason, sitting here talking to Jimmy, a guy who never even acknowledged her in school, was making her feel better.

Jimmy didn't know how it was possible, but this girl who he didn't really no much about, was helping him forget his problems.

"Deal, but I'm not staying out here any longer" Jimmy said as he rubbed his arms.

"Well, where do you want to go?" Manny asked him

They certainly couldn't go to her house, and she didn't know if he would want to bring her to his.

"We can go get some hot chocolate or something" Jimmy said shyly

He didn't know why he was nervous, but he was. He was afraid she would reject him to. And being rejected was definitely the last thing he needed. And maybe it wouldn't be so bad to talk to somebody.

Manny contemplated it for a minute, she really shouldn't be out in the cold in her state, but she didn't have any money.

"Well, um...I left my purse at home" she told him. Nothing wrong with a little white lie, right?

"My treat" jimmy desperately tried to convince her, he really didn't want to be alone, and if it meant a 3 $ cocoa would buy him a companion he was up for it.

"Well when you put it like that" Manny laughed.

"Ok, come on lets go" Jimmy stood up an offered Manny his hand. Which she accepted.

After she stood, their hands were still laced together. Her hand was so small next to Jimmy's large hand. She didn't know why, but she didn't want to let go, and he didn't seem to either, considering they were still holding hands. Finally somebody trying to get passed them interrupted their little moment, their hands broke apart and they started to walk in the direction of the dot.

The walk so far had been silent, and they could see the Dot sign in the distance. They were both lost in their own thoughts and problems until scratchy voice broke their concentration.

"Well if it isn't the Sex Kitten of Degrassi" Jay's scratchy voice rang out. Jimmy and Manny turned around and saw Jay and his posse smoking cigarettes on the corner.

"Why don't you come over here and give me a sample" one of the guys got up and started to walk closer to them.

Manny was used to it, it was just part of the territory. Now that she was considered the school whore and all. She went to turn but Jimmy didn't follow.

"What's your problem" Jimmy asked as he walked towards the guy

"I'm not the one hanging out with the school slut" the guy pointed out

Jimmy didn't know why, but it was like something came over him. He felt the need to defend Manny.

"Don't talk about her like that" Jimmy and this guy were now face to face.

Manny didn't want Jimmy to get into a fight over her. Yes, it was really sweet but unnecessary. But at the same time, the jerks words stung her like a bee. An as much as she wanted to play them off she couldn't. And she couldn't help but feel attracted to this new side of Jimmy.

"Jimmy don't, come on" she touched his arm.

Her sweet voice interrupted his thoughts. Which were filled with the many ways he could make this ass suffer. He looked down at her; she was standing at his side. She only came up to a little under his shoulder. But her eyes were piercing through his, begging him to move along.

"Come on" Manny told him. Jimmy nodded and they turned and started to walk away.

"I always knew Jimmy Brook's wasn't a fighter" somebody else yelled out, Jimmy turned on his heels, and there was know stopping him.

"I can't believe you" Manny said as she opened the door to the Dot for Jimmy.

"What they were asking for it." Jimmy defended himself.

"I know. But you took out three guys! It was incredible; you should have seen their faces. Well that is if you could see through the blood" Manny laughed as Jimmy sat down and she took his right hand. Jimmy watched her expect his bloody knuckles, now that he was sitting; she stood a couple inches higher then him. He looked up at her.

She was actually very pretty. No, beautiful, she was...exotic looking, he didn't know why he didn't realize it before. Plus, he felt attracted to her in more ways then one. It had been a long time since anyone had been thankful for him, or had complimented him. And now that he thought about it, what he had had with Hazel was pure physical attraction, but not like this.

"Does it hurt?" she asked him innocently.

"Just a litte, but it was worth it" he told her. Her smile lit up her whole face and it was contagious cause he to found himself smiling.

"Welcome to the Dot, Ill be you're...Jimmy?" the waiter said, they both looked up to meet the intruders gaze, Manny let go of his hand.

"Spin, when did you get your job back?" jimmy turned to look at his friend

"Um...just today, hi" Spinner directed his attention to Manny. He was obviously surprised to see her.

"Hi" she said sincerely as she took her seat and looked down.

Spinner felt bad. He had encouraged Craig to keep it up with Manny, especially since she was putting out. But never in a million years had he expected Manny to get pregnant. He sort of felt responsible for the whole thing, in...a...weird sort of way.

"What happened to your hand?" Spinner pointed to Jimmy's bloody hand.

"Just a quick fight before lunch" Jimmy shrugged

"A quick fight? He took out 3 guys," Manny told spinner.

'Hmm.She doesn't seem that bad' spinner thought to himself. Paige had always told him, that many was actually really nice. But he had never really believed her.

"I'm proud of you Jimmy" they went to knock fists, but they stopped right before they did, cause Jimmy's hand was all bloody. Both of them shrugged, Manny just laughed

"Mason, get to work" the boss barked from the counter, Spinner rolled his eyes.

"What can I get you guys besides some ice and a band aid." Spinner laughed.

"Two hot chocolates with whipped cream?" Jimmy asked Manny who nodded.

"Aright ill be back." Spinner walked away.

"Aright, so start talking" Manny told him

"Oh...I guess I have to start right?" he asked. He wasn't to happy about telling the whole story over. But she nodded so he explained the whole thing. Everything from him and Hazel to him being emancipated and all alone. And some where in the middle they had finished their hot chocolates.

"Wow, I'm so sorry" Manny leaned forward.

"Its not your fault, it must be me" Jimmy looked at his hands.

"Trust me, its not, anybody would be lucky to have you" Manny told him. Jimmy looked up at her.

"You think?" he asked

"I know" Manny nodded. An for a brief moment they got lost in each other's gaze, but the Manny quickly looked down

"Alright, so now its your turn" Jimmy leaned back.

"Do I have to? Its sort of a tear jerker" Manny admitted

"I'm ready when you are" Jimmy said as he pulled a couple of napkins out of the dispenser and layed them down on the table. Manny laughed and started her sob story.

"Wow" Jimmy said when she was done. "That's ten times worse then mine. So you didn't do it?" jimmy asked to be clear.

"Nope, I couldn't" Manny shook her head. Jimmy respected her for stepping up to her responsibilities, an also because she was being very brave.

"So what are you going to do?" Jimmy asked her, regarding to her lack of shelter.

"I guess, ill just ask Emma if I can stay with her for a while, but I don't know if I can, with the new baby, and Mr. Simpson being sick" Manny admitted

"Yea, I know what you mean" Jimmy said. But as if on a timer, his brain started to work.

He was alone; she was alone, why not be alone together? Wait, what did he mean by that? Should...should he ask her to come stay with him? He didn't know if the idea was totally out of line, but he should at least offer. An it wouldn't be that bad, he had spent the whole afternoon with her, and he had a good time. And he wasn't looking forward to going home to an empty apartment. So what the heck was he waiting for?

"I got an idea," he stated

"Shoot?" she told him

"Well look at it this way, I'm alone, your alone, I have a big empty apartment all to myself, and your...well. Homeless." he said as he leaned forward.

'Is he asking what I think he's asking, better check for sure' many told herself

"What are you asking?" she questioned.

Jimmy was silent for a while, until he worked up his nerve.

"What I'm asking is, Why don't you move in with me?" he said slowly

"Move in with you?" Manny repeated.

Now waking up to his perfect face was something she could get used to. Wait, what? Did she just think that? Ugh, now she definitely couldn't not if she was going to be tempted by him, she already had one kid to worry about.

"I don't think I should" Manny told him, she was surprised when a look of hurt crossed Jimmy's face

"Why not? Give me one good reason" Jimmy stated.

"Ok,...I don't have any money to help with rent" many pointed out

"You know that my parents are still paying for the apartment," Jimmy told her.

"Um...what about your reputation?" she asked him

"What reputation?" Jimmy asked as he sat up

"I think you know" Manny also leaned back in her chair.

"Didn't I prove today that, that kind of stuff doesn't matter to me" he held up his now bandaged hand. Manny just sighed.

"Do you really want me to?" she asked him as she arched an eyebrow.

Jimmy thought about it...and came to a conclusion.

"Yea...yea I do, it could be cool," he told her

"Or It could be horrible and I would whined up with my ass back on the street" Manny pointed out.

"It wont be horrible, and if I do have to throw you out, ill be sure to call a cab first" Jimmy joked and Manny smiled.

Jimmy leaned forward. "Come on pllleeaasseee?" he gave his best puppy face. But before she could answer spinner sat down

"I know its wrong, but I have been eavesdropping on your whole conversation" he stated

"Me too" Paige sat next to him with a pout "we couldn't help it" she told them truthfully.

"Its ok" many told Paige. She liked Paige. But recently they hadn't been getting along that great.

"Well, since you know the situation, what do you think?" Jimmy said

"Dude its great, you got your own apartment" Spinner yelled

"Not about that dummy" Paige slapped the back of his head "Well I think that it's a great idea. But just to let you know, if you feel more comfortable, or if things don't work out with Jimmy, you could always stay with me" Paige looked down.

She didn't know why she had offered, but she couldn't help but feel bad for Manny. Manny was a sweet, innocent little freshmen, and Craig had taken advantage of that. And Paige knew what it felt like to be taken advantage of, in more ways then one.

"Wow, Paige, that's really nice of you" Paige and Manny shared a hug. The guys just watched they're exchanged.

"So really what do you think Manny should do" Jimmy asked spinner.

Spinner paused for a second. Jimmy was one of his best friends, and a great guy. And he had to say, he was proud of Jimmy. Their weren't many guys who would step up to help a pregnant teenage girl, especially if it wasn't his kid. An he couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness for Manny, she reminded him so much of Kendra, who was the same age as her.

"I think you should" he told many.

Manny looked at the three faces. "Ok, ill do it" Manny sighed

"Great" Jimmy and Spinner said

"Perfect" Paige swung an arm around Manny, who just smiled. Could she have possibly made two new friends and one new roommate? She just chuckled to herself

Things were definitely looking up.

"Ok, well let's make a plan up" Spinner said

"A plan" Jimmy asked spin.

"Yea, I'm off of work and we should work everything out tonight."

"He's right, wow he's right" Paige said astonished as Spinner gave her a look. The girls laughed.

The girls sat for a while longer and talked; meanwhile Jimmy and Spinner were having a private conversation.

"Ok ladies we have a plan" Spinner said and at the same time, Manny and Paige rolled their eyes.

"You two, go to Manny's house and get her stuff, and we have some other things to take care off," Jimmy said.

"Ok come on lets go" Paige stood up. The rest followed and Jimmy put the money down on the table and they walked out.

"See you in a bit" Paige led Manny away. Spinner and Jimmy stood watching them retreat. Manny looked over her shoulder and saw Jimmy staring after her; she gave him a small smile, which he returned. But she then returned her attention to Paige and walking home.

Next time: New best friends all around!