Oh my goodness, dude. I am so freaking sorry for not updating earlier!! So here's chapter nine in apology! Early Christmas present! :)

Chapter Nine

Don't Cry For Me

Liberty stood out from the mall, thinking very hard. It had been quite a few hours since her and JT had their little fight. She stood there, starring in the distance, wondering if her family even noticed she was gone. Liberty then decided that she was aching and took a seat on a nearby bench.

She continued to wait for some sign of her family, but then gave up. "It's useless," she sighed.

"What is?" she heard a voice say, and then recognized the voice – sweet JT. He walked over, and took a seat next to her. "Nothing – nothing at all," Liberty replied back, glancing down. "Come on – tell me already!" he said, trying to make contact with her. Liberty didn't respond, so he continued to talk.

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened earlier today," Liberty looked up. "It's fine – I'm used to it," JT heard sadness in her voice. "Are you okay?" he asked, glancing in her eyes.

She shook her head. "No, I'm not," Liberty then realized that this moment was the first time she felt comfortable sharing her feelings – the first time she could admit she was not fine at all. "Then, what's wrong?" Liberty listened to the concern in his voice. "I don't know! There's just so much crap in my life!" she cried.

Liberty buried her face into his chest, not realizing what she was doing. "It's – um - it's – ahem - fine!" JT choked out, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

"I'm - I'm sorry," Liberty said, suddenly moving her head back into place. "I shouldn't have," JT just starred at her. "It's - it's - okay," he smiled.

She smiled. "Thanks - thanks a lot, JT," He nodded, and glanced around. "I. . . I have something to tell you," Liberty whispered, suddenly seeming that it was all right to tell JT about her parents. "What is it?" he asked, turning back to her.

"Well . . . my parents," she began. "Your parents . . . ?" JT questioned, glancing at her.

"Yeah, what about your parents?" a voice said.

"Manny," JT glanced at her. "No wonder you didn't you call me back – you decided to hang out with this freak!" Manny yelled. Liberty ignored her- she was used to being called a 'freak' by Manny. Oh, how she wanted to tell her off!

"Manny, just seriously cool down," she said instead. "Cool down?? Oh, Liberty, do not get me started!" Manny snapped back.

She turned her head back to JT. "JT, can we please talk - alone?" Manny sighed. "Uh, sure, Manny," JT replied. "I'll see you later, okay, Liberty? Bye." He walked off with Manny into the distance.

Liberty just sat there, now lying down on the bench on her stomach. She sighed. Liberty glanced around for any sign of – well – anything. She starred at Manny and JT talking in the distance, and wondered what exactly they were talking about.

Meanwhile. . .

"What was that all about?" JT asked.

"What was that all about – JT – I'm the one that should be asking that- not you?" Manny snapped at him. "What are you talking about?" JT asked, confused at her actions. "You and Liberty – just friends – yeah right!" Manny shouted, tears now starting to form.

"Manny – babe - ," he said, trying to comfort her by putting his arms around her body.

Manny buried her face into his chest. "I just don't want to lose you! She doesn't deserve you, JT. I do. I – I love you!" she whispered. JT squeezed her into a hug.

"Don't worry – Liberty and I are only friends," he kissed her forehead.

"I don't worry about you – it's Liberty I worry about," she sighed, and glanced up at him.

"Come on, Liberty isn't so bad. Anyway, you have nothing to worry about," JT reassured her.

Manny stared in his eyes. "'Not so bad?' What are you talking about? She's a nightmare!"

"That's a little harsh," JT replied, sounding offended.

"A little harsh? Oh, really? I thought it wasn't harsh enough!" Manny said, almost screaming now.

"Whoa, whoa, Manny, calm down there," JT rubbed her back in comfort.

"JT, don't – I. . . I can't take this anymore," Manny whispered, moving his hand away.

"Don't tell me you're breaking up?" JT asked, suddenly horrified of that happening.

"No, no, of course not, but I am breaking up something – or at least if you're willing to,"

"Breaking up what...?" JT was curious of what Manny had in for plan.

"You and Liberty," Manny muttered. She knew JT wouldn't agree to her 'plan.'

"Me and Liberty – why would you want . . . wait, you aren't jealous, are you?" JT asked in suspicion.

"No, no, of course not . . . it's just that – you guys have been hanging out a lot lately,"

"So? Manny, we're friends!" JT said, now beginning to get angry.

"Well, it sure seems like you guys are more than friends," she growled back.

"Manny! You're my girlfriend, okay? Why would I be dating her if I already have a girlfriend - I'm not like Craig?"

"Not like Craig? What does he have to do with anything? You don't even know Craig, anyway! He's sweet, all right? So stop it!"

"And I'm not? Manny, if he's so sweet then why don't you just go out with him, instead of me!" JT hollered out her – now he was really getting angry!

"JT. . .I don't want to go out with him! He's an idiot – you're not. I love you, JT, so please, please, stop yelling," Manny whispered, as tears began streaming down her face.

"I – I'm sorry," he whispered back, now pulling her into a warm hug.

"I love you," Manny tightened the hug, now smiling quite wide.

JT smiled, "Want to head back? I think Liberty's getting pretty lonely,"

"JT, don't you . . .," Manny paused. ". . . Love me back?" she whispered, hurt in her voice.

"Love is a very strong word," JT said, wondering if that was the 'right' thing to say.

"Not if you feel that way," she continued to whisper, now pulling away from JT's grip.

"Babe . . . ," JT responded, trying to stop her from running away.

"No! Don't . . . don't call me babe! 'Cause you know what? It's over! It's over, okay? We're through!" Manny yelled, tears rolling down her face.

"You . . . you don't mean that," he choked out, gasping in surprise.

"No, no, I don't . . . but JT, I can't take this anymore . . . I really can't. Please forgive me. I'm so sorry babe," she started to walk away. "I'm sorry," Manny repeated.