Disclaimer: I know, this sucks…I still don't own anything from Degrassi. I've been trying, honestly LOL

Update: Here's what's going on in my story for those of you who don't know. Manny and Craig have just found out that their parents have been dating each other, and both are being forced to attend dinner Saturday. So, here's the rest of my wonderful story LOL,

Nobody's Home

Chapter 2: Family Dinner

"Tonight's the night." Manny spoke into the mirror as Emma brushed her hair.

"Manny, just relax and be happy for your mom." Emma replied, digging through some makeup and pulling out a light blue eye shadow.

"Easy for you to say Em. You're not having dinner with the guy that got you pregnant." Manny said, turning to face her. She closed her eyes as Emma applied the eyeshadow.

"Talk to your mom about it." Emma suggested, adding a few finishing touches to Manny's makeup.

"I can't." Manny sighed, looking at herself in the mirror. "She's just so happy. Maybe they'll break up on their own." She said, knowing that that was just a wish. All her mom had talked about was Joey this, Joey that.

"For yours and Craig's sake, you'd better hope so." Emma replied. "I'm getting better at this makeup thing." She said with a laugh.

"Manuella, time to go!" Her mom called from the living room.

"Good luck." Emma gave her a quick hug and hurried out of the house, not wanting to witness the obvious tension between Mann and her mother.

"I'll need more than that." She muttered, looking at herself in the mirror. Her hair was in curls and lying gently over her shoulders, some flowing down her back. Her makeup was perfect, thanks to Emma. She really did look gorgeous.

"Hi." Joey said, giving Manny's mother a kiss. "Hey Manny." He said, giving her a smile.

"Hi." She replied, obviously pissed off. She rolled her eyes as Craig sat down across from her. Just what I need, Craig, sitting right across from me. Now I'll be forced to look into his eyes at least once. At least I'm on the outside. Good for a quick escape.

"So, how's school?" Joey asked as they ate.

"Good." Craig looked up, trying to at least get a glance from Manny.

"Fine." Manny replied, prodding at her food as she studied it. Anything to avoid looking at Craig.

"Manuella, eat something." Her mother told her.

"Not hungry." She retorted.

"Fine, suit yourself." Maria sighed, not in the mood for arguing. She picked up her glass, taking a sip of her drink. It was then that Manny caught sight of the ring on her finger.

"What's that?" She asked.

"What?" Maria followed Manny's eyes. "Oh, this. It's an…engagement ring." It was Craig's turn to choke. He started coughing.

"You're marrying him! Dad's been gone a few months, and you're marrying him. This is why you wanted me to come to dinner, so I could meet my new father! Get used to my new family! There's no way I'm staying with them. I'll go live with dad. That's why he left you! You're a slut!" She was angry and sad at the same time. Hot tears were rolling down her face, but she didn't care. She didn't care if she was making a scene. She didn't care about the nosy people in the restaurant. None of that mattered.

"Manny, that's not fair!" Joey raised his voice at her.

"You're not my father." She spat back, standing up to leave.

"Manny, calm down." Craig, said, grabbing her by the arm. Manny in turn picked up her glass of water and threw it in his face, soaking him and running out of the restaurant.

"Craig, I'm so sorry. I don't know what's gotten into her." Maria replied, near tears.

"It's fine, honestly." Craig replied, wiping his shirt off with a napkin. "Joey, I'm going to go home and dry off." Craig said, grabbing his and Manny's jacket as he walked out.

It hadn't taken him long to find Manny. She was walking past Degrassi, on her way to what he assumed was her father's house.

"Cold?" He asked.

"Leave me alone Craig." She replied, trying not to shiver. She was freezing.

"No can do." Craig handed her the jacket. "Our parents are getting married." He sighed as she cut him an evil look. "As much as it sucks, we're going to have to get along."

"I might move in with my dad." She stared down at her feet. "I know it's going to hurt my mom, but I just can't stay….there."

"You're right. It will hurt your mom, a lot. But it doesn't matter because you don't give a damn about anyone but Manny!" He noted the shock on her face. "Every time something gets hard, you get rid of it. Eliminate the problem. You seem to think that will make it go away. First the baby —" He was interrupted by her slapping him across the face.

"Craig, you have no right to talk to me like that. I hope you burn in hell!" She screamed, tears stinging her eyes. She refused to let them fall; she wouldn't let Craig make her cry. She turned away from him and ran as fast as fast as her feet could carry her.