Behind These Eyes Chapter 2
Taking A Chance
Note: So far, so good! I've always wanted to show JT in a sort-of depressed, but still JT mood, and in this story, Manny's actually human until something happens, but what happens is for you to find out!
Listen, why don't you come over tomarrow just to hang out, talk everything over?
Manny's sudden change of heart was driving me crazy. No one, not even in a million years, would expect someone like Manny, who's screwed every guy she could get her hands on, to actually want to be friends with me. Even when I haven't been myself.
Someone slightly knocked on my door.
I said.
It's Mom, bringing in a snack. Mom said.
I opened the door and Mom was wearing her uniform, with a apple in hand. My mom is a counselor at the Toronto Correction Facility, a place where mental people and people with problems go to get as my mom says. I went there once, and it's definitely somewhere you'd rather not be.
James, we need to talk. Mom said.
Mom, it's JT, you know how much I hate James. I said.
Why have you been so grouchy lately? You never ask me to pull your hand anymore. Mom said.
A lot of stuff has been happening. My breakup with Liberty, everyone ditching me. I said.
James, you have friends. Emma is always over here, and sometimes that Darcy girl stops by. Mom said.
Yeah, I know, and I'm very lucky to have them. Things like that just haven't happened before. I've never been through such a painful breakup. I said.
Just make sure that you keep smiling, okay James? Things can get tough, I know, but you have to fight it. Mom said.
Don't treat me like one of your patients, Mom. Seriously, I don't need advice. All I need is for you to be there for me and be a mom like you always are. I said.
Ok then. Mom said and left my room.
I heard Sabrina singing along badly to Hilary Duff's Come Clean. She plays it so much, it can get really annoying and I have to blast a Sum 41 or Linkin Park song. I pop Hybrid Theory into my cd player and listen as I stare at the phone.
Let the rain fall down
And wake my dreams
Let it wash away
My sanity
Cause I want to feel the thunder
I wanna scream
Let the rain fall down
I'm comin clean, I'm comin clean
The Next Day...
Riding to school on my skateboard, I feel the cold wind go in my face. It was almost spring, and the snow was starting to melt. Today, after school, I would see just what Manny Santos is all about.
Hey JT, finally here huh? Emma said when I got in class.
Hey Em. You're here too, I noticed. I said.
So, anything going on? Emma said.
Actually, Manny called me yesterday. Odd, I know, but she invited me over her house later. I said.
Oh great. Miss Pain-In-Ass. So, are you going? Emma said.
I really want to see what's going to happen. I defintely haven't forgiven her yet, but we'll see if Manny's really changed or not. I said.
Well, have fun. But watch out, JT. If you let her get too close, Manny will use you just like she has everyone else. She's dangerous. Emma said.
I know Manny all too well. She broke my heart too many times for me to let her do it again. I said.
Jt, Emma, if you don't stop talking, it will break my heart to give you two a detention. Mr. Simpson said.
At Manny's House:
It's JT, right? Welcome, I'm Manny's mom, Nadia. Nadia said when I walked over to Manny's house.
Yeah, hi. I said.
Manny's talked a lot about you. She's definitely been a naughty girl these last couple of years, but I'm glad she's starting to mature. Nadia said.
Yeah, she definitely has been. I really hope she can just move on. I said.
Me too. I miss my old Manny, the sweet innocent one who never would do wrong. Nadia said.
Well, Manny's defintely never gonna be that anymore, that's all I know. I said.
I'll go get her. Nadia said.
I waited in Manny's living room. Her house was pretty big, with elegant furniture and a staircase made out of marble. Her parents must be rich or something, because all we had at my house that was swanky was a stainless steel coffee machine.
JT, hey. Come upstairs? Manny said.
I said and walked up to her room.
I'm really glad you came. Everything that's happened, I needed someone to talk to about it. Manny said.
Why me? Why not Paige and her group? Or Toby? I said.
Cuz...we both have some problems, and Paige has no idea about what's going on. Plus, Toby's like invisible now. You're not the only one who got ditched. Manny said.
I could feel Manny getting closer to me. She was 1 inch away from my face. I could smell that strong perfume and minty breath right in front of me.
C'mon JT. We're both in the same boat, if you think about it. You, screwed. Me, even more screwed. Why don't we try being...what we were again. Manny said.
I knew you were up to something. God Manny, can you ever just be friends with someone? You just have to screw people around? Oh yeah, and just in case you forgot, YOU BROKE UP WITH ME! I said.
Chill! And yes, I'm fully capable of keeping friends, thank you very much. Manny said.
You know what, Manny? You and I, just friends, and that's all. Let's hope you don't mess that up. I said.
Fine, friends is good. For now. Manny said.
I walked out of her room before she could say anything else. I was tired of Manny and her little games. Emma had been right, and I'm really glad I listened to her. Manny wasn't capable of being human, anyway.
Much more drama to come! Trust me, JT and Manny aren't over. Will JT take Manny's offer, or will he refuse? What will Emma think? You'll just have to find out!
-Steph
