Chapter Four: It's Gonna Be My Finest Hour

"I can't believe you're dragging me here." Claire rolled her eyes as she arrived at Degrassi High. "On the weekend … what am I doing here?"

"You're here to support your cousin, remember?" Jimmy responded as Claire focused her attention on Craig. He was in deep conversation with Ashley and seemed to be what every girl around the school wanted, which made him perfect for her.

"Yeah and I guess you want me to take this too, don't you?"

"Bingo." Jimmy handed Claire his bass guitar as she walked into the auditorium and onto the stage. "It's only a dress rehearsal anyway Claire."

"Which is why I want to know…" Her voice trailed off as she realized that this was a waste of time. The more time she spent arguing with Jimmy, the less time she had to mingle with Craig and with this Ashley chick around, she was going to need all the time she could get.

"I can't believe tonight's the night," Manny said to Kendra, Hazel, Liberty, and Stephanie who had all agreed to be apart of her last-minute entry into the talent show contest.

"I can't believe I actually let you talk me into this." Liberty admitted, not knowing that Manny was doing this as a last resort to get Craig to see her for who she had become, not who she was.

"We are so gonna kick some ass tonight and win this, right?" Stephanie wondered, psyched that she was able to do something without her mother being in charge or even knowing about.

"It's not about winning." Hazel answered.

"It doesn't matter what it's about. We're next." Manny whispered as Marco and Spinner walked by.

"Manny, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to keep your distance." Craig wondered as she shrugged, hurt by his response. No matter, she would use all this anguish she had been feeling and release it through her talent … dance.

Manny, Kendra, Hazel, and the others took their place as the Goo-Goo Doll's "Name" began to play. Manny moved across the stage powerfully, not really caring what anyone thought, especially not Craig, but doing something for herself for once. She looked out into the audience, but didn't really see anyone only the silence of complete awe. When it was over, the audience burst out in huge applause for a girl they would have booed offstage only days earlier.

"We've got this." Stephanie, whispered through a clinched smile, bringing Manny back to reality as all of her real-life emotions came into play. Suddenly, everything that didn't matter, mattered and there was only one thing she could think about.

"Will all the contestants come out, you've all done a wonderful job. Let's give them a round of a hand," Ms. Kwan offered as Craig and his band walked out, taking their places next to Manny's group.

"That was … awesome." Craig muttered as Manny focused her attention on him.

"Really? I mean, you saw it."

"Yeah. There's a stage camera backstage." Craig pointed behind her as she nodded.

"Yeah, well you don't have to worry about me like following you around or anything."

"You've been following me around?" Craig asked, confused.

"And our second runner up is …" Ms. Kwan took the envelope from JT, as everyone anxiously awaited the results.

"I'm trying to say that I'll leave you alone. I just cause too many mixed emotions and maybe it's best if--"

"Manny Santos, Hazel Aden, Liberty van Zant, Kendra Mason, and Stephanie …" Ms. Kwan paused, looking for a last name. "Stephanie!" The girls ran further downstage, grasping the trophy and smiling as Manny continued looking back at Craig.

There's something I need to say to you, after this thing is over." Craig whispered in Manny's ear as she was pushed towards the trophy along with the other girls.

"Well, I have to say that royally sucked." Claire complained. "I cannot believe that Ashley's group beat you guys out for first. I know more people voted for you guys."

"Obviously not." Craig chimed in, really upset that they had lost. Even worse, Manny had completely disappeared before everything was over. He didn't even get to talk to her.

"Well, well, well if it isn't Miss Insane." Claire pointed out Manny who was standing alone in the parking lot on her phone looking … lost.

"Leave her alone man." Marco declared, trying to help keep Craig and Ash together.

"Yeah dude. You know Ashley will be pissed." Jimmy added as Craig shrugged and walked towards her.

"I've got some shit to take care of." The boys nodded as Claire lagged behind. This was so not how she'd pictured the end of the talent contest.

"So you were trying to get away?" Craig joked as Manny quickly hung up her phone.

"Yeah, but my piece of junk car isn't working so my plan failed. You caught me. I'm here." She tried to make sure that her voice was as mono-tone and nonchalant as it could get, but inside her heart was ready to beat out of her chest.

"What are you running from? No one's around." Craig moved closer to Manny as she prayed desperately for one of her friends to come and save her.

"This is what I mean. Were you even watching my performance Craig?" He nodded contemplating on whether he should kiss her or not. What he had said the other day was … harsh, but he had to say it. That's what everyone wanted from him, but he didn't really know how he felt about Manny. All that was certain was that whenever she was around, he just wanted to hold her and squeeze her … kind of like it was when Ashley was around, but different.

"I just wanted to make sure that we got this straight. No more me and you."

"You name the terms. I'll agree to whatever you want." Manny sighed, giving him all the power. "I guess you should get going and join the I hate Manny Santos club." She added, trying to dial Stephanie's number, hoping that she hadn't left yet.

"I can't. There's something about you that makes me want to try," Craig whispered, breathing heavily, giving in, and finally kissing her.

"And then what?" Manny pulled away. "We have … We have sex again and you leave me to the wolves. No. Craig Manning, it's over … I hate you and I don't want anything to do with you!" She yelled, her voice echoing through the parking lot.

"Then I'll just leave you here."

"It's already been done." Manny shot back icily, forcing Craig to turn around. He couldn't leave her like this. Making sure she was okay … that was the least he could do.

(A/N: Okay, somehow I forgot where I was going with this story. Maybe if you guys say … you should do this or I like/dislike this because … I would be able to get some more ideas. I want to know, who do you guys think Craig should end up with: Ashley, Claire, Manny, or all by his self? Suggestions. I need suggestions!! –NL)