Chapter Five: I'm Gonna Take My Chance Tonight
"Here, let me see that." Craig took the phone from Manny who quickly moved back, trying to hide the burn mark she had on her arm. Before she had been taken to that asylum, she used to like the smell and feel of burning her flesh. It always healed quickly, but no sooner had it healed that something happened in her life that would make her want to start her self-mutilation again.
"Yeah, we need a car towed … a 1994 Volvo on Carteret Street." Craig called in, trying to do something noble so that Manny wouldn't completely hate him.
As he hung up the phone, Manny said, "You really didn't need to do that."
"I couldn't leave you standing out in the cold." Craig argued.
"You did it before." Manny shot back, remembering when he chose Ashley over her and even the way he talked to her like she was nothing.
"I'm here now." Craig sighed, resting on the car. Manny could see how much he wanted to start over and she was never really good at hating people for long.
"Do you plan on staying here?"
"Until they come." Manny nodded, deciding that it would probably be a little warmed in their car. She hopped in the front seat and locked the doors, forcing Craig to continue standing outside.
"You're just going to leave me out here?" Manny ignored the question, wishing that she could just drive away. Realizing that she wasn't going to be very responsive to him, Craig tried to change the subject to something else.
"So, how's your little sister?" Craig wondered.
"She's fine. Going into grade one now." Manny smiled to herself. She could only hope that Felicia's image of her wasn't tainted.
"Yeah, Angela's getting so big now I can't believe it." Craig chimed in.
"So … how is everything at home?" Manny wondered knowing that Joey had almost lost their house.
"It's … better. I've been working now to help out around the house and Joey's engaged to Caitlin."
"Are you serious? That's so romantic, you know high school sweethearts." Manny gave him a small smile. "What sparked the sudden change of heart? You hated me a couple of days ago."
"You share something with me that no one else has Manny." Craig admitted. "It even makes Ash jealous sometimes."
"That I was just some concubine?" Manny questioned, hating what their relationship had become.
"No, but that I shared an intimate part of myself with someone that I care about." Craig responded. "You mean a lot to me Manny. We used to be good friends." He added in order to keep their relationship strictly platonic.
"Are they there yet?" Manny changed the topic.
"No. Do you want to come hang out with us … I mean Marco wouldn't mind having you there and the only one who'll make a big deal out of it will be Ash and maybe Paige."
"I kind of have plans to spend with some of my friends at my house … but thanks." Manny got out of the car as the towing people appeared.
"Oh." Craig added, feeling stupid. "I guess I'll go …"
"You could bring Angela over sometime." Craig stopped and turned around. "I mean Felicia could use a playmate if you ever have to baby-sit or something. I-I can help." Manny offered while Craig nodded, not knowing how to handle this sudden gesture of kindness.
"I was totally blown away when I met him. I mean Chad Michael Murray. He's so hott!" Paige exclaimed, talking about the time she had spent in New York
"Try having him on your speed dial." Claire boasted. "Not only do I have his personal number, but I've known him since we used to go to junior high together." She added.
"No way. That is totally cool." Marco chimed in, a complete fan of CMM himself.
"I know. Too bad he's fallen for that brunette girl that stars on his show, but young love doesn't normally last that long. When they're over, I'll give him your number." Claire promised Paige whose eyes were gleaming.
"Ahem." Spinner brought the attention to himself. "But we're going to be together, aren't we?"
"Right honeybee. Thanks, but no thanks Claire. No movie star could be better than my honey." She gave him a quick peck on the lips as Claire rolled her eyes. House 'Full House' could these Degrassi characters get?
"Well, what about you Ash? I know things aren't perfect between you and Craig right now."
"Nothing's ever perfect, but things are good." Ashley reassured Claire who was going to take this opportunity to talk to and find out as much as she could about this Craig character.
"We're waiting for you over there." Claire admitted while Craig jumped startled.
"Yeah. I guess they're backed up." Craig responded, directing his attention to the sole waitress that was working.
"I'll help you carry the drinks whenever we get them." Claire offered as the line rapidly shortened, to her dismay.
"Okay. Here you go." Craig passed Claire a tray of drinks, letting go before she got a sound handle on the tray as colas and chocolate shakes splashed and spilled all over her white drape-neck top. "Oh. I'm sorry."
Claire, who would normally be furious at something like this, was going to use it to her advantage. "Just help me get rid of it." She dragged Craig into the bathroom trying to figure out what she was going to do for the rest of the night.
"Umm … here you go." Craig handed her a fistful of paper towels as she ran them under cold water and frantically wiped at her shirt.
"Well, don't just stand there. Help."
"Uh … okay." Craig agreed, feeling a little uncomfortable with almost having direct contact with Claire's half-exposed breast.
"This isn't working." Taking on drastic measures, Claire yanked off the top, exposing most of her torso and even more of her chest.
As she passed the shirt to Craig, he continued staring in disbelief. "Don't tell me you've never seen a naked woman before." Craig snapped back into reality, trying to fix the damage. "You're blushing … how cute." Claire quickly touched his face, loving how her plan was working.
"I- I don't think the stain is going to come out."
"It better." Claire shot back. "I can't go out like this." She sighed. "But … you could …" She tugged on his jacket as he reluctantly gave it to her. Craig started to walk out of the bathroom, but Claire stopped him. "One more thing."
"What?"
"This." Claire cupped Craig's face in between her hands, kissing him hungrily, lingering to see if he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. Carefully pulling back, Claire looked into Craig's eyes seeing something that she was used to seeing from the opposite sex … lust.
Craig kissed her suddenly before really thinking about what he was doing as all thoughts of Ashley were erased. Claire smiled to herself.
"Good boy." She whispered as he held open the door for her. "Wait. You have some lipstick right about … there." Claire kissed him again intensely before wiping away the evidence and checking around the edges of her mouth before going back towards the table. "Perfect." She zipped up his jacket ¾ of the way and followed him back to the table.
"What happened to you?" Jimmy wondered, noticing that Claire was wearing Craig's clothes.
"Genius here spilled your drinks all over me so I had no other choice." Claire smiled. "Last time I help carry trays." Craig avoided Ashley's glance, excusing himself to bring back the rest of the food … along with Spinner and Jimmy.
(A/N: Isn't Claire just outrageous? You haven't seen anything yet. Just make sure to keep reading to find out what happens between Manny and Craig as Claire hashes her plan to take over the school. I appreciate reviews so thanks to the seven people that actually cared enough to write something!! –NL)
Also, I know it's Monday, but in the future I'll be updating on Tuesdays so check back in next week!!