Chapter Six: Don't Stop Me Now

"So, tell me again what he said to you how he caressed your hand seductively." Stephanie joked while applying the mud mask to Manny's face.

"Oh shut up. He didn't even touch my hand." Manny rolled her eyes.

"It looks like to he that you're crushing on him again." Hazel chimed in.

"Yeah, just admit it Manny." Liberty added.

"How can I start liking Craig again? He's such a jerk." Manny finished with a sigh. "The only thing we have in common right now is our little sisters." Stephanie placed two cucumbers over Manny's eyes. "I couldn't let my hate for him get in the way of Felicia and Angie being friends. You guys know how I love little kids."

"Mm-hmm. Sure you do." Liberty smiled.

"You guys, stop making this all about Craig. This is supposed to be a girl's night out."

"And what's a girl's night about with talk about boys?" Hazel wondered.

"Forget talking about them. I say we crash that party and make Mr. Manning see what he's missing out on. This facial is going to make you look so gorgeous and I have this awesome red dress that will have all the guys drooling." Stephanie offered.

"Is it skimpy?" Manny wondered, knowing that her friends would not get off her back unless she considered their offer.

"Everything Stephanie owns is skimpy." Liberty replied.

"Damn straight. If you've got it, flaunt it and if you don't … that's what the Wonderbra is for." The girls laughed as Felicia walked down the stairs.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Manny wondered.

"I can't go to bed. The monster's gonna get me." She cried in a panic as Manny hugged her and assured her that nothing was going to happen when she was around.

"Good, you're still here." Ms. Santos began giving each of the girls a quick look-over before finishing what she had to say. Why did Manny surround herself with such trash? What happened to hanging out with people like Paige and Emma … pretty girls. "I need you to look after her tomorrow."

"But I have school then." Manny protested.

"She's still you responsibility. You can cut class for a day and go shopping or something." She handed Manny her credit card. "Just try not to get into anymore trouble." Manny looked away, knowing that she was referring to her breakdown earlier this year. "Come on Felicia."

"I want to stay with Manny." The little girl argued as Ms. Santos rolled her eyes. "Honey, you really need to go to bed." Felicia continued to ignore her mother as Manny took it upon herself to do what she did best … play mother.

"I'll take her to bed." Manny picked up her little sister, even though she was old enough to walk, and carried her into her room with a fuss.

"It's like people don't get the definition of what real music is anymore." Ashley explained to Craig who was trying to deny the fact that something had happened between him and Claire. But, the fact that he kept stealing glances at her gave it away.

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Craig answered detachedly as the crew stood up, ready to leave.

"You guys are coming back to my place, right?" Claire asked as if she owned Jimmy's house. "I'm gonna show you what a real party is like." She whispered to Craig, who Ashley had left his alone for a few seconds.

"I mean, how can people classify Britney Spears as one of the greatest musicians of the decade. She hasn't even been around that long." Ashley vented, tired of real musicians getting the short end of the stick. "And just because you can play your own instrument doesn't mean that you should be given the right to sing. I'm sorry but Jimmy Eat World and Good Charlotte suck for that reason."

"Good Charlotte's awesome. Their melodies and lyrics aren't like anyone else's out there." Craig argued.

"But think how much better you would be, if you were given a chance." Ashley clung tighter to Craig's arm. "It is a little cold out here."

"Yeah." He replied detachedly, not getting the hint that she wanted him to kiss her. Nothing was going right between the two because it always seemed like Craig was somewhere else.

"How do I look?" Manny wondered after all the other girls had raided Stephanie's closest upon a change of plans.

"You look too modest." Stephanie complained. "Take off those baggy pants and put on this mini."

"Yeah and pull your hair all to one side, like this." Liberty suggested while Hazel and Kendra just waited for the other girls to hurry up. They were taking way too long to get dressed.

"Wow, you look beautiful." Kendra commented after everyone had worked to "doll" her up.

"And how to I look?" Stephanie wondered.

"Slutty." Liberty voiced truthfully.

"Ooh. Good. I might get laid tonight." She joked knowing that the black jumpsuit with the crisscross back was just too much for Liberty to comprehend. "Well, let's go."

"Craig, are you even listening to me?" Ashley stopped, looking her boyfriend straight in the eye. "I don't know what's up with you lately, but it's like you're not even here."

"But, I am with. With you." Craig retorted.

"Why was Claire wearing your jacket?" Ashley asked suddenly.

"What?"

"You followed her into the bathroom and she came out with your jacket on. Is she trying to--"

"Steal me away?" Craig shrugged. "If she is, it's too late because I belong to you."

"Only because you're obligated to." Ashley sighed. "All I ask is that you be honest with me. If you've got feelings for someone else, let me know. If someone kissed you, let me know."

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Craig turned the tables on her.

"I'm just not … feeling it right now. It's so routine and expected. You know I hate that. We're people, not puppets, and we should be able to do what we want." Ashley replied. "So tell me what really happened?"

"Claire and I kissed … that's all." Ashley looked away, trying to conceal her hurt. "It didn't mean anything and I think she had been planning it for a while."

"And Manny?"

"What about her?" Craig shot back.

"You've been acting weird since she's come back."

"No, you're the one who's been obsessed with her Ashley. I think you need to work out your own jealousy issues before you accuse me of screwing up again."

"Whatever." Ashley got up off the couch and slowly turned around. "I'll see you tomorrow."