Promise Me
Summary: NOT Craig/Manny. Craig makes a promise to Manny.
"Craig!" called a voice from behind Craig Manning. "Craig!" Craig turned around to find Manuella Santos. Most people just called her Manny. "Manny," Craig said quietly. "Uh… yeah?" Manny dragged Craig off into a corner.
"Craig," she began. "I know things haven't been the best between us. But—"
"Manny, if this is about—" Craig began.
"Craig, I need to talk to you. Meet me after class, okay? It's really important," Manny said urgently.
"Can't we talk…now?" Craig asked.
"No, there's not enough time. Meet me after class," she said again.
"Okay, Manny. See you after class," Craig said, before going to MI. He thought the entire class time what Manny wanted to talk to him about.
After class, Craig jogged over to where he was supposed to meet Manny. About thirty seconds later, Manny came up. "Sorry I took so long, I was trying to get something sorted out with Emma, and she wouldn't shut up, so… anyway, Craig, what I needed to tell you was that… Okay, I know a couple years ago, what we did… we shouldn't have done it."
"Manny, it's okay. Whatever you're about to say, I'm sorry," Craig said quickly.
"No, Craig. It's not your turn for apologies. It's mine," Manny interjected.
"Okay," Craig said defensively.
"The way you treated me…I don't want to feel like that ever again, okay? And it felt so bad… I wouldn't want anyone to feel like that, ever."
"Okay…" Craig said coolly.
"So, I need you to promise me something. Okay?" Manny said, looking up at Craig.
"I don't care who it is. Whether it's Ashley, Paige, or anyone, never do to them what you did to me."
"In what sense?" Craig asked, confused.
"Never use them to cheat on your girlfriend. It's cruel and it hurts. I felt used, and so would they. Never do it, Craig. Please. Promise me you'll never do what you did to me," Manny touched Craig's arm lightly.
Craig looked down at her. "I promise."
Manny sighed. "I'm gonna be so late for class," she said, turning to leave.
"Manny, wait," Craig said quickly. "I didn't get to say my apologies yet."
Manny turned around. "Okay," she said quietly. "Say your apologies."
"Okay, Manny," he began. "I know what I did to you was wrong. And… maybe in the beginning, it felt right, and I think maybe I was planning on breaking up with Ashley, but… in the end, it felt wrong and I still feel bad about it. But you have to believe me… I never meant for you to get hurt. But you did, and I'm sorry. For everything. But you do mean something to me, Manny. Just not in the same way as Ashley does. I was kind of hoping that maybe if you give me a chance, we can be friends. I always have these weird thoughts about you and they make me feel sick. Not because you're ugly, I mean, I think you're pretty, but I just… there's not a… feeling of extreme happiness I feel around you, and every time we pass each other, I can look at you and start feeling guilty and wrong. But I promise you, Manny; I will never do to another what I've done to you. I'm so sorry you got hurt. But maybe if you forgive me, I won't feel any different when I walk past you or see you. I want there to be peace between us. I hate feeling bad every time I think about you. I want to feel good when I think about you, and… not guilty. Okay?"
Craig looked into Manny's eyes as he said everything.
Slowly but surely, tears formed in her eyes as she remembered everything she'd gone through.
"And," Craig added, "you have to understand. You're not the only one who got hurt."
"Craig?" Manny said.
"Yeah?" Craig said calmly, leaning against a locker.
"I don't have any feelings for you… like that. But I think I need a hug right now," she said, several tears streaming down her face. Craig looked at her, and hugged her. It irritated his back because she was somewhat short. A few minutes later, Manny said, "I'd better get to class. You, too."
"Yeah, I'm going to be dead by the end of the day if I have another meeting like this with anyone else," Craig said, before heading in the opposite direction.
"Bye, Craig," Manny said, turning the corner.
"Bye, Manny," Craig called back, hoping that Manny would hear him.
He didn't like her like that anymore, but he still wanted to be friends with her.
As he got into class, Ashley got up and stood in front of him with her arms crossed.
"How's Manny?" she said coldly.
A/N: Mmmmkay. This is Chapter one of 2. Chapter 2 will be longer. Mmmmkay? R&R.
