Chapter Five: I'm Nothing Without You
"Manuela! Manuela!" Sonya Santos yelled, as soon as she got home. She walked up to her daughter's room, which was locked. "What are you doing in there?" There was no reply. "Manuela!"
Manny rushed to the door, opening it sharply. "What mom?"
"Wow. You're in a bad mood. Rough day at school?" Sonya wondered, moving one of Manny's shirts off her chair and sitting on it.
"Since when do you care?"
"I care. I worry about you a lot honey ... besides you look horrible. I really don't want anything else to happen to you."
"Can you be serious for one moment mom? What do you want?" Manny asked pulling her sweat suit top down lower and lower.
"Honestly. I just don't want you to do anything stupid. I can't afford to have you mess up the family reputation again. Luckily, your first little performance went unnoticed. Everyone thinks that you went to live with your father. Just make it through these next two years, then I don't care what you do." Sonya responded.
"Thanks for caring." Manny whispered after her mother was gone. She rolled up her sweatshirt top to take a look at the new gash on her wrist. All the others had almost healed and this was all she had left. But even this deep cut wasn't doing much. Her mother's words stung and she was ready to take to the pills all over again.
"It was a total bust." Jennifer told her cousin Rose. "How can they do this to us? They say that they want us to be happy and normal, but they treat us like glass."
"Jenn. It's not a big deal. So what, we can't have a dance. At least we get to play sports." Rose answered. "And they're starting that performing arts program thing like you've been wanting."
"But this place could be so much better." She sighed as Scott came into view.
"Any place is better than home, right?"
"Actually, I miss home. I miss how things use to be." Jennifer starting reflecting back to her sophomore year, which she had spent with Scott.
"You mean you miss Scott?" Jennifer nodded as he came closer and closer to them.
"Hey Jenn," Scott said completely surprising her. Normally, he just walked the opposite way with Shelby or someone else.
"You're talking to me now? I feel so special." Jennifer retorted, not wanting to seem like she cared, but caring almost as much as she use to.
"You going to dinner?" Scott wondered.
"I don't know. I'm not really hungry, you know? But whatever. Peter and Sophie will make us go anyways." Jennifer responded.
"I know, but at times they can be such a drag." Rose interrupted, so as to be noticed.
"Yeah, they totally bagged my idea of a fall dance. How are we suppose to get on with our lives if we don't even do normal stuff?" Jennifer wondered, as she and Scott walked alongside one another.
"You know they weren't gonna give us a dance right? It took forever for Shelby..." Scott's voice trailed off.
"Too?"
"Hey, do you want to meet me at the field after dinner?" Scott asked, leaving behind his distant thoughts for a second and looking deeply into her light brown eyes.
"Are you serious Scott? What about Shelby?"
"What about us? I just want to have some fun. I promise no one will get hurt." He ran his hands through his curly blonde hair.
"You can't promise me that anymore than I can promise that something won't happen if I do meet you tonight."
"Then let it." Scott walked off cockily, knowing that he had Jennifer. And he was right.
"What do I do now?" Jennifer whispered as Rose caught up with her.
"Just leave him alone hon. He's so not worth it." Rose rolled her eyes, while pulling on her ponytail.
"Who are you kidding? He's worth it all the way." Jennifer smiled and began walking towards the girl's bunks.
"Where are you going now?"
"To get ready, of course and you are going to help me." Jennifer pulled Rose along, completely excited. At least something interesting was going to happen.
Manny's phone rang, interrupting her sleep and thoughts with the stressed that followed after talking with her mother. Why did she even bother? "Hello?"
"Manny." Her heart stopped. It was Craig.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"The guys and I got our first gig."
"Shut up! Are you serious?" Manny smiled. "That's great." She smirked. "I didn't even know that you and Jimmy and all the guys were still working on that."
"Yeah. It's great."
"So, when is it?" Manny asked, excited. Craig was actually sharing apart of himself with her.
"Friday night."
"So, you're inviting me?" Manny wondered, surprised.
"Of course. I mean you're the first person that I even told about this." Craig admitted.
"Why? I mean, you have Ashley."
"I thought you should be the first person to know." Craig whispered. "Why are we even fighting about this?"
"I don't know. I've just had a bad night." Manny admitted.
"Well, it's the afternoon now."
"No kidding. What time is it anyway?" Manny sat up, her arm still stinging.
"Almost twelve."
"Uh, Craig. I've gotta go. I promised Jimmy I'd meet him at 'Sweet n' Low." Manny sighed. "I really want to talk to you though. Just meet me at the mall or something, okay?" She added.
"Sure. I-"
"Bye Craig!" Manny hung up quickly. She had exactly thirty minutes to take a shower, pick out something cute, and drive down to 'Sweet n' Low. Impossible. She wasn't gonna make it.
"Well, well, well the princess finally decides to show up," Jimmy said standing up as Manny walked over to his table.
"First of all, I'm a queen, and secondly I am so sorry. I wouldn't have gotten up at all if Craig hadn't called me." Manny admitted tugging at her dangly earring. Jimmy was staring at her so intensely; she'd wondered if she'd over-done it.
"What, you had a late night or something?" Jimmy joked.
"Yeah, a nice, long, romantic night." Manny joked back. "So, what are you staring at me for? Are you wishing that you could have this?"
"No, I already know what it's like and I want more of it." Manny rolled her eyes.
"Craig told me that you guys got your first gig. How cute."
"Gig, what are you talking about?" Jimmy wondered, confused.
Manny gasped. "You mean he didn't tell you. Oops." She said, sounding like she did all of this purposely, but really not knowing that she was doing any harm.
"Why would he tell you before he told any of us? I'm in the band!" Jimmy yelled, bursting out of his seat.
"I'm sorry. Jimmy, calm down. Craig will tell you and fix everything."
Jennifer arrived at the green field all dolled up from earlier. Her hair was curly, make-up done (sort-of), and her outfit was cuter than usual. Considering that Horizon had strict clothing guidelines, she had actually managed to look good without breaking too many rules. At least Peter hadn't noticed. "Great. I'm early," Jennifer whispered to herself, blowing into her hands and trying to cool down. Suddenly, it had gotten cold and she was stuck wearing a majorly short outfit.
"Actually, you're not. I left dinner early," Scott explained while coming closer to her.
"Oh." She shivered. "So, what did you want to meet me here for?"
"Come sit down," Scott commanded, taking a seat on the steps. Jennifer joined him.
"I really hate it here."
"Why?"
"Why? We had the life back then Scott. The world was at our fingertips. Now I'm jobless, car-less, clothes-less, and I feel like I'm just another number here." Jennifer complained. "Plus I'm cold." Scott wrapped his arms around Jennifer's shoulders, rubbing them gently.
"Better?"
"A little." "Good." Scott smiled. "I think I kinda miss being home too." Jennifer gave him a confused look. "Not because I love the freedom and the materialistic stuff, but I just missed having fun, not like the wholesome Brady Bunch fun we have now, but all those wild parties. I mean we did some stupid shit, but it was fun shit, you know?" "Yeah. Like that time we all lied and said we were going to Janie's house, but we snuck in a club instead. We were so wasted after that." Jennifer laughed. "I remember that too. That's when we first kissed." "Na-uh." She shook her head. "I kissed you way before then, when you started dating Katie, but you told me we were 'just friends'. I was so crushed." "I don't remember that." Scott stopped rubbing Jennifer's shoulders. "You had like a different girl every week. It'd be hard to remember." Jennifer smiled. "Anyways, you still haven't told me what's up? Shelby on your case again." "I don't want to hear about her again, okay?" Scott turned away from her, trying to hold back all the emotions he was feeling. "So they're true." Jennifer whispered. "All those rumors I've been hearing about you guys breaking up and her cheating and-" "Shut up, okay? Shut the fuck up! You don't even know half the story." "Don't ever talk to me like that again. I may care for you, but I will not be talked to like a dog." Jennifer responded, setting the record straight. "You had no business prying." "And? You never tell me anything or talk to me. Why did you really call me here Scott? So I could kiss you and make it all better. So I could have sex with you? Because if that's what you wanted, then you're in way over your head." Jennifer got up and started pacing. "I mean, you really haven't changed at all. You're so predictable." "Look, maybe I just wanted someone to talk to." "And you chose me? Why? When we went out, you never talked to me about anything. You never told me about Elanie and how she-" "Don't you mention her okay?" Scott covered his ears. "Stop it!" Jennifer uncovered his ears. "Stop hiding. Just tell me what the problem is and I'll fix it, okay? But the only one who can make it better is Shelby." "But, I called you here okay? I want you to make it better like you use to. Make me forget," Scott commanded. "But I can't do that anymore Scott. Back then, I loved you with all my heart. I did it out of love. I didn't come to Horizon to stir up old feelings." "No, you came here to find more vulnerable girls to pray on and ... and ... manipulate." Jennifer put her hands over her eyes. "I hate it here. I've gotta get out. I'm going to Scott, and until you get over your Elanie and Shelby issues, you'll be here forever." Jennifer walked back to her bunk, not bothering to give Scott back his sweatshirt. He didn't deserve it.
(a/n: So? How was it? Next time expect Manny and Jimmy at the mall and maybe a talent show, Manny-Ash drama, Shelby talking with her little sis, Scott distancing himself more and more, Rose's parents arriving ... I don't know, but a lot ... if you review!!)
"Manuela! Manuela!" Sonya Santos yelled, as soon as she got home. She walked up to her daughter's room, which was locked. "What are you doing in there?" There was no reply. "Manuela!"
Manny rushed to the door, opening it sharply. "What mom?"
"Wow. You're in a bad mood. Rough day at school?" Sonya wondered, moving one of Manny's shirts off her chair and sitting on it.
"Since when do you care?"
"I care. I worry about you a lot honey ... besides you look horrible. I really don't want anything else to happen to you."
"Can you be serious for one moment mom? What do you want?" Manny asked pulling her sweat suit top down lower and lower.
"Honestly. I just don't want you to do anything stupid. I can't afford to have you mess up the family reputation again. Luckily, your first little performance went unnoticed. Everyone thinks that you went to live with your father. Just make it through these next two years, then I don't care what you do." Sonya responded.
"Thanks for caring." Manny whispered after her mother was gone. She rolled up her sweatshirt top to take a look at the new gash on her wrist. All the others had almost healed and this was all she had left. But even this deep cut wasn't doing much. Her mother's words stung and she was ready to take to the pills all over again.
"It was a total bust." Jennifer told her cousin Rose. "How can they do this to us? They say that they want us to be happy and normal, but they treat us like glass."
"Jenn. It's not a big deal. So what, we can't have a dance. At least we get to play sports." Rose answered. "And they're starting that performing arts program thing like you've been wanting."
"But this place could be so much better." She sighed as Scott came into view.
"Any place is better than home, right?"
"Actually, I miss home. I miss how things use to be." Jennifer starting reflecting back to her sophomore year, which she had spent with Scott.
"You mean you miss Scott?" Jennifer nodded as he came closer and closer to them.
"Hey Jenn," Scott said completely surprising her. Normally, he just walked the opposite way with Shelby or someone else.
"You're talking to me now? I feel so special." Jennifer retorted, not wanting to seem like she cared, but caring almost as much as she use to.
"You going to dinner?" Scott wondered.
"I don't know. I'm not really hungry, you know? But whatever. Peter and Sophie will make us go anyways." Jennifer responded.
"I know, but at times they can be such a drag." Rose interrupted, so as to be noticed.
"Yeah, they totally bagged my idea of a fall dance. How are we suppose to get on with our lives if we don't even do normal stuff?" Jennifer wondered, as she and Scott walked alongside one another.
"You know they weren't gonna give us a dance right? It took forever for Shelby..." Scott's voice trailed off.
"Too?"
"Hey, do you want to meet me at the field after dinner?" Scott asked, leaving behind his distant thoughts for a second and looking deeply into her light brown eyes.
"Are you serious Scott? What about Shelby?"
"What about us? I just want to have some fun. I promise no one will get hurt." He ran his hands through his curly blonde hair.
"You can't promise me that anymore than I can promise that something won't happen if I do meet you tonight."
"Then let it." Scott walked off cockily, knowing that he had Jennifer. And he was right.
"What do I do now?" Jennifer whispered as Rose caught up with her.
"Just leave him alone hon. He's so not worth it." Rose rolled her eyes, while pulling on her ponytail.
"Who are you kidding? He's worth it all the way." Jennifer smiled and began walking towards the girl's bunks.
"Where are you going now?"
"To get ready, of course and you are going to help me." Jennifer pulled Rose along, completely excited. At least something interesting was going to happen.
Manny's phone rang, interrupting her sleep and thoughts with the stressed that followed after talking with her mother. Why did she even bother? "Hello?"
"Manny." Her heart stopped. It was Craig.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"The guys and I got our first gig."
"Shut up! Are you serious?" Manny smiled. "That's great." She smirked. "I didn't even know that you and Jimmy and all the guys were still working on that."
"Yeah. It's great."
"So, when is it?" Manny asked, excited. Craig was actually sharing apart of himself with her.
"Friday night."
"So, you're inviting me?" Manny wondered, surprised.
"Of course. I mean you're the first person that I even told about this." Craig admitted.
"Why? I mean, you have Ashley."
"I thought you should be the first person to know." Craig whispered. "Why are we even fighting about this?"
"I don't know. I've just had a bad night." Manny admitted.
"Well, it's the afternoon now."
"No kidding. What time is it anyway?" Manny sat up, her arm still stinging.
"Almost twelve."
"Uh, Craig. I've gotta go. I promised Jimmy I'd meet him at 'Sweet n' Low." Manny sighed. "I really want to talk to you though. Just meet me at the mall or something, okay?" She added.
"Sure. I-"
"Bye Craig!" Manny hung up quickly. She had exactly thirty minutes to take a shower, pick out something cute, and drive down to 'Sweet n' Low. Impossible. She wasn't gonna make it.
"Well, well, well the princess finally decides to show up," Jimmy said standing up as Manny walked over to his table.
"First of all, I'm a queen, and secondly I am so sorry. I wouldn't have gotten up at all if Craig hadn't called me." Manny admitted tugging at her dangly earring. Jimmy was staring at her so intensely; she'd wondered if she'd over-done it.
"What, you had a late night or something?" Jimmy joked.
"Yeah, a nice, long, romantic night." Manny joked back. "So, what are you staring at me for? Are you wishing that you could have this?"
"No, I already know what it's like and I want more of it." Manny rolled her eyes.
"Craig told me that you guys got your first gig. How cute."
"Gig, what are you talking about?" Jimmy wondered, confused.
Manny gasped. "You mean he didn't tell you. Oops." She said, sounding like she did all of this purposely, but really not knowing that she was doing any harm.
"Why would he tell you before he told any of us? I'm in the band!" Jimmy yelled, bursting out of his seat.
"I'm sorry. Jimmy, calm down. Craig will tell you and fix everything."
Jennifer arrived at the green field all dolled up from earlier. Her hair was curly, make-up done (sort-of), and her outfit was cuter than usual. Considering that Horizon had strict clothing guidelines, she had actually managed to look good without breaking too many rules. At least Peter hadn't noticed. "Great. I'm early," Jennifer whispered to herself, blowing into her hands and trying to cool down. Suddenly, it had gotten cold and she was stuck wearing a majorly short outfit.
"Actually, you're not. I left dinner early," Scott explained while coming closer to her.
"Oh." She shivered. "So, what did you want to meet me here for?"
"Come sit down," Scott commanded, taking a seat on the steps. Jennifer joined him.
"I really hate it here."
"Why?"
"Why? We had the life back then Scott. The world was at our fingertips. Now I'm jobless, car-less, clothes-less, and I feel like I'm just another number here." Jennifer complained. "Plus I'm cold." Scott wrapped his arms around Jennifer's shoulders, rubbing them gently.
"Better?"
"A little." "Good." Scott smiled. "I think I kinda miss being home too." Jennifer gave him a confused look. "Not because I love the freedom and the materialistic stuff, but I just missed having fun, not like the wholesome Brady Bunch fun we have now, but all those wild parties. I mean we did some stupid shit, but it was fun shit, you know?" "Yeah. Like that time we all lied and said we were going to Janie's house, but we snuck in a club instead. We were so wasted after that." Jennifer laughed. "I remember that too. That's when we first kissed." "Na-uh." She shook her head. "I kissed you way before then, when you started dating Katie, but you told me we were 'just friends'. I was so crushed." "I don't remember that." Scott stopped rubbing Jennifer's shoulders. "You had like a different girl every week. It'd be hard to remember." Jennifer smiled. "Anyways, you still haven't told me what's up? Shelby on your case again." "I don't want to hear about her again, okay?" Scott turned away from her, trying to hold back all the emotions he was feeling. "So they're true." Jennifer whispered. "All those rumors I've been hearing about you guys breaking up and her cheating and-" "Shut up, okay? Shut the fuck up! You don't even know half the story." "Don't ever talk to me like that again. I may care for you, but I will not be talked to like a dog." Jennifer responded, setting the record straight. "You had no business prying." "And? You never tell me anything or talk to me. Why did you really call me here Scott? So I could kiss you and make it all better. So I could have sex with you? Because if that's what you wanted, then you're in way over your head." Jennifer got up and started pacing. "I mean, you really haven't changed at all. You're so predictable." "Look, maybe I just wanted someone to talk to." "And you chose me? Why? When we went out, you never talked to me about anything. You never told me about Elanie and how she-" "Don't you mention her okay?" Scott covered his ears. "Stop it!" Jennifer uncovered his ears. "Stop hiding. Just tell me what the problem is and I'll fix it, okay? But the only one who can make it better is Shelby." "But, I called you here okay? I want you to make it better like you use to. Make me forget," Scott commanded. "But I can't do that anymore Scott. Back then, I loved you with all my heart. I did it out of love. I didn't come to Horizon to stir up old feelings." "No, you came here to find more vulnerable girls to pray on and ... and ... manipulate." Jennifer put her hands over her eyes. "I hate it here. I've gotta get out. I'm going to Scott, and until you get over your Elanie and Shelby issues, you'll be here forever." Jennifer walked back to her bunk, not bothering to give Scott back his sweatshirt. He didn't deserve it.
(a/n: So? How was it? Next time expect Manny and Jimmy at the mall and maybe a talent show, Manny-Ash drama, Shelby talking with her little sis, Scott distancing himself more and more, Rose's parents arriving ... I don't know, but a lot ... if you review!!)