Chapter Eight: A Rainy Day

"Scott ... I ..." Shelby began. He looked at her intensely, wondering what kind of lie she was thinking of that would be able to fix their situation.

"I'm waiting." Scott stated, icily, getting ready to walk away.

"I had to protect my sister. I ... if ... I didn't want Danielle to end up like me. So, when she told me that there was someone ... that someone had ... she had been raped and ..." Shelby's voice cracked, thinking about the fact that her little sister had been unjustly robbed of her innocence. "I made a deal with this guy to get him to leave her alone and I promised that I wouldn't tell anyone that ... about..."

Scott looked away, nodding. At first, Shelby wasn't sure if he believed her or not, but as he stood up, the answer was clear. "I can't believe you'd say something so low. How could you make this up Shelby? You're completely mental." Scott pushed past Shelby, heading towards the door. Part of him ached, seeing her so torn like that, but another part of him didn't want to be played for a fool. He couldn't be hurt again. By anyone. Especially someone that she still loved.

"Manny." Craig whispered stroking her hair as she slowly opened her eyes. He had spent the night at her house, just to make sure that she didn't do anything crazy. Craig had already called for someone to come and take Jimmy to a medical doctor. Whatever had happened ... he almost didn't want to know.

"Craig. What are you doing here?" Her eyes fluttered, as she gave him the look she used to when she wanted something from him ... that innocent look.

"I didn't want to leave you alone. After what you said last night, I couldn't." Craig avoided her large brown eyes, thinking about how he was going to get himself out of this mess. Marrying Ash. What had he been thinking?

"Does this mean that..." He shook his head as Manny felt the sudden urge to disappear. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have let Craig back in? "Why don't you just leave then?"

"Are you sure? I could stay a while." Craig offered as Manny struggled to stop her eyes from watering up.

"I'm not going to do anything stupid." Craig nodded, mumbling 'okay' and hugging Manny before he started to get up to leave.

"Manuela Santos!" Ms. Santos exclaimed, barging into the room, witnessing two teens engaged in what looked like an intimate hug. "What the hell is this?"

"He was just leaving." Manny explained, hoping that her mother wouldn't cause a scene.

"Yeah. Manny was here alone last night and she just needed someone to be here. I didn't want her to--" Ms. Santos slapped Craig before he could finish.

"You. Out." She demanded, yanking Manny up by her arm and dragging her into the living room. "My own kid, a slut. You know I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, but now I know you don't deserve it. That's it. The rumors were true and I can't keep you here anymore." Ms. Santos abruptly pushed Manny onto the couch, washing her hands as if it would rid her of Manny. Ms. Santos slapped a thick brochure on the living room table with the words Horizon across the top. "You leave in a few weeks, so don't do anything stupid until then."

"Jenni! Jenni!" Scott called, looking for his new girlfriend, the only one who got him here. He rushed into her bunk, noticing that she was packing.

"Are you going somewhere?" Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Jennifer rushed into Scott's arms, crying softly. She knew that Shelby had gotten him back and that he was probably coming to tell her that it was over. "I know what you're going to say and I don't want to hear it. Let's just pretend like everything is fine and that this is a mutual decision." Jennifer rambled on, unable to believe that Scott would choose her over Shelby.

"What are you talking about? Did something happen at home Jennifer? Is the son of a..." She shook her head, unable to look at him. What would he think if he knew that she had made it all up? Jennifer had lied to be with him. There was nothing wrong with her family ... in the extremely dysfunctional sense. She was here to—

"You're back with Shelby."

"No. What made you think that?" Scott let go of Jenni, wiping away her tears.

"I can see the way you look at her."

"We just had unfinished business. I know how much of a liar she is and I can't take that. I hate to be lied to." Scott kissed Jennifer softly, which made him feel a little better, although he had to block out the thoughts that these kisses couldn't compare to how much he felt when he kissed Shelby. It was like they were each other for a moment. His kisses with Jennifer were just ... comforting. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"So you hate her now?" Jennifer's eyes flickered and brightened for a moment.

"I don't want to ever hear her name again."

"Did you see the rock on her hand?" Stephanie muttered to Hazel, stopping the chatter as soon as Manny arrived.

"What's going on with you guys?" Manny had reverted back to another short skirt and low-cut top to mask her inner distress. She was torn, but no one had to know it.

"Nothing." Stephanie lied as Hazel gave her a look.

"We might as well tell her. She'll find out anyway." Hazel chimed in. Manny looked away for a moment, noticing Craig. He looked so gorgeous with his hair all wild like she liked it. What he had done for her was so ... nice. She knew that there was something there still and that he was just too afraid to let go of Ash. But, he was going to and Manny was going to be right there when he realized what a witch Ashley was.

"Manny." Stephanie began, snapping her out of her fantasy.

"Ashley and Craig are engaged. They're getting married." Hazel blurted out as everything around Manny started to spin.

"What?" She mumbled, trying to walk away. This couldn't be! Craig had told her ... he said ... he loved her. She knew it. "Craig." Manny walked up to him and Ash, giving her sweetest smile. As she looked down at Ashley's left hand, all of her nightmares had come to life. "Oh my God." Manny stared, unable to say anything else as Ashley walked away with Craig following afterwards. "But you love me." She whispered after him. "You love me." Manny tried to convince herself before a horrible ripping of her insides took over. She tried to make it to the bathroom, doubling over in front of the door. In a mess of puke and tears, Manny made her way to the bathroom, looking for something sharp ... anything to make this pain go away.

(A/N: Not too good, but at least I updated. It's been way too long guys!! That International Baccalaureate program will get you. Anyway, review and you will see Manny's revenge, Shelby's plea, the uncovering of Jennifer's truth, and Scott's revelation.)

Chapter Nine: Looks Like Trouble