Chapter III: The Other Manny

Manny sat down in Mr. Simpson's class, while tapping her pencil impatiently. She looked up at the classroom clock and waited for the time to hit 3pm.

1 more…minute… she pleaded in her mind. 1 more --

The sound of the bell rang in her ears and she rapidly stood up to exit the classroom.

"Manny!" Mr. Simpson called while Manny set her foot out the door.

She turned around hastily and walked up to his desk with a grim in her face.

"Yes, Mr. Simpson?" Manny asked while tapping her foot on the floor. She couldn't wait till the hag left her alone.

"Manny…" he began while sorting some papers on the desk. "… you seemed so distracted today. What seems to be the problem?"

Manny gave a short scoff and looked down at the floor. She shook her head slowly and gave a small sigh.

"I'm fine, Mr. Simpson. I have just been…" she paused for a second. "…thinking.". well, it wasn't a lie. She has been plotting what really mattered…she didn't care about math, she cared about the life of that unborn baby…she cared about Craig.

Mr. Simpson, looked at her and then his desk, looking unconvinced. He glanced back up at her and nodded.

"Fine, Manny. You may go." he said while he sat down at his seat.

Manny walked, looked more like ran, out of his class and sped walked down the hallway, passing every student that was in deep conversations with another.

"What should I do this weekend…"

"He said 'I'll call you', does that mean…"

"Oh my gosh, her skirt looks so…"

Manny wished her life was that simple again. With gossip, boys, and clothes.

She turned the corner of the hallway and glanced at the end where she found Craig leaning against his locker.

Manny stopped and glanced at Craig. His face looked very sulked, as if he'd been crying.

"I'm going to make him feel better…" she muttered under her breath.

She started walking towards him, with a sway of her hips, her hair down and swaying at her shoulders. She puckered up her lips, and lifted her bottom up, to show attitude, she leaned her head to one side, giving a whole new look of "sexy".

As she reached him, Craig glanced up at her and began to walk away, when she grabbed his arm.

"Craig… I know what you're going through." Manny said while she rested her free hand on his other shoulder. "I know what is happening to you and I want to let you know…" she walked in front of him. She rose on her toes and smiled.

"That I care…"

She rested her lips on his and began to feel the same tingly sensation she felt when she first kissed him. She raised her arms to his shoulders until he pulled back.

"No, Manny. No, this can't be happening!" Craig exclaimed, but Manny still had a grip on his arm.

"What can't be happening? You know I love you…" she rested her lips on him again but a lot harder, making herself crazy with passion.

"Manny--no." Craig began, until he forcefully pushed himself off of her, making Manny jump back, almost falling.

"I have no feelings for you…" he said. "I love--"

"I know who you love!" Manny shouted. She looked around the empty hallway that was once filled with many students. "But the girl you love…" she walked slowly to him again. "…hates you. Why don't you just leave her and come with me…" she rose her hand to touch his lips, but he pushed it back down.

She recoiled at his sudden touch.

Manny felt her anger rise once more, filled with jealousy and sorrow, included hatred and a feeling of needing to kill.

Her expression became hysterical and tears swelled up in her eyes.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS, CRAIG! FOR BREAKING MY HEART! AGAIN!" She bellowed at him.

Craig stepped back and leaned at his locker.

"Manny… what is the matter…" Craig began while Manny walked towards him.

"This… can't be happening…" she muttered angrily.

Craig leaned forward and grabbed her shoulders.

His touch made Manny relax. The way his fingers curled around her arm made her feel safe inside.

He makes the bad me go away… he makes me go back to normal…

Manny gave a sudden laugh that haunted Craig's ears.

Craig stopped his grip on Manny and he looked at her bewildered.

What is happening to her? he thought desperately.

After a few seconds of silence, Manny's face changed and she looked back to normal. She smiled at Craig and blew a small kiss at him.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Craig." she walked to him and tapped his shoulder lightly. "Feel better."

Manny began to walk away and leaving Craig with his jaw dropped.

"…Manny…"