Chapter 2: Don't Cry Out Loud

Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the Degrassi character or any of the songs used for my fan fics.

Don't cry out loud
Just keep it inside, learn how to hide your feelings
Fly high and proud
And if you should fall, remember you almost had it all

Manny walked into school. Holding her head up high. She walked down the halls. Wearing a turtle neck sweater and long blue jeans, with long black boots. Manny continued to walk down the hall and was on the way to her locker. Accidentally bumping into Craig. "Oh sorry." She said softly. A tiny hint of fear in her eyes of what he would do. "No problem." He said. Manny nodded and began to walk off. "Wait." Craig said. Manny stopped and turned around. Craig's eyes narrowed in concern at the bruises on her face, her black eye and cut on her lip. "What happened?" He asked. Manny swallowed. "Got into a fight." She said. Craig raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He asked. Clearly unconvinced, as he crossed his arms. Manny shook her head. "What do you want Craig? Hmmmm? Do you again want to tell me I was your biggest mistake since coming here, and nothing but pain?" She asked flatly. "Well save it. I got it two months ago." Manny told him matter-of-factly. Manny crossed her arms, waiting for Craig to respond. "Yea." She said. "Whatever." Manny turned to walk away, but Craig grabbed her gently by the arm. Manny quickly pulled away, grabbing her arm. Her face pained. "Watch it." She spat. Craig tilted his head something wasn't right. He pulled her to the side. "Manny. What's going on?" He asked concerned. "What the hell do you want Craig?" She asked fierecly. Craig closed his eyes. "I'm sorry Manny. I... I screwed up big time. The way I treated you. You didn't deserve that. You also didn't deserve my crappy apology. Which wasn't much of one. It came out completely wrong. What I really wanted to say was, that I am sorry for how things happened. Not being with you, but at the time it was at, and how it went about. If I could go back and stop your pain, I would. But Manny? The truth is... You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." Manny swallowed. It was the apology she always wanted.

Craig looked into her eyes. "Manny?" He asked. "W-W-Wow." Manny stammered. "Ummm... What about Ashley?" She asked confused. "We broke up." He told her Manny bit her lip. "But..." She said her voice wandering. "We weren't mixing. We had no chemistry. We tried hard to work at it. But there was nothing. Plus she didn't want to talk about anything accept my meds." It was now Manny's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Meds?" She asked. Craig closed his eyes for a moment. "About a couple months ago... I was diagnosed bipolar." He told her. Manny stared at Craig in shock. Before she knew it she wrapped him in a gentle hug. Craig too wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back, his eyes widened when her shirt lifted up a little. Revealing even more injuries. He pulled out of her embrace. His arms on her shoulders. "Manny... Your... Your back... It's." Before he could finish Manny stood up and shook her head. "I have to go." She swallowed. Craig shook his head. "No." He said. "Not until you tell me who's doing this." He said softly. Manny shook her head. "Craig... It's nothing... I... I... I can handle this. You don't have to worry." She panicked. Desperation in her eyes. "I do Manny. I have to worry, because I know what it's like. To live in fear. I didn't deserve what happened to me, and neither to you." He said firmly, but gently. Manny shook her head. "Look Craig... Please. It's nothing... Uncle Johnnie gets angry..." Manny closed her eyes. Already knowing she said to much. "Manny..." Craig said empathetically. There was an awkward silence between them. Manny wanted to tell Craig so badly what was going on, but she knew if she did then, everything would be finished. She'd have no family. Her mom would abandon her. Craig sat Manny down once more. "Talk to me." He asked. "Please." Manny's eyes grew dark. "I... I can't." She whimpered, her voice breaking. "Yes." Craig said. "You can. Please Manny... Please. Please." He begged. Wanting to help her more then anything. Manny swallowed. "OK. Fine... I'll tell you." Manny stated. Tears pooling her eyes.

Don't cry out loud
Just keep it inside, learn how to hide your feelings
Fly high and proud
And if you should fall, remember you almost had it all