CHAPTER 6

Jimmy POV

After I had gone back inside, apologized to Hazel, and eaten dinner, I realized that there was only one thing I wanted. Manny. I loved her. I quickly fed Hazel the "let's be friends line" and left. As I turned back, I saw her flirting with a busboy. I ran to the nearest phone booth and tore out The Santos's address. I jumped in my car and pulled over at a small white house. Only one window had a light on, so I decided to take a chance. I grabbed the nearest rock and threw it at her window. Manny's head poked out of the window and grinned as she saw me.

"Jimmy?"

"I broke up with Hazel."

"Wow."

"Be my girlfriend, Manny. I love you."

"I...I don't know, Jimmy."

I stared up at her in disbelief. I had just put my heart on the line. Was it getting broken?

"Hold on" she said softly, and disappeared.

She reappeared a few seconds later and tossed something down to me. It was a rose.

"I'll think about it Jimmy." She said.

She blew me a kiss and shut her window.

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Manny POV

What a night! A beautiful but confusing kiss with Craig in his car. Then Jimmy comes, knocks on my window, and tells me the most wonderful things I've ever heard. Jimmy was the guy I'm supposed to be in love with. He's perfect- secure, sweet, and he loves me. But Craig was my first love. It's hard to forget that. I 'm a mess.

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Ellie POV

I had spent the last two days avoiding Sean. I just was too humiliated to face him. But eventually, he realized something was up, and was at my locker this morning.

"Hey" he said.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Nothing. It's just that you seem kind of weird since... you know." He replied.

"I'm fine, thanks." I snapped.

"Ellie, come on." He pleaded.

"Sean, I think we should break up." I said.

Sean looked surprised and stepped back.

"Okay..." he said.

He walked away. I felt horrible. But I realized that I didn't feel the way he did. It had to end.

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Craig POV

Last night was the most confusing night of my life. My messed up life got about ten times worse when I saw Kate in Homeroom. She came over to where I was sitting and sat down next to me.

"Craig, what I said was really wrong. And I'm sorry." She said softly.

"It's okay." I sighed.

"Good. Friends?" She asked.

I nodded and she grinned.

LATER...

I passing by the music room when I heard someone playing the piano. It was beautiful. I opened the door to see who it was and I found Kate, sitting alone, playing.

"Hey" I said.

She stopped and turned to me.

"Oh. Hey." She replied.

"When did you learn how to play piano?" I asked.

"When my parents got divorced. You see, I pick up a new skill everytime I go through a rough spot. I learned how to ice skate when my mom remarried, I sketched when my brother ran away, and I was taught ballet when my boyfriend and I broke up."

"Wow" I said.

I had no idea Kate had an unhappy home life. She seemed so put together. I looked at her and she smiled lightly.

"I know. I have all my shit together, right?" she said.

I nodded, in shock at how she just read my mind.

"Well, I underwent therapy, moved in with my dad, and made friends who weren't as messed up as me." She replied, getting up.

I suddenly put my arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

"Craig, you're so sweet." Kate said.

I smiled as Kate kissed me on the cheek.

"I have to get to class." She said.

She left the room and shut the door behind her. It was then I remembered what happened with Manny last night.

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