Chapter 2: Trust

The day for Manny was good. She hung with Alex & Jimmy all day & realized that they had more in common than they ever thought they would. Therefore, it was almost as if they were a new band of friends. It was now the day's end, & she had to go home to write a weekly paper for homework for Ms. Morgan, a new teacher who taught her Creative Writing class. She walked home as the cold front came in from the south. She held on to her hoodie as she walked towards her home. She sighed as she went inside.

"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Manny yelled as she went into the kitchen & grabbed a banana. She got out some paper, & her dark red pen. She sighed as she tried to ponder on what to write about. "Hmm…what should I write about…Oh, I know! It could be a diary!" Manny started writing on the paper.

Diary,

I hung out with Jimmy & Alex today. Strange, isn't it? But I came to realize that we had more in common than we thought. I guess that happens when you grow up in high school. Jimmy had defended me from Paige today. I'm guessing that you have him for a class. He was so sweet about it…I had looked into his eyes to thank him…they were so…deep. And when I held his hand, I felt my stomach flip & my body heated up. I don't know…

"Manuella! Can you come here please?" Mr. Santos called from the other room as Manny sighed a bit.

…but I guess we just have to find out together, huh?

-Manny-

"Here I come dad!" Manny ran into the living room & looked at her father.

"Manny, I just got a call from Ms. Hatzilikos. She said that she found a really nice movie with you…exposing your body!" Mrs. Santos cried with tears in her eyes as Manny got a horrified look on her face.

"Peter…" Manny whispered to herself. Her father walked over to her & stared her down

"You slut!" He slapped her & she fell to the floor. She looked back up with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry…I was…I didn't mean--"Manny started. He kicked her in the side & she cried out in pain.

"I don't care! I want you out of my house…NOW!" Mr. Santos said as Manny got back up slowly & spat at his feet.

"Don't mind if I do!" Manny said as she ran upstairs. She was planning to leave for months, & it was the perfect time. She got her bags & ran downstairs. She went to the kitchen & got her school things & ran out of the door.

"Please...please be home…" Manny said quietly as she rang the doorbell. The door opened & she smiled, even though her tears flowed like a river.

"Hey Manny…are you okay?" Jimmy asked as he motioned her to come inside. She dropped her stuff in front of the door, sat on the couch, & cried uncontrollably.

"They found out!" That was all she could choke out before she started to cry again.

Jimmy looked at her, & before he knew it, he was hugging her. Manny looked into his eyes & smiled weakly.

"It's okay…you can stay here for as long as you need to." Jimmy said softly as he touched her cheek softly as if she was made of porcelain. She whimpered & blushed at his touch.

"Thanks a lot." Manny said, & she finally felt safe.