Chapter Three - A Cry, A Call and An Idea

Emma sighed and hit the off button on the DVD remote. She turned to the side and stared at her friend. "Manny, I know what Darcy said was harsh and that she shouldn't have said it, but why are you putting yourself down? Plus, she didn't mean what she said. She was just caught in a moment, and I didn't realize what she was saying," Emma explained to her.

"No, Emma. For the first time ever, you're wrong. What Darcy said was true. It doesn't hurt me that she said it, what hurts is that I know it's true." Manny stood up, and started to walk into the kitchen. "I don't even know why you waste your time with me. I'm the school's biggest slut, just like Darcy said."

As Manny spoke those words, Emma was reminded of the night years ago at Jimmy Brooks' party. When Sean, her then-boyfriend, had been drinking, causing Jimmy to throw him out. As the two of them sat outside of Jimmy's house, waiting for Emma's mother to pick them up, Sean had drunkenly cried out how he didn't know why Emma wasted her time with him, because he was a big, stupid loser.

She "wasted" her time on Sean for the same reason she was now "wasting" her time on Manny, and that reason was because she cared. She cared for her friends, including Sean, and she would do anything for them, and deep down Manny knew that. "I'm not wasting my time on you," Emma replied. "Why would you even think that? I don't think you're a slut, I think you're a good person, and an even better best friend. We're always there for each other, and right now, you need me to be there for you, so I'm here. Tell me what's going on."

The brunette girl, who had been leaning against the wall that separted the living room to the kitchen, looked over at her best friend and grinned. "Well," she sighed. "What do you call someone who sleeps with someone else's boyfriend and becomes pregnant? Not to mention the aboration," she added, looking down. "Emma, you should hate me for what I've done."

"I don't think you should have had the aboration, yeah; but it was your choice. I can't hate you for having an opinion about something," Emma replied. "Why? Are you upset you had the abortion?"

Manny dashed over towards Emma, tears suddenly escaping her eyes, and threw her arms around her. Burying her head into Emma's shoulder, she started to choke out the words. "I-I got an aboration be-because I thought Craig would get back with A-Ashley, and I kept thinking about what would happen if they became really serious with each other. You know, like...what if they actually got married? And then I thought how I'd be alone with a baby, and I wouldn't know what to do. B-But now that I'm back with Craig...I kind of wish I had the baby. Maybe if I had the baby...he'd visit here more often and we'd be connected." Manny let go of Emma, and wiped her tears away. "Stupid, I know."

Emma smiled weakly at the sobbing girl, and tried to think of the right words to say. "No, it's not stupid. I know what you mean by not wanting to be alone, especially if Craig stayed with Ashley. But at least you're with Craig now, and someday you can start a family without having to worry about anything." Emma embraced her again. "Craig loves you Manny, he really does."

Suddenly, the up-beat sounds of the song "Get It Right This Time" came from Manny's cell phone. She untangled herself from Emma, and reached over to pick up her cell phone. She sighed when she read the name. "It's Craig calling right now," she frantically told Emma. Calming herself down, she answered the ringing phone. "Hey baby," she answered the phone, sounding as normal as she could. "Oh, um...nothing, just about to watch a movie with Emma," she replied, as she ran her hands through her hair. "Are you sure? I could--oh, okay then." Emma glanced over at Manny and gave her a look that Manny knew all too well, it meant that she should talk to Craig about what she was feeling. "Wait, Craig! There's something I wanted to talk to you about, but we don't have to talk about it right now. We're talk about it later, when you're aren't so busy." She sighed, and shrugged over towards Emma. "Okay, bye. I love you, too. Bye," she replied, and then hung-up.

"What happened?" Emma sent her a questioning look. "That wasn't a very long conversation. Not like all your other ones. Is everything okay with Craig?"

"Yeah," she breathed out. "Everything is fine. He just had to go, because whatever that manager guy's name is wanted to talk to him or something. He said he'd call back later, or he'll try and get online to talk. But it won't be until much later, and with school tomorrow, I don't think I'll be up." Manny sighed and threw herself backwards. "This is what our relationship is now, Em. A phone call here, an IM there. I never get to see him anymore, and I don't know if our relationship will make it through." A smile started to form on her face, and she leaned back up. "I know I didn't like the fact of you were secretly dating Peter at first, but I really do think you are adorable together. And you can tell he cares for you deeply." Manny flashed her a smile.

"Yeah? You think so?" Emma's face lit up. She had been terrified for weeks, trying to hide her relationship with Peter, afraid that Manny would find out about it any minute. It felt amazing to be out about it to Manny, and it felt even better to have Manny say something that kind to her. She knew that Peter had hurt Manny in a serious manner, but she couldn't help who she fell in love with. Having Manny say such kind things to her, Emma automatically felt bad about what she had done to Manny only a week before. She wanted to make it up to her, and she had the perfect idea.