Chapter 3

Jimmy wheeled himself to his room. He had been shocked to say the least. His father called the girl that he was falling in love with trash. It was like a smack in the face. He couldn't breathe for a minute. He heard his father knocking on the door calling out his name but he ignored it. He would ignore his father. If he thought Ellie was trash then he wanted nothing to do with him. He wanted his father to accept Ellie because Jimmy know that Ellie would be aspect of his life. There was no doubt about that. He knew, she carried his heart. He guessed he always knew since the first time he saw her. People might find it funny but he wanted to be with her since she walked into his Media Immersion's class. Her style was more punk rock back then, now it is more toned down a bit but he still loves her uniqueness. It was one of the many aspects that he loved about her. Shit did he say love. Was he in love? He knew he was, but telling her was a different story altogether however. He didn't want to scare her since they had only been going out for a little while. He knew he would though.

"So you finished the song?", asked Mark.

Both Manny and Craig nodded their heads.

"Alright let's hear it", said Mark.

Manny and Craig stood by the microphone and listen for their cue. Manny stood on a stool. Craig strummed his guitar. Manny closed her eyes.

mhmm
once upon a time
there was a little girl
in her in the years
she had to learn
how to grow up in a war
she called home
never noticed where to look for shelter
from a storm
hurt me to see my mothers face
every time my fathers fist
would put her in her place
hearing all the yelling
I would cry up in my room
hoping it would be over soon

Craig looked at Manny that was trembling. He was trembling himself. He joined her when the chorus came on. His voice held tears. He looked at Manny.

Chorus:
bruises fade father
but the pain remains the same
and I still remember
how you kept me so afraid
the strength is my mother
for all the love she gave
every morning that I wake
I look back to yesterday
and I'm okay

Everyone looked at them in awe. It was just the two of them singing together. It was beautiful and painful. Craig sang the next verse.

half the window wide
I've carried all this guilt
when it's you that helped me
put together these walls that I built
shadows stir at night through a crack in the door
the echoes of a broken child
screaming please no more

Daddy don't you understand the damage you have done

For you it's just a memory but for me it still lives on

Manny and Craig joined together. Jimmy, Marco, Ellie, and even Mark looked at the pair. They felt it in their souls. It was so moving that Ellie shed a tear down her face.

Chorus:

brusies fade father
but the pain remains the same
and I still remember how
you kept me so..
so afraid
the strength is my mother
for all the love she gave
every morning that I wake
I look back to yesterday
and I'm okay

Manny closed her eyes once more. Just remembering. She knew this song was something she had to do. Her and Craig cried writing the song together. This song connected them closer then anything else could. She knew it was sad and that most likely it won't be their first single but she had to put it out there. They had to put it out there. To make sure that people felt what they felt.

It's not so easy to forget
all the rocks in her life
are known as dad
when I was thrown
against cold cement
now everyday I'm afraid
to come home fear
of what I might see

Chorus:
bruises fade father
but the pain remains the same
and I still remember how you kept me so afraid
the strength is my mother
for all the love she gave
every morning that I wake
I look back to yesterday
and I'm Okay
mhmm
I'm okay

Christina Aguilera "I'm OK"

Craig and Manny stopped then. The last chord of Craig's guitar stopped. They both wiped their eyes.

"How was that?", asked Craig.

Mark nodded his head.

"That was wow, that was wow", said Mark.

"It doesn't even need to be recorded twice, because it was raw and honest just like I was looking for. But that can't be the first single though. It's beautiful and will be on the album but the first single has to be fast pace. You have some of those right?", asked Mark.

Craig and Manny nodded their heads.

"Yeah we do, come on guys let's show him", said Craig.

Ellie walked in first and hugged Craig then Manny.

"Wow", was the only thing that she could say.

A few weeks have passed...

"So did you guys record?", asked Emma.

Her and Manny were trying to rebuild their friendship. It was working so far but Peter had made it his mission to ruin Emma. Manny had to be her strength while rumors were floating around about her that were not even true.

"Yeah we have, I'm writing this one", said Manny showing Emma the lyrics.

"It's not completed yet though, Craig has to put down the music.", said Manny.

"How does it go?", asked Emma.

Manny closed her eyes and sang the first verse.

As I swim mermaids dance with me
And I drown they romance with me
They sing sweet little harmonies
Louder and louder until I can't breath

Hey blue bird on my shoulder
Can you carry me over?

Cassie Steele "Blue Bird"

"That's kind of how I want it to go", said Manny.

"Wow it sounds amazing, so when is the album coming out?", asked Emma.

"They want it out by fall just in time for school you know", said Manny sipping her coke.

They were now in the hallways sitting on the ground.

"How are you doing Em?", asked Manny looking at her concerned.

This Peter thing was wearing her out.

"I'm okay, I'll be better this weekend though, Sean is coming", said Emma.

"Did you tell him about Peter?", asked Manny looking at her friend.

Emma smirked.

"Oh yeah, he wants, I quote, Beat that punk up", said Emma giggling.

Manny laughed too.

"Emma", said Peter walking up to them.

"Get away from me", yelled Emma glaring at him.

Manny looked at him with disgust.

"God disgusting perv", said Manny looking at the boy.

"Look she asked for it", said Peter smugly.

"Oh is that right?", asked a voice behind them.

He saw Craig, Marco, and Jimmy coming in his direction.

"I told you not to come near her", growled out Craig.

"You said Manny, not the slut Emma", said Peter.

He didn't even see it coming.

"NO on speaks about Emma that way", yelled the voice.

Emma looked up and a smile took over her face. Her prince Charming had arrived. He wasn't on a horse or even wearing armor. NO he was wearing his regular hoodie, and sneakers but he was still her prince.

"Sean", sighed Emma.

She ran into his arms. He smiled.

"Hey Em", whispered Sean smiling into her blond locks.

He did love this girl. Ellie walked in then.

"Sean", said Ellie.

Sean smiled at her. He looked nervous though. She smiled gave him a hug and placed his hand into Emma's once more.

"You are with who you are supposed to be with, and I'm with who I'm supposed to be with", said Ellie taking Jimmy's hands.

Jimmy smiled up at her. Peter somehow had disappear during this whole exchange.

"God I want to kill that punk", said Craig.

"Get in line", responded Sean.

"So are you back?", asked Craig looking at him.

Sean smiled.

"I'm back", said Sean.

He laughed when Emma squealed and jumped into his arms.

"So I hear you guys are big rock stars now, can I be your roadie", said Sean smiling.

They all laughed and continued to talk. They didn't know what their next challenge would be but it was just around the corner. They didn't know what the future would hold. They didn't know that drugs, sex, and rock and roll will be coming into their lives. They didn't know that there would be pregnancy scares, drug problems, crazy parents, a marriage proposal and worst of all the media all in their business all they knew now was that they were going to have the ride of their lives.

Author's Note: I'm going to be using a lot of Cassie Steele's songs since she is Manny and all. I might use a song that relates to the topic at the time, kind of like whatI did with Christina Aguilera's song above. Hope you enjoy this part. I have 7 stories I'm writing and it's somewhat overwhelming so I'm going to update this once a week until Christmas break when I have more time then it will be twice. I'm writing three stories every time I'm off. It's crazy but when the muse gets to me I have to continue, what I'm a glutton for punishment? Hope u enjoy this part. Peace.