Chapter 4

Manny walked into school carrying Craig's guitar. He had left it at Emma's house and she knew that he would need it tonight when they went to the studio. They had been working steadily for the past month on the songs. Manny was tired but she loved what they were doing. In fact this week they had a promotional thing that they had to do. They were to take pictures and promote their album that would be coming out in the fall. She also had a court date coming up. She sighed at the thoughts of her parents. She hated that she had to do this but she had no choice. Manny smiled when she walked in to see Emma and Sean kissing by Emma's locker.

"Oh the pda a little too much", said Manny giggling.

Emma blushed but Sean didn't seem to care though.

"What's up with the guitar, I thought you were a singer not a guitarist", said Sean smirking.

"I am a singer, this is Craig's", said Manny.

"Speaking of", said Emma watching Craig muttering to himself.

"Manny", said Craig smiling.

He came up and kissed his girlfriend.

"You left this at Emma's house", said Manny handing him the guitar.

"What were you mumbling about?" asked Sean holding Emma's waist.

"Oh I was trying to get this song right in my head", said Craig kissing Manny's forehead.

"I can't believe that you guys are like rock stars", said Emma smiling.

"Speaking about that, when the album is released we are going on tour, and well I need a personal assistant", said Manny smiling.

Emma squealed.

"Oh but school", said Emma with her smile fading.

"Oh they have tutors, and you can do what I'm doing you know, and Sean you can come too, I know that you and Emma want to", said Manny smiled.

Craig nodded his head.

"We need a roadie and all of that good stuff plus a tour manager", said Craig.

"Tour manager?", asked Sean.

"Yeah we need one of those, and Mark was going to make us hire one but we trust you and rather give you the money", said Craig.

"Hey all", said the voice behind them.

"Hey Ellie", said Manny smiling.

She hugged the girl. Craig was happy that they were getting along. Jimmy rolled in.

"They told you about the tour thing?", asked Jimmy holding Ellie's hands.

"Yeah it would be fun and way better than school", said Sean.

"Oh Emma you are like Ellie's personal assistant too", said Manny.

"I figured", said Emma.

They walked towards their classes.

"I'll see you later", said Craig kissing Manny at the door of her 1st period class.

"Jimmy what's wrong?", asked Ellie as they sat in the cafe.

She knew that something was bugging him.

"Nothing baby I just", said Jimmy looking at him.

"Please Jimmy", said Ellie looking at him.

"It's my dad we just have not been getting along", said Jimmy.

Ellie looked at him.

"Its about me it's it?", asked Ellie looking down.

"My dad is wrong you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, alright", said Jimmy brushing her curls away from her face.

"I wish I knew why he hated me", said Ellie leaning her head against his.

"I wish I knew too", said Jimmy.

He looked up to see Hazel's narrow eyes. He knew why now. He knew why his dad was acting this way. He tried not glare at her. He ran his fingers through Ellie's hair. He hated that she was feeling this way. It wasn't the first time that he wished that they were finally out of high-school. Ellie hugged Jimmy tighter. She didn't care that they were talking bad about her. All she wanted was to stay in his arms forever.

Marco looked up from his text book when he saw Paige walking towards him.

"Hey", said Marco moving his stuff over so he could sit down. Paige started talking about the Hazel thing.

"Look Paige me and you friends for life you know that but Ellie is my best-friend too you know. What Hazel is doing is wrong. She broke up with Jimmy, you and I both know that Ellie would never have gone there because she knew that Jimmy was with Hazel. It was Jimmy' choice to be with Ellie, they are happy, really happy", said Marco.

Paige sighed.

"I know that, it's just she is my friend I have to be loyal you know", said Paige rubbing her eyes.

Marco nodded his head.

"Let's go to the mall tonight and scoop out guys", said Marco.

Paige smiled.

"you always know how to make me feel good", said Paige giggling.

"Alright one more time", said Mark.

Ellie started their song once more. Manny stood in the front closing her eyes and rocking a little to the music.

I will be famous one day
The people screaming my name
I will be famous one day
Your gonna know my face
I'm gonna rock your world
And you won't think about her

Craig looked at his girl with a smile on his face. This was her song, her baby really. He gave her center stage on this one.

Hot, so hot
Yeah I'm hot, so hot

Scream for me, scream for me
Scream for me, dream of me
Scream for me, scream for me
Scream, scream, and scream whoa

Jimmy rocked the song but his heart wasn't into it. He was still not talking to his father. It just hurt him deeply that his father would pass judgment on someone he never even got to know, the person that he loved. He was so angry sometimes.


I'm gonna be a star
My voice will leave a scar
I'm gonna be a star
Fulfill you lonely heart

Ellie looked at Jimmy and saw the sadness on his face. NO one else knew he was in pain but she did. She came to know Jimmy Brook's expressions like the back of her hand.


Hot, so hot
Yeah I'm hot, so hot

Scream for me, scream for me
Scream for me, dream of me
Scream for me, scream for me
Scream, scream, scream whoa

Manny finished the song.

"That was excellent", said Mark.

"Another hit", said Mark on the mixing board.

"You can take five", said Mark.

Manny walked out then. She spotted Emma and Sean sitting in the lobby of the studio.

"Hey guys", said Manny.

"Hey Manny, Snake said that I could stay here if it is alright with you", said Emma.

Manny nodded her head.

"Yeah it's fine", said Manny going to get a coke.

"Emma, we have to talk" said Sean.

"What is it?", asked Emma.

"It's this, I saw them around school", said Sean.

Emma's eyes widen.

"That jerk", said Emma.

It was a sign saying that Emma was a slut.

"I'll kill him", said Sean.

"No baby don't we only have a couple of months left before we go on tour with the band, I can handle it", said Emma.

Her parents were not thrilled with the idea but let her go when she assured them they had tutors and that she would graduate on time. Sean had no one to answer to and he wanted to go anywhere Emma went.

Graduation Day...

"I'm so proud of you", said Joey hugging Craig.

"Thanks Joe, look Joe I need to tell you something", said Craig.

Joey moved over.

"I know that we took me in and it has been hard and everything but I want to thank you. You gave me a family you and Angie, and just thank you. I'll always love you for that", said Craig.

Joey smiled.

"You are my son Craig that's all I need to know", said Joey.

Craig smiled.

"Alright Joey let's go party", said Craig.

He saw Manny standing in her dress waiting for him. She spotted him giving him a smile.

"Oh baby I'm so proud of you", said Manny hugging him.

Craig smiled into her hair. Their relationship has gotten strong over the past few months. He was there with her when she went to court.

Flashback...

"Do you understand that you will have to fend for yourself, your school and you health?", asked the judge.

Manny nodded her head.

"Yes your honor", said Manny.

Manny trembled when she saw the glare form her father. Her mother looked hurt but Manny did not agree with her. Why couldn't she stand up for her. She was her daughter why did she let her father push her around. Manny sighed. The judge granted her the emancipation.

"You are not part of this family any more Manuela", said her father glaring at his daughter.

Manny nodded her head.

"I know", said Manny walking out of the courtroom.

Craig followed her out. He found her kneeled on the ground crying. He pulled her into his arms.

"It's okay Manny I promise it will be, I'll be there for you", said Craig.

Manny nodded her head. They didn't notice Manny's mother watching them. She felt her heart break. She wanted to be there for her daughter but she was always taught that in a marriage that a woman was seen not heard. She was afraid to speak out against her father. She hated because of that she was losing her daughter. Maybe one day Manny will forgive her.

End of Flashback

August 22, 2005

It was the beginning. They released their album. It was the day that would change their lives forever. It was the best album sells in Canada ever. The band was on a journey that was going to be a new future. Emma and Sean were along for the ride as well. They would have issues to deal with. It was the best day of their lives that was apparent by the smiles on their faces when they found out that they sold 1 million copies in the first month of sells. Yes it was the hottest album of the year. But with Fame comes problems as well. This is their journey. They were out of high school so the same rules don't apply. They had to manage on their own. On their own.