Chapter Four: Four Years Gone Down the Drain

Ellie didn't even want to relive it in her mind. Last night had been a complete disaster. One of the worst things that could've happened happened and now Gianni knew about her less-than-perfect life. It wasn't bad enough that she was already feeling inferior to him … wondering why he had chosen her in the first place, but now she was sure that it was over. So sure that—

"Oh. Excuse me." Ellie sighed, bending down to pick up the books that had flown out of her arms and not paying attention to who she had just bumped into.

"You should be." Alex snarled, upset that this was the girl who was threatening her relationship with Gianni. This was the girl that was making her question their ability to be together … and Alex's own ability to let her guard down and tell Gianni how she really felt.

"Alex. What do you want from me?" Ellie rolled her eyes. She just didn't get this girl. They'd never been friends, but she at least thought that they had an understanding or something like it.

"I want you to stay out of my life, realize how pathetic you are, and just end it."

"End what?"

"Your life. It's not like anyone will miss you anyway." Alex brushed past Ellie harshly, as she stumbled into a locker behind her. Ellie rolled her eyes, not really caring what Alex thought until … she saw her push Gianni into an empty room.

"What the hell are you doing?" Gianni wondered in between kisses as he and Alex went back and forth, as if it was a game to determine whom wanted whom more.

"I mis—I'm just having fun." Alex covered, ceasing to kiss him all-of-a-sudden.

"I thought we agreed that we wouldn't do this." Gianni tried to straighten himself, his thoughts lingering on the taste of Alex's lips on his.

"I know but--" She stopped herself. If Gianni knew how much she cared … that's what had broken her relationship with Jay. Love was a messed up thing and Alex had learned that even talking about it would have any guy running in the opposite direction. She shrugged. "What are we doing tonight?" Alex changed the subject, wrapping her arms around Gianni's neck.

"I'm going to hang out with Ellie." Gianni looked deeply into Alex's eyes, quickly removing her arms, unaware that Ellie was eavesdropping.

"I don't know what you see in her. She's a pathetic, funless prude." Alex pulled out a cigarette, lighting it immediately, not caring who saw her. "And I know I could take you places that she can't." Alex smirked.

"Alex, you're not Ellie." Gianni stopped suddenly, kissing her. "Just deal with it, okay?"

"Ahh!" Manny screamed, excitedly, happy to be in LA, but more excited that Kiowi had taken off a couple of days at school to help her get adjusted. "I can't believe how warm it is here."

"This is warm?" Kiowi complained.. He always seemed to be cold.

"It's December and there's no snow. How awesome is this?" She exclaimed, hugging him happily. The winter weather was so much better here and for the first time, Manny could actually see herself being somewhere other than Canada.

"Do you know how to get to the office?" Kiowi wondered as Manny nodded, pointing to the agency which was practically in front of them. Manny felt like she knew her way around the entire city. The online tours had been more and helpful and she was going to be spending a lot of time here.

"This is it." Manny smiled, still amped about everything. Kiowi and Manny walked into the front of the agency and signed in. Kiowi excused himself for the bathroom as Manny was called into the back.

"Right this way." The lady at the front led her into an empty office as Manny sighed nervously. "You're in luck. You're one of the few girls that gets to meet who you're working with beforehand."

"You mean … he's here?" Manny wondered unsurely, not really knowing much about this guy, except that he was looking for back-up singers and back-up dancers. She wasn't really prepared to show what she could do and didn't even know that she would be meeting him.

"Yep." The secretary closed the door behind Manny as she looked around nervously. "Wow. What have I gotten myself into?" She asked as a loud knock startled her and caused her to jump.

"Hello. I'm …" Manny's voice trailed off as she stared at who was in front of her. "Craig?"

"Manny. You're here to audition?" He smiled as she looked down and nodded, ashamed. Craig had always had the power to make her feel like a little girl, and a year later, nothing had changed. "You work here?"

"No, I'm the guy looking for back-up singers and dancers … this is so bizarre." He added, walking closer to Manny as she stood to hug him. "You look so different." They embraced for a while, letting go only to take a good look at one another.

Instantly, Manny could see that this wasn't the same jerk-off who had broken her heart and stolen her innocence. He was … different somehow. He was …

"Sorry to interrupt, but I have Mr. Kiowi here." The secretary barged in as Manny forced herself to erase any sincere feelings she had for Craig. I'm here to land this gig, she told herself. And that's what she did.

(A/N: I finally updated something. I'm so sorry you guys, but my life has been really hectic. I have a million exams coming up in May and will be testing for most of the month. This week I have a dance performance, so who knows when I'll be able to update. I'm just glad that I momentarily got over my writers block. (Thanks to my nostalgic reflections on early high school life) I'll try to start writing regularly after my exams are up. Until then … who knows? –NL)