Episode 32: Changes Part 1
Graduation was coming up for Leone high school. All the students were on edge with excitement. They were all applying for the colleges they wanted. Manny and Frida were both trying to get into an art and music college. They had been studying for all the tests and tried their hardest to get acceptable grades. Which was very unusual for them but you'd be surprised by how some people can change.
"Alright let's check the cards." Manny said.
He and Frida opened their envelopes and read the report cards.
"A's and B's dude! Yes!" Frida cheered.
"We are definitely going to get in." Manny said.
"All we have to do is pass the SAT's and the audition. You wanna study at my place?" Frida asked.
"Sure!"
That night they studied, they practiced, they talked, and they made out a few times.
"Okay I think we're ready for the SAT's." Manny yawned.
"You wanna take a study break?"
"Si chica."
They sat on the couch and watched TV. Soon the exhaustion of studying for hours caught up with them and they fell asleep. Emiliano and Carmela came home and when he found his daughter and her boyfriend sleeping on the couch he went insane.
"Rivera!" He shouted so loud that they woke up in a flash. "What in God's name are you doing with my daughter?!"
"Dad! I know what this looks like but all we did was study." Frida said.
"Likely story!"
"Mr. Suarez we just fell asleep." Manny said.
"Get out of my house! Now!"
"Emiliano! Calm down! Before you have another heart attack!" Carmela said.
Manny left the house while Frida went to bed. Emiliano started a long conversation.
"Carmela, she is with that boy everyday. It has got to stop!"
"Emiliano, I understand your concern but I think you're overreacting." She said. "I honestly believe that Manny would never hurt Frida."
"That boy is trouble! He doesn't really love her! Does he?"
"Emiliano, he looks at Frida like she's the most wonderful thing in the world. Why can't you see that?"
"Because that boy is just a punk!"
"Really?"
"Yes! I'll just be thrilled when Frida gets accepted to that college and doesn't have to see him anymore."
"Didn't you know? He's applying to that school too."
"What? But he's not a musician."
"No, but he's an artist. It's an art school too."
"You've got to be to kidding."
As Manny walked home something metal grabbed him. It was The Titanium Tian.
"Hello Manny! Miss me?"
"You agian?! I thought you were dead!"
"It's gonna take a lot more than some kid to stop me!"
"I'm not a kid! I'm 17 you big idioit!" Manny spun his buckle and the two started fighting. "What is your deal with me?"
"You ruined my life! You and your horrible mother!" The Titan.
"You shut up about my mom! And you ruined your own life!" Manny punched him into wall. He got up and ran away.
"This isn't over! I'll be back! I'll get even!"
"Hmmph! Sure you will." Manny said rolling his eyes.
Soon the SAT's started and the young couple had both passed. Eventually it was time to audition for the art and music school. Manny submitted an amazing painting which the board seemed to really like. It was a painting of the city. Frida auditioned with a guitar solo. In about a week had past and soon the letters arrived. Manny took his letter out of the mailbox and nervously opened it.
"Manny, relax I'm sure you got in." Rodolfo said.
"I'm sorry Dad, it's just that I'm so nervous." Manny said.
He read the letter and a sad look formed on his face.
"I didn't get in." He sighed.
"What? Let me see that." Rodolfo read the letter carefully. "This is impossible! You should've been accepted."
"It's okay Dad, it doesn't matter."
He went upstairs to his room and threw himself on the bed. His phone rang at that moment.
"Hey."
"Hey dude!" It was Frida. "I got in!"
"Great."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. I'm fine..."
"So did you get in?"
"I...I...I'll tell you later."
He hung up and sighed deeply.
"What am I going to do now?"
Later that night Manny and Frida went on date. He was quiet the whole time.
"Alright what's wrong? You haven't said a word." She said.
"I...I didn't get in."
"What?"
"They rejected me." He said. "But you got in! That's great!"
"I'm not going."
"Frida, don't do that."
"No, If you're not going then I'm not going."
"Frida, this is your dream school! You can't give this up."
"But the school is miles away. If I can't be with you then I'm not going."
"I'm sure we can make this work but please don't give up your dream for me." Manny pleaded. "If you did that I don't think I could ever live with myself."
"Alright."
When Frida got home that night she was very sad.
"What's wrong Miha?" Carmela asked.
"Manny got rejected."
"Oh I'm sorry sweetie, but you're not going to give up the school for him?"
"I was going to but he begged me not to."
"Oh honey he must really love you if he's begging for that."
"I still can't believe they rejected him. His grades were perfect and that painting was amazing."
"Hmmm...maybe I should call up there. I used to be an intern at the school."
"Thanks Mama."
Emiliano came home a few hours later to an angry wife.
"What's wrong?"
"Manny go rejected." She said.
"Well I'm not surprised."
"I am. So I called the school and they told me he got accepted."
"Really?"
"I was very confused, so confused that I started cleaning to take my mind off of it and as I cleaned I found this in your desk."
She opened the envelope and read it.
"Dear Manuel Rivera we are happy to inform you that you have been accepted to our school. You are a bright and talented student. We look forward to having you next year." She read.
"I can explain." Emiliano said.
"Emiliano, how could you? I never thought you would do something like this."
"I was only trying to protect our daughter."
"By sabotaging a poor kid's chance at college? He is a good boy and he loves our daughter. You've gone too far this time Emiliano."
She put the letter back in the envelope and went to give it to Frida. The girl was crushed by the fact that her father would do something so terrible. As for Manny he spent the next few days trying to find a different college to get in to but it was very difficult.
"Papa what am I going to do?" Manny asked.
"Don't worry Miho I'm sure you'll find another college to get into." Rodolfo said.
"Or you could just steal money for a living." Grandpapi suggested.
"Papi! You're not helping!"
"Manny there are plenty Graduation day soon came and all the students sat in their caps and gowns.
"Django Jose Esteban of the Dead." The principle said. "Congratulations."
Django walked up and took his diploma.
"Whoo! That's my grand baby! I'm proud of you Djangy wangy!" Sartana called.
"Nana! This is so embarrassing." Django said.
"Zoe Ingrid Gertie Aves."
"Ingrid...Gertie." Frida snickered.
"Shut up Suarez!" Zoe received hers.
"Davi Rocco! Graduating with honors!"
"Thank you, thank you, gracious." He said.
"Fridaniella Cristina Lorena Rosalinda Suarez."
Frida took her diploma and smiled.
"Good luck Miss Suarez." The principle said.
She ran into the arms of her proud parents but she was still a little upset with her father.
"And last but not least. Manuel Pablo Gutierrez O'Brian Equia Rivera."
"Whoo-hoo! Go Manny!" Rodolfo said.
"That's our boy!" Maria said.
"You rock!" Grandpapi said.
"Mami, Papi, Grandpapi, you're embarrassing me." Manny said. He accepted the diploma and shook hands with the principle.
"You were always my favorite." The principle said. "He graduated Chakal, I win the bet! Pay up!"
"Shoot! Well at least I never have to worry about the Riveras anymore." Chakal said.
"Yeah until Manny has children."
"What? Nooo! Why me?!"
All the student threw up their caps and the after party Manny spun his belt and carried Frida through the sky. The sat on the edge of a building where she have him his acceptance letter.
"I really can't believe your Dad would do this." Manny said.
"I know. He would do anything to keep you from seeing me." Frida sighed. "Manny if being together is going to ruin your life then maybe we shouldn't be together. "
"What? No! I don't wanna lose you again." He hugged her, tears filled her eyes.
"I know but...I don't want my Dad to torture you." She pulled his mask off and stroked his face.
"I don't care what he does to me. I love you! I will always love you and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you everyday."
"What are you saying?"
He pulled his mother's ring out of his pocket and got on his knee. He took Frida's hand and slid the ring on her finger. Her eyes gazed in awe at the sliver and blue diamond ring. Manny didn't know what he was doing in fact he thought he had lost his mind but he didn't care.
"Will you marry me?"
To be continued...