We Fell Too Fast
Author's Note: This is mainly a Cranny fanfic although I will be incorporating as many characters as possible. It will be like an episode of the show except that Craig/Manny will always be either the main or sub-plot of the show. I am trying hard not to make people go out of character and I appreciate comments, because I want to be as true to the show as possible. Oh and it has an R rating because my hope is to eventually get to some talk about sex etc. so be prepared.
Chapter 1
"So now I'm back with Ashley and things are great. Well, they were great until this whole bipolar thing happened". Craig looked over at the clock on the wall again. He knew he was rambling but he kept hoping if he talked alot they would let him leave sooner. He'd watched enough movies to know that the people who didn't talk got nowhere.
"Craig" his therapist said gently, "This "whole bipolar thing" as you call it didn't just happen. It was something that's been building. I mean from what you've been through anyone would have the same problems. It's not about you personally, it's about how you cope with what life has thrown at you. For instance, tell me more about this other girl Manny"
"Manny? What's so important about Manny? I mean it was a big mistake. I know I was wrong. What kind of guy does that to his girlfriend? It wasn't right. I know that, I knew that"
"But is it not right because it's not supposed to be or because you think it's not supposed to be?"
"I don't get what you're saying. Cheating is wrong. I mean look at what happened. I ended up alone, Ash got hurt, Manny got hurt ... She ...got rid of our baby"
"Why do you think she did that?"
"I don't really want to talk about it. It happened ... it's over. It wasn't meant to be"
"But did you want it to be over? Did you think it wasn't meant to be?". Craig sat uncomfortably in his chair. It was the one question he wasn't ready to answer. As he sat there, the minute hand moved over signalling the end of the hour. Craig jumped out of his seat.
"Time's up", he said pulling his coat on.
"Craig, I want you to do something for me. Here. Sit back down"
"Ok but you can't charge me for the extra hour."
"Very funny, Craig. I want you to do me a favor. I want you to seriously consider having a joint therapy session with Manny"
"Manny? But we ... we barely talk to each other. She doesn't even know I'm in therapy".
"I think it could be worthwhile for the both of you. You both went through something very traumatizing and from what you've told me, neither one of you seems to have truly dealt with the repurcussions of Manny's abortion".
"It doesn't matter. The baby's gone. We're not a couple or anything"
"Craig, in life things don't just end when they don't work out. They continue to affect us and how we react to other situations. Your relationship with Manny might have only lasted a few weeks but that doesn't make it any less significant in your life".
"Are you feeling better Em?" Manny said handing her a glass of orange juice.
"I don't think OJ is going to cure what I've got so you can stop plying me with it".
"Sorry. I guess I'm taking the concerned best friend role a little too seriously"
"It's nice to have the best friend around though". Both girls smiled fondly at each other. Manny flopped down on the bed next to Emma and sighed.
"I guess we haven't really been spending too much time together, huh?"
"That's what happens when you get older. You move on" Emma said quietly.
"Well I don't want to move on from you, Em. No one can replace you".
"Liberty was about to. It seemed like she was your new nest friend".
"That's not true. But you have to admit what you did to her was wrong. Of course she wouldn't want to hang out with you after you sabotaged her with Chris. You were almost making an attempt to steal the slut/bad friend crown from me".
"You were never a bad friend, Manny" Emma said with a smile. Manny threw her pillow at her friend.
"Way to imply that I'm a slut Emma!" she screamed.
"Hey you said it first" Emma said laughing. The two of them fought for a while until the mood turned somber again. "Seriously, Manny what's happened to us?"
"I don't know. One day we were just corny little kids and before I knew it, I was pregnant, you almost got shot and then you contracted gnorrhea. I guess we're just screwed up", she said with a sigh
"Your baby would have been born by now" Emma said quietly. Manny wrapped her arms around her stomach.
"I know. He would have been about 2 months I guess".
"It's hard to imagine you being a mom"
"Yeah and Craig as the father" Manny scoffed, "That's funny. He hates me now"
"Craig does not hate you"
"He told me I was the biggest mistake of his life. I think that counts as hating someone. I don't know what to do, Emma. I'm so afraid that I'm screwed up forever because of last year"
"But you're with Spinner now. You two have fun together"
"It's not the same. With Craig I felt -- I felt everything. I was happy and sad and angry and excited. I couldn't control anything. With Spinner I feel like I'm just trying so hard to be normal".
"I don't know what normal is anymore".
"Hey there" Spinner said coming up behind Manny. When she turned around he kissed her softly on the lips. "How's my girl?"
"I'm good and busy. Ms. Hatsolakos wants me and Marco to come up with another school spirit event."
"Can't Paige do that?" Spinner said, "She is the head of the spirit squad"
"Paige has been busy" Manny said uncomfortably. Although she had tried, Manny could not forget seeing Paige and Mr. O in the hallway during the dance. "I'm kind of acting squad captain".
"Cool, I get to date the captain of the spirit squad a second time around".
"Haha Spinner". Manny said, shutting her locker.
"It was a joke".
"What's so funny?" Craig said coming up behind him.
"Um, nothing" Spinner said. Craig could sense the tension but he decided to ignore it and keep going. "So, um, I was wondering if we could have a band rehearsal"
"There isn't a band anymore, remember?" Spinner said looking at Craig suspicously.
"I know. And I'm sorry about what happened at the recording session, but Jimmy is getting out of the hospital and I want to do something nice for him. I was thinking we could have a welcome home party in the garage and then play for a while"
"Can Jimmy? Can he play?" Spinner asked uncomfortably.
"Spinner he's in a wheelchair, nothing happened to his fingers".
"So when are you planning this event. Will your fill-in piano player be at this rehearsal?" Spinner said sarcastically.
"Everyone will be there. You're invited too, Manny" Craig said finally meeting her eyes. She had been standing there trying to melt into the background. Besides Craig's most recent comments, being around him and Spinner was too weird. At first, when Spinner wanted to annoy Craig it was fun to throw their relationship in his face but ever since they'd been "dating" even being in the same school with Craig and Spinner was too close.
"Of course she's invited" Spinner said, putting his arm around her protectively. Manny stood there unsure of what to do.
"Yeah so, I guess I'll see you two there. This Thursday"
"Yeah we'll be there" Spinner said. Craig looked at Manny. Her expression was tight and slightly pained. he decided to beat a hasty retreat. After he walked away Manny extracted herself from Spinner's embrace.
"I'm not too sure about this Spin" Manny said.
"Why not?"
"It's just that it will probably be your friends, you know Paige, Hazel, Marco, Ellie ... Ashley. You should celebrate Jimmy's homecoming with them and with Jimmy. You've barely seen him since the shooting"
"I don't even know if we're friends anymore" Spinner said, mostly to himself. "I really want you to be there", he said directly to Manny.
Manny tried to ignore the pit in her stomach that was telling her this was wrong. "I guess I'll go"