At Black Books, Tuesday Morning. Shop open.

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Manny comes downstairs, walks through the shop, and unlocks the door. He flips the sign from "Closed" to "Closed". He looks at the sign in confusion for a moment, flipping it backwards and forwards. It clearly says "Closed" on both sides. He takes the sign off the door, and throws aside, where it lodges neatly between volumes three and four of a Turkish/Somali dictionary (no dustwrapper on volume 2, otherwise good condition).

There are shouts from upstairs. Manny goes out the back, leaving the door open, and calls up the stairs.

Bernard? Are you okay?

There is more incoherent shouting, and Manny sighs.

It's okay, Bernard, it's just a frog. He likes it in the bathroom, it's moist in there.

There is the sound of a heavy thing hitting another heavy thing, followed by some swearing and the sound of rushing water. Lots of rushing water.

Bernard! Bernard?

Manny goes upstairs, and the sound of the water stops. There is some discussion, and then Manny comes downstairs once more, carrying the frog. He sits the frog on the table at the back of the shop, and settles himself in the chair. He picks up a book, opens it at the bookmark, and starts to read. The book is called "Enjoy Your Frog".

Periodically, the frog's tongue flicks out to collect an insect.

Comments

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige comes running into the shop, she's crying harder than she ever thought possible following what Duce had said (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/226554.html?thread=9062906#t9062906)

It wasn't me! I was just tryng to protect them

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Manny drops the book and stands up.

Paige? What's going on? Why are you crying like that?

He comes round the table towards her.

Is it something to do with Sunday?

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige hugs Manny hard, thank god she didn't see him last week

She nods slowly and tries to say words, but just can't that's it, he's never going to forgive me, I've lost him forever

She's crying so hard she almost starts to hyperventilate

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Manny is deeply distressed to see her like this. He wasn't expecting the hug, either, and he doesn't quite know what to do with his hands. He rests them gently on her back.

Oooh, now, sshhshhh. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.

He just stands there holding her. He doesn't know what to do.

He can smell the stuff she uses on her hair.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

She takes a few breaths trying to control the crying a little she looks up at Manny, "He's never going to forgive me!It wasn't me, it really wasn't, I was trying to protect them!" she cries

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Whoah, hold on. What happened? Who isn't going to forgive you? Geoff? Please try to calm down. He sees Bernard's unopened wine on the table. Would a drink help?

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige shakes her head, "y-yes Geoff, he dumped me last week and I got possessed and hurt a lot of people, but it wasn't me and now Shane says if I go near Geoff she'll kill me."

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Shane? Shane from the coffee shop? Why would she want to kill you? I saw what happened on Sunday, I don't know anything about posession, but something came out of you then.

He holds her for a moment or two.

Geoff *dumped* her?

He rocks her backwards and forwards (72Hz) a bit.

It'll be okay, we'll sort it out.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"I-I was in control for a while, I was trying to protect Duce, but she thinks I was having fun, having my body used by her" she pulls a disgusted face

"She thinks I was hurting people through choice, Shane said if I go near Geoff she'll kill me, I mean I know she couldn't, but if she feels that way she'll make Geoff think the same thing."

"I think maybe I should leave the town" she says still crying a little

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Oh no, don't leave town. I would miss you so much, and I'm sure other people would too. I can't belive you'd choose to hurt people, you're a really nice person. That's not like you.

Did you .. did ...
He tries for a neutral-sounding form of words.
Did Geoff get hurt?

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

She nods, "not physically, I managed to keep her away from him, but he blames himself for what happened and a lot of his friends were hurt, I don't think he'll ever forgive me. I don't think he'll ever trust me again."

she starts to cry again

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Except that it wasn't you, was it? Doesn't he understand that? When you were talking about him when I saw you last, a couple of weeks ago, it sounded like you were just right together. Can't you get that back?

Still holding her, still holding her...

Please don't cry.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige wipes her eyes an looks up at him "I thought we were I thought we were gonna be together forever, that's what he told me, but his asked me to move out last week, he thinks I should be sowing my oats, having fun up at the school" she says close to tears again

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Don't think about the oats, *don't* think about the oats.

Do you have somewhere to live now? What are you going to do? Would you want to be back with him? Sorry, I shouldn't ask so many questions.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"I'm back in the dorms, I've been staying with a friend, so yeah I'm ok there and yes I want to get together with him, but I know we have to take things slowly now" she bites her lip

"Only there's someone else, a student up at the school. But I still love Geoff, it's all so messed up!" she sighs

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know what it's like when you love someone who isn't available.

He kisses her forehead.

I'm sorry it's messed up. And with someone else too ... was that while you were posessed, or while you were yourself?

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"Both, the-the other soul was kinda using him, then I went to apologise to him for what had happened and I don't don't know something happened, he was so understanding, he was just gald I was ok which is more than Geoff was I don't know what to do, she knows all about Geoff."

She looks up at him "you're a really good friend Manny"

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Manny isn't quite clear about who had done what to whom, and whether any of them had been posessed at the time, but he lets it ride for the moment.

I'm always here for you, if you need to talk, or you need some help. You know that.

*pause*

Who knows all about Geoff?

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"James, the other guy, I thought it was best to be honest with him, he knows I'm still in love with Geoff

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Right ... does Geoff know that you're still in love with him? Does he really understand what happened? I bet you haven't been to see him since Mr Phale helped you out on Sunday.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"I wrote him a letter (http://www.livejournal.com/users/the4thsister/14783.html#cutid1) telling him how I felt, I don't think he wants to see me, but we have a class together today. We're going for coffee sometime soon, I'm just so scared about everything."

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

I hope the two of you manage to sort things out. You were so happy a couple of weeks ago, and it breaks my heart to see you cry. I love you so much. I want you to be happy.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

She sniffles a little and wipes her eyes then forces a smile for himn, "I'll be ok eventually, I just don't get how Shane can think I'd hurt Geoff. I'd never do that. I just have to wait and see what he wants to do I guess and take it from there."

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Manny sighs, and looks down at her.

Waiting is the hardest job in the world.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

She nods looking up at him "I know, but it's what I have to do right?"

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

It's hard. And there's nothing you can do to hurry it up.

I wish it was easier.

It isn't. I'm sorry.

I hope you win him back. You deserve to.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige smiles feeling a little better, "Thank you Manny, I hope so too."

Paige isn't actually that sure she wants things to be the same with Geoff, she still loves him and does want to be with him, but she wants James as well

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

If you really want this to work, you'll have to be as honest with Geoff about James as you have been with James about Geoff. That's the only way it can work.

He blinks. Twice.

Three times.

And just hope that they can each love
you enough to put your happiness first.

Four times.

People can do that, if they love you enough.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

She smiles and kisses him on the cheek "Thank you Manny, I'm trying to take things slowly after what happened with Geoff, I realise we rushed into things a bit"

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

He wants so much to kiss her back, but he knows he can't. He would mean things that she didn't, and it wouldn't be fair. So he breaks the hug I break the hug? What am I, mad? and steps back.

You're right, you can't rush things. When's this class you mentioned?

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"one o'clock today, introduction to western literature, I'm not really looking forward to it, he's gonna realise I'm stupid, I don't read all that much really. If I bring the reading list in will you help me Manny?

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

Manny casts his eyes around the shop, across the shelves.

I'll be glad to go through your reading list with you. I don't think you're stupid. Maybe not as widely read as he is, possibly few people are. But certainly not stupid.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

She smiles at Manny and looks over at the now unconscious Bernard, "He'll not miss them right?"

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

It'll be fine. Honestly.

We'll put them back afterwards.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

I'll try to come back tomorrow ok, with the reading list, it's pretty big? I think I have the day off tomorrow so that'd be good for me

[mannybianco.livejournal.com]

That'll be good for me too. Look after yourself.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

*she smiles slightly* thanks Manny, I'll try