[MANNY is in MS. KWAN's classroom.]

MS. KWAN: But for many writers, romance isn't so simple. Is is often a confusing experience. (MANNY picks up her book. There is a knock at the door.

CRAIG: (Coming in) Excuse me, Ms. Kwan. I'm sorry to interrupt. (MANNY lowers HER book and looks at HIM. The lighting becomes purplish, piano music starts playing, and suddenly CRAIG is in a tuxedo) But I've come to collect my one and only true love. (starts walking to MANNY, who's now in an evening gown. HE begins to sing) Won't you be my Cinderella? Could I kiss you, Manuela? (HE extends his hand and SHE accepts it, standing up)

MANNY: (singing) You can tease me however. (CRAIG pulls her close to him) You must love me

CRAIG AND MANNY: (Singing) Forever.

MANNY: (singing) Forever.

[back to reality]

CRAIG: I need to get that.

MANNY: Pardon me?

CRAIG: The AV cart behind you. Mr. Simpson sent me to get it and, um, you're on the cord.

MANNY: Oh. (moves her chair)

CRAIG: Yeah, you could just move it. (collects cord)

[Credits]

[MR. SIMPSON's room. EMMA looks out the door]

EMMA: He's coming. (MR. SIMPSON walks in)

TOBY: Mr. Simpson, something terrible has happened to your computer.

MR. SIMPSON: (sits at his computer, with half the class looking over his shoulder) JT, did you e-mail me naked baboon pictures again?

EMMA: It's serious. I think your computer has a virus. ( on the computer, there's animation of MR. SIMPSON and Emma's Mom on a weeding cake with hearts. The wedding march is playing.)

MR. SIMPSON: (smiling) You had me going? Who did this?

EMMA: (elbows TOBY) So you're not upset that I told everyone you and Mom got engaged?

MR. SIMPSON: No, it's sweet. Thank-you.

MANNY: How does it feel Mr. Simpson? I mean, you find your one true love?

MR. SIMPSON: Well, I just hope someday that you all find someone who truly makes you happy. (the bells rings) Ok, we still have stuff to learn today... (MANNY's notebook is open. The page has "Craig" written all over it.)

[EMMA and MANNY are walking in the hallway]

EMMA: The ring is so nice. It's a diamond solitaire with platinum settings. Mr. Simpson let me help him pick it out.

MANNY: he checked with you before he proposed?

EMMA: No, because he didn't propose. My mom did.

MANNY: Your mom did? (not sincere) Oh, that's cool.

EMMA: Women can propose too.

MANNY: I know, but it's not as romantic.

EMMA: Because my mom saw what she wanted and went for it? Why not? (CRAIG and SEAN walk by. MANNY and CRAIG smile at each other) I think Craig really likes you.

MANNY: Then why doesn't he just ask me out? Ugh, this is torture.

EMMA: Manny, this is what we just talked about. You know what you want, so go for it. (leaves)

[ELLIE is sitting at a table outside reading. MARCO comes up to her and notices the book.]

MARCO: My favorite letter's E.

ELLIE: (turns page, then reads) E is for Ernest, who choked on a peach. (MARCO sits down) You like Edward Gorey?

MARCO: I love him. I mean, his stuff is the perfect balance between dark and funny.

ELLIE: Kwan thought it was too morbid for my book report.

MARCO: So small-minded, huh?

ELLIE: Not like you and me.

MARCO: catch you later. (gets up and walks past table with HAZEL and PAIGE)

HAZEL: What do you think of Marco?

PAIGE: Kinda cute, I guess.

HAZEL: I think he's really cute.

PAIGE: Which poses the question: cute, smart, nice, and still single?

HAZEL: Not for long. hazel's on the case. I think I need help with my math homework. (SHE gets up and talks to MARCO, which ELLIE sees.)

[MR. SIMPSON's class. On a computer screen we see a message- "S as in Secret I admire. You, from A-afar. XO Bad-Rhymer" It's ELLIE's computer. ASHLEY sees the message as she sits down]

ASHLEY: Personal e-mail during class? You're such a rebel Nash.

ELLIE: You know me.

ASHLEY: No, cuz I had no idea you liked someone. Who? (ELLIE doesn't answer) You're embarrassed.

ELLIE: No.

ASHLEY: And you're shy. Ellie Nash. Wow.

ELLIE: I've never liked anyone like this before. It's weird.

ASHLEY: It's love.

ELLIE: It's none of your business. Shut up. (ASHLEY smiles. ELLIE sends e-mail. MARCO receives it, looks perplexed, then looks at HAZEL. SHE smiles and waves. ELLIE sees this and is disappointed.)

MR. SIMPSON: (coming in) Sorry I'm late. (He's wearing rubber gloves and waders) Flood in the men's washroom. Not a pretty picture.

[MANNY is putting on lip-gloss at her locker. Light goes purplish again. The same piano music starts to play. CRAIG walks up to her in the tux and hands her a rose]

CRAIG: For you.

MANNY: Oh. (pause) Do you like me?

CRAIG: Like you? Manny, I think I love...

[back to reality. MANNY sees CRAIG talking to ASHLEY, then ASHLEY leaves. MANNY shuts her locker and goes up to CRAIG]

MANNY: (sounding determined) Craig, I like you. (CRAIG looks surprised and MANNY's determination is gone.) I can't believe I just said that. (starts to back away) Well, nice talking to you? (walks away, embarrassed)

CRAIG: Wait, Manny. (follows her) I, um. I like you too.

MANNY: (screams in a girly way) Oh, sorry, sorry. I'm such a ditz.

CRAIG: No, no. It was cute.

MANNY: So, Craig. Tonight. Wanna catch a movie? At the mall?

CRAIG: Movie? Sure. (pauses) Oh, you mean with you? (smile is wiped of MANNY's face) I dunno. (pauses) Kidding. I'm kidding.

MANNY: (smiles with a nervous laugh) Ok, you so had me there.

CRAIG: I couldn't resist.

MANNY: So pick me up at Emma's house. Seven? (walks away)

[MARCO and ELLIE are in the library]

ELLIE: I'll talk about high and low pressure systems colliding.

MARCO: (unenthusiastically) Yeah, cool. Uh, Elle. I got this really weird e-mail and it's sort of confusing me.

ELLIE: What does it say?

MARCO: S and in secret I admire. You from A-afar. XO bad-Rhymer.

ELLIE: Wow. Cryptic.

MARCO: Yeah, which is cool. But what does it mean?

ELLIE: Someone likes you?

MARCO: Ok, so why tell me like that?

ELLIE: E-mail's anonymous. Afraid of the response, it keeps you a step away.

MARCO: You mean, you do that too?

ELLIE: Telling someone you like them's hard.

MARCO: Yeah, yeah it is.

[CRAIG's house. HE comes bouncing down the stair to the kitchen wearing a dress shirt and putting on a suit coat. JOEY is on the phone and ANGELA is sitting down, coloring.]

JOEY: Sorry Bianca. It didn't work out. You have to stop calling me now, alright? Good--bye. (hangs up phone) I should have ended it weeks ago. Let that be a lesson. What are you all dressed up for?

CRAIG: A date. My first.

JOEY: Hey. Congratulations. (shakes HIS hand) So you finally asked that Ashley girl out?

CRAIG: No. Manny asked me out.

JOEY: Manny? Isn't she a bit young for you?

CRAIG: Just 11 months Joey. Just 11 months.

JOEY: Alright, age ain't nothing but a number.

ANGELA: (Showing CRAIG a picture she colored of a cow and her stuffed animal cow) Look at Mr. Moo Moo Craig. Mr. Moo Moo Craig.

CRAIG: (laughs) very nice.

JOEY: So she asked you out. Check out Craig, super stud. Takes after his step dad. Just be back by 10. I'm serious. (phone rings)

[EMMA's house. EMMA is doing MANNY's make-up]

MANNY: So you know what to say if my parents call?

EMMA: Manny, we've been through it.

MANNY: And what if your mom comes home?

EMMA: She's out till 11 with Mr. Simpson. Don't worry.

MANNY: (makes nervous noise, then gets up and presents herself) So?

EMMA: Craig doesn't have a chance.

MANNY: I'm trying not to freak, but this is the first boy who's ever liked me.

EMMA: And he won't be the last. Trust me. (doorbell rings and They both engage in girly screaming)

MANNY: he's here. he's here. Go get it. (EMMA opens door)

CRAIG: hey, uh, I heard screaming.

EMMA: That's the tv. (MANNY checks her breath. CRAIG comes in. EMMA pushed
MANNY into HIS view)

CRAIG: Manny, you (pause) you look incredible.

MANNY: You too.

CRAIG: Oh, I almost forgot. (hands her a rose) This is for you.

EMMA: That is too picture perfect. (pushes MANNY next to CRAIG and grabs camera) Smile. (takes picture)

CRAIG: You ready for our date?

MANNY: I am so ready.

[School hallway: MANNY, EMMA, and LIBERTY are walking together.]

MANNY: At first I was so nervous. But them I got into it. And by the end, I just knew. Craig was the one.

LIBERTY: So you're girlfriend, boyfriend now?

EMMA: It's official? You've talked to him?

MANNY: No, but I don't have to. I just know. That's what falling in love is all about.

[Outside: CRAIG joins JIMMY and SPINNER at a table for lunch]

JIMMY: Check out the quiet man.

SPINNER; He hasn't said a word all day.

CRAIG: Sorry. I, um...I got a lot on my mind. (SPINNER and JIMMY hear the girls laughing and look over at them)

SPINNER: Ah, I get ut. Craig is lost in love with little Miss Santos.

JIMMY: It must have been a seriously hot date.

CRAIG: Hot? No, I'd say the best was to describe our date is (pause) bizarre.

[back to the girls]

MANNY: The only way to describe our date is magical. I thought we'd just go to the mall, see a movie. Nothing special. And then we get there and...

[MANNY and CRAIG enter the mall to find a carnival]

MANNY: Oh my gosh. The carnival is on!

CRAIG: So you don't wanna see the movie?

MANNY: And miss all this? I love the balloons and the clowns. (leads HIM to funhouse mirror) Oh, look. (leads him to cotton candy vender) And the cotton candy, It's so delicious.

CRAIG: So delicious. (realizing that SHE wants some) One cotton candy please. (gives it to MANNY, who takes a piece off to feed to CRAIG) No, no. It's for you.

MANNY: Don't be silly. (feeds it to HIM. Her voice become a voice-over) The the most incredible thing happened. My fingers brushed his lips. And I thought I would die.

[back to the boys]

CRAIG: Maybe you can help figure it out. Manny looked so awesome. And I was happy to be with her. But then...

[MANNY and CRAIG enter the mall again]

MANNY: (sounding like a little kid the entire scene) The carnival is on!

CRAIG: Wait, so we're not gonna see the movie?

MANNY: And miss all this? I love the balloons and the clowns. (drags Him to funhouse mirror) Look. (giggles stupidly, then goes over to cotton candy vender) And the cotton candy. Yummy yum yum.

CRAIG: (weirded out) Yeah. Yummy yum yum. (MANNY takes off a huge piece of
cotton candy) No, no. It;s for you.

MANNY: Don't be silly. (shoves it in His mouth)

CRAIG: (voice-over) The cotton candy incident. She nearly choked me with it.

[ back to the boys, who are laughing]

JIMMY: Look on the bright side, dude. If it was the candy apple, you would have been dead.

CRAIG: You think that's funny? You're gonna love this. (He throws his lunch bag into the garbage, which becomes a ball winning the ball toss at the carnival)

MANNY: Woo! Go Craig go! Today ball toss, tomorrow the world. You're, like, I dunno, the next famous pitcher guy or something. (worker hands MANNY a stuffed horse as a prize) Oh, this is the best. It's so cute. It's name is Wuzzy Horse. I already have Piggy Pig and Lamby Lamb. (notices CRAIG's confused look) You know, the Fluffy Fluff collection?

CRAIG: (voice-over) I thought she'd never stop talking.

MANNY: It's the best gift. Thanks Craig. (CRAIG checks his watch) Am I talking too much?

CRAIG: What? No, it's just (pause) It's your turn to win me...whatever. Just try not to throw it too hard, ok? (MANNY grabs a ball and throws it. It bounces off the wall and hits CRAIG in the head) Oh. (grabs head)

MANNY: Oh, oh. Craig, I am so sorry.

CRAIG: No, it's ok. (He sits down and MANNY examines the bump on his head. CRAIG's voice becomes a voice-over) Then I looked into her eyes and I saw how beautiful she was... (MANNY leans in for a kiss)

[back to the boys]

CRAIG: I mean, the thing is, I do like her. Just (pause) she's a bit young.

JIMMY: Only by a year, dude.

CRAIG: You wanna know the real reason I couldn't kiss her.(pause) She reminds me of my five year-old half sister.

JIMMY: Right.

Spinner: Uh, that's messed up.

JIMMY: Yeah.

SPINNER: Don't say that ever again.

CRAIG: Yeah, I know. That's the problem, cuz she's also really sweet. So, what do I do?

[The girls are at MANNY's locker. MANNY is looking at the rose CRAIG gave her]

EMMA: I can't believe he gave you a rose.

MANNY: Craig is a true romantic. (pause) I just wish the date had ended better.

LIBERTY: Why? What happened?

MANNY: More like, what didn't happen.

[At the mall, CRAIG wins the ball toss]

MANNY: Today ball toss, tomorrow the world. (worker hands her the prize) Oh, this is the best. My favorite thing. Cuz you won it. Thanks Craig. (CRAIG looks at his watch) Am I talking too much?

CRAIG: Not at all. It's your turn. Just try not to throw it too hard, ok? (MANNY throws ball. It bounces off the wall and hits CRAIG's head) Oh, dear. That smarts.

MANNY: Craig, I'm so sorry.

CRAIG: No, it's ok. It's ok.

MANNY; I'm really, really sorry. (CRAIG sits down and MANNY examines wound. She leans in for a kiss)

CRAIG: Manny, um. I should get you home. (MANNY pulls away)

[back to the girls]

EMMA: I bet he wanted to, but he just wanted to get you back to my house on time, which I think is cool.

LIBERTY: Absolutely. Craig has my two favorite qualities: passion and punctuality.

MANNY: That's why he's my guy.

[MR> SIMPSON's class. ELLIE is writing another e-mail: "M is for Marco. Z is for zen garden. Meet me after school." She send it to MARCO, who smiles when he receives it]

[Hallway: MANNY smells her rose at her locker. CRAIG comes up to her and she puts the flower away.]

CRAIG: Manny.

MANNY: Hey you. Where've you been? Did you miss me? I missed you.

CRAIG: Everybody's talking about us.

MANNY: Yeah. They say we're Degrassi's hottest new couple.

CRAIG: Yeah. (EMMA is nearby at her locker, and can hear from CRAIG's voice that he doesn't bring good news)

MANNY: I'm embarrassed too. People talking like this. But I had such an amazing time. The carnival, the gift. It was like the best night of my life. And all because of you.

CRAIG: (doesn't know what to say) Great. Well,, I'll see you later. (walks away)

MANNY: Great. (to EMMA) That was...weird.

EMMA: Maybe Craig's not really into this.

MANNY: No. no. He's just moody.

EMMA: Maybe you should slow down. You know, before you get hurt.

MANNY: No, he just needs cheering up. Which I'm great at. (walks away)

[ELLIE is sitting in zen garden alone. MARCO sees her from inside and goes
out to her]

MARCO: (sounding surprised) Hey. What are you doing?

ELLIE: (avoiding eye contact) Nothing.

MARCO: because I was supposed to meet Hazel and...

ELLIE: I know.

MARCO: Yeah?

ELLIE: I kinda know firsthand, actually...

MARCO: Elle, have you been the one writing me? (ELLIE gets up and walks away) Elle...

[Outside school: ELLIE's phone rings and she picks it up]

ELLIE: Hello?

MARCO: (just on the phone) Ellie.

ELLIE: I hope you're calling to tell me about your sudden case of amnesia. (There is a figure in the background, that's slowly coming closer)

MARCO: No.

ELLIE: I wish I had amnesia. I don't take rejection well.

MARCO: Ellie, turn around. (She does and sees Him coming towards Her) I didn't reject you.

ELLIE: Felt like it.

MARCO: Of course it did. You didn't let me finish.

ELLIE: But you were...

MARCO: I was gonna meet Hazel to tell her that, well, to tell her that she's not my type. I mean, I go for cool, alternative (hangs up phone because he's close enough for her to hear him) girls like Ellie Nash.

ELLIE: Oh. I'm such an idiot.

MARCO: No. If you were, would I still ask you out? (takes her phone and hangs it up) For C, as in coffee?

[CRAIG walks to his locker to see it being decorated by MANNY]

MANNY: How was photography club?

CRAIG: What happened to my locker?

MANNY: I thought it'd cheer you up.

ASHLEY: (walking up) I hope I'm not interrupting. You said you wanted to sign this? (hands him clipboard)

CRAIG: Yeah, the petition protesting GM foods, right? (signing then giving it back to ASHLEY)

MANNY: GM?

ASHLEY: It stands for "genetically modified."

MANNY: Does that make them good?

ASHLEY: (to CRAIG) I'll see you later. (walks away)

MANNY: I don't think you should talk to her anymore.

CRAIG: Uh, she's in my class.

MANNY: So, what are we doing Friday night? (CRAIG just slightly shakes his head) You're moody again. Is it your locker? You don't like it?

CRAIG: No, Manny. I'm sorry. (pause) But it's not my locker I don't like. It's you. (MANNY is crushed)

[End]