--- There will always be someone who doesn't see what you're worth, don't let it be you --- Craig stands in his room into looking in a full length mirror. Bruises from many bad nights stain his skin, prompting many winces with each touch --- Craig and his dad sit beside each other in a cheap looking convertible
"Here we are. Listen, hold on a second, Craiger. Got something for you." the man hands Craig a stack of money with a guilty smile "Maybe you can get yourself a new camera. One of those digital ones."
"Wow! Thanks." Craig feigns excitement with his whispery and cautious voice
"If you need anything else, just ask." Mr. Manning smiles, clearly not bothered by past events
Craig on the other hand is practically shaking as he exits the vehicle "Sure, sure. Thank you."
"You’re welcome. No hard feelings?" the father of one has the nerve to laugh off
Craig winces simply at his laugh as he shuts the car door "No hard feelings."
---
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Craig stands in the hall looking in at a picture of Angela and Joey, his father's money sits in his other hand
The familiar PA system blares the usual bland announcement "If you are interested in helping organize the upcoming junior and senior dances, the social committee wants you…join them in the student activity room in 15 minutes."
"Hey stranger, mind if I cut in?" Jack's voice cuts through the boy's wandering mind as he steps aside
He sees her hands reach for a small case that sits on the 'camera shelf' he notices her glance at the absence of his camera
"What's that case for?" his question reaches it's mark as she turns to him with a hand fiddling with something on her ear
"It's a case for my hearing aids, the school's worried my aunt and uncle will sue if they break So it's mandatory to have it on me for gym. Which just so happens to be my next class"
He breathes a guilty sigh of relief as she begins to show him the small device's functions, he then realizes just how much there is to know about the girl --- Emma walks with arms full of books when someone bumps into her, making her drop them in one heap at a pair of feet
Once she recognizes them to be Craig's, the boy begins to speak "Hey! How was the rest of the party?"
"Good, until all the supposed adults started singing ‘80s hits. " Emma's face twists into a look of disgust
