"Mo-om…" Emma complained, "I don't want your old clothes!"

"But, Em, you need a new wardrobe for you senior year." Spike said.

"I agree. And that's why I said we should go to the mall." She climbed onto her bed to sit in front of her mom, "We both need a girls' night out. We haven't just gone to the mall to shop and chill in forever. It's been this errand or that. Admit it. You want to."

"But what about Snake and Jack?"

"They can be left alone for a few hours. And I think they could use a little bit of father/son bonding time."

"I agree. So…tonight?" Spike asked.

"Sorry, Mom. Party at Toby's." And then under her breath she added, "Hopefully it won't end up like last time."

"What was that?" Spike asked, while looking at her old clothes.

"Uh, nothing. How about tomorrow night? For the mall, I mean." Emma tried to change the subject.

"Tomorrow night's great." Spike picked up all of the clothes and started to leave the room.

"Wait!" Emma yelled after her.

"What?" Spike turned around in the doorway.

"I need new clothes for the party." She smiled while taking a pair of jeans and a black vest from her mother's arms. "Thanks!" She closed the door.

In ten minutes Emma was dressed and ready to go. She was examining herself in the mirror. She was wearing her mother's old jeans with a red patch on the left back pocket. Over he white cami she was wearing the black vest with 'No War' and peace buttons all over it. Her hair was brushed straight and smooth, draping over he shoulders. She walked out the door, yelling good-bye to her family. After a few minutes, Emma arrived and the Isaacs/Kerwin house. She rang the doorbell and Ashley answered.

"Emma, hey." Ashley opened the door wider so she could enter. "Can't wait to be a senior, eh?"

Emma laughed and nodded.

"Same with me." Ashley agreed.

"Oh, right. I forgot you're gonna be in my grade." Emma said.

"And Toby's." Ashley rolled her eyes and then the doorbell rang so she said bye to Emma and went to answer it.

Emma wandered around looking for a familiar faces. She spotted Ellie, Paige, and Hazel huddled together. They were right by the punch, so she walked over, getting herself a cup.

"Hey, Emma." Paige said, "How are things?"

"Good, good. When do you start school?" Emma asked.

"Next Monday. For all of us." Paige pointed to Ellie and Hazel.

"Where are you guys going?"

"Harvard." Paige said.

"Princeton." Was Hazel's answer.

"I'm going to a journalism school in Wasaga." Ellie said.

"Wasaga?" Emma asked, warily.

Ellie nodded.

Emma was about to ask she's heard from Sean when Paige yelled, "Oh, my god!"

Ellie and Emma spun around. They saw a familiar man in the doorway.

"I'm back." He said.

Ellie smiled but turned back to Paige and Hazel. Emma walked casually up to him and waited for the mob of welcoming kids to clear away.

"Hey there, world traveler." Emma said.

"Emma! Wow, you look great!" he said.

"Right back atcha, Manning." How was your recording thingy or whatever it was?" Emma asked, playfully hitting his shoulder.

"Oh, it was amazing! I missed everyone though." Craig admitted.

Emma noticed his eyes searching the room and then rested in one spot. She followed his gaze and saw him staring at Ellie.

"Anyone in particular?" Emma asked.

"Uh…no." Craig said still looking at Ellie.

"What about Manny?" Emma asked, bringing Craig back to reality and the realization of having a girlfriend.

"M-Manny? Uh, yeah, I missed her. Is she here?"

"She's coming later." Emma replied, "I gotta go. The dance floor awaits. Catch up to you later?"

"Definitely."

Emma smiled and walked away.

Craig brought his attention back to Elle. She turned her head to sneak a look at him but when she saw him staring she blushed and turned away. He built up his nerve and decided to approach her.

"Hey." Craig tapped Ellie's shoulder and she spun around.

"Oh, hey. How was your trip?" Ellie asked.

"Oh, it was great. How have you been?"

"Fine. I've been…fine." Ellie sighed.

"Liar." Craig smiled.

Ellie smiled back and shrugged, "Okay, maybe not. But I will be. I promise." She smiled again, this time weaker.

"What would make you better?" Craig asked, leading Ellie over to a couch.

"Please, Craig, don't make me answer that." Ellie sighed.

"Does this make things better?" he leaned in to kiss her but was interrupted by a loud, cheery "Craig!" They looked up to see Manny in the doorway, arms outstretched.

" Manny!" Craig said with fake enthusiasm.

They hugged and Manny leaned in for a kiss but Craig pushed her away and said, "We need to talk."

On the dance floor, Emma was grinding with Jay.

"So guess who I got a call from." Jay said.

"Who?" Emma asked, looking up at him.

Jay said something but Emma couldn't hear because the music was cranked way up. She motioned for him to follow and they went upstairs into Toby's bedroom.

"So what were you saying?" Emma asked after the door was closed and it was quiet.

"I got a call from Sean. He's coming back." Jay stated.

Emma's breath caught in her throat and she looked at Jay. Half of her was filled with excitement but the other half knew that with Sean, a dark cloud of memories would also be returning to Degrassi.