A/N This is the Sequel to "Letting Go of the Wheel" You might want to read that before continuing.

It was August 13th 2005, The dreaded first day of school for many.

In several houses in the Degrassi School District, Students were getting ready for their first day back. Little did they know that this year was going to start off worse than any previous year.

Manny Santos looked at her self in the mirror one last time, before heading out of the door.

Paige had alleviated the first day dilemma of 'What am I going to wear?' by having the Spirt Squad wear their uniforms. This year, the Spirt Squad was helping the new students find their way.

Manny walked down the driveway and climbed into her car. Her parents had gotten her a 2000 VW Bug convertible for her birthday.

She picked up her cell and dialed Emma.

'She better be ready when I get there. I don't want to be late on our first day.'

The phone kept ringing before finally going to a soft melody

I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh every day of my life

My heart can't possibly break when it wasn't even whole to start with

"Em . . . It's Manny . . . What's with the song? That's so not your style. Anyways I hope you couldn't hear the phone because your blow drying your hair, it better not be because your lazy butt is still in bed! I can't be late, or I'll have to deal with Princess Paige and I don't want to start off this year badly. You better be ready. I'll be there in Fifteen."

Manny sighed and pressed the end button. She tossed her phone on the passenger's seat and put her sunglasses on. Backing out of the driveway and putting the car in drive, she was ready to take on Paige for round two.

After a few red lights and cheesy pop songs, Manny arrived at the Nelson Residence. She put the car in park and sang the last few lines of Britney Spears before shutting off the engine and walking up to the front door.

She knocked lightly and Ms. Nelson opened the door with a toddler in her arms.

"Good Morning Manny." She said with a wide smile

"Hi Spike. Hey Jackie." Manny said tickling the little boy.

"Emma is still down stairs, but I'm sure she's almost ready. Why don't you just head on down there and tell her to hurry up.?"

"Okay, thanks." Manny said and went to the basement entrance. She opened the door and headed down the stairs.

"Come on Em . . . You should be ready by now. Let's go." Manny yelled as she descended.

She didn't hear anything. It was completely silent.

'Great, She's still sleeping.' Manny rolled her eyes.

"Emma Nelson! Get your butt out of bed!" Manny yelled as she stepped off the stairs onto the floor.

She looked at Emma lying on top of the bed dressed in the same clothes she had seen her in yesterday with an open notebook near her arm.

"It figures. Only Emma Nelson would crash out working on extra credit before school starts." Manny sighed and walked over to the bed.

"Em, Come on wake-up." She said reaching out to shake the figure.

Emma's body shifted and fell from her side to her back. Manny could now see her face.

Emma's eyes were half open and empty.

Manny gasped and put her hands on her friend's shoulders and shook her.

"Em? Oh my God Emma! Emma snap out of it" Manny pleaded as tears began to form.

Manny suddenly realized the coolness of Emma's skin on her hands and stepped back suddenly, bumping the night stand behind her. She turned in time to see a glass fall to the floor, shattering on impact, with orange prescription bottles following , bouncing off the shards.

It all came crashing into focus and she fainted.

A/NPlease review. Also please check out my degrassi site- www.talesofdegrassi0. tripod .com