Disclaimer: I own nothing Degrassi...

Jay swung the black and grey backpack over his right shoulder, lowering his sunglasses to stare ahead at the entrance to Degrassi Community School. He frowned. He couldn't believe he was back here, of all places, for another year of torture under the constant watch of Hatzilakos!

FLASHBACK

"Well I can't say that I'm not surprised to see that you've actually completed the required credits for entry into the grade 12 program here," Ms. Hatzilakos commented dryly, looking over Jay's transcripts. She put the papers down and looked at Jay, her expression unreadable. "You were a real problem here, even before the whole Rick incident. What would make it different this time?"

Jay knew that she was expecting some kind of kiss-ass answer, but if he was going to do this, it had to be on his own terms. "I'm never going to be Toby Isaacs or Liberty VanZandt. All I can say is that I don't wanna end up some bum working at a minimum wage job for the rest of my life. I need a grade 12 diploma."

She raised an eyebrow. "I see that the attitude still hasn't changed. Look, I want to be completely up front with you here, Jayson. You need to pull it together if you want to stay here. No grades lower than a B-, and zero problems. Understood?"

END OF FLASHBACK

"Never thought you'd be back here, huh?" came a voice behind Jay.

Jay swung around and smiled at his best friend, Sean. "If telekinesis were real, Degrassi would be burning right now! I can't believe I'm back here, man. What was I thinking?"

"I can't believe Hatzilakos let you back in!" came an all-too-familiar voice. "I guess the state of Degrassi really has gone downhill since Raditch!"

Jay found himself unable to even look at Emma, as she strolled up, hugging Sean, and kissing his cheek. After the series of erotic dreams he'd been having, Jay wasn't sure that the sight of her wouldn't cause his body to betray him once again. But here she was, her sarcasm in high gear, and Jay had to get used to the idea that now that Sean was back in town (and living at his place), Emma would be along for the ride.

"Is he okay?" Emma asked Sean, her arm around his waist, as she stared at Jay. "By now there would have been some kind of sarcastic comeback."

Sean laughed, watching Jay closely. He'd never seen Jay look so flush. "I think he's a little overwhelmed by this whole back in school thing. Let's try to be nice."

Emma sighed and slung her other arm casually around Jay's shoulder. He jumped from her touch, causing Emma to shoot him a curious look. She raised her arms in surrender, promising, "I come in peace, Hogart. Now that you and I are going to be classmates, I promise to try very hard to tolerate you."

Jay realized that both Sean and Emma were staring at him, and knew that he had to react as he usually would or they would both know that something was up.

Jay wrapped his arm around Emma's waist and pulled her close to his side. "Nelson, Nelson, Nelson. Your attraction to me is becoming obvious. Now normally I wouldn't object, but seeing as how you're supposed to be all in love with Cameron here, I think we should cool it. Now when things hit the skids with you and Seany boy, well then, you know who to call."

Emma made a face at him, but swung her arm back around Jay's shoulders, freely hugging both Sean and Jay, two best friends, as the trio walked into the main entrance of the school.

Sorry for the short chapter. The next one will be longer and have a bit more Jemma action!