A/N: Okay, normally I don't update this fast. But I'm sitting at home really bored with nothing to do. So. Next update will be by the 26th (of June), since it's the 24th right now.

Inspirational songs for this chapter:

The Last Summer: The Forward

Going Under- Evanescence

NOTE; these songs don't really have anything to do with this chapter. They were just the two songs I listened to while writing this.

"Thanks for the ride," Emily says, smiling at the driver. Scott had gotten off earlier in front of a fancy restaurant, but not before the two exchanged numbers.

"Just in case goody-two shoes Kmetko needs bail," He had said lightheartedly, winking. The teen hadn't said much after the mysterious phone call.

Emily had rolled her eyes at Scott but was secretly glad that he had given it to her. She had an acquaintance, if not a friend.

The brunette steps out of the cab and shades her eyes with her hand. By the time she turns around, the taxi is already gone and she takes a deep breath, realizing she is all alone- for now. Emily looks around and, spotting the apartment number she is looking for, knocks on the door.

Behind the puke green door, there is a rattling which Emily assumes is the deadbolt, before it opens.

"Hi, Rita?" Emily asks the tall woman behind the door.

"No, this is Elle, what can I do for you?" Elle's voice is clipped, her red hair pulled into a tight up-do and brown eyes narrowed at Emily.

Emily shrinks back a bit because, quite frankly, this woman scares her. "I'm um, I'm looking for my mom's friend, and her name is Rita. She lives here, or I think she does. Do you have any idea where she is?"

Elle shrugs. "I moved in a little over three months ago. The old renter got kicked out. Jail, or something of the sort."

The teen frowns in worry. "You must have the wrong person. Rita wouldn't do anything like that."

"Well, maybe you didn't know her as well as you thought you did. Look, I've got to go soon, but I think I have a number for the renting office around here somewhere, let me grab it for you." Elle rushes back inside but not before closing the door behind her.

Emily looks around and breathes in the dry, Nevada air. She can smell some sort of citrus smell, but she assumes it's just Elle's perfume.

The redhead comes out and shoves a wrinkled piece of paper into her hand. "I'm going to be late. Go call them if you want information on your friend."

Emily mutters 'Thanks' and examines the number before punching it into her cell phone, waiting as it rings.

"Hello, this is the Lakeview Apartment renting center! My name's Darb, how can I help you?"

"Lakeview Apartments? We're in Las Vegas, honey," Emily says into the phone. "Anyways, I'm looking for a friend who used to live in apartment 316. Rita Berns?"

"Well I'm pretty sure Ms. Berns was kick- I mean, evicted a few months ago," The operator's voice becomes hushed. "I heard she was in jail for murder."

"Murder? Um, the Rita I know wouldn't do that… I'm sorry, I must have the wrong name," Emily says, too fast.

"Oh! Well then! Er, forget everything I said then! Um, anything else you need?" Darb sounds flustered.

The teen shakes her head before remembering she can't see her. "Nah, I think that's it." There's a click and Emily hangs up, but keeps her phone open to do a three way call to her mom, Payson and Lauren.

The calls all go straight to voicemail, so Emily leaves a message.

"Hey. Um, I'm fine, I guess. I landed in Las Vegas about an hour ago. Talk to you later."

She texts Kaylie;

To Kaylie:

I don't really know what to say to you right now.

345

"Hey Scott, thanks for picking me up," Emily says as she climbs into the fancy silver car. "Did you steal the car?"

Scott rolled his eyes. "Very funny. No, it's actually… um, on loan from a friend. She wanted me to take care of it while she was out of town."

Emily just shook her head and twiddled her thumbs as Scott drove.

"You know, there's this thing called talking. It's really great when you're upset!" Scott teased.

She glares at him. "Fine. Let's talk."

Scott waits for a minute while the silence continues. "After you say that, you're supposed to start talking."

"I'm not an idiot, Scottie dear. I was just… just collecting my thoughts." The brunette frowns as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.

"We're at nick-name status already? Yes!" Scott squeals. "Okay, you're Emmy poo then."

Emily sticks her tongue out at Scott and taps her fingers on the side of the car. "Alright, so. I'm Emily Kmetko, I'm seventeen, and I am indeed pregnant." She then mutters something unintelligible.

"What was that?" Scott asks, keeping an eye on the road.

"I said, because of my stupid boyfriend, or ex? I don't know, and anyways he kissed another girl, one of my best friends, when we were broken up! But he must've known I still had feelings for him! Right?"

"Well Emily, guys are stupid. Literally. You sometimes have to spell things out for them. I mean, I'm sure he knew you still liked him-feelings like that don't go away overnight-, but he probably wasn't thinking."

"And so, the girl he kissed comes over to my apartment and tells me that. And her excuse when she found out I was pregnant was that she didn't know! I was all ready and packed to move in with Damon, but instead she came over and ruined that! And that's how I got to Las Vegas. I was looking for my godmother, but turns out she's in jail for freaking murder! So now, I have no one and nowhere to go to."

Scott wraps an arm around the now crying Emily again, still focused on driving.

"And the worst part? The worst part is that I'm giving up my dream for this."

"What do you mean, you're giving up on your dream for this?" Scott asks.

"I am- was, an elite gymnast. I was training to go to the Olympics." She sobs harder.

Scott does a double take at Emily's words. "Alright, we have to make a stop soon."

Emily just nods and continues crying, but softer now.

A few minutes later Scott pulls over at a gas station and goes inside to get something. While he's gone, Emily pulls out her battered cell phone and calls Damon. On the second ring he picks up.

"Emily?" Damon asks, confused.

"Yeah, it's me."

"How are you?"

"Don't you dare 'how are you?' me, Damon. You know perfectly well how I am and that I am pissed at you." Although she was mad at him, hearing his voice soothed some weird ache.

"Wait, what's going on Emily?"

"You. Kissing Kaylie. Why?"

Damon sighs at the other end of the line.

"It was… I was caught up in the moment. We were caught up in the moment."

"That's all perfectly wonderful, but why? Was it to get back at me?" Emily's voice breaks.

"I don't know… maybe it was. I honestly have no idea, Emily. But I do know that I miss you, and I want to be there for you."

"I don't know whether I can trust you or not right now. So give me space. Lots and lots of space."

Damon sighed again. "Okay, I will. But I love you, Emily Kmetko. Always have, always will."

And then he hung up.

Scott had walked out a few seconds ago with a plastic bag in his hand and was staring at Emily. She smiles and motions for him to get in the car. He shrugs and obliges.

"Boyfriend?" He asks casually as he slides in, plopping the bag on her lap.

"I think he's not. For now, at least. Can I look in the bag?"

"Sure."

Emily peeks into the white bag and finds several containers of bubbles.

"Bubbles?"

"Bubbles."

Review?

PS; Thanks to the two people who reviewed the first chapter. Even though it was only two people, y'all made my day.(L