Emma walked into class and sat next to Manny, all the while, still favoring her shoulder.

"Are you okay, Em?" Manny asked as her friend settled into the seat beside her.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Manny furrowed her brow, worried. "What's wrong with your shoulder?"

Emma instantly stopped rubbing her shoulder. "Nothing, I…I must've just slept on it wrong or something. It's okay, really." Silently, she tried to convince herself of that as well.

Manny shrugged off her concern. "Oh, okay…So, did you and Peter enjoy your moment alone?"

"Uh…yeah!" Emma faked as much enthusiasm as she could muster. "…But, he thinks you hate him."

Manny snickered. "That's because I do, but I love you, Em."

"Then could you try to be a little nicer to him? He has no one, here. And, he was there for me during a really hard time, ya know?"

Manny's face turned serious. "Yeah, I know. I guess it can't hurt to try."

"Thanks, Manny." Emma smiled. "It really means a lot to me."

Manny smiled back. "Anything for my best friend."

….

…After school, Peter waited out in front of the school for Emma. She cautiously approached him, unaware of which side of him she would see now.

"Hey, pretty girl!" Peter grinned widely as he pulled out a long stem, red rose from behind his back and handed it to her.

Emma dropped her guard and took the rose from Peter's hand. "Aww, that's so sweet! Thanks Peter!"

"Listen, Emma, I'm sorry about losing control earlier."

Emma put the rose to her nose, sniffed it, and smiled. "It's okay. I understand. Besides, I talked to Manny, and she promised to make an effort to be nicer to you."

"Thanks, but you didn't have to do that, I had no right to come between you two, in the first place."

"It's fine," Emma insisted. "She should treat you better."

"Well, okay then. Can I walk you home?"

Emma nodded and smiled. "I'd love that."

Peter put his arm around Emma's shoulders. Emma sniffed her rose again and then laid her head on Peter's shoulder. They walked to Emma's house in blissful silence, with Emma completely oblivious to the fact that Peter had, once again, just cast his manipulative spell on her and that it would not be the last time he would need to do so.


I am so glad people are actually reading this! Thanks for the reviews so far! The next chapter is coming very soon!