Just to preface this, I don't know a whole lot about the law, especially Canadian law, so the punishments might seem light. But since this is fiction I hope you will excuse the errors.
Peter got off with six month's probation. The man that Sean hit asked for leniency because his injuries were not severe. Sean ended up getting his driver's license suspended for one year and three year's probation. Jimmy's parents took him in and were distinctly more strict than his own, which was actually a relief for Sean. For the first time in a long time he had adults in his life whom actually cared. He was more determined than ever to keep his life on track. That meant focusing on his studies and his job and staying away from Emma.
"What's going on with you and Sean?" Manny asked at lunch. Sean had been back in school for a week and there hadn't been so much as a peep from Emma about him.
"There's nothing going on. He's ignoring me."
"How do you feel about that?"
"What am I supposed to do? I can't think about it. If I start thinking about it then I'm afraid that I'll turn back into that person I was when we broke up in ninth."
"Emma, you miss him."
"When did you jump on the Sean bandwagon?"
"I didn't think it was a good idea for you to juggle both Peter and Sean. But you and Peter seem to be done. And I just want you to be happy."
"I know. But I can't force him to talk to me."
"Why not?"
"Just drop it, Manny."
"Fine. But don't come crying to me when you realize that you've lost him for good."
Sean was in shop class after school. His new job was working at the school organizing parts and cleaning up at the end of the day. It wasn't the most glamorous job but it kept him at school and out of trouble.
"Hey Sean," Alex said as she entered the shop.
"Hey, what's up? Car problems?"
"You know that Jay can help me if I have any car issues."
"Yeah, but I'm better."
"There's a party this weekend."
"You know I can't.
"It's your celebration for getting out of jail."
"Yeah, and if I go to that party then I'll get thrown back into jail."
"You need to have some fun. Meet some new girls, have a drink or two, and just relax."
"Then I'm definitely not interested."
"In which part? Please don't tell me you're not interested in meeting new girls. Don't tell me you're still hung up on Ellie."
"This isn't about Ellie."
"Please don't tell me you're hung up on Saint Emma."
"Don't speak about her like that!"
"I don't know what you see in her. She's not even such a saint anymore."
"What are you talking about?"
"Why don't you ask her? Or maybe you should ask Jay. Ask about the ravine. Ask Emma what she was doing down there with my boyfriend!"
"Emma's not like that."
"Then go and ask her. See what she says."
Sean stormed past Alex and ran down the street to Emma's house and knocked on the door.
Emma answered the door. "Sean, what are you doing here?"
"Are you alone?"
"Yeah, why?"
"When need to talk," he replied as he slipped past Emma and into the house.
"What's going on?"
"What happened at the ravine?"
Emma's blood ran cold. "Who told you about that?"
"Just tell me isn't true!"
"I can't!"
"Why would you go down there?"
"Who are you to come here and ask me about it?"
"I'm nobody, just the guy who loves you!"
"Which you've made perfectly clear the past week. It's as if I don't exist to you!"
"You don't want to be with me and that kills me!"
"I don't want to be your girlfriend, yet. But that isn't forever! The last time we broke up it ripped my heart out! I turned into someone I didn't like very much. It happened again after the shooting when you left. I felt my life spinning out of control and you weren't there anymore! Yes, I went to the ravine and yes, I hooked up with Jay! I don't always react very well when something involves you! But you don't get to judge my actions!"
Sean was stunned into silence. Emma was right. Who was he to judge her?
"Emma…"
"Leave."
"I'm sorry."
"I know," she whispered.
