"I've had a few girlfriends but," Frank shrugged, "no one special."

"You're not a relationship guy," Emma assessed, laughing slightly. Despite her cool outward appearance, her heart fell.

"I'm not saying that," he smiled. "I just mean that I haven't found the right girl."

Emma's heart started pounding. He held her gaze for a long time but looked away when the waiter decided to pick up their finished plates.

When dinner was over, Frank took Emma's hand. "Where to?"

She laughed. "Wherever you want."

He ran to his car and tugged her along. "I know exactly where we should go!"

Twenty minutes later, Frank pulled into the lot for the marina.

Puzzled, Emma looked over at him. "What are we doing here?"

"We're going on my yacht," he said nonchalantly, turning off the ignition.

"Your yacht?!"

He came around to her side of the car and smirked. "Not exactly." He pulled her out of the car and led her to a beautiful yacht situated not too far away. "It's Ed's. Don't tell him anything!"

She giggled. "I won't."

He jumped up onto the deck and helped her climb up.

"It's so beautiful," she whispered, looking out into the distance. There were other boats out on the water, their lights sparkling on the flickering waves.

Frank smiled and started it up. Once they were a fair distance away from land, he took a break and sat next to Emma. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement but she shivered slightly from the cold. He noticed and stood up, opening a box a few feet away.

He took out a blanket and gingerly laid it across her lap.

"Thank you," she whispered, blushing at his kindness.

They sat for a while, letting the gentle rocking of the yacht lull them into a comfortable silence.

Emma was nearly falling asleep when Frank spoke up.

"Do you ever feel like you're pretending to be someone you're not?"

Blinking at the question, Emma shrugged. Frank's eyes remained fixed on the blackness ahead.

"I guess everyone feels like that from time to time," she said quietly.

Running his hand through his hair, Frank snorted. He looked her over and smiled. "I feel like it all the time."

She hesitantly placed her hand on his shoulder. "I feel phony a lot, too."

"Really?" His eyes widened with surprise. "I don't think you're like that at all. You're a great girl, Emma."

She blushed at his compliment and looked down, taking her hand away and placing it with her other on her lap.

He chuckled and lifted out his hand to her chin, bringing her eyes back to his. "I mean it," he said softly. "You're beautiful and amazing."

She smiled and reflexively leant over to kiss him. Frank tensed beneath her lips and hands and she instantly recoiled. Heat flooded to her face and she looked away, trying desperately to stop humiliated tears.

"I'm sorry," she said shakily. "I don't know what came over me."

"Don't worry about it," he said firmly. "That's why you're not fake, Emma." He reached out to touch her arm and gently pushed so that she looked at him again. "You did what came natural."

"That's just with you," she smiled warily.

"It's a start." He grinned at her and then looked down at his watch. "I better get you back before Mr. Woodhouse decides you can't come out with me anymore."

Emma's heart pounded in her chest. He wanted to go out with her again.

"Okay," she stammered.


"Thanks for a wonderful time," Emma said shyly.

They stood on her doorstep, looking anywhere but at each other.

"You're welcome," Frank laughed. "I had a good time, too."

Emma shifted nervously, desperately searching for something to say. She met his gaze and instantly blushed, the embarrassing silence finally getting to her.

"I guess I should go inside…"

"Goodnight, Emma," he chirped, waving at her as he backed up. "I'll call you sometime soon, okay?"

"Okay," she smiled, waving back.

Frank laughed as he ran over to his car. She watched as he sped away before sighing and going inside.

"You're late."

She jumped and spun around. Mr. Woodhouse was watching her, leaning against the staircase.

"Sorry, Daddy. We lost track of time."

"James was telling me about this boy and I don't like what I've heard."

Emma rolled her eyes. "James hardly knows him."

Her father glared back at her. "Just watch out."

"Fine," she sighed exasperatedly, "is Tara home?"

He grimaced. "No. She's with John."

Emma giggled and took off her coat. Her father followed her into the living room and sat down next to her on the sofa.

"Why are you laughing, miss?" he asked, turning on the TV.

"Daddy, you're going to have to get used to them sometime. They're going to get married one day."

"Ha!" he snorted. "Sure! That's been the story for how long now?"

"You seem to trust his brother…"she trailed off.

Her father practically growled. He turned on a basketball game and tossed the remote onto the coffee table.

"That's completely different. For one, James isn't involved with my daughter. Second, he's a decent, mature young man. His brother has been stringing your sister along for years."

Emma stood with a frustrated groan. "Tara won't marry him. Not right now. But they will get married!"

Mr. Woodhouse shrugged and focused his attention on the game. Shaking her head, Emma made her way to her bedroom.

"Emma," her father called to her. "I know you're going to be angry with me but… you're grounded. I don't like what I've heard from James and since he brought you home so late tonight-"

"I'm only 45 minutes late, Dad!" she interrupted in outrage.

"Regardless," he said firmly. "I won't budge on this."

"Ugh!" She rushed into her room and slammed the door behind her.

Emma decided she hated James and her father for ruining what would have otherwise been a perfect night.


Almost immediately after she told Caroline the news, Emma regretted it.

"I can't believe you kissed him!" her friend exclaimed as they walked into a crowded store in the mall.

"Can you keep your voice down?!" Emma hissed, putting some distance between herself and an out of control Caroline.

"NO!" Caroline screamed. "I'm too excited! What did he do?!"

Emma toyed with a shirt on display. "He seemed uncomfortable."

Caroline opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a high-pitched wail.

The girls turned to see that the wail belonged to none other than Laura Bates standing next to an embarrassed-looking Jane.

"Hey, guys!" she bellowed, causing two old ladies to frown at her. "What are you two doing here?"

"We're finding Emma the perfect outfit," Caroline smiled.

"What for?" Laura asked, her eyes glittering with excitement.

Caroline giggled and motioned Laura to lean in. "To seduce Frank Churchill!" she whispered loudly.

"Oh!" Laura exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly. "Might I help?!"

Emma groaned inwardly, both at her friend's outrageously large mouth and at Laura's tendency to somehow make Emma want to run around screaming.

"Actually," Emma said, "I don't see anything here I like."

"Well, you could try in Tyler's…" Laura looked around eagerly. "Jane, what do you think?"

Emma looked over and noticed Jane's expression for the first time. She looked absolutely devastated. Her head was ducked down and her arms were wrapped around her torso. When she looked up at Laura, her eyes looked sparkly… as though she'd been crying.

"I…" she began, her voice breaking slightly. She cleared her throat and pried her arms apart. "I don't know. I'm not that great with fashion." She shot a look at Emma and smiled apologetically, though it looked more like a grimace. "Sorry."

Emma and Caroline exchanged a glance.

"I have to go home soon, anyway," Jane told Laura, looking down again. "Sorry we can't help, Emma."

"It's okay," she said distractedly, wondering what the matter was. Jane was normally quiet but never this dejected.

"Oh," Laura muttered, looking crestfallen, "okay then. We better go." She brightened when she looked over at Emma. "We'll be seeing you guys at school. Bye!"

She turned around and exited the store, Jane hot on her heels.

Caroline spun back to Emma and, with a confused smile, whispered, "What was that about?"

Emma could only shrug.


Two hours and about five purchases later, Emma tumbled exhaustedly into her house. She clutched four large shopping bags, cursing when one caught on the door. Flinging them to the side, she sighed and walked into the living room. She stopped short at the sight that greeted her.

Mr. Woodhouse sat in his big chair, glowering at her murderously. Tara sat on the sofa with her hands clasped on her lap, looking nervous. Next to her, James was spread out, staring at Emma blankly.

Emma stepped back when her father suddenly sprang up from his chair.

"Where… have you… been?" he demanded quietly.

"S-s-shopping," Emma squeaked.

"Oh? Shopping?" her father asked. He laughed then, shaking his head. "How silly of me! I thought I grounded you yesterday. I guess I was wrong. Right?"

His face sobered up and darkened.

"I forgot," she whimpered.

"Well, Emma," he barked, "I may forget to un-ground you. Go to your room!"

With a frightened nod, Emma picked up her shopping bags and scurried to her room. A few moments later, a soft knock sounded at her door. Thinking it was Tara, she ran over quickly to answer it.

James stood there, looking down. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, rubbing his hands together.

Emma watched him silently, her eyes flashing with anger. She waited calmly for him to speak until the rage could not be contained anymore.

"What do you want?" she hissed.

His eyes rose up to meet hers. Her breath got caught in her throat. He looked pained.

"I… I just wanted to… Can I come in for a minute?"

Emma stared back at him as though he'd lost his mind. "Are you crazy? No, you can't come in."

"Please, Emma?" he pleaded, looking like a little boy.

She bit her lip, cursing herself for her one weakness; she could never resist James when he begged.

With an exaggerated huff, she stepped inside and motioned angrily for him to come in.

He stepped past her and sat on her bed, looking down at his hands. Closing the door quietly, she walked over and sat next to him awkwardly.

"What do you want?" she sighed, folding her arms against her chest.

He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "I'm sorry I got you in trouble."

She laughed sarcastically. "I'm sure."

"Honestly, Emma," he whined, turning to look at her. "I didn't want to get you in trouble. I just wanted to warn your father what kind of guy Frank-"

"Just stop it," she cut in, shaking her head furiously. "I don't know what your problem is, James, but I don't care. All I know is you're being a really big jerk."

He stood up and turned to face her. "Excuse me for caring!"

"What?" she laughed bitterly. "Are you trying to say that you actually care about me? What a laugh."

"Emma. You know that I really do care about you and-"

"Oh, my God. Is this about Hannah and Greg?"

"What? No!" James looked irritated. "This doesn't have anything to do with them."

"Whatever," she muttered. "Just leave."

"Emma!"

"Leave, James."

He clenched his fists and his jaw tightened. He took a deep breath before grunting "fine".

He slammed the door behind him, finally leaving Emma alone with her thoughts.

She didn't have much time to herself before the phone rang, tearing her from her despondent thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Emma!" Hannah cried.

"Hannah, what's wrong?"

Hannah sobbed a few moments before she heaved in a deep breath. "I just… just came from the mall… and saw… Derek with," she broke off to sob incoherently. "I saw Derek… saw him with… Jacqueline Cunningham!"

Jacqueline Cunningham was a terrible snob who had once dated Ed Churchill. She was desperate and lingered around, waiting to pounce on the next available boy she deemed worthy of her presence. She also loved to hurt the girls around her and Emma supposed Hannah was no exception.

"Forget him and forget her. They deserve each other," Emma growled.

"I knew I didn't deserve him. He just-"

"Hannah, please. He didn't deserve you. You're way too good for him and honestly, he did you a favor."

Hannah sniffled but said nothing.

"Seriously," Emma said, "you'd be better off with anyone other than Derek."

Her friend continued to sob uncontrollably. Emma sighed and wondered what she could do for her. Suddenly, a brilliant idea came to her and she grinned wickedly.

"I have a great idea!" she whispered into the phone excitedly. "I'm grounded but my dad has some convention to go to this weekend and I'm sure my sister will be at her boyfriend's… What if I throw a big party for you and invite some hot guys?"

"I don't know, Emma…"

"Come on. It'll be fun," she persisted.

"Well… okay. It could be fun."

"It will be," Emma sang happily. "Now we just have to figure out what to wear!"


Uh-oh... The big party is coming and there will surely be a lot of drama! Thanks for reading and for the reviews!