I kept my promise and came to every single game. We hadn't lost once and had made the championships. Last year the team made it to this point too but had lost to the same school we're against this year. So we defiantly had something to prove.

My life had changed completely in the last couple months. I was dating a popular jock, going to basketball championships, and participating in spirit days at school. But the worst thing was I had become best friends with Scarlett Thomas.

Scarlett was the complete opposite of me, and I guess that's why we worked.

Angelina was still not speaking to me, and becoming friends with Scarlett made it ten times worse. I figured there was no chance me and Angelina would be friends again. So I had nothing to lose.

The morning of the championships I woke up early. I was actually excited. I headed over to Tyson's house to wish him good luck before the game.

When I got there I knocked on the door. Once, twice, a third time; no answer. I was just about to call Tyson when Jenna answered the door.

She looked slightly disappointed when she greeted me.

"Oh Sophie it's you. Come on in."

I stepped in and Jenna shut the door behind me.

"Is something wrong?" I asked noticing Jenna's worried expression.

"No, no. It's just KC was supposed to be here an hour ago... We were all supposed to have lunch together before the game but KC didn't show up. Tyson's already so nervous and if KC doesn't show up at all... It'll be awful, just awful."

I blinked at her taking in this information. Tyson hadn't told me his dad was supposed to come to the game. I guess he just knew that this would happen, or maybe he just didn't want to jinx it. Regardless this was bad.

Just then Tyson walked out. Despite what Jenna had said Tyson looked calm to me. Calmer than usual.

"Hey Soph."

"Hey Tyson. I just wanted to wish before the game."

"Well thanks." he said giving me a smile. Our eyes met and I realized he wasn't as calm as I thought. I was just about to tell him there was nothing to worry about and that he was amazing.

Then the phone rang... And Thank god Jenna picked it up.

"Hello." Jenna answered. "It's about time you call..." There was a silence as whoever was on the other line replied.

Jenna sighed and looked over at Tyson and I. Then she stepped out of the room. A few minutes later we heard her start yelling.

Tyson and I stood in awkward silence.

About 5 minutes later Jenna came back and sighed.

"Ty... Your father is very sorry but..."

"He's not coming... Again."

"Something came up with his work. He wanted to come Ty, he really did."

"Yeah right. You know what I don't even care." Tyson brushed past Jenna and went down the hall. A few seconds later we heard a door slam.

Jenna sighed once again and sunk into a chair.

"I'm sorry about this Sophie..." she said finally. "I thought this time he was going to go through with it... This really was his last chance." She buried her face in her hands.

I wasn't sure what to say. A few minutes later I decided to step outside.

I went out back, closing the door behind me silently. I was startled when I looked up and saw Tyson sitting in that hammock once again. This time he didn't have a guitar, he was just laying there with his head back and eyes closed.

I made a decision then that the old Sophie wouldn't have even considered. I walked over and knelt down beside Tyson.

"Hey."

Tyson's eyes shot open. "Hey Sophie. I'm sorry about that back there. I didn't mean to blow up like that. Its just god I knew this was going to happen."

"It's fine." I said. "Are you ok?"

Tyson sighed and sat up. I quickly took my place beside him and he immediately took my hand.

"Yeah I'm fine." He said not meeting my eyes.

"You don't look ok Ty." I said squeezing his hand.

"Well I am. Look I don't want to talk about this now. I just want to think about winning this game."

"Ty." I persisted, hating myself.

Tyson pulled his hand away and stood up quickly. "I said I was fine Sophie. I think you should go. I'll see you after the game."
Shocked I stood up too and brushed past him. I walked the rest of the way to Degrassi in shock. I had never seen Tyson like that.

Tyson always had a smile and a clever way to cheer people up. I had never seen his face without that smile or something close to it or heard him say words that hurt me. And he had never ever told me he thought I should go. He was always happy to have my company. But I guess it goes to show that everyone has that one thing that breaks them down completely. And Tyson's dad was the thing that broke through Tyson's calm and happy façade. It made me hate Tyson's dad more than I hated anyone else.

The game went by slowly and I wasn't paying much attention. And from what I saw of the game neither was Tyson. At the end of the game we just needed one more basket to win. With 2 seconds on the clock Tyson shot. It was a still and tense moment in the gym as we all watched that ball as though it was in slow motion. It went in, a perfect shot. And that smile returned to Tyson's face. The people in the Degrassi stands flooded the court to congratulate the team. I walked slow not sure what to say to Tyson, or if he would even want to see me. When I got to him, Tyson took me in his arms and spun me around like in the movies. Then once he put me down we kissed and it was like nothing from before had happened.

Jenna, Tyson, and I all had a celebratory dinner together after the game. Afterwards Tyson and I were lying out under the stars in that hammock. Tyson had started a small fire in the fire pit, and I had my head on his chest. It was silent for the longest time. Then finally Tyson spoke.

"I'm sorry about early Sophie…"

"It's fine." I said.

"It's just my whole life I wanted my dad to care. I played every sport I could, and I practiced and worked hard so I would be the best. I got good grades, and made friends with everyone. I tried so hard to be… I don't know… perfect or whatever… because I just wanted my dad to I don't know… be proud of me. But it was never good enough. No matter how many championship trophies I win, it will never be enough for him. He didn't even come to any of my games, ever. There's always an excuse. Got tied up at work is his favorite. Even though the real reason is he would rather go to some bar and blow his child support money instead of supporting his son. I know I'm complaining, and I'm so lucky to have my mom and I love her. But sometimes I just wish my dad cared. I don't know… I'm rambling on and on and you probably don't even care."

"No, no I do." I said quickly "I really do."

Tyson sighed. I realized the people around me have been doing that a lot.

"This really was his last chance. I just kept waiting. Thinking maybe this time he would change. This time he would apologize and mean it. But whatever I don't need him. I'm not going to talk to him again."

"Ty… I don't know what to say… I'm sorry that you have a sucky dad like that, I really am. You don't deserve that. You are an amazing person and if you dad was willing to give you up for nothing then you're right you don't need him." I looked up at him.

He smiled down at me. "I love you Soph."

"I love you too Ty."

When I got home that night my father was in the living room watching TV. I walked in and sat beside him.

"Hey."

"Hey Sophie." He said turned the TV on mute.

"How was the game."
"Amazing, we won of course. Degrassi is the champion."

He laughed. I looked at him and thought about Tyson and how he never had a dad around. It was then I realized how lucky I was to have mine.

"I love you Dad. And I appreciate you a lot."

"What? Do you need money or something?"

"No, no. I mean it."

My dad looked at my suspiciously and I looked back sincere.

"Alright well I love you too Sophie."

I stood up.

"Well I'm going to bed, night." I said.

"Good night." The TV volume turned right back on.

I walked out of the room and up the steps. I was just about to go into my room when…

"Sophie!" I heard my mother call from her room.

"Yeah?" I called back.

"Do you have a minute?"

I rolled my eyes and walked down the hall to her room. I stood in the doorway waiting for her to see me.

"Sit down Sophie." My mom said waving me in. I sat down on the edge of the bed not wanting to stay here long.

"We need to have a talk." She said sitting beside me.

"About?" Not really wanting to know the answer.

"This boy, Tyson Guthrie. Speaking of which how'd the game go?"

"Fine, we won."

"That's good." She said smiling at me.

I didn't return the smile. "Now what about Tyson?"

"Right, well… I think I may have been a little harsh about him. And I would like to give him another chance, if that's ok with you and Tyson of course."

"Uh yeah sure…"

"Good. I'm really sorry about the way I reacted It's just I don't like the idea of my baby growing up is all."
"Mom…"
"I know, I know."

"It was more than that though. You knew his parents in high school. You have some sort of history with them. What happened?"

"Nothing sweetheart, we were friends in ninth grade and we grew apart that's all."

"Whatever. Goodnight Mom."

"Good night honey."

I left the room quickly egger to get in my bed and get some rest.

My mom was going to give Tyson another chance and that was awesome. So why wasn't I happy? Because I knew there was something I was missing. My mom hated Tyson's parents especially his dad so I am more than sure they didn't grow apart. I fell asleep wondering what her secret was and how I could figure it out.

The next morning I woke up early for a Sunday. I went downstairs to find my dad sitting alone at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and a draft of his latest story. I tried peeking over his shoulder but all I got was a glimpse of a few words.

Julia took the dagger and…

"Sophie!"

"What?" I asked jumping back.

"This story is defiantly not child friendly."

"Dad… I'm 16 and I'll be 17 in August! I'm hardly a child!"

"Yes. But you are a child to me. Plus it's not finished yet. I don't want anyone to see it until it's in its final state."

I crossed my arms. "Fine… Where's mom anyway?"

"Eh something is wrong with her car; she had to take it to some auto shop to get it worked on."

"Why didn't you go to?"

"She didn't want me to. Said she wanted me to stay here and work on my story. I didn't argue with her. Plus someone has to be with you to play twenty questions." He smirked at me.

I rolled my eyes. "Twenty questions, really? I asked two. Anyway I'm going to go hang with Tyson. I'll have my cell if you need me."

"Ok. Have fun, but not too much fun now."

I smiled at him. "I'll try."

I have horrible timing. I arrived at Tyson's house right after an argument between him and his mother. This time I didn't find him outside, I found him in the living room on the couch. Jenna was nowhere in sight.

"What's going on Ty?"

Tyson looked up at me. "My mom just got a call from this guy down in LA. She got a contract; they want to start recording next week."

"Well that's great."

"Yeah you'd think. The only problem is she has to move to California and she wants to take me with her."

"Wait what? Can't you just stay here by yourself for a while?"

"Nope, mom doesn't think it's safe apparently. Oh and she's selling the house, surprise."

"Oh my god. So I guess you're moving to California. I guess we could try the long distance thing… but that never works so…"

"Sophie I can't go. I can't just drop everything here. My whole life is here."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Well I have a plan but… it's not exactly the greatest thing ever."

"What is it?"

"I have to move in with my dad…"

"But I thought…?"

"Look I think it's fair to say he owes me. It will only be for a couple months anyway…"

"Ty, you'll be miserable."

"I know, but I'll be even more miserable without you."

This made me blush, a lot.

"All I have to do is ask him, and since I know he won't pick up the phone when I call, I'm going to his work."

"When?"

"Now. Do you want to come?"

"Uh I guess."

"Great." Tyson stood up and took my hand.

15 minutes later we pulled up at a garage.

"This is it." Tyson said taking the keys out of the ignition.

The garage was a fairly decent place called Tony's Auto Shop. There weren't a lot of people around. It was Sunday after all.

Tyson took my hand and led me inside.

"Hey Jay." He said to the guy at the counter in front.

"Hey Tyson. What do you need?"

"Is my dad around?"

"Yeah he's in the back of the garage working on a car I think."

"Thanks."

"Yep."

Tyson and I worked our way to the back of the garage. Tyson's dad was in the corner.

"Hey dad!" Tyson called. He didn't turn around. "KC GUTHRIE!" Tyson called and this time he turned slowly to face us.

It was obvious now why he hadn't turned at first he had been kissing a women, though couldn't see her face.

I looked up at Tyson's whose jaw was hanging open. At first I didn't understand his expression, then I looked closer. I could now see the women's face. It was a face I knew well…

"Mom?" I said now understanding Tyson's expression exactly.

"Sophie I can explain…" my mother said taking a step towards me.

I turned quickly and ran out. I ran until I got to Degrassi and then collapsed on the front steps. Maybe that was a cowardly thing to do but I really didn't care at the moment.

My mom… kissing Tyson's dad…

What the hell?

AN: Hey I hoped you liked it! Sorry it's been taking me so long to update I have been overly busy! But things are calming down now so hopefully I can write more. Sorry if there are grammer mistakes! I wrote this kinda late! Thanks! :)