Series Title: The Kids Aren't Alright

One-shot Title: Rebel Prince

Rated: T, over all; light T this time.

Summary for this one-shot: Sean Cameron is really a prince of a guy.

Disclaimer: I own no characters from the show, but I own any titles or ideas used.

Author's Note: This series is basically a bunch of one shots about the graduating class of '06 and the class of '07 three-eleven years after 2006. A special thanks to everyone who has reviewed, especially those who have been reading since the start.

May 14, 2007

Sean Cameron was not a great boyfriend. He never bought his girlfriends flowers, never carried their books around school, and never thought up cute pet names for the girls he dated. He just...just acted normal. Sean was kind to his girlfriends, protective, loving. He listened to them and became close to their best friends. All in all, Sean figured he was a good boyfriend and that was the best he could offer. Take it or leave it.

When he dated Emma, he helped with her causes. He hung around Toby and J.T., who were both dorky, but also kind of cool. He even spent time with Manny, who was actually really sweet. And when Sean dated Ellie, he protected her. He hung around Marco, who made a great taco. Sean even spent time with Ashley, who knew way more about music than a normal person.

Sean was a very good boyfriend, but he wasn't a great boyfriend. For one thing, he never rented a limo and bought dozens of flowers just to ask a girl to prom. Peter did. It was one of the many reasons Peter was going with Emma.

Emma and Peter would go to prom, dance the night away, and do all kinds of other things. Meanwhile, Sean would be left dateless and alone. Well, he'd show them. He wouldn't even go to prom.

Sean just knew she'd lead him to trouble. It was the way she was sitting on the steps of Degrassi, looking so little and lost. Her bright pink cell phone was disregarded at her side, and he could just make out a small crack down the middle of the phone. Knowing he'd regret it, Sean sat down on the step just above hers.

"Hey," he said as casually as he could.

She glanced back at him, her pretty face stained with tears. "Hey."

Sean swallowed. He really wasn't sure where to go with the conversation; he wasn't good at emotions. "You want me to..." he trailed off and picked her cell phone up. "I could fix this."

"No thanks. I can't afford it anymore." She sniffed lightly. "You can trash it."

"I'll fix it for you." He told her firmly, as he placed the cell into his jacket pocket. "You'll need it."

"Yeah." She chewed on her lower lip for a brief moment, before going on: "Emma's going to the prom with Peter." She laughed bitterly to herself. "Even Toby's got a date."

"You don't have a date, do you? What about Craig?" Staring at her, Sean was reminded of when he first met her. She had been so sweet and naive. How times changed.

"Who, the famous rock star?" She laughed bitterly again. "He's busy. Too busy to take his girlfriend to her prom. Too busy to help her deal with anything. But, not to busy to have sex with Ellie Nash." A look crossed her face; maybe it was regret, maybe it was something else. "Sorry. You dated her; you loved her."

"Past tense, Manny." Sean shook his head. "It's the past. She's hung up on Craig." He gave her a crocked smile. "Emma can't make up her damn mind. And Craig would rather be a rock star than be with you. So, you know what I say?" Manny shook her head. "I say they can go screw themselves."

Manny laughed lightly. "Thanks, Sean."

"Hey," He lightly touched her shoulder. "it's cool." Sean paused and locked eyes with Manny. "You really don't have a date to prom?" He paused again, inwardly cursing himself for what he was about to ask her: "You want one?"

Manny shrugged. "You'll just stare at Emma the whole night. Or start a fight with Peter." She gave him a pointed a look. "You'd ruin my prom."

"Nope." Sean shook his head. "Promise. Make me a deal, Manny."

A small smile began to spread over Manny's face. "Four photos, one at prom. Three dances, of my choice. No trying to fight or one up Peter. No staring lustfully at Emma. And, if you can...tell me I'm pretty at least once." A look of sadness suddenly crossed her face. "No one's called me pretty in a long time."

A part of Sean wanted to question that, but he thought better of it. Instead, he smiled at her. "You've got yourself a prom date." Sean offered Manny a hand, which she took and shook. "I'll pick you up at seven on prom night."

"I'll pick you up at seven." Manny corrected. Sean raised an eyebrow. "I live with Emma. Emma, whose getting picked up by Peter. No fighting, one upping, or lustful gazes, Cameron."

"With you in a prom dress, I don't think it'll be a problem." Sean told her with a teasing grin, which Manny returned. "Come on," Sean stood up from his spot and held out a hand for Manny. "let's go fix your phone."

Manny took Sean's offered hand and pulled herself up. "You know, Emma's got no idea what she's missing." It was the kindest and truest thing that Manny had said to Sean in a long time. "You're a freaking prince. Why else would you take your ex-girlfriend's semi-best friend and school slut to the prom?"

Sean didn't reply, he just lead Manny down the steps of Degrassi.

"Sean, it's okay that you're a good guy, you know." Manny told him with a warm smile. "Or is this just about brownie points with Emma?"

Letting out a sigh, Sean turned to face Manny. "Do me a favor, stop calling yourself a slut. I'm taking you to prom because you want to go, and because we're friends." He shook his head a bit. "Save the drama for Hollywood, Manny."

A brilliant smile suddenly replaced her warm one. "Will do."

Sean nodded. "Good." They started off again. "Oh, and Manny...you are pretty." He called back to her.

Manny's smile grow wider. Sean Cameron...

He wasn't a great boyfriend. But, he was a good friend. He was...he was one hell of a guy. A real prince. Manny knew that was why she had always liked him. Nice guys were rare, especially at Degrassi.