Chapter 25: Crazy Friday Night Part 1
Characters:
Emma Morgan (Sam and Jason)- 17
Maddie Morgan (Sam and Jason)- 16
Katie Morgan (Sam and Jason)- 14
Josslyn Jacks (Carly and Jax)- 22
Courtney Jacks (Carly and Jax)- 17
Connor Jacks (Carly and Jax)- 16
Bella Jacks (Jax and Brenda)- 15
Jacelyn Jacks (Carly and Jax)- 14
Chloe J Hunter (Maxie and Matt)- 17
Leah Zacchara (Maxie and Johnny)- 15
Mia Webber (Olivia and Steve)- 16
Zack Corinthos (Sonny and Claudia)- 17
Hunter Corinthos (Sonny and Claudia)- 16
Brittany Corinthos (Sonny and Brenda)- 16
Brenna Corinthos (Sonny and Claudia)- 15
Nate Scorpio-Drake (Robin and Patrick)- 17
Aiden Cassadine (Nikolas and Elizabeth)- 22
Paige Cassadine (Nikolas and Emily)- 17
Colton Cassadine (Nikolas and Elizabeth)- 14
Haley Lovett (Ethan and Lisa)- 16
Livvie Davis (Ethan and Kristina)- 15
Addie Lansing (Ric)- 16
Cameron Webber (Elizabeth and Lucky)- 29
Jake Spencer (Elizabeth and Lucky)- 24
Brendan Webber (Elizabeth)- 17
Stella Hunter (Elizabeth and Matt)- 16
Liam Drake (Elizabeth and Patrick)- 15
Aubrey Crowell (Nadine)- 16
Matt Zacchara (Lulu and Johnny)- 17
Joey Falconeri (Dante and Brenda)- 17
Ashlyn Falconeri (Lulu and Dante)- 15
Tanner Quartermaine (Dillon and Lulu)- 16
Julian Quartermaine (AJ)- 15
Tyler Drake (Lisa and Patrick)- 17
Carrie Corinthos (Michael and Abby)- 15
Taylor Corinthos (Michael and Abby)- 14
Ryan Rosco (Faith)- 17
Corey Spinelli (Spinelli)- 15
Kailey Franco (Franco)- 16
Lily Mir (Leyla)- 15
Chloe J
"That sounds horrible." Paige commented as she, Courtney, Zack, Ryan, and Chloe J sat at their table. School hadn't started yet and they were just sitting around and talking, currently about the Corinthos family dinner.
"So, I have a question." Everyone looked at Ryan. "How are we getting Emma to the Enchantment without her being suspicious?"
"Hmmm, good point." Chloe J turned her head to the side as she thought.
"All the original cheerleaders will be setting up decorations and all that, besides Brittany, who's in charge of alcohol. I have to supervise the setting up of the bounce house. Most of the boys will be helping move stuff out of the Enchantment so it doesn't get messed up. Who does that leave?"
"I know." Courtney smiled. "Josslyn. She can pick up Emma, say they're going somewhere and then bring her to the party. You know she'll do it."
"Ask her and let me know." Chloe J responded. "Courtie, Paige, don't forget that the two of you and the rest of the Dream Team need to be at my house after cheer."
"The what?" Ryan questioned. Chloe J waved her hand dismissively, ignoring his question.
"What about Maddie and Mia? They have candy striping."
"They're gonna be late, but…hey Emma!" Chloe J grinned at her best friend.
"Hi guys." She sat down at the table, throwing her bag next to her. They all noticed the way she looked around cautiously before lowering her eyes to her lap.
Chloe J spotted the person she had been waiting for across the outside area. "NATHAN ROBERT SCORPIO-DRAKE!" she screamed. There was silence across the whole area. "Come on, Emmy. Zack, bring her bag to English. Ryan, you get my stuff." She grabbed Emma's arm and dragged her over to Nate. He was standing with Livvie. "Get lost, Olivia. We've got business to take care of."
"Well he's my boyfriend. I can talk to him if I want." Livvie snapped.
"I really would lose your attitude if I was you, unless you want to be running laps at cheer practice."
"Yeah right. Elizabeth would never let you do that."
"Elizabeth won't be there today." Livvie's face paled.
"Oh, um, sorry. I've gotta…do something." She ran away.
Chloe J laughed. "If only it was that easy to get rid of Elizabeth." She looked at Nate, then looked down at Emma, then met eyes with Nate again. He understood, and the three of them walked towards the school.
"Emma! Nate! Chloe J!" Connor called out.
"Not now, Connie." Chloe J responded, gesturing towards her best friend. He got the message and sat down.
"Okay, spill. What's wrong, Emma?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." She answered a little too quickly.
"Did Joey hit you again?" Nate's face darkened.
"No! I'm fine, you guys. I'm not feeling well today, that's all."
"It's Friday, Emma! You better get happy because you can't be sick on a Friday." Chloe J couldn't really tell her anything about having plans, so she didn't know what to say.
"Uh, okay."
"Let's go to your locker." Nate suggested.
"I'll see you guys in class." Chloe J stated.
"Where are you going?" Nate asked.
Chloe J just smiled at them and walked away. She went downstairs where she knew the person she was searching for would be. That's when she heard it.
Did you hear about Courtney Jacks? She dumped her baby in the water by the docks!
I heard Courtney Jacks is super depressed now since Tyler Drake broke up with her. She even tried to kill their baby.
I heard that Tyler made her throw the kid into the water. He said he would kill her if she didn't.
Chloe J's mouth fell open, but she didn't have time to respond because she found who she was looking for. She marched right over, grabbing his shoulder and spinning him around to face her.
Joey's eye was purple and he had bruises covering his face. He looked horrible.
"Wow, the guys really got you good." She commented.
"What do you want, Chloe J? I don't want to deal with you right now."
"Harsh, considering you hit my best friend."
Joey glared at her for speaking so loud. "Look, I never meant to hurt your 'best friend'."
"Sure, Joseph. I just wanna let you know that if you come near her again, you'll have me to deal with. And I know you don't want a five inch heel up your," Principal Turner walked over, "hey there, Principal T!"
"Is there a problem here?"
"No, no problem." Joey quickly answered.
The principal looked at Chloe J. "Have you seen Miss Jacks, Chloe J?"
"Josslyn doesn't go here anymore, Principal T."
"Not Josslyn, the other Miss Jacks."
"Jacelyn? What do you need with her?"
He groaned. "You know what I'm talking about! Where is Courtney, Miss Hunter?"
Chloe J shrugged. "Beats me. But I'm sure that whatever you think she did, she didn't. Court's practically an angel."
Principal Turner scoffed. "Yeah, and you follow the dress code."
"I resent that!" she shouted after him.
Nate
Nate didn't know when his best friend had become this girl. She was extremely quiet and only really spoke when someone spoke to her first. He wished he could kill Joey for what he had done to Emma.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Nate asked Emma. She was digging through her locker in search of her AP Chem book. He picked it up from right in front of her and handed it to her. "You seem really out of it."
"I'm okay."
"Emma, you can trust me. I'm here for you. Team Emma over everyone else."
"Thank you." She hugged him. That's when Paige and Zack approached, both of them looking murderous.
"Did you say anything to anyone about what I told you yesterday?" Paige demanded, staring at her cousin.
"No? Why?"
"Everyone's saying that the baby Brittany found is Courtney's." Zack was popping his knuckles angrily.
"The baby's not Courtney's, P." Emma assured her.
"How do you know for sure?"
"I asked her yesterday. She swears it's not hers. She's got some stuff going on right now, but it's not that." The warning bell rang. "We better get to class. C'mon."
Nate followed obediently and Zack and Paige followed him. They got to English class and everyone sat down.
Cheerleaders
"This is hopeless! Abso-freaking-lutely hopeless!" Emma screamed. "Did you all forget the moves in the 24 hours it's been since we last practiced? YOU ALL SUCK!"
"Emma, calm down." Paige said.
"Don't tell me to calm down, Paige. These IDIOTS obviously don't respond to me being calm. Maybe if I get angry, then they'll LEARN THE ROUTINE LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO!"
"We're sorry, Em." Brenna practically whispered.
"Don't apologize, Bren. You're doing fine, and so are Chloe J, Haley, and Paige, but that's it! Courtney, can you get your butt in gear and show them how a senior is supposed to cheer?"
"Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind."
"Yeah, so do I, but you don't see me slacking off." Emma hit the music. "Go again." She stopped it after less than ten seconds. "Seriously, Stella? Seriously?"
"I'm sorry! It's hard to remember left and right!"
"My four year old sister knows her left from her right. This is exactly why we hold auditions. So people who don't belong on the squad don't end up on it." She glared at her cousin. "Olivia, I swear, if you mess up your toe touch one more time, you're running ten laps."
Livvie squealed and got back into her spot. Emma started the music. They went through the whole routine.
"Maddie, you're off beat. Mia, you're arms look like noodles. Livvie, once again, your toe touch sucked. Stella, think of Leah as your left and Katie as your right. Freshmen, all of you were horrible. Go again."
For the next half hour, Emma drilled it into everyone's heads how much they sucked and how they were going to bomb at the Sparkle Classic this year. The gym doors opened and Connor and Hunter came in.
"Hey Emmers." Connor stood next to her. He noticed how tense she was. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing, besides the fact that this squad is terrible and a disgrace to the Port Charles Ravens. Tell your football coach that your team would be better off without cheerleaders."
"We're trying as hard as we can, Emma!" Carrie told her.
"Well, 'as hard as you can' isn't good enough!"
"Emma, chill." Connor said.
"Oh, I am chill. I'm so chill that I'm frozen." Her voice was monotone.
"That's it, I'm leaving. I didn't come to listen to you scream at us for two hours about how horrible we are. Teach us how to be better if we're so bad!" Katie yelled at her sister.
"Whatever, Katiana. Leave. But once you walk out that door, don't expect to come back. That goes for all of you. If you want off the team, then get out." No one left. "Go again."
Connor and Hunter watched as the cheerleaders went through their whole routine. Everyone but Emma, Haley, and Brenna messed up. They knew it was bad when Chloe J wasn't doing the routine perfectly.
"Wow, I'm glad that you seniors are showing everyone how it's done."
"It's too crowded with all the new people, Em. We need to change the routine or make some cuts." Chloe J stated.
"Cuts? Sounds good. Bye Stella, bye Livvie."
"You can't kick us off the team. Elizabeth's the coach and she wants us on here!" Livvie argued. Emma stepped dangerously close to her, but Maddie threw herself between the two girls.
"Okay, stop. Emma, you really need to calm down. No one wants to listen to you complain for two hours. Yeah, we get it, we need some work. This is our first actual practice together with the new people since yesterday when we mostly taught them the routine. It's gonna be rocky at first."
Emma just sighed and sat down. The boys sat on either side of her and she leaned her head on Hunter's shoulder.
"You guys can go. I'm so over this." Emma said.
"No, we're gonna stay here and practice until we get it right." Brittany told her. "Right guys?"
Not everyone was as enthusiastic. So Haley and Brenna took Stella and Livvie aside to try to teach them the routine better while Paige and Chloe J started in on the freshman.
"I'll help the sophomores." Courtney offered.
"The sophomores could help you at this point, Court. You're really off today." Emma commented.
"I'm just exhausted, that's all."
"Really? Is it all?"
"Yes, Emma. That's it."
The others were confused about the conversation going on between the two, but both Emma and Courtney understood that they were talking about Courtney's bulimia.
"Brenna, could you and Maddie help the sophomores? Haley can handle Stella and Livvie alone."
"Yeah, sure."
Mia and Brittany started going through the routine again with Kailey and Addie. Aubrey and Courtney went to get something to drink from the vending machine in the locker room.
"What's going on with you today, Em?" Hunter asked her gently. "You seem upset."
"I'm just really frustrated. Everything was supposed to be perfect. I'm cheer captain, student body president, and a senior. But now Elizabeth's trying to ruin my squad, and I have to deal with Joey. It's stressful."
"But you're Emma Joy Morgan." Connor told her. "You can handle anything."
"I used to think that. But now, I'm not so sure."
"Hello, everyone!" Josslyn walked into the gym, her heels clacking noisily. "Emmy girl, you and I have got a date tonight!"
"I'm not really in the mood, Joss."
"Too bad. It's not optional." She looked at the cheerleaders. "So you've added more girls? Can I see the routine?"
"No. It's pitiful."
"Let me see."
"Whatever. Everyone, get into your spots!" Emma shouted just as Courtney and Aubrey reentered. The cheerleaders did as she asked and Josslyn started the music.
The girls tried their hardest as Josslyn, Connor, and Hunter watched. When they were done, they looked to the three in question.
"Em, Haley, Brenna, Paige, and Chloe J, you were awesome. Livvie and Stella, you both need to work on your moves. Freshmen too, and Leah, Carrie, and Bella. The rest of you were okay." Josslyn noticed the unfamiliar face. "I don't know you. What's your name?"
"Lily Mir." The new girl answered. "I just moved here from Memphis."
"Oh, your that girl Lindsey was talking about! Your mom's best friend, Madge or whatever, is my best friend's baby's doctor! I'm Josslyn Jacks, by the way. Courtney, Bella, Connor, and Jacelyn's sister, Carrie and her sister Taylor's aunt, and practically an older sister to everyone in this room, my little Emmy especially." She smiled at Emma when she spoke.
"Her name's Maggie, actually." Lily corrected. "And it's nice to meet you."
"Okay, so, we're leaving. Let's go Em." Josslyn grabbed her arm and dragged her out.
Stella
Stella threw her bag into her car, frustrated with the way she had messed up the routine at practice. Cheerleading wasn't really her thing, but her mom had insisted that she try out. She had always wanted a little girl to push her dreams on, but then she had Cam, Jake, Aiden, and Brendan (and then Liam and Colton after Stella).
She got home and walked inside. "Mom! I'm home!"
"Hey baby!" Elizabeth ran into the living room. "How was practice?"
"Fine." She lied. She couldn't admit that she felt stupid for mixing up her left and right and that Emma had yelled at her. "It's a little rocky right now, since we're all still getting used to it, but I'm sure it'll get better."
"That's good." Elizabeth smiled at her. "I made you some of your favorite brownies!"
Stella frowned. "Uh, Mom? I don't like brownies. That's Aiden."
"Oh right! You like chocolate chip cookies."
"No, Jake does."
"Rice Krispy Treats?"
"Liam."
"I know! Smores!"
Stella shook her head. "Cam. I like oatmeal raisin cookies."
"Oh yeah! I remember now. Sorry, honey, I don't think we have the stuff for that. Why don't you head on up to your room and do your homework?"
"Mom, it's Friday. Plus, there's that party tonight for Emma."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Why does Emma get a party?"
Stella never really understood her mother's irrational hatred for the 17 year old daughter of Sam and Jason Morgan.
"It's a congratulations thing for her getting student body president. I have to be there."
"That's fine then, sweetheart. Maybe you should call Tyler and see if he'll go with you!"
Stella bit her tongue to keep from responding. Her mother had loved that she dated Tyler and was furious when they broke up. Now, she didn't really like that she was dating Julian, who was a year younger and a Quartermaine. She didn't understand the Quartermaine part, but knew it had something to do with Julian's dad AJ's brother and sister, Jason and Emily. Elizabeth was connected to them somehow.
The house phone rang and Elizabeth checked the caller id. "It's your father."
Stella rolled her eyes and grabbed the phone, knowing her mother wouldn't answer it. "Hello?"
"Hey sweetheart. How was school?"
"Good. I had my first real cheer practice today."
"How did you do?"
"It was hard, but I wanna practice and get better."
"That sounds like a good thing to do. Maybe your sister could show you some moves."
"Yeah, I don't think she really would, Dad."
"Stella, Chloe J isn't as bad as you think. You just have to get to know her."
"I would do anything to get to know her. But she couldn't care less about me."
"That's not true. Even if she doesn't show it, I know she does love you."
"Yeah right. The only people that Chloe J Hunter loves are Emma, Ryan, and herself."
Matt changed the subject. "So, are you still coming over this weekend to spend the night?"
"Actually, there's a surprise congratulations party for Emma tonight. I'm gonna go to that and then I'll be over tomorrow."
"Alright. Did your mother get the check in the mail?"
Stella held her hand over the receiver. "Mom, Dad wants to know if you got the child support check in the mail."
Elizabeth looked up from where she was staring at her nails. "I don't see why he couldn't bring it over in person."
"Probably because you would have ripped his head off!" Stella stated. She was used to her parents' fighting and the childish behavior, mostly on her mother's part. She had been dealing with it for 16 years now. "Did you get it or not?"
"Yes, Stella."
"She got it." Stella repeated to Matt. "Dad, I've gotta go so I can get ready. See you tomorrow."
"Okay. Love you, Stella Rachel."
"I love you too, Daddy." She hung up.
Ashlyn
"Ashlyn, did you take your vitamins?" Lulu asked her daughter.
The fifteen year old rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mother."
"Don't get an attitude with me. You are the one who chose to get pregnant in high school. I'm just making sure that you're doing everything you need to do to have a healthy baby."
Ashlyn sighed. "I know. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I know that you're stressed out and everything. Have you talked to Corey?"
Corey Spinelli was Ashlyn's boyfriend of only one month. The dating situation made everything all the more awkward with her being pregnant, considering she was two months along, meaning they hadn't even been together when their child was conceived.
"Not really. I don't know what to say to him."
"How about you tell him that he's a father now and needs to step up?" Ashlyn and Lulu looked up to see Dante standing in his daughter's doorway. "Baby, I don't understand why you rushed so fast to grow up. If you would have waited, or used protection, none of this would be happening."
"I know, Daddy. I didn't mean to do this."
"I know you didn't." he walked over and sat next to her on the bed. "There are other options. You could get an abortion."
"No, I don't wanna kill it."
"I almost got an abortion." Lulu stated. Ashlyn looked up at her. "It was when I was pregnant with Tanner. Matt was still a baby and I had just gotten out of my relationship with Johnny. Dillon had just been a rebound. I was scared and didn't know how I could take care of two babies when I could barely take care of myself. That's when I started dating your father. We had been friends before that, but when he saw how I was struggling, he stepped in and told me that he had loved me since we were kids and wanted to be together. He went to the abortion clinic with me, but then I couldn't go through with it. I realized that I couldn't kill my child. So we went home, I told Dillon that we were going to have the baby, and your brother came along a couple of months later."
"But how did you do it? How did you raise two kids on your own?"
"I wasn't on my own, Ash. I had your dad. Johnny has always been involved in Matt's life and been the best father he could be to him and Dillon was always around for Tanner."
"Mom, why does Tanner live with the Quartermaines instead of here with us?" it was a question Ashlyn had always wondered. She, Joey (her father's son with Brenda), and Matt lived at Dante and Lulu's house, but Tanner didn't.
"It's complicated, Ashlyn. He didn't feel like he really belonged here. So he chose to go live with your father and Jamie and the others and that was his decision. Do I completely agree with it? No. But I'm not going to make him do something that he doesn't want to do."
"And I'm not going to make Corey be in this baby's life if he doesn't want to." Ashlyn suddenly said. "I can't trap him into being a father. If he doesn't want the baby, then he doesn't deserve to be near it."
"You have to talk to him to find out what he wants." Lulu reminded her. "But just so you know, even if he doesn't want to be around, you're not alone. Your father and I will always be here, supporting you no matter what. Plus you've got Joey and Matt, and Tanner, even if he doesn't live here."
"I guess you're right."
"There's always another option though." Dante said. "Adoption."
"I haven't really thought about that." Ashlyn admitted. "I mean, I'm only 15. I'm not ready to be a parent. Maybe adoption would be good."
"You don't have to decide right now." Lulu told her. "But you should definitely consider it."
"Thanks, guys." Ashlyn hugged her parents.
Zack
"Bounce house is here!" Chloe J shouted, running towards the front door. Zack laughed as he watched her. The only other thing he has ever seen Chloe J as excited about was a half price Couture shoe sale.
"Hey."
"Hey." He greeted Paige, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her forehead. "You excited?"
"Mmhmm. Em needs this party. She needs to get her mind off of things."
"Definitely." He agreed. "When's Joss supposed to get here?"
"Like 10." The party was starting at 9 and it was already 8:30. "Chloe J better get her bounce house set up. You know there are going to be people here on time, most of them from the Crew."
"Paige?" Carrie came over to her. "Have you seen the roll of zebra streamers?"
"I gave it to Brenna."
"She said she doesn't have it."
Paige sighed and kissed Zack quickly. "I'll see you soon."
"M'kay." He smiled as she walked away. Paige was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He couldn't understand how Joey could ever hit Emma; he could never lift a finger to Paige.
"Hey Zack, could you help me lock up?" Gabe asked.
"Yeah, sure." He caught the ring of keys the younger boy tossed him and started to go around the house, locking the rooms up. They all knew how crazy parties could get and didn't want to risk ruining the Enchantment.
"Zack!" Mia called to him.
"Hey Mimi. What's up?"
"Could you help me hang this banner? I'm not tall enough."
"Sure, Emma." Everyone always made fun of Emma's height, which she would just laugh at.
Mia rolled her eyes. "I'm not that short." In reality, Emma wasn't that short. She was shorter than Chloe J, Courtney, Paige, Maddie, Mia, and even Katie, but she was about the same height as both Brittany and Brenna. "Just help me with the banner."
Zack grinned as he hung the banner, looking at Mia mockingly since he didn't even have to stand on his tippy toes. She just crossed her arms over her chest.
"Bounce house is up!" Chloe J shouted. "Let's get this party started!"