Sorry it took me so long to get this up! But, the good news is I am posting two chapters tonight to make up for it!

Disclaimer: I do not own the song/lyrics used in this chapter.


Emma held herself together as she power-walked back home leaving her parents and brother to lag far behind. She flung the front door open and stomped in. Several seconds later Spike and Snake also crossed the threshold with Jack in his stroller.

Spike attempted to reason with her daughter. "Emma, I know you're upset right now, but you'll see that-."

"Don't talk to me," Emma interrupted, flatly, without making eye contact and then stormed down to her room.

After slamming shut the door to her bedroom, Emma collapsed onto her bed and finally broke down. She cried herself to sleep that night just like every other night for a long time thereafter.

About a week later, on a Saturday afternoon, Manny and Jestine went over to Emma's house for an 'inter-friend-tion.' Emma had been in a funk for a whole week and it was clear that she needed some major cheering up. They wanted to take her out to the mall, but they were having a difficult time convincing her to go.

"I don't know you guys. I just really don't feel like it," Emma whined.

Manny sat down on the bed next to her best friend. "Oh come on, Em, it'll be fun."

"Yeah, there's no better therapy than retail therapy!" Jestine added.

While still defeated by recent events, Emma tried to let her friends down easy. "I appreciate the effort, I really do, but I think I should just stay here."

"This is no longer an option," Manny announced as she hopped up. "You're going."

Jestine and Manny nodded at each other and then each grabbed one of Emma's arms and pulled her up/off of her bed.

"But, I-," Emma protested.

Her two friends playfully pushed her up the stairs.

"No buts. You're going to have fun today whether you like it or not!" Jestine commanded.

All three of the girls laughed as they realized that did not make any sense and then hopped into Manny's car to head toward the mall.

At the mall, the three girls went into all the big name clothing stores, bought a few things here and there, and had lunch in the food court. They then decided to go into Claire's for some accessories. While they were in there, A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton started playing through the speakers above them.

"Oh, I love this song!" Manny declared.

The other two simultaneously shouted, "Me too!"

All three giggled and then began to sing along:

Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound

Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making a way
Through the crowd

And I need you
And I miss you

Emma froze as the lyrics sank in and the song continued.

and now I wonder

If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you…tonight

A single tear fell from Emma's eye. "I can't do this anymore, you guys."

"Oh, Emma, I'm sorry. I guess I didn't think of the song like that," Manny apologized. "Let's get you out of here."

"Yeah," Jestine put an arm around Emma's waist for support, "come on."

When they reached the parking lot, Manny and Jestine hugged their friend as she cried harder. Eerily, though, after just a few minutes, Emma turned off her emotions just as quickly as she had turned them on and stoically asked Manny to take her home.

In front of Emma's house, she showed her gratitude to both of her friends. "Thanks, you guys. It really was nice to get out for a little while. I'm just sorry I ruined the rest of the afternoon for us."

"Em, don't even worry about it." Manny put a hand on her best friend's shoulder. "Things will get better, you'll see. I'm sure they'll bring Jay back soon."

"I hope you're right, Manny. Bye, you two." Emma attempted a smile, but it fell just short of one.

The girls went their separate ways and Emma entered her house.

"Hi, sweetie!" came the overly cheerful voice of Emma's mother. "Did you have a good afternoon with your friends?"

Emma walked right past Spike, completely ignoring her, and went straight down to her room to sulk. She cried herself to sleep once again that night.


Thanks for reading and reviewing! I promise it will not be this depressing forever. Preview: Jay's POV just after checking into his new school.