I don't own Degrassi.

Soft Place to Fall, Chapter Eight.

Emma and Rory met after school, having decided they were going to the mall. Rory ran home first, Emma coming with, to get her mail. There wasn't much there, but there was an invitation to the birthday party of Rory's cousin Bo.

"Ugh, I don't want to go, everyone from my old school will be there."

"That would suck."

"And of course, if I don't go, I'll never hear the end of it from my mother." Rory stared at the invitation for a little longer, before she saw the words that just might save her. "And Guest!"

"What?"

"Its to Aurora Maxwell and guest. I'll bring Craig as my date." Rory was smiling now. "That way I'll have someone to hang around with."

"A date huh?"

"Just as friends. But as he's male it will Look like a date. Which is all Aunt Betsy will see, and will tell my mother." Rory nodded, making up her mind to call Craig after they were done at the mall. "Ready to go?" At Emma's nod they headed to the mall.

"Emma, do you think its tacky to bring the son of the guy who's car lot Bo got arrested at to his party?"

"I'm gonna say yes for that one."

"Perfect." Rory's smile was slightly evil, and very happy. "I know that's mean, but Bo's been driving me nuts since we were kids."

The two girls headed to the food court to eat, and they both noticed that they weren't the only Degrassi student in the mall that night. "There's Manny, who's that she's with?"

Manny and her companion were heading towards Emma and Rory, when Rory realized Manny's companion was her cousin. "Its Bo. Manny and Bo, huh." Rory's first feeling was disbelief, then she realized something else-that if Manny found out about her parents, it would be all around school. Rory also knew that running was a bad idea, so she just stood and waited for the couple to walk over.

"Hey, Emma, Hey Rory."

"Hey Manny, Hey Bo."

"Rory, how are you?" Bo was being very polite, no doubt worried that Rory would tell her mother. "Did you get an invitation to my party?"

"Yes, I'll be there. I'm bringing a friend."

"Wait, you two know each other? And you're going to be at Bo's party too." Oh, great. Craig, Rory, Bo and Manny at the same party? This was going to be interesting.

"Rory's my cousin, honey." Honey? Emma and Rory both stiffled giggles at that. "I'll see you at the party, I guess." Bo and Manny walked away.

That night, Rory called Craig about the party. "Hey, I have a favor to ask of you next weekend. You can say no."

"What is it?"

"My cousin Bo-the one Joey nailed for stealing the car-is having a party for his birthday. I don't want to go alone."

"I'm in."

"There's something else, though. Bo's dating Manny Santos."

"So?" Craig realized that this was the only way Rory had mentioned Manny's pregnancy in the week since Craig had told her. He liked this fact, as if it was just another thing in his past, a blip on the radar.

"You're ok with that."

"Yes, I am. How'd you find out he's dating Manny?"

"Saw them at the mall. Which means that everyone's going to find out about my parents."

"You know, that could be interesting, watching Paige and Hazel kissing your ass."

"Maybe that would be funny." Rory allowed. "But still, it makes me uncomfortable. I'm glad I've got you and Emma on my side. Especially you for lunch tomorrow."

"Rory, I'll be whatever you need me to be, you know that." Rory smiled, Craig was a good friend.