A/N: Hope you liked this chapter. Please review!

Emma knew that she was giggling like a mindless valley girl, but she just couldn't help it. Sean whirled her around the hallway. "Stop, Sean, you're making me dizzy! And what if a teacher sees, we're going to get in so much trouble." Sean laughed and kissed her nose. "It's just I'm so happy. Look at that, a B on my English paper all because of you."

"Sean, I just helped you organize your ideas. You wrote it all by yourself."

"Don't be so modest. I can admit it- my girlfriend is way smarter than me."

She tried to frown, but she still felt all light inside. "Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true. We've only been back together a week and a half and already my grades are rising."

"That's because you keep calling me over for study dates," she teased. He ruffled her hair. "Hey, don't do that!" she exclaimed. She walked over to her locker and took a peek in the mirror. "Look, now my hair is all messed up. And of course I don't have my brush. I knew I shouldn't have lent it to Hazel. I know better than to ignore my women's intuition."

Sean walked up behind her, and put his hands around her waist. He rested his head on her shoulder. "You look beautiful. You are beautiful. And your hair is fine."

She turned around and gave him a peck on the lips. "I'm just gonna go to the bathroom. Maybe some water will control it."

"Okay. See you in class."

Emma walked into the girls' room, and leaned down over the sink. She splashed some water into her hair, trying to smooth it down. She looked up and noticed her mascara was running. She would have to wipe it all off. She sighed, and started to splash cold water on her face.

Suddenly she felt someone grab her by the hair and yank her head back. She started to scream, but then a hand got shoved over her mouth. It was Alex.

"Listen up, you slutty little bitch," she hissed into Emma's ear. "If you ever talk to Sean, look at Sean, or even think about Sean again, I swear to God I'll kill you. I know where you live. It's in the school directory. You have a little brother, right? He's just a little baby boy. You love that kid, don't you? You wouldn't want him to get hurt, would you?" She paused. "Would you?" Emma didn't say anything. "Answer me, you stupid whore!" Alex smashed Emma's head into the sink. Emma could feel pain spreading through her. Blood was trickling down her forehead. She closed her eyes tight so Alex wouldn't see her cry.

Alex leaned down and put her mouth close up to Emma's ear. "You're not good enough for Sean. Sure, he may come from the wrong side of the tracks or whatever, but he's a way better person than you'll ever be. You cheated on that Chris guy. Who's to say you won't cheat on Sean? Sean deserves a prettier girl, a girl who's faithful, a girl who's not so uptight. Someone who understands him. Someone like me. If you really love him, let him go. He'll be happier without you." Then she walked out of the room, laughing quietly to herself. Emma slid down to the floor, curled up into a tight ball, and started to sob.

xXx

Sean was waiting outside the girls' washroom for Emma to come out. But when she did, she darted her eyes away, and turned the other way, her back facing Sean. I guess she didn't see me. So he snuck up behind her and put his hands around her eyes. "Guess who?" he asked playfully. "Sean, don't!" Emma cried out in a panicked voice, still refusing to face Sean. Suddenly, he felt a warm, sticky liquid trickle onto his hands. What the-? He drew his hands back. There was blood on his hands. Oh, my God.

"Emma, what is this?" he questioned.

"I have to go," she said. She sounded as if she was crying.

"No way!" She kept walking. "Would you look at me?" he asked angrily, grabbing her shoulders and whirling her around. He saw her face and jumped back. There was blood smeared on her forehead.

"Em. What happened? Who did this to you?" Emma shook her head. "I have to go to the nurse's office." "Talk to me. Tell me who did this to you!" Emma wiped tears away from her eyes. "Sean, don't do this. I-I can't talk to you anymore." He stared at her, horrified. "What? No..." Emma looked away. "Just...leave me alone. Please." Emma started to walk away. "I can't leave you alone. I love you!" he yelled after her. She didn't look back.

xXx

Emma lay down on her bed, hugging her pillow tightly, the tears streaming down her cheeks unchecked. She loved Sean, she couldn't live without him. But if she talked to him, then Alex would kill Jack. Her life was such a mess. She could actually feel her heart breaking. Was it possible to die of a broken heart? Just curl up into a little ball and die.

She heard a tapping noise at her window. She turned her head to see Sean knocking at the glass pane. She stared at him. There was no way she could let him in. What if Alex found out? She shook her head no at him. He mouthed the word Please. And then I love you. That pretty much did it. She got off the bed, and let him in.

Before she could get a single word out, he grabbed her and wrapped his arms tightly around her, and kissed her harder than he ever had before. She knew she should stop, but it felt so good. They kissed over and over again, and then he led her over to the bed. She fell back on the bed and he lay on top of her, still kissing her. He slid his hand up her skirt and started to trace little circles onto her thigh until she thought she would lose all self-control she had. After about half an hour, he pulled away.

"Good," he said, trying to catch his breath. "You don't hate me." She shook her head. "Of course I don't hate you. I love you so much. But I can't be with you." He put his hand to her face and started stroking her cheek. "Why not? Who hurt you today in the girls' room? Who's threatening you?" She didn't say anything. "It's Alex, isn't it? She keeps throwing you all these dirty looks." "No, it's not her," she muttered. He gently grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "Look me in the eyes and tell me it's not Alex." She buried her head into his chest and let out a sob. "She grabbed me by the hair. She told me if I talked to you she'd kill me and Jack too. She slammed my head into the sink. She told me you deserved better. A prettier girl, someone less uptight and faithful, someone who understood you." Sean's hand balled into fists. "How dare she hurt you? Who the hell does she think she is? Saying all that shit to you and hurting you. I swear, when I see her Monday, she's dead." Emma moaned. "God! Will everyone just stop making all these death threats?" She hid her head in her pillow. Sean pulled her onto his lap. She cried into his chest and he rocked her back and forth. "I'll talk to her, Em. I won't lose my temper, I promise. Don't cry. I'll protect you. You don't have to be afraid." She wiped her tears away on her sleeve. "Thanks, Sean. You're the best." Sean put his forehead against hers. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you too." She leaned back onto her bed and smiled up at him. "My parents won't be back for hours," she told him. Sean reached over and turned her lamp off. "Glad to hear it," he said. He let himself fall on top of her, and they started to make out. Sean slid his hand up her tank top and rubbed her stomach. He inched his hand higher and higher, until his fingers brushed against the edge of her bra. He slipped his hand under her bra and started to stroke her breast. He felt Emma gently bite down on his lip, and he bit back, not wanting to give in. He wanted so badly to take her clothes off and just make love to her there and then. He wanted...he had never wanted anyone so badly before in his life. But it wasn't what she wanted. He had to wait. He drew his hand out from under her shirt and pulled away. Emma looked up at him, confused. "Don't stop," she said quietly. He moaned and stroked her hair. "If I don't stop now, I might not be able to control myself later." She nodded and smiled up at him. "Thanks." He kissed her neck gently, and settled down next to her. He took her hand in his, and put both their hands on his chest.

"Emma?" he asked.

"What?" she responded.

"Do you want to get married?"

She looked up at him to see if he was being serious. He seemed to be. "What, like, now?"

"No, I mean when we're older or whatever."

She smiled lazily. "Sure, why not?" He tapped the side of her head playfully. "I was being serious."

"So was I." They smiled at each other. A warm powerful feeling spread through Emma. I wish this moment could last forever she thought.

A/N: R&R!