On the way home, Emma was unusually quiet.

"What's wrong babe?" Jay asked

"…Nothing. I'm just tired." Emma replied

"Oh. So, tonight.. my parents will be gone.. I was thinking you could come over… and we could.."

Emma cut him off.. "I don't think so Jay.. I'm tired."

"Does this have anything to do with Cameron coming back? I saw heard he made a grand entrance in your MI class."

"What!?? No. Sean and I… I have nothing to say to him. Why does everyone think I care that he's back!!? I don't!!!" She was practically shouting.

"Whoa, settle down! I was just asking." Jay wasn't sure what to think of Emma's little outburst.

He pulled to the curb at Emma's and she got out, slamming the door behind her.

When she entered her room, she threw her books on the floor and kicked at them. She felt as if she was losing control, something she'd held onto so desperately her entire life. Being a teen with a Mom who wasn't even thirty, a stepfather with cancer, a biological father who was not well, and having the guy you love leave you.. more than once.. well, it wasn't easy. Control was something she had clung to. Now, she just didn't care anymore. In fact, it occurred to her, today, that when she'd seen Sean, it was the first time she'd felt anything in weeks. It was the first time she'd felt alive. But there was nothing she could do about that. Sean had Ellie, and she had.. Jay. And as much as she wanted to, she couldn't go back. Exhaustion pulled her into a deep, deep sleep.

"Sean, why are you doing this!!??" Ellie sobbed

Sean sighed "Ellie, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I just can't.. we can't.. do this anymore."

"But I love you, you said you loved me! You came back, I thought you came back for me." She was nearly hysterical at this point.

"Ellie, I do care about you. I want the best for you - but I just don't think that's me. Not anymore." It killed Sean to do this to Ellie… why did it seem like he always hurt the people he cared about? But it would only hurt Ellie more later if he didn't do this now.

"Is this about Emma?! I heard you were talking to her in the hallway today, and that you ran after her. Is it true? Are you still in love with her?" Ellie demanded through her tears

"What? Emma?! No! Ellie, this has nothing to do with Emma!" Although the sight of Jay with Emma felt like a swift kick to the abdomen.

"Don't lie Sean!! I HATE YOU! I CAN'T BELIEVE I TRUSTED YOU!! GO TO HELL!" Ellie threw her clothes in a bag and ran into the night.

Sean punched the wall. WELL, IT SURE IS GOOD TO BE HOME!!!!! He thought sarcastically.

Emma awoke the next day feeling better than she had in a long time. Probably because she finally got a decent night's sleep. She took a little extra time getting ready that morning, for Jay she told herself. As luck would have it, Jay was the first person she saw that morning.

"Hey hot stuff." He gave her a kiss. "My attendance has improved dramatically since you & I started hooking up."

"Funny, because mine has sure declined" she replied with a laugh. Jay laughed.

"I'll meet you at lunch." Jay gave her a quick swat on the butt as he walked away.

Emma's mind drifted off to the three papers she had due in the next week – two of which she hadn't even started. And why do I still not care? She wondered.

She was so deep in thought, she didn't notice anyone come up behind her. She turned and was startled to see familiar eyes staring back at her.

"God! Sean, you scared me!" She glared at him "Can I help you with something?"

"I just want to talk Emma." Sean pleaded

"What part of 'I have nothing to say to you' are you failing to understand Sean? You're smart, figure it out." Emma was shocked at the amount of hostility she felt towards the guy she'd once loved with all her heart. She started to walk away, but Sean grabbed her arm and spun her around.

"Nothing to say? Nothing to say!?!?! Oh, I think we have plenty to say Emma! What the hell are you doing with Jay? I saw you two yesterday!!!" Sean was amazed at how quickly Emma could still push his buttons.

Emma gave him an impish smile "Oh, didn't you hear? Jay and I are hooking up. He takes me to parties, we have fun together. He doesn't ask me to live up to all these crazy expectations, unlike a certain ex-boyfriend of mine." She emphasized the ex part.

Sean felt like something inside him broke at that moment… 'hooking up'? What exactly did that mean? If Jay was taking advantage of Emma, he'd… what? What can you do? She sounds like she… wants.. this. God, that makes me sick to think that. But he couldn't just let it happen.

"Emma, WHAT do you mean you 'have fun together'. Is he taking advantage of you? I don't understand why you're being like this. Drinking, 'hooking up', what happened to you?"

"I'm just doing what you did. I don't have time for this Sean, just leave me alone. Think whatever you want about me. Now you know how it feels to watch someone throw their life away." With that last cutting remark, she was gone.

Sean's judgment was clouded by a red haze.. he could hardly think straight he was so angry. Only one thought was running through his mind… I have to find Jay.