Chapter 12: Walk This Way

"This is hopeless." Jimmy whispered to Danny while listening to Hazel recite her lines.

Jimmy decided to have a little weekend rehearsal and get together at his house with a couple of friends. He really did it because there was only a week left before the opening of Degrassi Duets and Hazel wasn't getting any better only worse.J.T. and Liberty weren't much help either they were either to busy working on other scenes, praying Hazel would get better at her lines or either necking when they thought no one was around. Everyone was almost there but a couple of people who were running a little late which was OK since most were at the end of the show with Craig Ash in the 80/90's and Emma/Chester at the present and future.

"So how did I do guys?" Hazel asked the room which held a long pause before the doorbell rung.

"Yes, saved by the doorbell." Danny said.

"Ummm.. I'll get it." Jimmy said while going to the door. "Paige what are you doing here you're not in the show."

"I know that." Paige said before passing by Jimmy with a big bowl.

"Hey, Paige what's in the bowl" Craig asked. "My mom's famous guacamole. I thought it would be nice for you guys to have something to munch on since we have plenty at home. Heather, did you know it also makes a great facial mask if you ever want to get rid of those crows feet."

"Thanks Paige." Jimmy said quickly. "I'll put it up."

"No, no, no, let me." Paige walked into the kitchen and sat it on the counter.

"What are you up too" Hazel whispered to Paige. "You know we have plenty of food and no one eats guacamole these days it's fatting."

"Why, what do you think I'm up to no good. My mom made this last night there was a lot so I thought I would bring some over. Really Hazel can't I do something nice without you thinking the worse."

"C'mon Hazel we have to go over our lines!" Danny screamed.

"Not so loud." Hazel replied."Everybody in the room can hear you."

"I'll thought they'll be use to it by now." Danny said jokingly before Jimmy recited his lines.

"I can't believe we're late." Manny said.

"Slow down Manny, we're at the end they're probably in the fifties still."

"Maybe but the play isn't that long. It's almost been ..." Manny looked at her watch. "Twenty minutes. We should have gotten a ride with Chante and Darcy"

"Are your sure you're not in a hurry for a reason."

"What do you mean"

"Nothing, Jimmy did invite us with a really short notice. I'm not even sure if he told everyone we're going to be there."

"Yeah, but he told Hazel she'll probably tell everyone before they take there hats and coats off."

"We'll were almost there,Whoa." Emma stopped dead in her tracks.

"What is it?" Manny asked before looking across the street and spotting Toby getting into Jay's car.

"Manny tell Jimmy I'm going to be a little late. There's something I have to do." Emma ran across the street to Jay's car.

"Can I talk to you?" Emma said in a exhausted breath.

"What do you want." Toby replied.

"Hey sweet cheeks, I haven't seen you around much." Jay said to Emma giving her a flirtatious glare.

"Shut up Jay." Emma commanded. "Toby can I talk to you for just a second?"

"Can't you see I'm busy." Toby answered.

"No problem man take your time. You should speak to the lovely lady." Jay responded.

"Uhh, Yeah." Emma gave Jay a glare before focusing her attention on Toby. "I promise it will be brief."

"Fine." Toby said as he got out of Jay's car.

"Look, Spinner told me about how you're hanging with Jay and I think it's a bad idea."

"Your kidding me right." Toby laughed. "You hung with Jay more then I did in the past month and Spinner hasn't left his side since forever now."

"Exactly, I know what he's like and Spinner does too. He knows that he can cause nothing but trouble especially if you allow him too."

"I think I can handle myself. Speaking of Spinner you too seem a little close are you only speaking to me to ask where your boyfriend is."

"What, Spinner's not my boyfriend." Emma stopped before coming to a realization. "Oh you think me and Spin, no I was only comforting him we were talking about Rick."

"Don't say his name. I don't care who you were talking about. Spinner's not here. I'll tell him you were looking for him."

"Toby you know me better then that and I know you too. Please whatever Jay is asking you to do don't do it. It only leads to trouble and regret you know this you saw what happened at the Ravine."

"I didn't see anything."

"Ummm... Spinner told."

"He told you, figure's. Look Emma I just wanted to see if you were OK but I don't care anymore you don't have to look out your window I won't be watching or protecting you. I didn't before when you went to the Ravine and I didn't with Ri..." Toby paused before turning away. "It should've been me who should've stopped him he was my friend if he would have listened to me then things might have been different, instead of Sean, I was a coward."

"We were all scared even Sean. He just did what he had to do to stop Rick. It was an impulse he was the closest by he just did what he had to do."

"No, I should've did it. It should have been me maybe if I had Rick wouldn't have pulled the trigger he would be in jail not in. Toby paused.Look, I was a coward back then I'm not anymore for once I won't be a scared little wimp I'm going to do it right."

"How is going along with Jay and his stupid schemes going to make it right or make you a hero. Walking away will."

"No walking away is for wimps and I'm not that, not anymore." Toby said before getting into Jay's car and driving off.