Behind These Eyes Chapter 4
Now Or Never

I had to find someone to talk to, after the kiss with Manny. I never thought so many things could rush through my head at the same time. I could see Manny standing there in the corner of my eye, sad and just a little confused. I couldn't worry about Manny now.

Paige's house appeared ahead. Maybe Paige could help, if I explained. I knocked on the door, and a surprised Paige emerged from inside.

JT, what are you doing here? Paige said.

So much to tell you, so little time. I need your advice on something, and quick. I said.

I'm not exactly the best person to ask for advice, but I can try to help. Paige said.

Ok, well to make a long story short, Manny asked me out. Emma is my best friend, who hates Manny's guts and will hate me if I go out with Manny, because she might like me. I said.

Wow, I'm stuck on the Manny asked you out part. Paige said.

I know, I didn't expect it either. Please just tell me something I can do to get out of this. I said.

Well, first of all, you don't know for sure Emma likes you. But honestly, you should follow your heart. Do you seriously like Manny enough to go out with her? Paige said.

Not in that way, but I don't think Manny can deal with being just friends. I said.

There you go. Paige said.

After getting back to my house, I trampled up the stairs and into my room. Sabrina was playing her whiney Kiddie-Bop music as usual, and my mom gave me a concerned look going up the stairs.

I closed my door, just to make sure Mom wouldn't come wandering in. I looked out my window, bored as ever. A lot of things had been rushing through my mind, whether to pursue something with Manny, or Emma. As Paige had said, I wasn't sure of Emma's feelings, so it might be better to just avoid it.

I've never been so confused in my whole life.

I heard a faint noise come through the wall. It got louder, and louder until you could hear the words:

You love me but you don't know who I am
I'm torn between this life I lead and where I stand
And you love me but you don't know who I am
So let me go
Let me go

And then I knew exactly what I had to do.

I saw Manny down the hall, talking to Darcy. When she saw me, Darcy quickly left and Manny was standing there, staring at me.

Manny, I need to tell you something. I said.

Manny said.

I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I've realized that I can't return your feelings. I said.

I sort of figured that out from yesterday. Manny said.

I know, but I felt bad. I want to be friends, seriously. I said.

That's fine, it wasn't going to work out anyway. Manny said.

Thanks for understanding. I said.

Manny grabbed her books and headed for her next class. I wondered around the hallway to find Emma struggling with her combination lock.

Hey JT. Emma said.

You have a moment? I said.

Yeah..what's up? Emma said.

I was about to tell her, when Emma's brown eyes opened wide. I turned around to see...Sean Cameron?

Yes, it was Sean in the flesh. Clad in his trademark curly cue hair, jean jacket, and baggy jeans. Sean had moved to Wasaga almost 2 years ago, and no one had heard from him since. It was strange to see Sean actually at Degrassi again.

Sean looked at us while he walked with Ms. H, our current principal. Emma stared back and even looked to see where he was going.

Uh, what were you gonna say? Emma said.

Oh, um nothing. I said.

How was I going to get the chance to tell Emma now, with Sean in the way? It was apparent that she still had feelings for him...

Hmm, the drama! What will happen with Sean and Emma? Will JT ever tell Emma he rejected Manny? And will Liberty get a little more involved? All in the next chapter!