Chapter 4: The Love Bomb

"You did WHAT!" Ashley asked in a surprised voice. Her mouth became an O of disbelief, then slowly curled into a small smirk. "You're not serious. Are you?" Emma rolled her eyes and looked away. She crossed her arms and looked at the sleeping Manny.

"Be quiet! Manny is his ex-girlfriend!" Emma whispered. Ashley moved the keyboard from her lap and crossed her legs.

"Why did you do it?" she asked slowly in a curious tone.

"I didn't! J.T. practically lunged at me!" Emma replied, but then looked down and slowly said, "But, I wanted it…"

"Did you tell him you wanted to kiss him?" Ashley asked, as if she was a psychologist working through a love-struck patient.

"No, he just said, 'I love you' and… kissed me," Emma said. She sat down across from Ashley as she continued her questionnaire.

"He dropped the love bomb!" Ashley exclaimed. Emma swatted her in the arm playfully.

"Well, the truth is, it was really sweet. I was explaining to him about Chris-"

"Whoa! Did you just come out and tell him or something?" Ashley intruded.

"No, I ran into him in the dorm hall, when I was leaving Chris's room. He said hi and I was crying and ignore him. So, he confronted me about it," Emma explained.

"So, this means that you and Chris are over?" Ashley asked childishly. Emma rolled her eyes again and flung her arms over her head.

"No dip, Ashley," she said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Ashley just nodded her head.

"Hey guys? What's all the commotion about?" Manny had woken up. She rustled out of bed, wearing a long pair of baby blue sweatpants and a simple white cami. Her long hair was tied back into a sleek bun with a white scrunchie.

"Nothing!" Ashley said, smiling.

"Yes, it is something," Emma said, rising.

"Emma," Ashley said in a warning voice.

"She deserves to know!" Emma snapped. She looked Manny square in the face. Manny cocked her head to one side, hands on hips.

"I'm listening," she demandingly.

"Well, I…kissed J.T.," Emma reported. Manny's jaw dropped.

"Oh my God, you're serious?" she asked, as if Emma hadn't heard that already.

"Yeah, and I liked it. It felt nice," Emma answered.

"This is soooo weird," Manny complied. Then she gasped. "Oh! So what happened with Chris?"

Emma could feel her emotions trying to break free. "We broke up," she said in a choky voice, trying to hold back her tears.

"Sorry Em," Manny apologized, hugging her best friend. Emma patted Manny's back in return.

"Why though?" Manny asked, displeased with Chris. "He WAS cheating, wasn't he?" She eyed Emma. Emma nodded in despair.

"So how'd you hook up with J.T.?" Manny asked. Emma began undressing and put on her pink silk pajamas.

"I don't know, it just happened."

"Do you like him?" Ashley asked. Manny glanced at Emma to hear her response. Emma froze.

"Well…"

Ha ha! Cliffhanger! Don't worry; Chapter 5 should be up within the next day or so. Expect a good match! Muah, muah!