Chapter 15: I Can't

It was Saturday evening. As Emma got dressed to go to a campus party with Ashley and Manny, she thought about what Manny had done for her just 2 days before. Every problem going on in Emma's life sent shivers up her spine. No way could she think about not being with J.T. She loved him so much that she had never been so happy to see someone until her gaze fell upon him that cold, October night. When only moments before, Chris had left her frail heart in pieces. She could recall to the moment his lips touched hers like it was yesterday. But no. Things were different now. And the fact that Manny cussed J.T. out for her changed her whole perspective on how she looked at her dark-haired friend. Or was she a friend?

"Emma, you ready?" Manny asked, a slight grin of generosity slicked on her face like lip-gloss. Emma finished tying the back of her pink halter top and fixed her faded jeans before returning the grin. "Yeah. Let's go."

As they headed for the door, Ashley called to them in a meek voice.

"Emma, Manny." Manny and Emma glanced at Ashley, who was curled up in her bed, nose red and raw as she sneezed and wiped it.

"I'm not going to go."

"Why not, Ash?" Emma asked in sympathy. Ashley shook her head and sneezed again.

"With a cold like this, I'm not going anywhere." Manny looked at Emma.

"Do you want one of us to stay?" Manny asked. Ashley shook her head again.

"No, you guys go on ahead –sneeze- I'll be fine."

"Okay then. You know my cell." Manny gestured.

"Yes."

"Alright. Well, just rest for now. We'll see you in a few." With that, Manny and Emma grabbed their jackets and headed out the door.

As Manny and Emma walked into the party, the blaring music had everyone bumping and grinding on the dance floor. Manny spotted Craig near the bar, waved, and said, "Emma, I'll see you later. Craig's over there," she said, almost in a pleading way.

"Okay," Emma said, rolling her eyes. "I'll just stand here."

"Thank you!" Manny said, running over to Craig. She had ignored Emma's last comment. Emma sighed. Another night to spend alone. Without J.T. Without the warmth of his arms.

Emma bobbed along to the music as she ordered a margarita and walked around the club, sipping it earnestly. She could see Chris in the distance, DJ-ing his heart away, having a good time. He also had an attractive black female latched to his arm, who was giggling as Chris spun a tune. Emma suddenly felt a burn of jealousy throughout her. Calm down, she told herself. She headed over to the dance floor and watched as a crowd gathered to watch a local resident of the dance floor, Harley, break dance.

"So Manny, what's up with you? I haven't seen you since the night we, you know," Craig said, blushing. Manny giggled.

"Since we what? Had sex? I know. It was great, wasn't it?" she said, admiring herself. She was bobbing her head to the music as Chris played, "Like That" by Mariah Carey:

Clap Clap

I came to have a party

Up and off that Bacardi

Feelin' so hot tamale

Boy I know you're watching me

So what's it gonna be?

"Yeah, it was pretty good," Craig agreed.

"Want to be reminded?" Manny asked him seductively. She could tell Craig's pants were getting tight.

"Um," Craig swallowed. "Sure, why not?"

"Good, c'mon!" Manny said cheerfully, grabbing a hold of his hand and yanking him over to one of the rooms of the club's hotel. As they began to make out, Craig pressed his erection to Manny's place. She moaned as their tongues mingled. She could feel a strong ache between her legs. This was going to be fun.

Craig was on top of Manny now, unclasping her lacy pink bra. As he yanked it off to reveal her caramel peaks, he took the left in his mouth, and Manny screamed in ecstasy. She rubbed his hair as he licked her. He made his way down, dipping his tongue in at her belly button, then blowing on it.

"Craig, oh god," Manny bemoaned. As he came to her shaved mound, he licked the clit, grazing his tongue across it. Manny shouted and moaned, screaming CRAIG! CRAIG! She then rolled on top of him and undid his pants and shirt, letting them fall to the ground. She slowly and seductively made Craig whine as she patiently slid her warm mouth over his shaft. She licked it, then placed the whole thing in her mouth, sucking and playfully biting it. Craig reached his climax and blasted in Manny's mouth. She swallowed it hungrily and came back up as Manny got on all fours and awaited his entrance. He slipped on a condom and thrust himself into her tight hole from behind. Manny rocked up and down as they both screamed wildly. Craig pushed and pushed like an animal. He groaned as his cum flew into Manny's ass. He then flipped her over, doing the same to the other side. Manny was dripping with sweat and licking Craig's chest as he thrust himself into her front side. When they were finished, they just laid in the bed, naked together.

Emma searched around the club for Manny, then gave up on her fifth time searching the place. Then, someone caught her eye. J.T.

He walked slowly toward her, almost trying to avoid her.

"Hey J.T.," Emma said coolly, clearing her throat. He just nodded his head.

"Emma. What're you doing here?" he asked. He was actually glad to see her.

"I'm here with Manny, but of course, she's gone off somewhere with Craig."

"Ah," J.T. replied.

"What about you?"

"Oh I'm here with Toby and Kendra," he replied uneasily, pointing behind him. Toby and Kendra were making out in a booth. Emma laughed.

"Yep, that could've been us," she said, louder than she wanted to. J.T. gave her serious look.

"Don't blame me for our break-up, Emma." He said.

"Whatever," Emma said, walking away, but J.T. grabbed her arm.

"Why don't we just get back together?" he said kind of jokingly. Emma gave him a weird look.

"You don't want to get involved with me again," Emma said gravely, shaking her head.

"Why not?" J.T. asked.

"Just, I don't know J.T. We can talk about this later," Emma muttered, stalking off.