Two Weeks Later…

Emma giggled, "Very funny, Chester."

She was a lot happier than she'd been in a while. She'd laughed more times than she could count. She and Manny's friendship had been totally repaired. Just like the old days. Emma's cheeks were flushed with pink, her hair was in her face, her shorts were glued to the sweat droplets on her legs, but she didn't care. Emma was tired out but completely happy.

"You haven't heard the best one! The dude walks into another gas station with a paper bag on his head, and tells the guy 'Give me all the money in the cash register… and that bottle of wine up there.' The guy tells him 'Sorry, sir. I can't give alcoholic drinks to those under 21.' The dude is like, 'I'm over 21. Here,' and he gives the guy his license!"

Both, Emma and Manny playfully hit Chester and laughed. Maybe his jokes were lame, but they were having fun. That was all that mattered.

"Alright, alright. It wasn't that funny," JT rolled his eyes, "Toby!"

"JT," Toby acknowledged him.

JT took a pencil out of his backpack, "Major flirtation going on back there. Have you seen Liberty?"

Toby tilted his head in Liberty's direction.

"I need that paper by tomorrow, Ms. Sinclair! Doesn't the Grapevine mean anything to you!" Liberty yelled.

"Gee, she's in a great mood," JT looked at Toby.

"Isn't she always."

"Libby, calm down," JT tried to raise her spirits.

Liberty glared at him, "Don't you 'Libby' me!"

JT placed his hand on her shoulder, "Why don't you come over to night? We can watch a few DVDs."

"Sounds promising, but the Grapevine won't write itself."

"Libby?" Emma asked JT, giggling. She nudged Manny.

x

Emma finally felt free. No more Jay. She didn't need to avoid him anymore. She didn't feel a thing for him… or so she thought. Then she heard his laugh. She tensed up and turned around. He was making fun of Danny. "Shrimp," one of the Montreal members chimed in. Luckily, Jay didn't seem to notice Emma.

"Leave me alone!" Danny jumped up and down, reaching for his hat.

This went on until a familiar voice came into the picture. "Here ya go, Shrimpy," a hand gave him his hat back; "He's like a little puppy. I can't help but feel sorry for him." It was Alex. She leaned in to kiss Jay. It turned into a full make out session. Some of the guys started whistling.

"They're back together?" Emma asked, astonished.

"Oh you know. He slithered his way back into her life. Usual Jay," Manny responded.

Emma's POV

Oh my God. My eyes must be deceiving me. Alex and Jay broke up. They CAN'T be back together.

Emma wanted to cry. Her heart was breaking. She couldn't deny it any longer. She was head-over heels for him. Suddenly, she felt insecure. She didn't want Jay to see her in the mess of clothes she was in. She darted toward the girls wash room and cleaned herself up.

x

"Emma, what's wrong," Manny asked, sympathetically.

"Nothing. Kind of depressed. I totally failed today's science exam."

Darcy ran over, "This is just what you need," she said, pointing to a "What's Your Type?" quiz in the latest issue of Cosmo.

Darcy read the questions, "Ok, last one. If your guy wrote you poetry, you would:

A: Swoon and tell all your friends about it

B: Feel awkward. That's more of a girly thing."

Manny quickly answered, "A, of course!"

Emma thought for a moment, "I choose B," she said, staring at Jay and Alex.

Darcy and Manny's eyes widened.

"Ok, ok," Darcy continued, "Manny, yours reads: 'Your guy is cute and cuddly…'"

Manny interrupted her, "Ok, I've heard enough. Em, girls wash room… now," She grabbed the wrist of the intensely jealous, Emma.

Darcy appeared confused, "I wasn't finished."

"Fine, your highness," Emma knew what was going on in Manny's head.

x

Jay's POV

We're back. Together. Again. I really needed Alex. She's perfect for me. Exactly like me in almost every way except she's female. Maybe, that's what's wrong. She's too much like me. Why am I thinking about this? Why am I questioning my relationship with Alex? I'm not gonna put us in jeopardy. Not again. I need her. If I loose her, I'm lost.

Darcy nudged Jay in the arm, "I need you to drive me home today."

"No can do. Dad's home. You're not staying there."

"Then where am I supposed to stay?"

"I don't know. Ask one of your little friends. Someone will feel sorry for you and take you in," he shrugged her off.

Darcy sighed, "Where are you staying?"

"Home. I can take care of myself."

"And I can't?"

"You're a lot more fragile than I am, Darce. Dad could snap you like a twig if he gets angry enough."

x

"Emma, tell me the truth. Do you or do you not have a thing for Jay?" Manny asked, anxiously.

"No! Of course I don't!" Emma insisted.

Manny didn't believe her, "I can see it in your eyes."

"Well then, my eyes lie. Because I do not like Jay Hogart."

"Em…"

"No," Emma cut her off, then choked on her words, "Yeah. I do like him." Tears welled up in her eyes, "I'm sorry!"

Manny began to sob as well, "Emma, you don't need to apologize. You can't change how you feel. You can talk to me about anything, you know that."

Manny held her best friend in her arms and stroked her hair.

"I just… I just hate how I feel. I don't want to feel this way. I don't even know why I like him? I want to hate him like he hates me."

x

Jay walked into the Hogart homestead.

"Jason," a voice called to him, "Jason, is that you?"

It was his father. Jay ignored him and continued upstairs.

"You stop right there," his Mr. Hogart commanded him, "Where's Darcy?"

"It's none of your business where she is," Jay replied, angered.

"Don't take that tone with me. I never see you or Darcy anymore. It's not acceptable," his father said, getting up from the couch. He walked over to Jay.

"Don't you fucking touch me," Jay warned him, "You're not going to hurt me or Darcy anymore. I'm not the same kid you used to push around. I'm not afraid to kick the shit out of you."

"I expected more respect than that. Get the fuck out of my house!"

Jay's eyebrows furrowed, "Done. I'm gone."

Jay's POV

I have nowhere to go. I mean maybe Alex's but her mom's a prostitute. There are guys over there every night. I can't go there. Emma's. Emma's place? Am I kidding? There is no way that I'm staying with Greenpeace.

Before he knew it, he was dialing her phone number.

"Hello." It was Emma.

"Hey Green—I mean Emma. Hey, this is a long-shot, but could I crash at your place tonight?"