Chapter Five: And I Walked Alone
(A/N: Sean and his parents back at Degrassi, living in a house.)
"What do you want to know?" Emma wondered as both detectives led her to a small office.
"Where were you on the night of January 31st?"
Emma laughed. "If I tell you that could get me in a lot of trouble … with my parents I mean."
"Are you admitting to assaulting this girl?" Evan wondered, showing Emma a picture of Kendra Mason. Mandy nudged her partner, shaking her head. He was doing everything all wrong.
"Kendra Mason." Emma scoffed. "Yeah right. That girl is so butch … no one would mess with her."
"You're avoiding the question." Mandy stepped in. "Where were you that night?"
"With a not so friend-like friend, doing things that only lovers do." Emma laughed as Evan looked away embarrassed. Recently, she'd been thinking about moving onto older guys and this detective was a hot as they came.
"Can we get a name?" Mandy wondered.
"Of course." Emma tossed her hair back. "First, there was Jay and then JT York, and maybe Chris … I'm not sure. I was at one of Paige Michelchuck's parties. Her place is always a blast."
"Look. Enough of this." Mandy spoke up again. "Were you at Sean Cameron's house on the day of his murder?"
"Murder?" Emma pretended to look shocked. "I thought it was a fire. Did he make it?" She continued, instantly putting on the super-interested, compassionate role.
"No. Unfortunately not." Evan responded, giving Mandy an evil glance. They didn't even know what happened at the Cameron house and she was already making crazy assumptions and connections.
"Oh my God." Emma began to breathe rapidly as if she was about to panic. "I can't believe it." The detectives watched her pretend to be sad for a while, even though it looked really genuine, before Evan stepped in and let Emma cry on his shoulder.
"You can go now," He said after she had settled.
"But we're not done." Mandy whispered.
"We are for today. I mean, look at her." Evan commented as Emma continued crying until she was out of the school.
"You so should've been there. It was so cool." Emma told Ellie as soon as they were out of earshot and away from anyone that would recognize them. They were heading towards the back woods near the school that lead to the main roads.
"What did they ask you?" Ellie asked, thinking about her conversation with Craig earlier. She couldn't wait until she saw him again.
"Exactly what you thought they did. And I was of course my charming self. I even put on the waterworks when they told me the bad news." Emma explained.
"What bad news?" Ellie stopped suddenly, looking back and forth between Emma's left and right eye.
"Kendra is evidently still alive and kicking." Emma whispered as Ellie kicked the rock in front of her and threw down her bookbag.
"Shit! Shit." She tried to calm down, but instead ended up yelling again. "Ahh! What did you do?"
"Me? I didn't do anything … only what you told me to do." Emma responded.
"You're right. It's cool." Ellie calmed down too suddenly, which always meant trouble. Everything was fine when she was talking, but when she was quiet … Emma didn't know what to expect.
"Cool." Emma nodded. "So, you wanna come over so I can tell you about the hot detective that questioned me? He is soo my type." She giggled.
"No … I mean I can't." Ellie answered distractedly.
"What? Why not?" Emma wondered, suddenly becoming needy.
"Well, you're never going to believe it, but … Craig and I are going to hang out." She answered.
"Are you into him?" Emma asked, really interested in what Ellie was going to say next.
"I don't know. He's really not my type at all, but we just clique. I mean … I don't know. I know I'm on the rebound from Sean, but this might be good for me." She retorted, truly expressing herself to someone for once.
"And do you really think he won't be giving it to some other chick on the side? Think about it Ellie. He's a guy. That's what they do … and we both know that you're not willing to go that far." Emma teased her as Ellie looked down, embarrassed.
"I never said we were dating or exclusive or anything. He's just a really cool guy I know. See ya." Ellie walked off, running the rest of the way until Emma saw her meet up with Craig, hugging him. They looked so … happy. "Ugh."
"Hey, what's up with you?" Jay wondered.
"What are you my shadow now? I need space." Emma mumbled, pushing him away.
"Look Em, I don't know what's up with you, but either you want to be with me, or you don't." Jay shouted as Emma kept walking. "The police questioned me too you know." Emma stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around.
"And what did you say?"
"I said that I didn't know you and that you weren't at that party." He joked.
"What?" Emma scowled.
"I told them that was the night—" Jay began, but Emma cut him off.
"Yeah, I know." She sighed.
"That you finally let me see who you are. And you're beautiful Emma. I love who you are when no one else is around, but your obsession over your public image sucks." Jay smirked. "If they knew you as I did…" He brushed her face lightly.
"Jay. Do not do this here." She pushed him as Jay backed Emma into a corner, forcing his tongue down her throat. "Jay, stop it. Stop!" Emma pounded on his chest as he backed off. "I'll come over to your place tonight, okay? Just not now." She whispered submissively, walking furiously across the street. Emma hoped that no one had seen what had just happened as she rushed over to the new Ferrari her parents had gotten her after her mother scored big in the lottery. It was amazing how being rich had changed her personality … and everything.
"Where do you get off making an accusation like that? The burning of the Cameron house has nothing to do with the battered girl." Evan tried to explain to Mandy, throwing his jacket into the car and later slamming the door.
"They were dating. It happened on the same night and some of the neighbors even saw Kendra Mason at the Cameron house a couple of hours before it started burning. Don't you think that's a little weird?" She wondered.
"Maybe, but there's not much else that we can do—"
"Until she regains consciousness." Mandy finished. "I think she will. Not many could've lasted a beating like that and when she does come to … the son of a bitch that did this to her will be locked up."
"So, who's your favorite artist? Your favorite band?" Craig wondered, playing around with his acoustic guitar.
"Well, do you mean past or present?" Ellie wondered.
"Either."
"Then I would have to say Fiona Apple and … POD, and Simple Plan." Ellie smiled. "I have too many favorites to choose. And you?"
"Me, me and oh yeah me." Craig joked.
"Yeah, let's not be arrogant." Ellie motioned for the guitar playing a few notes. "Surprised huh? My father taught me when I was little, but I haven't played in years." Ellie smiled.
"Looks like I have some competition." Craig stated, admiring Ellie from afar. "You know you're not anything like I thought you were."
"Did the loner, cynical bitch act fool you too?" Ellie stopped playing.
"Yeah. Why do you do that … pretend that you're something you're not?" Craig wondered.
Ellie took a deep breath in. "Because, no one really wants to know the truth and it's just easier to hide, you know?" She looked down shyly. "People would rather believe that I'm still a fragile recluse, so I let them. That way, I can weed out the ones who are just bull shitting me and the one's that really care and matter."
"And what am I?" Craig dared to ask, leaning in closer to Ellie. No girl had ever exposed so much of herself to soon to him and she was turning out just to be what he needed since his relationship with Ash was definitely over.
Ellie smiled, flattered. "Well, you're definitely genuine and…" She moved in closer as if she was going to kiss him. "and … you're a good friend." Ellie hopped off of the couch, coming to her senses. "It's really getting late and I should get home." She pulled on her jacket, brushing her hair over her shoulders.
"Hey Ellie." Craig walked over to her, opening the door and holding onto her arm. "Goodnight." He briefly kissed Ellie who was so caught off guard that she actually wore her emotions on her sleeve and smile.
"Thanks." Ellie backed away still smiling. The night wasn't a complete bust after all.
(A/N: I am trying to end this story in nine chapters and I don't think they'll be a sequel. Just keep reviewing … tell me what was good, bad, what you want or don't want, and what you expect. –NL)
To come: Kendra in the hospital, Emma's revenge, and a broken friendship
