Chapter 14

(Emma's perspective.)

Emma's stomach lurched uneasily at the sight of Manny. A deep surge of jealously filled her. She wasn't sure why but she did not like the idea of Manny showing up when she was meeting Craig.

"What are you doing here?" she asked nervously.

Manny gazed at her a moment before answering and when she finally did her voice was uneasy as if attempting to hold back tears.

"I wanted to explain myself," Manny walked around the room " I know you like Craig. It's just when I saw him leave that note on your locker. I was envious. He really cares for you. He cares for you in a way he never did for me. Craig loves you Em. You can't lose that. I'm sorry I almost ruined it for you. You deserve Craig. I'm tired of being jealous." Manny gave Emma a big hug while her eyes streamed with tears.

Emma was shocked at Manny. She hadn't seen Manny act this mature since grade 7. Manny said good bye and gave a weary smile before leaving.

Emma sat on her bed and waited. She listened carefully waiting for a sound of Craig. There were a few taps on her window. Emma opened it and let in Craig.

He climbed in. He looked older in some way. The smell of his cologne filled the room and Emma remembered how much she liked the smell of him. How much she liked him.

They stared at one another uneasily before Craig finally broke the silence.

"Listen, I know what I jerk I have been. I know how wrong I was. I'm willing to give this another chance if you are."

Emma needed to think for a moment. Craig had put her threw hell the last few weeks. She went from loving him to hating him. If she was going to be with him she wanted a commitment. Emma was finally ready for a boyfriend. Sean had left so abruptly leaving her with such pain. Now she was ready again.

"Craig, I don't want to be your secret lady anymore. I can't do it. I can't handle the secrets and lies. I need every drop of you, every essence. I want all of you or nothing. I need you Craig." Emma took a big breath of air, "If I can't be your girlfriend and we can't tell others… then I don't want anything from you. Not a friendship. Nothing."

This was the moment Emma had been waiting for. She had wanted to say so much more but couldn't bring herself to speak the words she longed to say.

Craig looked deep in Emma's eyes as if looking into her soul. When he spoke, his voice was filled with confidence.

"I know I let you down. Hell, I let myself down. That's what I do. I have let Ashley down, Joey, and the list goes on. I just want another chance to prove myself to you. Emma Nelson I love you. I can't be away from you. When I am all I do is think of you. Ellie is great but you… you are amazing. No one could ever stop me from loving you. Not Ashley and certainly not Ellie. No more secrets. I'm ready too."

In a burst of emotion and over filled with joy, Emma grabbed Craig and kissed him. She had wanted to kiss him for so long but wasn't able to.

The window gave a creak as they both climbed out of it and into the night.

Craig took Emma's hand and walked her over to there old spot. They both laid down in the grass and gazed at the stars.

Together again at last.

A/N: Yes, I'm ending this story. I want to start something new. I think it has gone on for long enough and I think it ended at the right time. Thank you to everyone that read and enjoyed my story. I enjoyed writing it. It's the only fan fiction I have actually finished. Wow, I can't believe it. 14 chapters.