Author's Note- Haven't updated in forever! But I'm working on this story, and hopefully its going to get very "intense" (just like the real Degrassi!). So please read and review and tell me what you think! Thanks

Riley gazed out the window of her English classroom, and sighed miserably. School was such a bore for her- she could be doing so many better things with her time. She glanced at the head of the room, and watched as Mrs. Kwan began discussing the themes of To Kill A Mockingbird. She despised Mrs. Kwan- she had basically called Riley a slut last year after she didn't turn in a stupid book report. God, she hated this school, although it was better than that gay prep school that her mother had wanted her to go to, but Riley had nipped that in the bud when she had put laundry detergent in the headmistress's coffee. She was officially banned for life.

Mrs. Kwan leaned against her desk, and accidentally tipped over her coffee cup, and the brown liquid spilled onto the floor. Riley began laughing loudly, and then realized that no one else was laughing with her. Mrs. Kwan glared at her.

"Well, Riley, since you apparently find this so funny, why don't you go get a mop from the janitors closet?" she suggested dryly, bending over and picking up her cup.

Riley scowled, grabbed her bag, and stalked out of the classroom. This was just another reason to hate Mrs. Kwan, the English Nazi. She wandered down the hall until she reached the maintenance closet. Don't they hire people called janitors to do this? She wondered. She sighed and pulled open the door slowly, in no real mood to lug a mop all the way back to the class like Mrs. Kwan's little bitch or servant or something. The door opened, and Riley switched on the light. Her mouth fell open in surprise.

Standing in the middle of the closet was Sean Cameron, locked in a passionate embrace with some random girl with long, black hair and way too much eye-makeup. They looked up in surprise, and Riley smirked. Before they could move, Riley reached into her purse and pulled out the digital camera she always kept in her bag, just in case. Thank God Daddy gave me this camera, she thought happily, quickly snapping a shot or two of the illicit moment. Finally, the couple broke apart.

"Riley! What…what are you doing here?" Sean said angrily, pushing the girl away. The girl had the sense to actually blush in embarrassment, and she hurried out of the closet. Riley stepped aside to let her leave, and then leaned against the door frame, a sly smile on her pretty face. "Well, well. What do we have here? Could it be Sean Cameron, cheating on his girlfriend for the millionth time?"

"Riley, why can't you ever mind your own business?" Sean snapped, frowning. "What are you doing, stalking me now?"

Riley snorted. "Please. Don't flatter yourself, loser. Mrs. Kwan is a spaz and managed to spill her coffee, and because she's hates me, she sent me to get a mop. Following you-please. In typical retarded Sean Cameron fashion, you cheat on Emma once again and are stupid enough to actually get caught. Isn't it just a great coincidence that I have my camera with me? I think that was a great shot, don't you?" she crowed, waving the camera at him.

"Give me that!" Sean snarled, lunging for the camera. Riley pulled the camera away and shook her head.

"Not so fast. If I give you the picture, however am I going to be able to show Emma? No, that won't do. I think I'll keep it, for memory sake."

Sean folded his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at her. "You're a bitch."

"And your screwed, if I show this picture to anyone," Riley retorted, stuffing the camera back into her bag. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and smirked. "Do you realize what this means? I own you," she exclaimed gleefully, and Sean could practically see the wheels turning in her scheming little head.

"Oh, please. Don't get too excited. You're not going to show that to Emma."

"Wanna bet?" Riley challenged. "This is so priceless. I'll tell you what. I won't show Emma this if you start being nicer to me."

"That's it?" Sean asked skeptically, figuring it couldn't be that simple. Nothing was that simple with Riley Corey. Riley shook her head.

"You wish. No, you be nicer to me….and if I happen to ask you to do a few things for me, you do it."

Sean thought for a second. Do a few things for Riley, or fuck up his relationship with Emma. He could bruise his pride and become Riley's temporary servant, because he figured she'd forget about it after awhile, anyway. Emma was way too important to him. He would amuse Riley for awhile until it blew over. He finally nodded and sighed. "Alright. I'll do whatever you'll say. But just to clarify something, I'll never like you."

"You'll do whatever I say, and you'll do it with a big smile on your face-"

"Don't push it," Sean interrupted. Riley smiled.

"Alright. Well, it was fantastic doing business with you, Seanny," Riley purred, reaching over and grabbing a mop. "But I should really get back to class with this. See you later!" Riley waved and turned to leave, and Sean just scowled at her. She turned suddenly and smiled at him. "Oh, and Sean?"

"What?" Sean snapped through clenched teeth. He had beyond his daily dose of Riley.

"The janitor's closet? That is so tacky."

"Alright, Gavin. We have a bit of a problem here."

It was too hot and too early for this, Spin realized, as he shifted uncomfortably in the hard metal chair he was sitting in. The cops had showed up at his house, and while his mother cried and his father yelled, Spin was dragged into the smelly car and hauled off to the damn police station. They had thrown him in a cell for a few hours, and then they had finally taken him to a smoldering hot interrogation room. It was almost nine in the morning, and Spin should be at school, but instead he was sitting here, being asked pointless questions by hairy men with bad breath.

Spin shrugged, and the man sighed. "We take domestic violence very seriously in this city. It's not something we tolerate. You want to tell us what happened?" It wasn't a question- it was a command.

No, he really didn't. He was exhausted and angry, and he was in no mood to be badgered by this fat, incompetent man. "Look, are you going to charge me or something? Can we just get it over with?"

"Well….would you like us to charge you?"

Well, the obvious answer was no, but the guy was looking at him like he actually expected him to reply. Where do they find these assholes? He wondered. "No," he muttered. The man nodded.

"I didn't think so," he said. "So, what set you off? You're dad wouldn't let you stay out late? He caught you with some weed, so you got a little pissed?"

If only it was something that trivial. He glanced up at the man. He didn't really feel the need to explain himself- this guy had no idea what his family was like. Before he knew what was happening, he was blurting out the one thing he had promised himself he wouldn't talk about. But maybe, maybe, it was time Spin spoke up. "No. My dad has been doing fucked up shit to my sister, and I was sticking up for her." There. He'd said it, and damn, it had felt good.

The man blinked, and then smirked and shook his head. "Gavin-"

"It's Spinner. I like to go by Spinner."

"Fine. Spinner, I've known your father for years, and you're telling me he's been molesting your sister?" the man grunted. "You're father is a fine man, Spinner. A fine man who I respect. I'm not going to let some little fuck-up like you spoil all that man has worked so hard for."

Spinner's mouth dropped open, although he wasn't exactly surprised. Of course he got stuck with the one officer on the force that was a friend of his father. The asshole didn't believe him. He didn't fucking believe him! This guy thought that Spinner was just some moody, whiny teenager that was mad at Daddy because he took away his cell phone or something. The man shook his head.

"Well, lucky for you, your father has dropped the charges," the man told him, picking up a file and waving it at him. "But if we have another little incident like that again, it's going to be a different story, understand?"

Spin nodded. He understood. He understood that his father was going to get away with everything. He understood that things weren't going to change. He understood that the world was fucked up and unfair and that he was tired and that he just wanted to go home and collapse into bed. But most of all, he understood that he had let Kendra down- he had promised to protect her, but he couldn't. What kind of brother couldn't even protect his own sister? A crappy one, that's what.

So Spin walked out of the police station and got into his father's car with his parents, and nothing was said. They just drove home in silence like nothing had happened, like they had all forgotten. But Spin wouldn't forget.

Ashley stared into the mirror over her sink, staring at the purplish- bruise on her cheek. She grabbed a compact and layered it with powder, but that only made it more noticeable. She swallowed hard, wondering what people were going to say. What was she going to say? She knew she could just tell everyone the truth- that she and her boyfriend had gotten in yet another fight and he had hit her in the face. Only once, but it was enough to leave a mark. A rather large mark that was apparently immune to make-up.

She loved Damon- she really did. He needed her, and she needed him, and they both knew it. Damon's mother had killed herself a few years back, and he had been messed up ever since. After Ash had had her emotions tugged back and forth by Craig Manning, Damon had been a pleasant relief. He was totally absorbed in her- he hardly looked at other girls (let alone sleep with them!). Things had been great for the first few weeks, really romantic and sweet and all that. But then they had started fighting, over mostly stupid things, and Ash soon realized Damon had a temper. She could understand that, after everything with his Mom, but when he had started physically lashing out at her, she considered breaking up with him a million different times. But she was scared of what would happen if she did. Damon would fall apart. She shook her head and walked out her bathroom, and then left for school.

Later that afternoon she walked down the hallway of Degrassi, knowing that people were staring at her curiously and whispering about her. She kept her chin tucked in and stared at the ground as she hurried to her locker. God, she wanted this day to be just over. She hadn't seen Damon yet, and she didn't want to. Ash finally got to her locker and opened it up, dumping all her books into it. A second later, of all people, Craig Manning walked up, looking bashful and adorable as usual. She hated that. She hated when Craig looked so irresistible, when he could make her completely forget Damon even existed.

"Ash….how are you doing?" he asked in a quiet voice. He was wearing the leather jacket she had given him a few months ago. She wondered what that meant- he wasn't wearing anything Manny had given him, was he?

"I'm fine," she said with a shrug. "How have you been doing lately?"

"Oh, it's all been really good. I've kind of been seeing my Dad a lot lately. You know, reconnecting and all that," he said. Ash nodded. He didn't have to mention how his father used to beat him- Ash knew all about that. She swallowed hard and stared into her locker. She wondered how many times Craig had showed up to school with bruises.

"Anyway….what happened there?" He gestured to her face.

"Um…this?" she asked, gently touching her cheek. "I got…hit by this….door." Crappy lie, but it was the best she could come up with. Craig stared at her, and she knew he didn't buy it. So what? Why should she give a shit about what Craig Manning thought? He had basically torn her apart. He was dating Manny Santos. He wasn't "her" Craig anymore. He seemed so distant now, like they were strangers. "It was an accident."

Craig leaned in closer. "Was it?" he asked quietly, like they were sharing a secret.

What was with him? Why couldn't he mind his own damn business? "Yes, it was," she said, frowning. "And I really don't see how it's any of your business, considering I'm not your girlfriend anymore. You chose Manny, remember?" She closed her locker and turned to walk off.

"Hold on," Craig said, and he grabbed her wrist to stop her. The wrist that had bruises all over it, courtesy of Damon. Ash winced and wrenched her arm away. Craig noticed her flinch, and suddenly reached over and pulled up her sleeve. "Let me guess- a door did that, too?"

"Leave me alone!" Ash snapped, shaking her head.

"Look, I know what it's like to be knocked around," Craig said slowly. "It's not fun."

"You don't know anything," she hissed.

"I don't know anything?" Craig asked. "I used to come to school with bruises and cuts, hoping people wouldn't notice. And no one did, so I kept going home and getting beat up all the time. But I finally realized that I didn't deserve any of it, so I-"

"That's an interesting little story," Ash interrupted, bending over and picking up her bag. "But it has nothing to do with me. I got hit be a door, ok? Get over it." She turned and stalked away, holding her head high. Stupid Craig Manning. Maybe Damon was a little rough, but at least he wasn't a push-over cheater like Craig. And he didn't stick his nose in places it didn't belong. She sniffed. Well, she was so over Craig.

So over him.

Why the hell did I even bother to get up this morning? Manny wondered to herself as she slowly walked down the hallway, rubbing sleepily at her eyes. After everything she had been through, her mother let her stay home sometimes, just because she knew how much Manny despised school. The only reason she ever bothered coming was because Craig was there, and he at least made her feel a little better.

Manny was the school slut, and she knew it. When she walked down the hall, people whispered about her, no doubt discussing the latest guy she screwed or who she had given a blow-job to in the girl's bathroom. They were all fucking hypocrites- Manny would be anything most of the girls in the school weren't even virgins themselves. But they still walked around starting stupid rumors about her, simply because it made them feel cool.

Manny had gotten used to it, but it still bothered her. Honestly, she didn't really have many friends anymore- mostly just Emma, Riley, J.T and Toby. And of course, Craig, who ignored what people said and made her feel like the most perfect girl ever….but he wasn't stupid. He knew that people talked, and he usually stuck up for her.

She remembered a few weeks ago when Mark Elliot, this slimy pervert on the soccer team, had asked Manny out and she had politely declined. Well, Mark, being the egotistical freak he was, couldn't handle being turned down, so he had started telling everyone that they had had sex in the back of his dad's pick-up truck. Like Manny would really ever have sex with a guy in some smelly, dirty truck. Anyway, Riley had told Manny what everyone was saying, and she had gone crying to Craig about it. That afternoon, Craig and Mark started arguing in front of the entire school, and Craig had given him a bloody nose. As bizarre as it sounded, it showed how much he really loved Manny.

Manny approached her locker, and noticed something sticking out of it. A white rose. Manny smiled softly and pulled it out. Craig, she though, smiling happily. It was so typical that Craig would do something like this- it wasn't even a special occasion or anything. Suddenly, Manny's day didn't seem so horrible anymore. She was going to find Craig after school, give him a big kiss, invite him over, and they could have sex all night long.

Manny turned to open her locker and jumped when she saw someone leaning against the locker next to hers, smiling coyly at her. EW, she though immediately. Sully. The slime and bane of her existence. Her first instinct was to ignore him and pretend like she hadn't noticed him, but she realized that was probably rude. "Sully…oh, hi," she said, resisting the urge to shiver in disgust. She opened her locker, the rose in her hand.

A minute later, she realized he was still staring at her. It was beginning to get creepy. "May I help you?"

He nodded. "Like the rose?"

Manny glanced at him in surprise. "You gave this to me?"

He nodded. "Yeah. It's almost as beautiful as you."

Manny rolled her eyes. A typical, tacky, pick-up line. "Yeah…it's nice," she said, tossing it carelessly into her locker. Now that she knew it wasn't from Craig, it held no sentimental meaning at all. "Why did you give me a flower?"

Sully shrugged. "Why not? I miss you, Manuela."

"Please," Manny said with a snort. Her brief relationship with Sully had been a joke, really. She had only dated him to make sure her new, sexier look was working, and he had only dated her because he was a horny bastard looking for a piece of ass. "You just liked fooling around."

He looked hurt. "Manny, that hurt. It really did. I really care about you. I miss being with the hottest girl in Degrassi." He reached out and slung an arm around her shoulders. She wrinkled her nose and removed his arm.

"Um….right. You know I'm with Craig."

"What's your point?"

Manny sighed. "Sully, get over yourself. If you must know the truth, I find you repulsive. Most girls do."

"Spicy," he said, wiggling his eyebrows. "Sully like."

Tool, Manny thought. Ok, this conversation was officially over. She closed her locker. "Oh, it's such a turn-on when you refer to yourself in third person," she said sarcastically. "Look, Sully, we're done. Forever. I have a boyfriend, and you have no redeeming qualities. So thanks for the rose and everything, but it's not going to happen." She patted him on the shoulder and walked off. He turned and watched her go, admiring her fine ass.

"I'm not done with you yet, Manuela," he called. Manny smirked as she rounded the corner. He was truly pathetic.

Riley wiggled her toes in the air as she cradled the phone between her chin and shoulder. Provocative Pink was totally her color. She smiled into the phone. "Do you think I have adorable feet?"

"Oh, their perfect," Calvin said. Riley giggled.

"I know. Anyway, what are you doing? I'm terribly bored. Want to meet somewhere? I could really use some….quality time with you," she whispered into the phone in her sexiest voice.

"I'm just going through papers at my desk. I can't tonight, Riley. I'm having dinner with my parent's-in-law," he said. Riley's face immediately fell. The wife. Ugh. It was such a complete turn-off when a guy started talking about his wife or her family. Riley stared at her painted toes. "Oh. Well, that sounds like it's going to be blast," she said sarcastically, trying to sound like she didn't care, although she really did. Rule number one of dating an older, married man- always act like you have something better to do. Make him want you. But apparently, tonight, he didn't. Well, screw him, she thought.

"Whatever….I'm pretty busy right now, anyway."

"But I thought you just said you were really bored-" Calvin began, but Riley cut him off.

"Anyway, I was thinking about the banquet at the country club tomorrow night," she interrupted loudly. "I have the most amazing dress….it's dark blue and velvet, and I look amazing in it. I was thinking we could mingle a bit, and then I'll go upstairs and meet me up there like last time…" Now, who could refuse a proposition like that? Riley rested her head back on her pillows and smiled into the phone. She didn't love Calvin or anything, but it was fun to know that she has this handsome, delicious older man completely fixated on her.

Calvin cleared his throat. "Well…..I don't think so, Riley. Like I said, my parents-in-law are in town, and we're taking them with us to the country club. How would it look If I disappeared for an hour? But I promise- we'll get together this weekend, alright?"

"You're ditching me for your in-laws?" she barked into the phone. "Unbelievable! I mean….well….that's just stupid!" She really couldn't think of anything else to say. She had never been ditched like this, unless she counted Sean, but she didn't.

"Look, I've got to go. I have to go pick up my son. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" And he hung up.

Riley stared into the phone. What the fuck? She slammed down the phone and folded her arms over her chest. Well, nobody treated Riley that way. Well….except for Sean, but once again, he didn't count. He was the exception to every rule, and she hated it. She hadn't wanted to admit to anyone, but she had seriously (and briefly) thought she was in love with Sean. Now she just looked back and decided it was temporary insanity, but still…..Suddenly, she got a brilliant idea. She sat up and grabbed the phone, and punched in the number. It rang three times, and finally someone picked up.

"Hello?" came a scruffy voice, and Riley couldn't help but smile softly. Sean could be so incredibly sexy. And stupid.

"Sean, guess who?"

He paused for a minute. "Satan?" he said finally.

"No," Riley snapped. "Your favorite person ever, Riley. You know that little deal we made in the janitor's closet? Remember, when I caught you fooling around with that tramp? And I got that picture?"

"Yes," Sean said, sighing. "When are you going to get over that?"

"Sean, it was a whole twelve hours ago," Riley pointed out. She twirled the telephone cord around her finger. "I need a little, tiny favor from you," she paused, and then continued. "There's this banquet at the country club tomorrow night, and I need a date."

Sean didn't even have to think. "Fuck no. I'd rather slit my wrists than attend some ritzy social function with you."

"Why not? You should be fucking flattered, Sean. Look, I'll give a tuxedo and I'll buy you dinner and all that crap. It might actually be fun. You know, all the most important people in town are going to be there. I know that's kind of an unfamiliar concept to you, considering your, well….not important, but most people would give anything to go to one of these things. You can pretend like your rich and successful for a night, since it's probably going to be the only time you'll ever get a chance to feel that way. Cuz let's face it-your not really going anywhere, you know what I mean?"

Sean stared at the television screen in front of him. It was amazing how Riley had just basically called him low-life, trailer-trash, yet she thought she was actually being sweet and generous about this. The idea of spending an entire evening with Riley was a revolting thought. "I said no. Find some other poor guy to take you."

"Alright. Could you hold on for one second? I've got to go show Emma this really important picture, so I'll be right back, ok?" she purred, setting down the phone. She chuckled when she heard Sean yelling at her to come back. So she picked it back and smirked. "I guess you're coming, then?"

"Yes. God, I'll go with you. But I want a steak. Like, a 30 oz steak, and two baked potatoes, and dessert."

"Jesus, you're such a glutton," she said. "But fine. I'll come buy around seven to pick you up in my limo. You do know what that is, right?"

"Fuck you."

Riley ignored him. "Oh, this is going to be so fun! I can't wait, Sean. I know you're excited. I'll see you later!" And she hung up. She didn't want him to change his mind and back out or something. She picked the bottle of nail polish back up and smiled contently. The truth was, she probably could have found other guys to take her, but she didn't just want some guy. She wanted Sean. And she was going to use him to make Calvin totally jealous- which Sean didn't know about yet, but that didn't really matter. Calvin was totally going to realize he loved her tomorrow night.

And who knows? She thought happily. Maybe Sean will fall madly in love with me, too!

It was late, but Paige wasn't tired at all. It was kind of hard to be when you're making out with someone, but she was completely wide awake. She sighed happily as she lay on her bed and as Jimmy began kissing her neck. Her parents would absolutely freak if they walked in and found them making out on her bed, especially since it was Jimmy, and not Spinner she was making out with. But she wasn't worried, because her Dad slept like a bear in hibernation and her Mom always popped more than a few sleeping pills, so they were out for good. She giggled lightly as Jimmy playfully bit at her neck.

"Are you sure you're parents aren't going to come in?" he whispered. Paige shook her head, so Jimmy sat up and pulled off his jersey- shirt and tossed it aside. Paige smiled at him, thinking how dangerous and exciting it was to be doing something sneaky and wrong- and the possibility of getting caught just turned her on even more.

Paige was about to pull off her own shirt when she suddenly heard a thump on the side of her house. She sat up and glanced around. "Wait, what was that?" she whispered.

"I don't know…a bird…." Jimmy said casually, leaning over to kiss her, but Paige pushed him away and stood up. There was another noise, a thump, and then a slight knock on the window. Paige walked over to her window and pushed aside the curtain. Standing on the small ledge outside Spinner, and he waved at her. Instinctively, she pulled the curtains shut, and immediately panicked.

"It's Spin. Get in the closet!" she whispered to Jimmy, who was sitting on her bed, staring at her. He sighed and stood up.

"Look, Paige, maybe we should just come clean and tell Spin the truth right now-"

"Get in the closet!" she hissed at him. She grabbed a pillow off her chair and hurled it at him. "I mean it! Get your bony ass in the closet right now!"

Jimmy rolled his eyes and walked over to the closet, opened the door, and stepped inside. He gave Paige an aggravated look, and then slammed the door shut. Paige sighed; pulled open the curtain, smiled at her boyfriend, and slowly opened the window for him. She stepped aside as he climbed in, and then jumped down onto the floor. She looked at him and frowned. He didn't look good at all. He was pale; there were bags under his eyes, and a small bruise on his forehead.

"God, what the hell happened to you?" she asked. "And why weren't you in school today?"

Spin sighed. "It's a long story," he said. "Don't I even get a kiss?"

Paige bit her lip hesitantly. She wasn't sure if she could bring herself to actually kiss Spin, not with Jimmy lurking in the closet a few feet away. What an awkward situation. Paige nodded slowly and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Baby, what happened?"

Spin sat down on her bed and ran a hand through his messy blonde hair. "I was at the police station all day."

There was a moment of silence, and Paige stared at him, expecting him to continue. Instead, he just sat there, fiddling with the zipper on his sweater. She threw up her hands. "Ok. Thank you for that lengthy explanation. Spin, what happened? Come on, I'm your girlfriend! You have to tell me," she begged, sitting down next to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Sweetie, are you ok?"

"I'm fine," Spin said, looking deep into Paige's deep blue eyes. "I just got in this fight with my Dad, and the police were called….it wasn't a huge deal or anything. I just got questioned and they let me go."

"What was your fight about?"

Spin thought for a second. Should he tell her? On one hand, this was his girlfriend. They could tell each other everything, and they usually did. He trusted her completely. And he had to tell someone the truth. Someone who'd believe him, not like that jackass cop. And Paige would believe him. On the other hand, it was private family business, right? Screw it. He needed to tell her. "My dad….he's been molesting Kendra."

"Oh, Spin," Paige said, resting her head on his shoulder and staring up at him with wide eyes. "Are you serious?"

He nodded. "I confronted him about it. He got mad and we just started fighting. I told the police the truth, but the bastard didn't even believe me. I just…I don't know what to do."

"Go to the police."

Spin laughed hollowly. "Been there, done that. They basically just called me some jerk-punk who made it all up. Anyway…" he said, rubbing his eyes. "I just wanted to come over and see you. I just needed you. I love you, Paige."

Paige suddenly remembered that Jimmy was listening to their entire conversation. She smiled softly and nodded. "I love you, too. But you should go home and get some sleep. You look like hell," she said, reaching out and stroking his hair. "We'll talk some more in the morning, alright?" She kissed him, and they both stood up. After saying their good-byes, Spin jumped out the window and climbed back down. Paige slowly closed the window after him, and a second later Jimmy stepped out of the closet. He was hard to see her dark room, but she could tell he was staring at her with a frown on his face.

"I think you should go," she said quietly.

"Paige…."

"No," she said, tears forming in her eyes. "I can't do this anymore. Spin needs me more than anything, and I'm messing around with you. I'm the worst girlfriend ever."

"So what are you saying?" Jimmy asked. "You want to stop seeing each other?" Paige nodded. "Paige, I love you. I really do. I don't want to end this."

"Well, I do," Paige said in determination, even though her heart was telling her to just shut up. "I can't hurt Spin like this. I won't."

They stood there in the dark, silent room for awhile, just staring at each other. They both knew it was wrong, and that they should stop, but they both didn't want to. Finally, Jimmy shrugged and grabbed his shirt off the floor. "Fine. If that's how you feel…I guess this is it." He pulled on his shirt and walked past her to the window. Paige whirled around.

"Wait! We can still be friends….right?"

Jimmy opened the window. "Things just aren't that same anymore, Paige. You know that." And he turned and eased his athletic body through the window. And a second later, he was gone. Just like that. Paige stood there, trying to comprehend exactly what had happened. She wasn't exactly sure, but she knew one thing- she and Jimmy were done. She knew it was the best thing for everyone- Spin needed her, and she needed Spin. They belonged together, and they would stay together. And she'd forget about Jimmy Brooks.

But she couldn't help but wonder if she had just made the worst mistake of her life.