The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, and Ellie slowly opened one eye, groaned, and snapped it back shut. Then she flopped over and stuffed her face into her pillow. There was nothing like waking up with a good hangover, something Ellie was all too familiar with. A moment later she peeked out at the clock on the bed stand, and then sat up in panic. Noon. Fuck. If she missed any more school, she would be….oh, right. Ellie flopped back down and sighed in relief as she remembered that she'd already been expelled. Well, it looked like her day- and the rest of her days to come- would be entirely free. She could do whatever the hell she wanted. Freedom.
But as she rolled back over onto her stomach, she couldn't get very excited about being expelled. Um, wasn't she kind of….throwing away her future? Most successful journalists were not high school drop outs, so she could kiss that dream goodbye. Eh, who cared? Being a journalist had only been her dream since the exact moment she was born, but so what? Ellie punched her pillow in frustration. It then dawned on her that at this point, she had no family and no future to speak of. And to top it all off, Ellie was able to admit that she had been hitting the bottle lately. Hard. Just like her mother. Ellie glanced over at the empty spot next to her, remembering that Brice was taking yet another "business" trip to Montreal, whatever that meant. Damn, it would be nice to just let it all spill out, to tell someone how stupid and worthless she was feeling. But of course Brice was off being mysterious and elusive, because he seemed to enjoy living a life shrouded in secrecy. Couldn't he ever just like, be there when she needed him?
Suddenly, Ellie's thought wandered back to Sean. Involuntarily, of course. She couldn't control her thoughts. She almost winced when she recalled that night at the Metropolitan, when she'd made a big scene by throwing a drink in his face. Not her finest hour, but Sean had been asking for it, coming to her boyfriend's gig and wandering back into her life. And now here she was, actually spending time thinking about him! He wasn't even worth a single thought.
Ellie tossed her tattered black knapsack onto the couch, and wandered over to the refrigerator. Sean was at a concert in Montreal with Jay and wouldn't be back till the next day, so it looked like Ellie would be
Spending a quiet evening alone in front of the television. A few days ago, after a particularly volatile argument with her shit-faced mother, Ellie had packed up a few things and moved in with Sean. The funny thing was that Sean's place felt more like home than her own house did, and she'd been living there for sixteen years. Ellie grabbed a can of Coke and popped the top. Then she froze. She could hear weird rustling noises and low moans coming from the back bedroom. Definitely suspicious.
Feeling sick, she mechanically walked to the bedroom and nudged open the door with her foot. The room was dark, but when her eyes adjusted, she could see two figures in the bed. The can of Coke slipped from her hand and tumbled to the floor. It was Sean. It was Sean and Riley Corey, Ellie's best friend. Make that former best friend as of that very second.
"Ellie!" Sean said in surprise, quickly disentangling himself from Riley and hastily trying to cover himself up with the sheets. Riley stared at her blankly, but Ellie could have sworn she almost looked….satisfied. God, the bitch didn't even have the decency to look guilty. Ellie couldn't take it anymore. She turned and ran.
When she reached the living room, hot tears were blurring her vision and Sean was close behind her, wearing a pair of boxers. "Ellie, wait." He touched her arm gently. Ellie yanked her arm away, as if she had been burned. "Get away from me!" She stumbled back against the couch. "How dare you touch me? What is wrong with you? And…and with her? How long, Sean? How long have you been fucking her?"
Sean went pale. "A few weeks. A month, maybe."
"Oh, god," Ellie said, feeling sick. She hadn't expected him to be so honest about it. She put a hand to her mouth. "You said you loved me." And I loved you, too, she thought.
"I do!" Sean exclaimed. "I love you. God, I love you."
"No, you don't. You wouldn't do this if you loved me." She slapped Sean hard across the face, pulled open the door, and stumbled out into the night…..
The next afternoon Ellie marched to Sean's house, dreading the inevitable confrontation. There would have to be if she wanted any of her things back. Well, I'm not forgiving him, she promised, walking up to the front door. I'm just here for my stuff, and then I never want to see his cheating face again! What Sean- and Riley- had done was inexcusable. Now Ellie understand why everyone had warned her about Riley. The two had hit if off right away- they were both misfits, never really fit in anywhere and never really cared. Sean, Riley, and Ellie had hung out all the time, like the fucking Three Musketeers. But all the while Riley and Sean had been messing around behind her back. In her opinion, they were both sluts. Who knew Sean would turn out to be such a manwhore?
Ellie lifted her hand to knock, but didn't. What for? Instead she barged right in. She found Riley and Sean sitting side by side on the couch. Sean was tapping his foot impatiently and Riley was nibbling on her nails. Ellie didn't even want to know what they were doing. "I'm just getting my stuff, and then I'm gone," she announced icily. "And just so you know, I find you two totally disgusting-"
Sean stared at her with wide-eyes. "El, get out of here-"
A pair of police officers walked into the living room. "Are you Ellie Nash?"
Ellie blinked, taken aback. "Uh, yeah. Is something wrong?" For a second she thought that maybe her mother had asked the police to bring her back home, but she knew her mother was far too lazy to put that much effort into it. She wondered if her mother had even realized she wasn't coming back yet.
"Is this your bag?" They held up her knapsack, which she had left the night before. She had run out so fast she had forgotten all about it. She nodded mutely.
"We've found some stolen items, including money, in your bag. We also searched your room and found a few things as well. You do stay here, don't you?"
"Well, sort of, but…"
"You're going to have to come with us."
Ellie looked over at Riley and Sean, who were wearing identical guilty expressions. It finally clicked for Ellie. They'd done this. They'd probably stolen some stuff, realized they were going to get caught, and then had put the shit in her things. "You did this," she said flatly, feeling completely emotionally drained. "Fucking each other wasn't enough? You just had to twist the knife a little deeper, didn't you?"
They just stared at her blankly as the police escorted her outside…
Ellie sat up with a start, her forehead wet with perspiration. Sweet fucking dreams, she thought wearily, remembering when her whole life had gone downhill. She wasn't surprised that Riley had let her take the fall, but she had expected more out of Sean. Maybe that had been her big mistake. But he'd proved that he was just as heartless and cold as Riley. Oh, he'd tried to explain later- they'd gotten high and stolen, and then had panicked- but Ellie wouldn't hear a word of it. He'd made it perfectly clear that he cared about Riley more- he'd protected her while Ellie was dragged off by the police. How dare he say he actually loved her?
Ellie couldn't have imagined that things would get much worse, but they did. The police had questioned her, and after awhile, she'd found no point in denying it. She'd stolen the money. She'd bought the drugs. At some point they'd discovered that she had run away from home to live with Sean, and that she cut herself. They'd whisked her off to a psychiatrist, who had quickly deemed her one fucked up girl. She'd already known that. Instead of sending her to a juvenile detention center, they'd sent her to a rehab facility where she could "receive the help she needed."
Ellie kicked the sheets off her legs. Honestly, she would have preferred prison. In the correctional facility, the girls had spent all their time talking about their feelings and discussing all their problems. But Ellie had quickly learned how to be a model patient, and after about a month, they'd decided to release her. She'd have to attend weekly therapy sessions for four months, but at least she'd be free. But then Ellie had walked out of rehab and seen her mother standing by her car, crying like she actually gave a shit about her daughter, and she knew she couldn't go back. She couldn't face going back home, not with her mother, who spent every waking minute completely wasted. And of course, not with Riley and Sean there. It had killed Ellie to know that while she was sitting in a rehab center, Riley was enjoying her freedom and probably screwing Ellie's boyfriend. It was so unfair. So she'd run off and had meant Brice, and the two had been inseparable ever since.
She simply couldn't forgive Sean. He didn't deserve it. You had to work for forgiveness. Ellie threw back the covers and walked over to the bathroom. Silently, she opened a drawer and pulled out a pink razor. She sat down on the toilette and went to work. She even tried to cut little designs into her wrists, as if she could make such a hideous act into artwork, into something beautiful. When she was done she tossed the razor into the trashcan. Sadly, cutting didn't make her feel any better. It just left her….numb.
She needed to talk to someone. God, anyone who would listen.Even a total stranger would bewelcome at this point.Ellie sat down on the bed and grabbed the phone. She punched in Ashley's number.
"Hello?"
"Oh, Ashley," Ellie said in surprise, glancing at the clock. Wasn't this about the time Ash should be in school? "I thought you'd be at school. I was just going to leave a message."
"No, I'm taking some time off from school," Ashley said. She sounded tired. Or maybe she was just mad at Ellie for calling, since Ellie had turned into such a shitty friend. "But it's nice you called. It's been awhile."
Gee, that was an understatement. Ellie bit her lip. Their friendship had never made sense in the first place. They were so different, but Ellie had been the only one to reach out to Ash after her friends had shunned her. A few weeks before Ellie was sent away, they'd gotten into a monstrous fight. Ellie had been pissed because Ash had started dating Damon on the rebound from Craig, and Ellie had a bad feeling about Damon. Ash had been angry because she couldn't understand why Ellie was spending so much time with Riley. Later Ellie had realized the whole thing was silly, and she'd wanted to apologize. But then Ellie's life become so important, and she'd been too busy thinking about herself to care about anyone else. When she came back to Degrassi, she'd pushed her friends like Marco and Ashley away, just because she hadn't wanted anything to do with anyone at the school. It just hurt too much, so she'd become a bitch. Ashley should hate her, but luckily she just wasn't that kind of person. "I know. I've been a jerk, actually. But I was wondering….maybe we could get together for lunch sometime? You know…just to talk."
There was a long pause. "Ok," Ashley said finally. "How about today? At The Dot."
"Today?"
"Yeah. I…I could use someone to talk to, too."
"There you are!" Alex cried, stomping into the shop classroom after last period. Jay set down his wrench and looked over at his girlfriend, who was tapping her foot impatiently with a ferocious scowl on her face. Lovely. Was it normal to be completely intimidated by your girlfriend, who was a good five inches shorter than you and half your size? "I've been looking all over for you. Schools over, loser, so let's go. There's a Seven Sins concert down in Lawndale, and if we don't leave now, we'll completely miss it."
Jay grabbed a towel and wiped his greasy hands. "Sounds cool, babe, but I can't go."
"What? What do you mean you can't go? It's Seven Sins, man."
"I mean, I can't go. I have to finish this shop project today, or I get an F. And I have play rehearsal, too."
Alex placed her hands on her bony hips, rolling her eyes in irritation. Like she couldn't believe he was actually doing something worthwhile with his time. "Oh, my, God. You're becoming a fucking nerd. Please don't tell me you're going to spend all your time doing lame things like school work and the play and shit."
"Look, Lexxi, I want to go to the concert, but I can't today," Jay explained slowly, wondering how long it would take for Alex to understand that he had new commitments now, and she was no longer one of them. And he wasn't becoming a nerd….but for the first time in his life, he was actually participating. But to Alex, actually putting any effort into anything classified you as a loser. "Besides, I'm a pretty important part of the play. It's Romeo and Juliet. It's kind of hard to do it without a Romeo, right?" Jay put on his most dashing grin and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her slim waist. "But you're still my first priority." He leaned in to kiss her, not really because he wanted to, but because he felt he should.
Alex shoved his face away with her hand. "You're so full of shit. Well, I'm going to the concert, with or without you. But you can go and practice lines with Emma Nelson and her army of geeks all you want." She turned and stormed out of the classroom, loudly slamming the door behind her.
He knew he should feel disappointed or upset or….something, but he didn't. And he was alarmed to find that he'd rather be practicing lines with Emma than going to an insane concert with Alex. Jay had to admit that his feelings for Alex had changed. Whenever she was in his presence, he was just irritated with her, with everything she did. The way she talked, the way she laughed, the way she chewed her gum. He tried to convince himself that she was just so damn annoying, but he knew what the real problem was- Alex wasn't Emma.
Oh, Jesus, I am a dork, Jay realized as he slid under an old Volvo. Because only dorks have crushes on Emma Nelson. Except maybe for Sean, but when he was around Emma, he acted like a dork.
The classroom was deserted and eerily silent, so Jay began humming to himself as he worked. He stopped when he heard the door open and the sound of gentle footsteps moving across the room. A minute later a pair of long, tan, shapely legs appeared next to the car. Emma? Jay thought hopefully. But when he slid out, he was disappointed to find it was just Riley. It wasn't that he didn't like Riley- they had a love-hate-mostly-hate relationship- but he wasn't in the mood for whatever drama she was carrying with her. And the girl was always loaded with some kind of drama. Plus she was obnoxiously over-confident and sarcastic. She had great legs, though. He couldn't help notice that.
"Hey, Romeo," Riley said, using her new nickname for him. She reached into the toolbox and grabbed a screwdriver. She waved it around like a weapon. Jay wished she'd keep her paws off his shit. "Nice tools. What are you doing?"
"I'm working on this car. Hey, could you put that screwdriver down? I need that."
Riley tossed it back into the box, and Jay winced as it clinked loudly against the other tools. "Whatever. Ew, you have bunch of grease on your face! Anyway, to get to the point, I think we can help each other."
Jay rolled his eyes. "I don't need help, but if I did, I think you'd be the last person I'd ask for it."
Riley sat down on the floor next to him, and leaned in, her aqua eyes sparkling mischievously. Jay eyed her suspiciously. "No, no, listen to me! You have a thing for Emma, right?" Jay blushed slightly, wondering if it was written across his forehead. Was he that transparent? "Maybe."
"That's a yes. I've seen you in action with her, and you're just not doing it right. But don't worry, because I'm willing to help you out. If we work together, I know we can break up Emma and Sean. I mean, as a team, we would be unstoppable. Of course, if you don't fuck everything up, that is."
Jay stood up and placed his wrench back in the toolbox. "Why would I do that? Sean's my best friend."
"Were you his best friend when you were fucking his girlfriend in the back of a van?" Jay turned and glared at her. "Sorry, sorry, didn't mean it. Anyway, and Emma is my best friend. That's why we need to break them up. They're a cute couple and all, but they're just not right for each other. They'd be way happier apart. And after they break up, Emma will be all yours." Riley grinned, like she was bestowing a gift to him.
"So what's in it for you?" He knew that Riley never did anything unless she got something out of it.
"Well, I thought that was obvious," Riley replied simply. "Sean."
Jay almost laughed. Of course. "Aw, that's right. Weren't you two messing around a couple months ago? I thought that was just a hook up."
"It was not just a hook up," Riley snapped, throwing a greasy towel at him. "I really cared about him!" Jay just laughed. Riley scowled. "Why is that so hard to believe? Look, I just know Sean would be happier with me, even if he doesn't realize it yet. He'll come around. And if you tell anyone about this, I'll make your life a living hell." She glanced at her nails casually, deciding not to mention that she and Sean had secretly been seeing each other. Some information was too confidential to tell stupid Jay. "I've been trying to get Sean forever. But the idiot can't let go of Emma. Breaking them up has been surprisingly difficult."
"I wanna know something," Jay asked suddenly. "The night of the dance, when Emma and I….you know. Why was she so fucked up? Emma's not into that stuff."
Riley tried to look innocent. "Jay, I have no idea….ok, fine, I gave her something. But she was about to hand over her virginity to Sean, and I couldn't let that happen! So I slipped a little something in her drink. I didn't know she'd do something really crazy, like hook up with you. That was an extra little surprise."
"You're a real friend, you know that?" Jay muttered sarcastically, shaking his head.
"Oh, come on. I wouldn't be talking, considering you definitely took advantage of the fact that Emma was so out of it. You should be thanking me. If it hadn't been for that, Emma wouldn't have touched you with a ten foot pole! No offense or anything. Look, forget about that." She waved a hand dismissively. "What's done is done, blah, blah, blah. But we can help each other with this. We really can. So are you in, or are you in?"
Jay noticed that she only gave him one option. He knew that if he didn't join in her sick little schemes, she'd just terrorize him until he gave in. Besides, Emma Nelson was slowly driving him crazy. "Yeah, ok. I'm in. But are you sure I'll end up with Emma?"
"Jay, have I ever screwed you over?"
"Well, actually, remember that one time when…"
Riley held up a hand. "No need to dwell on the past," she interrupted quickly. Riley smiled up at him knowingly. Hook, line, and sinker. "Jay, this is me. Of course you'll end up with Emma."
Craig pushed through the front doors of the school, stepping into the bright sunshine. It's a perfect day, he thought. So why did he feel like shit? The day had dragged on tediously, and Craig had spent most of his time obsessing over Manny and Parker. And to make things even worse, Parker was picking him up from school so they could go golfing with their dad. A "family-bonding" experience, as his dad had called it. He hadn't even noticed that Craig and Parker barely said a single word to each other, and that the last thing either of them wanted to do was spend quality time together. Craig glanced around and spotted Parker sitting in his car, talking to a girl who was standing by his window and casually smoking a cigarette. Craig rolled his eyes. He walked over to the car and slid into the passenger's seat. When the girl finally walked off, Parker turned to his brother. "Hey, Craigger. How's it going, bro?"
Craig shrugged and stared sulkily out the window. "Fine. Everything's great."
"Don't worry," Parker said, tossing his cigarette out the window and starting the engine. "A few more months and you'll be done with high school. And then, after that, you can erase it completely from your memory, like I did."
"Yeah, but you didn't even finish high school," Craig pointed out.
Parker smirked. "Oh, yeah. I forget sometimes." He glanced out the window. "Oh, hey, there's Manny." He waved at her, and Craig was dismayed to see her face light up like a damn Christmas tree. He couldn't remember the last time she'd ever looked so happy to see him. Manny started over, but hesitated when she saw Craig in the car. "Hey, Parker!" She paused. "Craig." She said it like it was some kind of venereal disease.
"Manny," Craig said, nodding curtly. Tension hung in the air, but Parker was completely oblivious. He just smiled stupidly at Manny.
"So, waiting for someone?" Parker teased. Manny shook her head.
"No, cheerleading practice got cancelled and I don't have a ride. I'll probably just walk home."
"No way," Parker said, patting the side of the car. "Got plenty of room in here."
"I don't know. I haven't had the best experiences with your car."
"Well, then, I insist. You two should get better acquainted." Parker winked at her, and Craig frowned. What did that mean? And did Parker really have to invite Manny along? Craig couldn't even imagine a more awkward situation. But a minute later, Manny was sitting in the back seat, and Craig was gripping the door handle so hard that his knuckles were turning white.
"Hey, I heard their opening this new amusement park downtown," Parker said conversationally as he drove along, glancing at Manny in the rearview mirror. "Roller coasters and everything."
"Oh, I love roller coasters," Manny said enthusiastically.
"Really? I didn't know you liked roller coasters," Craig said.
"Well, you don't know everything about me," Manny snapped back. Craig had hoped they could at least be civil to each other, but that obviously wasn't working out. He slumped down in his seat, wishing he could disappear. "Cool. Then we'll definitely have to go when it opens." Parker slapped Craig in the shoulder. "Hey, you like roller coasters, right Craig?"
Craig rubbed his shoulder. "Uh, not really, Parker."
Parker chuckled. "Oh, yeah. Hey, Craig, remember that one time we went to that amusement park with Mom and Dad, and you made them buy you that huge thing of cotton candy? And then you went on that tea-cup ride and threw up all over everything? And then you locked yourself in the bathroom because you were so embarrassed?"
Craig heard Manny giggling, and he glared at Parker. God, this guy was such a pain in his ass! "No, I don't remember that," he lied. Actually, the whole experience had been traumatizing, and Craig hadn't eaten cotton candy ever since. "But, I mean, it happens to a lot of people. Lots of people get motion sickness."
"Yeah…I guess," Parker said with a shrug as the car pulled to a stop in front of Manny's house. "Santos residence! I was going to charge you, but this one's on the house."
Manny smiled. "Thanks for the ride, Parker. Call me later." She grabbed her backpack and got out, without bothering to say good-bye to Craig.
"Wait, Manny," Parker said, turning around in his seat. "Want to go to the Seven Sins concert with us?"
"Really? That sounds cool!"
"Great!" Parker said happily.
Craig nudged Parker in the arm. "Um, we're not going to the Seven Sins concert. We're going golfing with Dad," he hissed. Parker stared at him blankly.
"Oh, didn't I tell you? Dad had an emergency surgery, so he cancelled on us. So we're going to the Seven Sin's concert!"
"Well, not me," Craig said grumpily, shaking his head. "Drop me off at home."
"Nope," Parker replied simply. "This cars only making one stop- and that's at the Seven Sins concert." He ruffled Craig's hair, which Craig hated. "Come on, Craggier- you like music, right?"
"Everyone likes music," Craig snapped through clenched teeth. "Nobody doesn't like music."
"Then stop being such a fucking whiner and cheer up. It'll be fun. Right, Manny?"
Manny hesitated. "Uh, yeah. It'll be fun. With…all of us there."
Parker nodded happily, and Craig wondered how anyone could be so oblivious. Didn't he have any idea how uncomfortable this whole thing was for him and Manny? As they drove off, heading for Lawndale, Craig stared out the window, wondering how a horrible day had suddenly just gotten worse.
"Emma, you look perfect. You're the perfect Juliet," Liberty gushed, stepping back and admiring her handiwork. Emma was standing in front of a full length mirror backstage, wearing one of the possible Juliet gowns for the play. "Now, if this one is the one we chose, I don't think I'll have to alter it at all. It hangs on you perfectly."
Emma cocked her head, admiring the way the lights made the beads on the dress sparkle. Even she had to admit she looked stunning. "It's gorgeous. I love it."
Just then the door of the dressing room flew open, and Riley waddled out, wearing the Nurse costume. In other words, a large fat suit with dumpy dress on it. "This is not fair!" Riley screeched, stomping her foot. She looked at Emma. "Why does Emma get to wear that and I have to wear this piece of shit?"
Before either Emma or Liberty could say anything, Jay walked by and saw Riley. He burst out laughing. "Oh, yes! Does anyone have a camera? Anyone?"
"Shut up JAY!" Riley screamed. "I quit!" She turned and ran back into the dressing room as fast as the fat suit would let her.
When she was gone, Liberty rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. "I better talk to Mrs. Kwan and do some damage control." She handed Emma her tape measure and walked away. Emma turned to Jay and put a hand on her hip. "You know, you didn't make Riley feel any better."
"Eh, she'll live. Besides, walking around in that costume might shut her up for awhile." He paused and nodded at her dress. "You look really beautiful in that."
Emma felt herself blush, and she turned away quickly. "Uh, thanks."
Riley remerged in her own clothes, her face red with fury. "I'm never ever wearing that again. Who says the Nurse has to be fat?" She walked over and hit Jay upside his head. "And you are the biggest jerk ever! Get out of here!" Jay just laughed and walked off. Riley rolled her eyes and turned to Emma. "As unfair as it is, that dress looks amazing on you."
Emma smiled. "Thanks. Once I take this off, we can leave."
Riley pretended to look surprised. "Oh, god, Em, I totally forgot I was supposed to give you a ride home! I'm going straight to the hair salon. I have an appointment in like, fifteen minutes. Do you hate me?" In reality, no such hair appointment existed, and she could have given Emma a ride home. But instead she was planning on hurrying down to Lawndale for the Seven Sins concert. Maybe she could even get Sean to go with her.
Emma sighed. "No. I can find a ride with someone else. Hey, Liberty, can I get a ride home from you?"
Liberty walked by and shook her head. "Sorry, I have to go to the fabric store and pick up some supplies."
"Maybe Jay could give you a ride," Riley suggested innocently. Jay walked by and frowned. "What about Jay?" he asked. Riley smiled as Emma glared at her.
"Emma here needs a ride. You have a car, right?"
Jay looked offended. "Yeah, I have a car. But not just any car. I happen to drive a-"
Riley held up a hand to silence him. "Before you begin describing your car in specific detail, I'll just let you know that neither of us care. Can you take her home?"
Jay shrugged. "Sure, I guess. It's on my way." He looked at Emma expectantly.
Finally, Emma sighed. "Ok. Just let me change." She hurried into the dressing room. Riley turned to Jay and pinched his cheek. "See? I told you I would help you out."
The ride home was going to be unbearable. Emma climbed into the passenger's seat of Jay's car, wrinkling her nose at the aroma of cigarettes and cologne that filled his car. But she had to admit she sort of liked it, in a weird way. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as Jay got into the drivers seat and started the engine. She wondered if she should say something. What should she say? Nothing she could think of seemed right. So, she went for something non-threatening and completely neutral. "You didn't put on your seatbelt."
Jay looked at her and smirked. "I know. The way I see it, if I get in a car accident and die, then I was just meant to get into a car accident and die. If I'm meant to live, then I'll live. There's no need for a seatbelt. There's no reason to mess with fate, right?"
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
"Fine. If it makes you feel better…." Jay strapped on his seatbelt. "So….we going to your house, or the ravine?"
Emma glared at him, and an awkward silence followed. Jay finally cleared his throat. "Just kidding."
"Just take me home."
They drove to Emma's house in silence. Jay kept darting hesitant little glances at Emma, while Emma just stared out the window, trying to think of reasons to just hate Jay and not be attracted to him. A few minutes later Jay pulled into Emma's driveway. "Well, there you go. It's been a lovely experience."
Emma smiled slightly. "You're such a jerk."
Jay shrugged. "I've gotten that twice today. I'm beginning to wonder if it's true…..are you're parents home?"
Emma shook her head. "My Mom took Jack to my Grandmas house for a few days, and Spike has a late teachers meeting so he won't be home till later tonight."
"Oh."
There was a long pause. "Do you want to come in?" Emma blurted out before she could stop herself. She was mortified, but she couldn't very well take it back. The invitation had already been put out there. Maybe he'd say no. But then again, Emma was secretly hoping he'd say yes. "Ok."
A minute later they were standing in Emma's living room. Emma shrugged her jacket off and tossed it onto a chair. "Want something to drink. We have tomato juice, soy milk, organic fruit juice."
Jay made a face. "Can I pass?"
Emma laughed. "Sorry. My Mom is kind of on this health-food only regime. Snake's been sneaking in doughnuts and cookies and hiding them under his bed. It's kind of sad."
Jay smiled and glanced around. "So this is the Nelson residence. It's exactly what I expected."
"And what did you expect it to be like?"
"Oh, you know….neat, organized….a little uptight. Sort of like you."
Emma folded her arms over her chest and made a face. "I'm not that uptight."
"Really? Ok, I'll prove it to you. Let me see your room."
Emma wanted to prove that she wasn't as tense as he thought, and refusing to let him up in her room was definitely tense. "Ok, sure," she said, jutting her chin out defiantly. She led him up the staircase and to her room. They walked inside, and Emma cringed when she saw how immaculate and tidy it was. The floor had even just been vacuumed. Jay smirked triumphantly. Emma sighed. "Ok. You proved your point."
"Knew it," Jay said, plopping down on Emma's bed. "Do you ever just let loose?"
"Sure I do. I…I let loose that night at the ravine."
Jay nodded. "I'd say so."
Another silence followed. Emma sat down next to him. He smelled like cigarettes and cologne, too. God, now she was smelling him! What was wrong with her? When she stepped back from the situation, it seemed truly unbelievable. Jay Hogart was sitting on her bed in her room and she was letting him. And the craziest thing of all was that she liked it. She wanted him there. And as she was thinking about all this, Jay suddenly leaned over and kissed her. Emma wasn't even that surprised. It was like she had felt it coming. They fell back onto the bed, and Emma lost herself in Jay's kisses.
After a few minutes, Jay's hand traveled down her pants, and she pushed him away gently. He pulled back. "Is this…ok?"
Was it? Emma wasn't even sure. She'd let him come up to her room because she'd really wanted this to happen. So she nodded slowly. It wasn't like they hadn't done this before.
She wasn't sure if she really liked Jay, or if she was just lusting after him. She couldn't figure out why she let him use her like this. She couldn't figure out why she liked it.
And at the moment, she couldn't really care.
Authors Note- It's been forever, but I've been super busy with life in general. I kind of finished this in a hurry, so sorry if it's not too great. A new chapter will be up in a while, and for people who read Nothing is Forever, that will be updated soon, too. Hope you enjoy and comments are always welcome! Thanks!
It's been forever, but I've been super busy with life in general. I kind of finished this in a hurry, so sorry if it's not too great. A new chapter will be up in a while, and for people who read , that will be updated soon, too. Hope you enjoy and comments are always welcome! Thanks!