CHAPTER 27-Second thoughts
Manny POV
I couldn't believe how badly I had messed my life up. Word had gotten around even faster than last time, and the backlash was a hundred times worse. But now, no one would talk to me. Not even Emma. I had tried to apologize for the way I had behaved, but she just grimaced and walked away. Who was I going to sit at lunch with? The only spare table was the one where Chris was sitting at alone. I put my tray down next to him and smiled. He moved his books out of the way so I could sit next to him.
"Thanks.' I said.
He shrugged and pulled off his headphones.
"No problem. I know Emma and everybody is giving you problems…" he said, trailing off.
I nodded.
"It sucks." I replied.
He put his hand over mine.
"So I guess this is your new lunch table." He said.
"I guess so." I replied.
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Kate POV
I was sitting at lunch with Ashley, Paige and Hazel.
"I can't believe it. Everyone is getting engaged." Hazel said.
"We're not engaged, really. It's more of a promise ring than an engagement. He gave me one last year before I left." I said.
"Okay, this guy proposed not once, but twice! Total catch." Paige said.
I smiled and looked at my lunch.
"Let's see the ring!" Hazel gushed.
I put my hand across the table as Hazel and Paige both sighed.
"It's perfect." Hazel breathed.
"It really is." Ashley said.
"Your guy is totally perfect, Hun. Bring him to the Dot tonight. I have to meet this guy with impeccable taste." Paige said.
I beamed and nodded as Craig was passing our table. He glanced at my ring, which was still in clear view. He reeled back as if he had been slapped.
"Nice ring. That…must have been really expensive." He said.
"Ben thinks that I'm worth it." I said coldly.
Craig looked into my eyes and I felt my heart skip a beat. Paige interrupted us and I looked away.
"Go away. None of us our interested in your sob story, loser." Paige said rudely.
Craig left and Ashley got up to go after him.
"Ashley! You cannot go after him. He treated Kate like dirt He treated YOU like dirt. Forget him." Paige said.
Ashley sat back down and looked at me. I diverted my attention to Hazel and Paige's conversation topic-my wedding.
"You have to have roses," Paige was saying.
"Totally." Hazel agreed. I smiled and tried to fill my thoughts with Ben.
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JT POV
Love was in the air. Everybody was proposing, having sex, etc. I couldn't do any of those things with Ash, so I had to do something sweet for her on her birthday. That morning I had flowers delivered to her in homeroom. And at lunch I surprised her with a small cake.
"Happy Birthday." I said to her.
"Thank you. You are so sweet." She replied.
But that night I was going to do something great for her. I picked her up and took her to dinner, showered her with compliments and took her for a walk. I had to do it now.
"Ashley. I have something, pretty major to tell you. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever met, and I care about you. In fact I more than care about you. I love you." I said.
Ashley looked at me with tears in her eyes.
"JT, you have no idea what that means to me. That was something Craig could never say to me. I love you too." Ashley gushed happily.
She leaned into me and kissed me. She ran her fingers through my hair and I wrapped my arms around her waist. She broke away and laughed.
"I'm sorry, I totally ruined the moment. But I couldn't help it. I love you!" she said.
I laughed too, and twirled her around. Finally I had a girlfriend who loved me. It was like a dream come true.
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Kate POV
I came back to Ben's hotel after school and opened the door.
"Kate? Is that you?" Ben asked.
"Yeah. I have tons of homework, so I don't think we can go to the pool today." I said.
"It's okay. I'll just leave. I have to pick up something, anyway." He said.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing. You'll find out soon enough." Ben said mysteriously.
He left and I started in on my homework. After a few hours, Ben returned and my homework was done.
"Kate, there's something I want to talk to you about. I looked around today for apartments, and nothing's available. I wanted to surprise you, but I think I have a better idea. What if we live in a suite here for a year? We could still go to Degrassi, and we can still keep our puppy." Ben said.
"Good idea. Wait, puppy?" I asked.
He reached into a box at the door. Out popped an adorable lab puppy.
"Ben, it's so sweet!" I said.
It licked my face and I laughed.
"Now our family is complete." Ben said happily.
I sighed with satisfaction. It was perfect. Well, almost. All I needed was Craig. But Craig and I were over forever, and I had to face facts.
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