Turnaround

Chapter Three- If Only We Could Be

I woke up the next day with the memories of last night still in my head. I still couldn't believe that it actually happened, that it wasn't just another one of my dreams. Emma was actually kissing me back…and it felt good.

"Peter! Get up!" Mom shouted from the kitchen.

I rolled out of bed, grabbed clothes, put them on, and followed my morning routine. I didn't have time for breakfast, so I grabbed a cereal bar and gave Mom a hug before leaving.

I hopped in the silver Chevy that Mom had bought for me. She got it at a used car place. When she gave it to me, sure I was happy but a part of me felt like a used car. Unwanted by it's first owner and bought by another person who just liked it because they needed it. Also, the fact that Mom had a bunch of money made it even sadder. But, I should be grateful that I have a car at all.

I started the car and hoped that the engine would start. It took a few turns of the key, but it finally started. As I drove, I thought about Emma and how we were going to deal with everything. We can't just pretend that nothing happened. It was too good of a experience to just throw away. And Manny too…she was suspicious. How about if she suspected that something was up? And told everyone?

I parked the car and walked up to the Main Entrance. Emma was sitting on a stair, doing homework and tapping her pencil in frustration.

"Anything I can help you with?" I asked. I sat down next to her.

"Yeah…Geometry's not really my thing." Emma said.

As I explained it to her, I noticed Manny and some guys looking at us. They chattered back and forth, laughing. It weirded me out, but I chose to ignore it.

Manny's POV:

"Hah, can you believe it! Heather Sinclaire, actually piercing her nose?" JT Yorke said while laughing at the thought.

"Yeah I know, hard to believe. Wonder what Paige will have to say." Toby replied.

I laughed along with them, but my mind was on something else. Last night, when I stopped over at Emma's to drop off her CD I had borrowed. She was with Peter, that new kid…the really hot new kid. I wasn't there for too long, but I could tell something was going on between them.

"Manny, any opinions on this interesting topic?" JT asked.

"Yeah, pretty unbelievable." I replied without thought. JT and Toby laughed some more.

Once we walked up to school, I looked around for Emma. Usually she was doing homework at this time. Sure enough, she was there. With Peter…

"What are you staring at Manny? That Peter dude with Emma?" JT asked me.

"Yeah…I don't know what's going on between them." I replied, sighing.

"They're probably just friends. Why, do you like him or something?" Toby said. Both of them looked at me, anxious for an answer.

"Sort-of. But Emma doesn't know it." I said.

"Well, then tell her! Unless they've already hit first base…then you're out of luck." JT replied, tapping my shoulder and smiling. Both JT and Toby went inside as I continued staring at Peter and Emma.

Back to Peter's POV:

"Thanks for clearing this up Peter. I understand it now." Emma said.

"No problem. Hey…I think Manny wants to talk to you." I said, noticing Manny still staring at us.

"Oh, of course she does. I'll be right back." Emma said, getting up.

I wanted to hear what Emma and Manny were talking about, so I hid behind a tall bush and tried to listen in.

"So Em, what's been up with you and Peter? Why was he over last night?"

"We were doing homework, hanging out…why?"

"Well…it kind of looked like you guys were doing something."

"Doing what? And why would it concern you anyway?"

"You know what I mean Em! You two obviously like each other…"

"So what? Maybe I do. It's none of your business."

"So you do like him?"

"If you tell anyone I'll never speak to you again. Seriously."

"Oh…and do you think he likes you?"

"I think I've told you enough for now. I'll call you later, ok?"

Wow. It was even more obvious now that Manny liked me. From yesterday at school…and just listening to that conversation…I could almost finalize my thoughts. What was I going to do now? I didn't want to hurt Manny's feelings, but I wanted Emma more than I've ever wanted anything. I had to ask someone's advice.

I walked into the lunch room and grabbed my lunch. I saw Emma sitting down next to Manny and decided to sit with them, to observe and see if I was right about Manny.

"Hey guys." I said.

Emma looked at me and smiled, while Manny had a sad look on her face.

"Hey Peter. You know Manny, obviously." Emma said.

"Hey!" said an energetic voice. Two guys and a girl sat down at the table.

"Oh, you haven't met these guys yet! The guy in the green is JT, that's Toby, and that's JT's girlfriend Liberty." Emma said.

I smiled. "I'm Peter. Nice to meet you guys."

JT and Liberty talked a little bit before kissing…obviously not shy to PDA. Toby and I talked a little bit, he seems to be nice. Manny looked at me the whole time with this defeated look on her face, which made me feel very uncomfortable. And Emma…well she was Emma. I talked to her most of the time. We laughed and talked like we had known each other forever. It was a good feeling…something I had never experienced back home.

After school ended, I got into my car and threw my books in the backseat. I looked around for Emma, who was standing at the front of the school, looking around nervously. I had to give her a ride.

"Hey Em…need a ride?" I asked Emma, once I had drove up to her.

"Would you? Thanks Pete." Emma said. She got into the passenger's seat.

Wait…did she just call me Pete? And did I just call her Em? Weird…I guess that shows how close we feel to each other.

Neither of us said a word until we had arrived at her place.

"Hey Peter?" Emma said. I had just turned off the engine.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"Thanks…for everything. It's been really fun getting to know you. And it breaks my heart that people can't know that." Emma said.

Butterflies started forming in my stomach. "You too…I wish that we could be like a normal couple so bad."

"If Manny wasn't there. You know she likes you, right?" Emma said.

"Yeah…kind of obvious. She's always gawking at me whenever I see her." I replied, laughing a little at the thought.

"I know…but she's my best friend, and if she figured out that we liked each other she'd be heartbroken. So I guess this will have to satisfy. For now." Emma said. She leant over the armrest and kissed me.

I embraced her touch, kissing her back. It felt so good…and I never wanted to let go. I only hoped no one was watching…

"Emma? Peter?"

My fear became a reality.

Who was watching them? You'll find out in the next chapter! P.S- So sorry for not updating sooner, been buried in homework and priorities!