Emma entered the gymnasium where the dance was being held. She found a spot to sit on the bleachers while she waited for Sean to arrive, he had texted earlier he'd be late getting off work.
She noticed so many of her friends out on the dance floor, Manny dancing with Toby, Liberty dancing with JT, it was hard not to feel a little out of place while her friends were having fun while she was left alone holding her belly, the next song by Craig's band didn't help
(I'm not gonna say goodbye. 'Cause I'm gonna change your mind. Let me love you, let me love you all day.I got a million, got a million ways)
Emma started thinking, maybe this was a mistake, she shouldn't have guilted Sean into leaving work early especially with how important money was about to be for them. She was snapped out of her train of thought when someone sat down next to her.
"How are you here alone?" Paige asked
"Hey Paige." Emma said, trying hard not to sound upset.
"Where's Sean? I thought he was supposed to be here by now" Paige inquired
"Running late, wasn't able to get out of his whole shift. Big project at work lately" Emma sighed
(I'm not gonna give you up. I got you, I swear to God. Let me love you, let me love you all day.I got a million, got a million, got a million ways. Got a million, got a million, got a million. Got a million, got a million, got a million)
"Come on!" Paige said standing up and holding her hand out to Emma.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked, surprised.
"You wanted your last dance to be special, until he gets here I'm keeping you company." Paige stated.
Emma thought it over for a moment before taking Paige's hand. They made their way out onto the dance floor.
(Champagne sunset, breakfast in bed. Away for the weekend, then do it again. When I'm out late thinkin' of ya, I'ma call ya, yeah)
"Thank you Paige." Emma said, somewhat cheered up.
"No problem, I didn't have anyone to dance with either, just here for the band." Paige said.
"I don't just mean this. Everything you've done the last few months. I'm honestly not sure if I'd still be here if not for you." Emma stated rather sadly.
"What do you mean?" Paige asked worried, having a disturbing gut feeling.
"Every night walking home from the ravine at 2 am, there were some nights I actually hoped something would happen so that I didn't have to deal with thinking about Ri...what happened that day." Emma said quietly.
(Show you I care that no one compares. When we get older, I wanna be there. Swim a mountain, climb an ocean. Do it for ya)
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize how bad it was for you." Paige exclaimed stunned.
"I know everyone has done what they can to help out, but you were literally there since day 1 of this. Emma recalled.
"You make me sound like I'm some super hero, you don't remember how much of a bitch I used to be?" She said uncomfortable with all the praise.
"You came through when it mattered and showed your true goodness." Emma told Paige frankly
"That really means a lot, thank you." As she said it she noticed Emma's attention shift to something behind her. Paige turned also to see Sean having just arrived.
Emma ran over to him hugging him. "You look amazing." He said seeing her in her dress. She blushed turning a similar shade of red. "Sorry you had to wait here alone." Sean said apologetic.
"I wasn't alone, Paige was here for me."
"Thanks for keeping her company. It's good to know she is in good hands besides mine" Sean said gratefully.
Paige turned ready to leave the couple when Emma chased after her. "Don't suppose I'd be able to request a song once your band goes up?"
"Well, just for you." Paige conceded
"Track 7, I played it for Sean and he said we should make that our song. Now is a good way to lock it in" Emma explained.
"We can do that, no problem." Paige said, trying to hide her feelings.
Emma turned to rush back to Sean while Paige continued to the stage. Watching the two of them dance to a song she wrote to Emma was disappointing, but if that's what she wanted that's what she was going to get. It was now time for her band's last song, she had Hazel and Ellie leave the stage since she'd only need Ashley on keyboard and as back up singer.
As she stepped back up to the mic she saw the two of them but she shoved those feelings down as Ashley started to play.
(Before I met you, I never felt good enough. Before I let you, in, I'd already given up. Left on read, no reply, left me just wondering why. Now I'm skeptical of love)
"Do you really think you'll need to drop out from degrassi?" Sean asked, concerned
"I just don't see any other option. One baby is tough but two at the same time?"
"JT says Liberty is trying to get an in school daycare going." Sean told Emma
"Liberty? I thought she was still mad at me. This is unexpected" Emma said, surprised.
"Why else would she be pushing for it?" Sean said.
(So when you hold my hand, do you wanna hold my heart? When you say you want me, is it all of me or just one part? So when you hold my hand, do you wanna hold my heart? When you say you want me)
"I mean...they won't be here until this summer, and if that does happen for next year..." Emma said, wanting to be hopeful but also realistic.
(Momma said there'd be boys like you. Tearing my heart in two, doing what you do, best. Taking me for a ride, telling me pretty little lies. But with you, I can't resist. Maybe momma doesn't always know best)
"Think about it, drop them off in the morning, you know they'll be safe. Maybe stop in with them during lunch as a family." Sean said, somewhat hopefully
"You really put a lot of thought into this." Emma said, surprised.
(I'm terrified, but I'll never let you know. Social suicide, if I ever let it show. Everything feels just right. I fall in place, we fall in line. I'll never let you go)
"You saw the situation with my family, while things are better now I don't want ours starting like that." Sean said, wanting to be better than that
Emma didn't know what to say, she just smiled as she felt her eyes get teary, damn hormones she thought to herself.
(Momma said there'd be boys like you. Tearing my heart in two, doing what you do, best. Taking me for a ride, telling me pretty little lies. But with you, I can't resist. Maybe momma doesn't always know best)
"Maybe we can make this work." Emma said hopefully
"You'll be getting your education, I'll have the job doing something I actually enjoy and be able to provide. They'll be looked after. We are going to make this work."
"Still surprised she actually went out of her way for that." Emma stated gratefully
(So when you hold me (when you hold me), am I the only one? Do you wanna know me (do you wanna know me), or is this all just for fun?)
Paige couldn't help but look out in Emma and Sean's direction watching them dance and see her face light up from whatever they were discussing
(Momma said there'd be girls like you.Tearing my heart in two, doing what you do, best. Taking me for a ride, telling me pretty little lies. But with you, I can't resist, no, no. Maybe momma doesn't always know best)
Paige didn't catch her mess up but Ashley did but she continued playing. Emma was snapped out of the conversation; she wasn't sure if she heard it or if it was just in her head.
(Momma said there'd be boys like you. Too good to be true, mm-mm, doing what you do, best. Taking me for a ride, telling me pretty little lies. But for you, for you, for you I'll take that risk).
As the song ended Ashley ran up to Paige. "Paige, are you aware what happened up there?" She said concerned.
"What are you talking about?" Paiged asked, confused about what she was talking about.
Ashley informed her of her mix up on the lyrics. "Oh my God, oh my God! I gotta go!" She said, rushing out of the gymnasium doors. Ashley stared at Paige, surprised.
She sat on one of the benches in the hallway, panicking over who had heard her slip up.
She didn't even hear anyone walk up, she was so lost in thought.
"Paige...?"
She looked up at the sound of the voice, of course it was Emma. She sat down next to her.
"Those songs you wrote...they were about a girl weren't they?" Emma said gently.
"Yeah..." she said embarrassed, hoping Emma wouldn't realize it.
"Have you talked to her?" Emma inquired.
"No, even if I did it would probably do more damage." Paige said sadly
"Why? I don't understand how" Emma said curiously
"She's a friend, I don't think she swings that way, if I told her it would just make things awkward, besides she has a boyfriend." Paige said softly, worry was increasing in her.
"If you don't you're just going to be in pain, even if she doesn't there's nothing wrong with talking to her. Emma said matter of factly
"...she's pregnant."
Everything suddenly clicked in Emma's mind.
"...oh." Emma said softly, realization in her mind and voice.
"Yeah..." Paige said, looking down and away from her. Both girls sat silent. Paige was anxiously waiting for Emma to react and Emma was processing everything happening.
"Paige. This doesn't change anything. Nothing is going to be awkward. I'm sorry I can't say I feel the same way. But you're my friend, that's not changing because of this." Emma said firmly.
"If I hugged you right now would it be too soon?" Paige asked nervously.
Emma initiated the hug which Paige joined in on. Paige could feel the tension fade away quickly.
"Emma I'm afraid, this is new to me and I don't know what to do." Paige told her.
"I know I wish I could help you like you've helped me. If you need to talk though..." Emma said gently.
Paige interrupted "You're really not mad at me?"
"Are you kidding? Emma said simply "How jealous would every straight guy and Heather Sinclair be of me right now?" She joked, causing both girls to laugh. "Do you feel better now that it's out?"
"I actually do, thanks for talking with me"
"Good, I better get back to Sean, we are going to be okay. This doesn't change any thing for the worse" Emma told Paige.
Paige watched her walk away. She felt somewhat hurt, but she knew eventually things would settle and things would be like they were. Paige looked at the ground thinking about what happened
She didn't notice anyone else walking up to her.
"Paige?"
Paige looked up, there in her dark freaky goth dress was Ellie.
"What?" Paige asked, annoyed at being bothered and turning her head downwards again.
"Do you want to dance?" Ellie asked simply.
It caught her off guard, it was a surprise but not necessarily a bad surprise.
"That actually sounds nice. Thanks for asking" Paige said, slowly cheering up
As the two walked back to the gymnasium Paige glanced over, maybe the black goth look wasn't so freaky.
Author note: Okay so I been really excited about this chapter for awhile hope you all enjoy this one, all feedback is appreciated