a/n - thanks for all of the reviews...hope you are enjoying the story... i thought that you should know that i wrote this before Secret and all of those episodes...

Calm Before The Storm

Emma Nelson and Manny Santos sat in the principal's office, both angry as hell. Manny was wearing her short gym shorts along with a tight white tee-shirt. Emma was still in her regular clothes, but after she wiped her cheek with her sleeve, a slight stain of blood formed. Mannyhasn't beenEmma's favorite person, but after Manny calling her a slut, Emma couldn't stand being in the same room with her. Emma didn't blame Manny for saying that. Emma did sleep with half of her grade and more. And yes, Emma did call Manny the school slut after a fight in grade 9, but to whisper to her annoying clan of so-called friends about Emma did not make her a happy person. Miss Hatzilakos walked back and forth behind her desk staring at them every once and a while in disbelief. Manny never was the best student or most innocent person, but Emma used to be such a great student and was never the type of person you would think to get in a fist fight in the girls' locker room. Apparently she never heard of Emma's little fight with Alex in the hall a while back. Their principal of less than a year stopped pacing and looked at them

Miss. Hatzilakos finally speaking"I don't know what to say. Manny Santos, great Spirit Squad member and a lot of help during all the fund raisers. And Emma Nelson. You used to be such a good student. Both of you crossed the line. Do you understand that there is to be no fighting in Degrassi Community School. Now I'm letting you both off with a warning and a Saturday detention tomorrow."

"But Miss H, the championship game is tomorrow." Manny complained

"Well, next time you'll know not to get into a fight at school." Miss Hatzilakos spoke sternly

"I don't think you understand. The Spirit Squad needs me. I'm supposed to be on top of the pyramid during half time." Manny replied trying to get her way

"I'm sorry. You two can get back to class now."

The girls began to stand up and flash each other evil stares when the principal began to speak again

"Don't forget your passes, and next time you girls pull something like this the consequences will be more advanced."

Emma and Manny headed out the door and started for the gym without saying a word. They entered the gym and saw the class playing dodge ball. Girls on one team, guys on the other. Aww the memories. Manny quickly walked over to Mr. Armstrong, handed him her pass, then headed to a group of girls just standing there staring at their nails and asking each other what shade of nail polish looked best on them. Emma rolled her eyes and walked over to Mr. Armstrong. Her shoes clicking as she walked across the hard floor. She handed him her excuse for being late and walked back to the game and stood a distance behind Manny's little group of divas. On the guys' side of the game Jay stood by Sean talking. Jay already told him how glad he was to have Sean back and all that crap when JT walked over to them

"So...Darcy told me that she and Manny got in a cat fight in the girls' locker room." JT gossiped

"Who and Manny?" Sean questioned

He pretended not to know who he was talking about, even though it was very obvious because Sean had been starring at Emma whenever he saw her

"Emma and Manny got in a fight."

"Why?" Jay asked joining in on their conversation

"Something about Manny calling Emma a slut because she slept with Spinner."

"Emma slept with Spinner?" Sean asked with a slight tone of hurt in his voice

"According to Darcy, yeah." JT answered

All of a sudden on the girls' side, a dodge ball came to Emma's feet. She felt a sudden urge. She picked up the ball and threw it as hard as she could at Manny. It felt good to take some more anger out on her

"Hey!" Manny yelled, very pissed

"Emma! Manny is on your team. The point of the game is to get people on the opposite team out, not your own." Mr. Armstrong informed from the side line

"Whatever."

She was sick of the game already. She started out of the doors to the gym

"Emma! Get back here!"

Emma ignored him and the doors slammed shut.

a/n - review please.