A/N: This one is kind of short, but its a stepping stone for the next chapter that I'm working on.
I spent most of the night in the Ravine with Jay, just sitting next to him. It was kind of sweet. No words, no barriers, no walls, no friends. Just Jay and me and silence.
I looked down at my watch. "It's five thirty," I said. "I should be going."
"Do you want a ride to school?"
"Aren't you dating Alex?"
"Alex doesn't have what you have."
"What do I have?"
He said nothing. He looked lost in his thoughts.
"I should probably walk. I don't feel like being on Alex's bad side."
"You could take her."
"I've got to go," I said, jumping from my seat on the picnic table. "Thanks for keeping me company."
He grabbed my arm. "Meet me back here tonight?"
His eyes were so intense, so pleading and prodding. Like he was demanding to look right into my soul, despite my best efforts not to let him. "Maybe."
I started to walk away and then I turned back. "Why did you do it?" I asked.
"Why did I do what?"
"Play that prank on Rick…why did you do it?"
His eyes glazed over. "I was stupid. I didn't think it would push him that far."
"It's ruining my life," I told him. And, just like that, I started crying. I couldn't stop the tears. I couldn't keep them from falling.
"Emma," Jay said, standing and facing me. "I'm sorry."
I couldn't say anything. I couldn't do anything, except for cry. He put his arms around me, almost as if he felt awkward about it.
"You caused Rick to ruin my life," I sobbed softly. "You and your friends pushed him over the edge. We all pushed him over the edge."
He didn't know what to say. He just patted my back while I rambled.
"And the strangest part of all," I whispered, my head resting on his chest. "Is that I need you."