Chapter 1

Slowly Recovering:

It had been two weeks since Emma's parents had found out that she was suffering from an eating disorder. They made her throw out her food diary and all the cutouts of models she had collected. They were now making her sit down every morning and evening for breakfast and dinner, then sit with them for a half hour so they knew she wouldn't go downstairs into her bathroom and do her normal routine. She also has to eat lunch in the nurse's office everyday so they can keep an eye on her, until they believe that she is truly recovered.

She hated the fact that everyone was treating her like a child and walking on egg shells around her. The last time they did that was after the shooting last year. She didn't believe that she had a problem; she just looked at it as new life style. The look and smell of food made her sick to her stomach, but she just had to put on a mask and make everyone think she was okay.

Emma sat at the table at The Dot waiting for Peter. Now that Manny knew about them being together, they were able to go out in public and stop sneaking around. She was really starting to like him and was starting to realize that he wasn't as bad as everyone made him out to be. Emma sat there reading her Math notebook attempting to study when Spinner came over to take her order.

"What can I get you?" he asked, looking very tired.

"Oh, nothing, thanks." She replied.

"Okay..." he said giving her a weird look.

Everyone at school knew about her. It was Degrassi, home of the drama and people who couldn't keep their mouths shut. Emma just rolled her eyes as Spinner walked away. Then she felt hands on her shoulders and someone whispered in her ear:

"Hey gorgeous!" she turned around to see Peter standing there with a smile on his face.

"Hey!" she said excitedly as they gave each other a quick kiss hello. He sat down next to her and weaved his fingers with hers and took her hand in his.

"I'm so happy we don't have to sneak around anymore!" he said with a pause.

"Me too. We were running out of places to meet!" she said with a laugh.

"Yeah," he looked at her with a worried expression, "you feeling okay? You look a little pale."

"Yeah I'm fine! Don't worry about me, I'm better. I promise!"

"What did you eat today—"

"Peter." She replied with an irritated tone.

"Look Emma, I'm worried about you. I don't every want to have to see you passed out on the floor again! That was the scariest thing I have ever seen. And with the way you just answered me I take it that you were trying to change the subject, which most likely means that you didn't eat anything today. So… I am going to order us some fries."

Emma knew she wasn't going to win this argument. She knew Peter meant well but she was sick of everyone acting this way.

"Okay!" she said as she gave him a forced smile.

He gave her a quick kiss and went to the counter to order some fries. She ate the fries with him feeling sick with every bite she took. They went and saw a movie after they finished at The Dot. After the movie they took a nice long walk, Peter didn't know that Emma had suggested it because she wanted to burn calories from all the French fries she ate. After they walked for awhile they found a bench and sat down. They sat there in silence for awhile then Emma started wondering what Peter truly thought about her. Was he just using her? Should she ask him? Will he think she's stupid? But then the most important question popped in her head which would seem stupid to most people…does he think I'm fat! She had to know.

"Peter, can I ask you a question?" she said taking her hand away from his.

"Yeah..."

"You're probably going to think I'm crazy but… do you think I'm fat?"

"You're kidding right!"

Emma looked at him and shook her head no.

"Of course I don't! I think you are the most beautiful girl in all of Degrassi, or all of Canada for that matter. Emma, I don't know why you all of a sudden have these self-image issues, but you are perfect just the way you are. You are so beautiful that every time I see you… I get butterflies and my knees get weak. You're Emma Nelson, and don't you ever change for anyone. And I ever hear you put yourself down again, well, I'm just going to stop kissing you!" he said with a smirk.

Emma had tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath and replied.

"Oh really?"

"Yup."

"Well, what if I stop kissing you first?"

Peter laughed and leaned in and kissed her tenderly. The kiss started to get more passionate. The kiss continued to get more intense until they heard someone clear their throat. They pulled away from one another, both with puffy red lips. Emma's eyes widened in shock and Peter looked at the person in front of them with questioning eyes.

"SEAN!"