Part Seven: The Party

"Explain to me again why I'm here?"

"Dude, it's a party. You don't need a reason."

"You know, I never thought I'd say this, but Jimmy is right. If I hear you say 'dude' one more time-"

"But dude-"

"That's it Spin, you and me, outside. Now." But Spinner's too busy grinning as Manny approaches them to pay any attention to Jay's mock threat.

"I think it's cute when you say 'dude,'" Manny coos, giving Jay a pointed look.

"Oh do you?" Spinner grins, putting his arms around her. "What else do you think is cute?"

"You!"

"I think it makes me want to puke when you two act like this," Jay says mockingly, looking away as they kiss.

"Spin, could you get us something to drink?" He reluctantly disentangles himself and hurries off to get Manny what she wants. Jay rolls his eyes.

"You just love it, don't you? How you can get him to do just about anything for you?" Her face is hard to read.

"Actions speak louder than words, Jay. But then, that's something you'd know all about, isn't it?" She looks smug, and Jay doesn't like it.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Before Manny can answer, Amy practically falls on them, grabbing Jay's arm for support. "Hey, you guys!" Manny scowls.

"What are you doing here?"

"Celebrating Jeffey's recovery!"

"It's Jimmy."

Amy hiccups. "That's what I said."

Jay sighs. "Where'd you get the booze? And more importantly, did you save any for the rest of us?"

"In the cabinet, and nope. At least, I don't think so …" She looks confused.

"Amy, I'm all for underage drinking, you know that. But stealing the crippled kid's booze? When even I think it's in bad taste, you know you've crossed the line. What's wrong with you lately?"

Amy laughs drunkenly. "Me? Nothing's wrong. I don't have a boyfriend, my best friend in the whole world ditched me for a cheerleader, and I'm failing all my classes!" It's hard to tell now if she's laughing or crying. Despite herself, Manny almost feels sorry for her. But not quite.

"I don't have a boyfriend," she repeats the last part, hanging on Jay's arm. "And you broke up with Alex."

"Thanks, I forgot," Jay says sarcastically. Amy leans in.

"I bet I can make you forget."

"Falling down, crawl-to-the-bathroom-to-puke-your-guts-out wasted doesn't really do it for me, baby. Sorry."

Amy's eyes fill with tears. "Everyone hates me!" She wails loudly as Spinner returns with the drinks.

"With good reason, you tramp" Manny mutters, too low for her to hear. Jay turns to Spinner.

"Spin, really, tell me again. Why I'm here. One. Damn. Good. Reason."

Manny grins. "I can think of one." Jay glares at her, wishing she wasn't Emma's best friend. Must girls tell each other everything?

Spinner looks confused. "What's going on?"

"Amy here was just about to go home and sleep it off. Amy, I'm calling your brother, okay?" Jay starts dialing.

"Why can't you drive me home?" She whines.

"Because I don't feel like it, okay?"

"I'll make it worth your while!" Manny makes a disgusted noise, which does nothing to deter Amy.

"I'm not interested, Amy."

"Why? You don't have a girlfriend anymore-"

"Yes I do," snaps Jay. Emma, of course, chooses this moment to stroll over to all of them. Oh, perfect. Jay looks everywhere but at her.

"You're back with Alex?"

"No."

"Then who?"

"None of your goddamned business is who! Devon, pick your sister up, now. Of course she's been drinking! No, I can't. Because you're her family, and not me, that's why." He hangs up. "15 minutes, Amy."

"I'm gonna …"Amy covers her hand with her mouth and dashes away.

"Bathroom's the second door on your right!" Spinner calls out helpfully, before turning back to the rest. "Well, that was fun. So, Jay, who's your new lady? Or did you just say that get Amy off …" Spinner trails off, looking between Emma and Jay, who have locked eyes, and comprehension finally dawns.

"Oh, dude! Oh my God! You – you and –"

"Spin!" Manny grabs his arm. "Spin, these drinks aren't diet, let's both go back and get the right kind. Now!" Manny practically drags him away, his expression still caught somewhere between confusion, shock, and amusement. Emma and Jay just stand there.

"Did you just call me your girlfriend?"

"No," Jay mutters. This is not fair. Stupid little Greenpeace doesn't get to make him care about her. This is not how things are supposed to work! "Why, did you wanna be?"

Emma smiles. "Are you asking?" Damn, but he wants her. All of her. He should walk away now. They make no sense, they have nothing in common. This will end badly.

"Look, you want to, or not? Because if you say no, I'll just have to go out with Amy, and I really don't -"

"Okay."

"Wait. Okay?"

"Did I stutter, Jay?"

"Dude, this is awesome!" Spinner says, walking back towards them despite Manny's best efforts to drag him away. "We can go on double dates!"

"Shut up, Spin," say Manny, Emma, and Jay in chorus. Spinner just grins.

"We gotta keep it under wraps though," Emma hastily adds, as everyone turns and stares at her. "I mean, because if the school finds out, then my dad finds out, and um, he'll –"

"Cut off Jay's –"

"Spin!" Manny says warningly.

"Just for a while, okay?" Emma says, looking at Jay.

"Whatever."

Emma smiles. "Typical."

Meanwhile, Amy has mercifully not thrown up anywhere but in the toilet, and her brother soon arrives to escort her discreetly away. Jimmy's party is winding down, and as the foursome starts to leave, Manny sidles up alongside Jay.

"Just so we're clear," she says, to low for Emma to hear, "If you hurt her? I'll be the one to cut it off."

Jay smirks. "Well, what are friends for?"

"I mean it!"

"I got you, Manny. But I also think Emma's a lot tougher than you think, and a lot stronger than I ever realized."

Manny looks at him at him curiously, appraisingly. "You really are falling for her, aren't?"

"No," Jay snaps. But then Emma turns to him, and he smiles, and puts his arm around her, and at least for now, everything seems perfect, as the four of them stroll off into the night.

THE END