Chapter 33

Best Laid Plans

"So you know, Mr. Cohen when he comes in likes his tires extra shiny." Jay stated as he walked Sean around the garage. He didn't have much to teach him, since Sean had worked there in high school but he still wanted Sean to get acquainted with everything before he left for LA. Sean knew it was going to be hard for Emma to be without her two best friends and he wasn't going to be stopping by like old times.

"Thanks Jay for the tip, I'll be sure to remember that." Sean beamed as they went in for a guys five and Sean gave Jay a side hug, "I'm going to miss you, man."

When Sean pulled away, Jay replied, "I'm going to miss you too. Don't worry we're going to keep in touch and you two are invited to come over whenever."

"So Emma and I are planning something for this weekend for you."

"For me?" Jay asked somewhat preoccupied with closing things down and shammying a car down.

"Yeah, a party."

"Happy to be getting rid of me party?"

"No, dream on," Sean replied with amusement, "a going away party."

"Thanks, what time is it?"

"Should be around 7:30 tonight."

"I'm kind of excited to see where this goes, I really love her, man." Jay confesses to Sean, "I don't think I've ever felt this way about a girl, not even Alex."

"When did you know?"

He shrugged, "I guess when we went on our first date, she and I looked at one another in the doorway and then we just kissed and it was like a movie or something. When time sort of slows down and everything else feels like miles away. And I get why she wanted things to be a game or pretend for a spell but, what about you? When did you fall for Emma?"

"It's kind of embarrassing and weird, man."

"C'mon I just told you about Manny and I."

"Fine, it was in seventh grade."

Flashback to Ms. Kwan's classroom, Emma and Manny came in late but they had to present a book report. "Emma had ditched my invitation to look up horoscopes and astrology in the MI lab. So I was somewhat confused when she came in gym shorts and Manny was helping her hold them because they were at least five sizes too large."

"Okay?"

"Anyway, so these two guys in class were giving her a hard time when she was trying to present meanwhile these pants are falling down and Manny is trying to hold them up." Sean shook his head and started laughing before he added, "So then Emma just blurts out that she got her period and that's why she was wearing these godawful gym shorts but I liked that she didn't care what people thought or could be honest like that and stand up for herself. That she had passions for things. And for some reason she liked me too."

"That sounds really cringeworthy, just saying."

"Yeah well that's the story."

Then they were interrupted, the two men notice a figure came from the shadows entrance dressed in black. It was Craig. As Sean and Jay look on he mutters, "You know, I might just stop by your little shindig, Sean. And by the way, Manny may settle for you now but remember who really has her heart, Jay."

For Manny, filming for the pilot has started and she's the gossip ever since the encounter with the cabby went public. She doesn't let it get to her, but if she ever saw him again she'd surely give him a stern talking to. She fortunately has Jay there for her and she's excited for his big move which is closely approaching. She gets a call from Emma and fortunately for Manny she can drop by for the weekend because she's almost done with filming, "Emma!" Manny takes the call in her trailer, "how are you?"

"I'm doing okay, Sean's learning the ropes at the garage right now with Jay."

"Emma there's so much I have to tell you, but I'm coming up this weekend."

"That's awesome!"

"Yeah it is, I need to help Jay pack his things and spend some girly time of course with my favorite friend in the entire world."

"Sean and I are throwing a little party for Jay, so I'm uuber happy you're going to be here this weekend."

"Awww you guys are the best. Jay's gonna be so happy."

Manny's boss popped his head in her trailer, "We need you back on-set to take some photos."

"Em, I'm sorry I have to let you go for now but I'll see you Friday."

"See you Friday."

"Bye!" Manny hung up the phone and dashed out of the trailer excitedly awaiting the weekend where she could be a normal person, a nobody spending time with her friends from high school and the love of her life.