When I awoke the next morning, everything from last night came rushing back into my mind, like a gun shooting a bullet into my brain. I peered over at the clock, ten thirty a.m. I yawned, shutting my eyes to try and get more sleep. I heard the basement door open and close. I could hear flip flops hit against the wood loudly.

"Em? Are you awake?" asked a girl in a whisper.

I groaned. "Leave me alone Manny, it's Saturday!"

I could hear her sigh loudly. I was surprised she was up already; usually it was me dragging her out of bed.

"Don't get all pissy at me, Miss sneak in past twelve!"

I rolled my eyes and rolled over in bed. I could feel her eyes burn through me like lasers.

"What happened to you last night?" Manny asked.

I turned back over in bed to look at her. Her arms were folded across her chest.

"We go to a party and then you totally ditch me and Darcy!"

"I'm sorry." I said apologetically, sitting up in bed. "I just lost track of time last night, I didn't mean to ditch you."

More of last night began to come back to me. "Who were you ditching us for?"

I couldn't tell her the truth. I knew she still had feelings for Craig; it would crush her if I told her what happened last night.

"Umm…..just some people I met at the party."

Manny continued to stare at me. "They don't have names?"

I racked my brain for something to add. "Um---well I can't really remember, damn alcohol."

Manny grinned slightly. "Yeah, I know what it can do."

We both laughed.

"Hungry?" Manny asked heading back up the stairs.

"Yeah."

After I had gotten ready, I went upstairs to be welcomed by the smell of macaroni and cheese. It was basically the only thing Manny could make. There was a note on the fridge:

Em+Manny:

I have to work late today, there's money on the counter for pizza. Jack is at Grandma's for the day! I'll see you guys tonight!

It was depressing to know that My Mom's and Snake's divorce was my entire fault. Even though everyone says it wasn't, it was. Manny placed a plate in front of me filled with macaroni and cheese.

"So, you have work today right?" Manny asked.

I nodded my head. I had taken a job at The Dot as a waitress to get extra money for my Mom. It wasn't an awful job; I got to work next to Spinner all day. This whole getting a job thing started after their divorce. My Mom started having money trouble because she wasn't getting enough business at her salon. So she had to get a second job at a restaurant in Toronto. Manny had suggested she get a job as well, but my Mom refused to let her get one. I looked over at the clock on the kitchen wall. Eleven fifty p.m.

"I gotta go." I said eating the last bit of food on my plate.

I walked down the street to the Dot slowly, taking my time. When I got there, it was packed! The weekends were our busiest time of week. I walked back behind the counter, passing Spinner along the way. Even though he was having a bit of difficulty balancing a tray full of burgers, he turned around to look at me as I passed.

"Hurry up! You're late!" Spinner said over the loud voices that filled The Dot.

I peered over at the clock before opening the door to the back room.

"It's twelve oh two!" I stated opening the door and going inside.

I went to my little locker and changed into my uniform. I could hear the Dot becoming even busier. I hurried out the door, tying my apron around my waist. I grabbed a note pad from under the counter and a pen, shoving them into the front of my apron. Spinner came back, shoving a piece of paper onto the carousel along with the others.

"Table five needs assistance." Spinner stated sharply.

"What's up your ass?" I asked.

"Just go serve them!"

I rolled my eyes and headed toward the table. As I walked toward the table, whoever it was at the table had a menu up to their face, probably deciphering what to get.

"What can I get you?" I asked looking at the customer.

Whoever the customer was put the menu down from their face and onto the table with a light smack.

"How about a little fries with that shake of yours?" Craig said seductively.

I blushed. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged and smiled. "I thought I'd get a bite to eat."

"At the same time I'm working?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

"I didn't know you would be working."

I rolled my eyes. "What do you really want? Spinner is going to bite off my head if you don't."

"I'll just have a coffee to go." He said standing up and following me to the counter.

As I poured some coffee I into a styrofoam cup, I could feel him watching me. It made me somewhat nervous. I turned around, placing a top on the coffee, and handing it to Craig.

"A dollar ten." I stated to Craig.

He placed two dollars on the counter. "Keep the change."

I smiled. "Thanks."

Craig got up as I opened the register to put the money in, slipping the extra into my pocket. When I looked back up, he was right back in front of me.

"I want to see you tonight." Craig stated.

"I don't know Craig--."

"Please." He pleaded.

"I have to work late tonight." I said looking away from him.

I heard him sigh. "I like spending time with you Em."

"I like spending time with you too." I said looking back at him. "But I can't tonight."

Craig's face fell. "Okay. I'll see you around then."

Craig sulked til he was out the door and out of sight. I sighed, shutting the register door.

"Em, table seven." Spinner stated passing behind me."

I groaned as I headed over to the table.

After closing time, Spinner and I sat across from each other by the counter. I swayed back and forth in my chair as Spin counted out his tips.

"Not bad for a Saturday." Spin stated, scooping up his change and putting it back into his pocket.

"Today was too damn long!" I stated with a groan.

"Hey, I worked longer then you did." Spinner pointed out.

I peered over at the clock. Ten thirty.

"I better be heading home." I said grabbing my coat from off the counter top.

"Yeah, I'll see you Monday."

I walked out the door and began walking down the street. I was about half way home when I saw a figure sitting on a bench. As the figure looked up, their face catching the light of a street lamp, I could see it was Craig.

"I decided to wait for you."

"That was nice of you." I said sitting down next to him.

"What are you doing right now?"

I shook my head. "You never give up do you?"

Craig smiled. "Nope."

"Well I have to get home."

"How about tomorrow?" Craig asked. "We could--."

"Craig, listen, I don't only want to see you to sleep with you."

"I know." Craig said innocently. "I understand."

"I just don't know if I'm ready for this."

"Ready?" Craig asked curiously. "Ready for what? Us?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"So you just seduced me last night and then now….your not ready to be with me?"

"I didn't seduce you Craig! You were the one---that's not even the point!" My mind was whirling. "Last night was amazing and I'm glad it happened. I'm just not ready to date you."

Craig furrowed his brow. "So you just wanted sex? Is that it?"

"No! Of course not!" I exclaimed. "I care about you, it's just that someone else does too, and I don't want to hurt her."

"Manny?" Craig asked. "We ended forever ago."

"I know, but she still cares." I admitted. "You don't know how much I want to be with you. I just think we should give it some time."

I knew he was speechless. He looked away from me and stared down at the sidewalk.

"I don't know what to say." Craig said quietly.

We sat there quiet for what seemed like eternity.

"We've been flirting and going behind everyone's backs to see each other for almost a month now. And you're now telling me this?"

"I'm sorry Craig." I whispered. "I----."

"Don't." Craig said sternly. "Don't even start."

My lips were still pursed, wanting to say something.

"I've wanted to be with you Emma." Craig admitted. "For awhile now."

I nodded, not real sure on what to say.

"And now this." Craig shook his head. "It's making me have second thoughts."

My head instantly turned to him. "Craig, don't--."

"If you wanted to be with me….you would change your mind."

"But I don't want to hurt Manny." I stated, tears forming in my eyes. "It's so hard to pick between you two."

Craig sighed. "You already made your pick."

Craig stood up. "And it wasn't me."