Chapter 17

Sean's POV

After school the next day, I went right home to begin packing. I had absolutely no clue where I would stay once I got there, I but knew I couldn't stay here. While I was sorting through my closet, mom appeared in the doorway.

"You're really leaving again?" "Yup." "When?" I scratched my head. "Maybe tomorrow. Maybe Friday. It doesn't matter. I just need a full day before classes so I can straighten out all my legal bull. You know, see if the emancipation still stands." She got this hurt kind of look on her face.

"Don't look at me like that." I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"I don't want you to go baby." I turned to look at her. My mother, with her tired, bloodshot, puffy eyes. Fresh tears threatening to fall from them. I didn't say anything.

"Sean. Say something."

"I gotta go mom. For me. I need stability."

"I'm...We're...We'll get help then baby, I can't lose you again. Please. You're my baby Sean. I love you."

"If you love me, mom, let me go. Let me go where you know I'll be happy." My mom sobbed. It broke my heart a little, but I had to go, before everything went to shit.

"Tracker's left me. Your Dad's left me. Now you...What's next? I can't take anymore..." My sadness turned into anger. "It's your fault Ma! You're driving all of us away! And if you don't get it together, dad is going to leave too. For good. Look, I'm sorry. But,...call me when you and dad decide to get your own lives together, before you try and run mine." I walked away, brushing past her crumbling form, not stopping until I'm down by the water. I smoked half a joint while sitting in the sand, and toyed with my cell phone.

I dialed my girlfriend's number. "Hey."

"Hi! I'm glad you called. I couldn't get an answer on your house phone."

"Yeah, but hey, I got some great news!" "What is it?"

"I'll be home. By like, the weekend." "Are you serious Sean?" "Yup." She screamed into the phone. I laughed lightly. "Excited a little?" "I'm sorry, but I'm totally excited. To have you here, and at school,..."

"Well, I've got to work all my stuff out when I get there before I can start school. Make sure my emancipation still stands." "I can't wait!"

"Me either. Listen, I'll call you tomorrow with details," I inhaled, "I have to get packing."

"Ok Sean. And don't forget. I love you ok?"

"I won't. You know I won't. I love you too." We hung up and I lay back into the sand, blowing smoke into the cool air.

Bright and early Thursday morning I was up, making sure I wasn't leaving anything important behind. Diggin through the closet once more, I came across an old picture of Ellie and me. I smile as I remember when it was taken. At the end of the year dance last year. The night Degrassi almost burned to the ground. Mr. S gave me a second chance that night, and I busted my ass to repair his car that summer. She was right there for me, during all of it, and how do I repay her? By running. Like usual. Like I was doing now. And breaking her heart. Shaking my head, I tuck the photo into a half full duffle bag. There were still a few things up top, but whatever, if I needed it, I'd come get it. Plus, I didn't want to keep Vanessa waiting.

When I finished hauling my bags into the living room, my mom was there to meet me.

"Please don't leave baby. Don't go."

"Mom. I'm going. There's nothing you can do to stop me. You're my mother, I love you, But I have to." I hug and kiss her, then load up all my stuff into Vanessa's dad's SUV.

"You ready to roll Slim Shady?"

I took another look at my mother, who waved slowly, and blew me kisses, then exhaled.

"Let's go."

We drove straight to Emma's once in Toronto. "I finally get to meet her. I'm so excited!" I smiled.

Then I saw that Spike's car was gone. "I hope she's here." I lokked at Ness. "What time to you have to be home? Cause uh...nobody knows I'm coming, and I haven't exactly figured out where I'm gonna stay yet."

Vanessa's jaw dropped. "Ok. What?" "No big deal Ness. I can crash anywhere." "Well, I can get you a hotel or something..." "Ness. it's ok." I didn't want her to be spending her money on me. I walked to the door.

Before I had a chance to knock., the door swung open, and Emma lept into my arms, wrapping her long legs around my waist, just like before. She screamed.

"I'm so happy!"

I swung her around and laughed. "Hey Em. There someone special I want you to meet." I put her down, and we walked towards the truck.

"Emma. This is my ace. My right hand. My best friend. My 'sister', Vanessa. Ness, this is the infamous..."

"Emma. It's great to finally meet you. You are all Shady here's ever talked about." The girls hugged.

"Nice to meet you too Vanessa. I've heard about you myself. And he was right, you are gorgeous."

"Aww, thanks. This one's a keeper Shady. She's so sweet. And right back at you Emma. You're beautiful."

"Ok, ok, ok, enough with the lovefest. Can we go inside now? It's cold out here!" They laughed, and Em escorted us inside.

A/N- So there's my update for the day. Let me know if it was lame. I know it's kinda OOc that Sean is a little lovesick, but he's not. He wasn't actually trying to get back to TO for Emma. He knows that he can have a better life there. Or at least try. And Vanessa I had planned to make her a major character, but she isn't. She will still appear though, and her and Sean will stay close. More soon!