Jay watched, slightly amused, as his best friend slammed tools around and cursed under his breath.

"What the hell has your panties in a twist dude? You've been even more bitchy than usual lately."

"Back off Jay." Sean warned.

"Oh come on Sean, you've been sulking for weeks now – funny, how it all started around the time you stopped following Emma around like a little puppy dog." Jay snorted.

Sean's eyes flashed, "Screw her. This isn't about her. And I wasn't following her around." he spat out.

Jay raised an eyebrow "Could have fooled me. You might as well just tell me what you did this time."

Sean threw down the wrench he'd been holding and yelled "Augh! Why is it always my fault? Why does everything have to be about her?"

Jay gave a knowing smirk "So it is her that's got you all bent out of shape."

Sean glared at him "Whatever. It doesn't matter. I'm not 'allowed' to talk to her anymore. So what do I care."

"What? Wait - why can't you talk to her?"

"Because!" he burst out "she's stubborn.. and so damn independent and she thinks.. she thinks she has to prove something! And that she's no good for me! Of all the pig headed, crazy ideas she's ever had.. some friend!"

Jay shook his head "Man, you really can be slow sometimes. And I'm the one who got expelled!" at Sean's confused look, he sighed and tried another angle "Sean, did you ever stop to wonder why this bothers you so much?"

The rant Sean had been about to continue was postponed, as he looked at Jay "what the hell are you talking about?"

Jay rolled his eyes "You're in love with her, you idiot! Think about it! It's obvious to whole damn world – except you! Now, she wouldn't be my choice – there are hotter chicks at Degrassi, and certainly less opinionated ones… but she's obviously got a hold on you. Jesus Christ man you're turning me into a sap. I sound like a fucking romance novel!" He smacked Sean on the arm; who by this point was starting at him wide-eyed.

Sean opened his mouth to protest. No. I don't love Emma. She's my friend. That's all. I'm angry because I don't like being told who I can and cannot be friends with. But the protest died on his lips as realization hit him like a lightning bolt.

He leaned against his car for support and placed a hand on his brow. "Oh….shit."

Sensing that that was as much agreement as he was going to get for now, Jay nodded his approval "Good. Now what the hell are you going to do about it?"

Emma had been laying on her bed staring at the ceiling for over an hour. That's how Manny found her as she entered the room they shared.

"Em? You okay?" she hedged.

Emma glanced over. "Manny… I… think I made a mistake.".

"Ok." Manny offered cautiously "A mistake involving Sean?" she guessed.

Emma closed her eyes and a few tears slipped out. "Yes." She whispered.

Manny sat on the bed beside her friend and sighed "What happened Em?"

"Well" Emma began "I told him that I didn't think we should be friends anymore. Sean was doing so well and he had grown up so much – he was so in control. But thanks to me, and the Peter Incident - he risked losing everything he's worked so hard for. I told him I was no good for him. And that I didn't think we should talk anymore."

By now Manny was staring at Emma as though she had sprouted another head. "You told him what? Emma, why?"

"I thought it was best for both of us." Emma replied sullenly.

Manny scoffed "Best for both of you? Emma, have you seen 'both of you' lately? Sean looks like he's been on a month-long bender, and you - you're a mess! Don't think I don't know it – we've been best friends for years, I know you. You pretend you're okay, but you're so totally not ok."

At Emma's distressed look, she stated matter-of-factly "Em. I think it's pretty obvious what's wrong with you." She paused, and upon getting no reply she continued. "You, Emma Nelson, are completely and totally in love with Sean Cameron".

Emma sprung up as though she'd gotten an electric shock "What? No, no I am not. I'm not" Manny gave her a disbelieving look at her insistence "I mean.. we're just friends. I miss my.. friend. I'm not in love with Sean. I'm not." Emma continued her tirade as memories of Sean flashed through her mind; while Manny sat back and waited patiently for her to catch up. "I'm.. I mean I can't be…." A hand flew to her mouth and she sank to her bed, flopping down in the same position she'd occupied earlier.

"Oh my God. I'm in love with Sean." She groaned. "Manny, what am I going to do?"

A/N: Ok, I know, not very romantic. But come on, it's Sean and Emma! I'll make it up to you later.