Chapter 4 'Things Get Better'
The Spirt Squad decided to take advantage of the hot weather and have a fundraiser. They needed to raise money for new and updated uniforms. The girls convinced Emma to come with and help wash cars. Jimmy looks over to see her sitting alone on the steps. He wheels himself over to her and smiles.
"Hey Jimmy," Emma said smiling back at him.
"Hey! What are you doing over here?" He said as she walked over to him and sat on the steps.
"I don't know just thinking I guess," she said looking up at him.
"Yeah well the girls need some help so come on," he said pulling on her arm.
"Fine for your Jimmy," she said getting up from the steps. She walks over to Pagie who lightly splashes her with water.
"Bout time you got over here," Paige said slightly laughing.
"Yeah I guess I just need some inspiration," Emma said looking in Jimmy's direction.
"Yeah my baby has that effect on people," Hazel said with a dreamy look in her eye. Paige and her rolled their eyes at her.
"How are things at home Emma?" Manny asked walking over to her. Before she could say anything she heard a radio blasting.
"What is he doing here?" Paige said glaring at the car as he pulled up. Emma walked over to the car and the window came down.
"Hey greenpeace," he said with a shaky voice.
'God she looked so beautiful,' he thought to himself. She was wearing a lightly blue bikkni top and short blue shorts.
"What do you want Jay?' She said crossing her arms and glaring down at him.
"I came here to get my car washed," he said with a smirk on his face.
"Yeah well losers aren't welcome," Marco said walking over with Dylan.
"Look please can we just talk," Jay said with a sincere look.
"We have nothing to talk about Jay," she said shaking her head. Dylan walked over towards him and leaned in.
"I think you should leave," he said glaring at him.
"Fine if thats what Emma wants," he said driving away from the crub. She held back her tears as she watched him drive away.
"You okay Emma," Craig said wrapping his arm around her.
"I don't Craig I don't know," she said going back to washing a car. ((()))
After the car wash they all went to the DOT to get some lunch. Emma was still thinking about her confrontation with Jay. She didn't know what to think or even how to feel. Dylan wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into a hug.
"Its gonna be okay," he said kissing the top of her head.
"Thanks Dylan," she said looking up at him. "Your really lucky Marco never let this guy get away," she said smiling at Marco.
"I don't plan on it," Marco said pulling Dylan into a small kiss.
"Guys come on not while were eating," Craig said stuffing his mouth full of food.
"Where's Paige?" Hazel looking around the room for her.
"I think she went to make a phone call," Jimmy said in a low voice.
"GUYS GUYS!" Paige yelled as she ran into the DOT. They all looked over at her and she was jumping up and down.
"Paige are you okay?" Manny said holding onto her arm. Paige stopped jumping and took a minute to compose herself.
"Yeah but I have got the best news," she said with a smile.
"Is there a sale at the mall," Craig said sarcastically. Paige glared over at him and Ashely playfully hit his arm.
"No its even better then that," she said smiling.
"Well tell us already," Emma said sitting up in her seat.
"Terri is coming home," she said with an excited voice. Everyone cheered at the news and Emma remained silent.
"Em!" Manny said gripping her hand lightly. "Are you happy? Terri is finally coming back to Degrassi," she said smiling and she smiled back at her.
"Yeah is great," she said before standing up. "Um...guys I really have to get going?' She said moving away from her seat and grabbing her purse.
"Alright hun call me later okay," Paige said walking over to her. "I mean we have to plan a welcome back for Terri," she said giving Emma a hug.
"We'll give her the best one," she said with a fake smile. "Bye guys I will see you at school tommorow," she said walking out the door.
"What's the deal with her?" Dylan asked softly.
They all just shrugged their shoulders except Jimmy. He knew she felt guilty about Rick because part of him felt they same way. They all finished eating and then went back home. ((()))
The next day they all got excused from class to decorate the gym. Emma was still alittle worried about seein Terri. She knew that Paige had told her everything that had happend. She looked over to see Jimmy coming over to her.
"Hey Em," he said in a soft low voice.
"Hey Jimmy," she said tying some ribbon onto a ballon. "I am okay you know," she said letting go of the balloon. Jimmy just slightly laughed and shook his head.
"I know your not Emma," he began. "I know your not because I am not," he said causing her to look up at him. She didn't know if he really felt the way she she felt about Terri.
"I just I am so afraid that she gonna hate me," she said looking down. "I mean I know I never met her before but,-" he cut her off.
"I know Emma I mean Rick put her in the hospital," he began with tears in his eyes. "And we befriended him," he said looking down.
"Your really great friend Jimmy," she said causing him to look up. "And I am sorry that this happend to you and not to me," she said looking at his wheelchair.
"Dont' say that Em its not your fault," he said causing her to look up. "This is Jay and Spinner fault," he said anger now filling his eyes.
"Come on lets finish decorating and great ready for Terri," she said throwing a balloon at Jimmy. He threw it back at her and they both slightly laughed.
"This is great she is actually laughing," Craig said taking a quick picture of her and Jimmy. Hazel looked over at her boyfriend and new friend.
"Yeah its great," she said with a smile.
"Come on guys I can't do this all by myself," Pagie said hanging up a banner with her brother.
They all rolled their eyes and went back to work. They had finished decorating the gym and waisted for Terri to arrive. Emma was still a bit nervouse and didn't know how Terri would react to her. Manny sat next to her hand and wrapped her arm around Emma's shoulder.
"I am really glad we're friends again Em," Manny said in a low voice.
"I am really glad to," she said smiling down at her friend. Craig came running in from the hall and was out of breath.
"Hun are you okay?" Paige said gripping onto Craig shoulder.
"She - is - here," he said trying to catch her breath.
"Everyone get ready," Ashely said staning up on the bleachers. Terri and her dad came walking through the gym door.
"Keep your eyes closed Terri," Marco said leading Terri into the gym. They all stood their in excitment as Marco stopped her in front of them. "Okay you can open then now," he said in a low voice and.
"SUPRISE!" They all yelled as she opened her eyes.
"Oh my god," Terri said in a state of shock.
"Welcome home Terri," they all said greeting her with hugs.
"Thanks you guys," she said looking around. "This is amazing but you didn't have to do this for me," she said with a smile on her face.
"Yes we did Terri," Ashely said wrapping her arm around her friend. Terri looked over to see Emma standing alone.
She walked over to her and they stood in silence for a moment. Terri pulls her into a hug and Emma is really shocked by this.
"Its good to finally see you again Em," she said gripping her hands lightly.
"Its good to see you to," she said with a smile and moved away from her.
"Did I do something wrong?" Terri asked Paige.
"No its nothing you did Terri she just dealing with her own life right now," she said giving Terri another hug.
"What kinds of things?" She asked looking over at Emma.
"I'll tell you all about it later but now lets party," she said with a smile on her face. Terri slightly laughed and nodded her head. ((()))
Emma was walking through the hall trying to get to her next class. She didn't speak to Terri all day because she didn't know what to say. She turned the corner quicly and ran right smack into Alex.
"Watch it tree hugger?" She said gathering her books together. "Oh wait should I say sluty tree hugger," she said laughing at her and Emma began walking away.
"What got nothing to say?" She yelled causing everyone to turn around. "I mean come on where's that high moral attitude of yours," she said with a smirk.
"Leave her alone Alex," Paige said with Hazel, Terri and Ashely walking behind her.
"Why should I Paige?" She said moving closer to Emma.
"Because if you don't your gonna regret it," she said getting up in her face.
"Oh tree hugger isn't bold enought to defend herself," she began looking back at Emma. "But yet she is bold enough to go down on Jay," she said causing everyone to laugh.
Emma looked around at everyone laughing at her. She couldn't take it anymore and ran out of the school. They hallways began to clear and Terri looked over at Ashley.
"I'll go check on her guys," Terri said running after Emma.
"Now you listen here Alex," Paige said getting in her face once again. "Emma dosen't deserve your tourcher," she said crossing her arms.
"I think I am gonna cry," she said sarcastically.
"You think your the only victim around her Alex," she said trying to control her voice. "Your not she has felt alot of pain just like anyone else in this school," Paige said in a lower voice.
"Get a life Alex cause playing the victime it gets really old," Ashely said before her, Hazel and Paige walked away.
Alex crossed her arms, sighed and walked back to class. Terri finds her on the side of the building crying her eyes out. Emma looked up to see Terri looking at her with a small smile. She had just had another run in with Alex and her friends. She was still trying to figure out why Terri didn't hate her.
"Did you mind if I sit?" Terri asked and Emma moved her back pack. Terri sat down next to Emma. They were in complete silence for several minutes.
"I don't hate you Emma," she said breaking the ice. "The shooting wasn't your fault Emma," she said gripping her lower arm.
"I know its not all my fault," she said taking a deep breath. "I made him think I liked him but I didn't," she said looking down.
"Look at me Emma," Terri said with a firm voice. Emma looked up at her as tears steamed down her face.
"It may not seem like it now Emma," she began. "I mean with everything that happend but things will get better," she said smiling at her.
"I hope your right Terri," she said looking down. "I don't think I can do this one my own," she said looking back up.
"You don't have to do this alone," she began. "You have your friend, your family and me," she said causing Emma to look up. Emma and Terri met in a small hug before going back into school. ((()))
Next Chapter: Sorry Isn't Enough