Author's Note: Here's Chapter Four! I've gotten lots of reviews, and thank you to each and every person that reviewed (all six of them XD). There was also a question, from pocksuppet. Pocksuppet asked why Emma hates Liberty in this story, even though on the show they are clearly friends. Well, the answer is that Liberty did something bad to Emma before Graduation, which will be revealed later in the story. I did not make Emma hate Liberty because I hate her on the show, I just chose her at random. I also made Emma hate Jay, and I love him to death on the show. See, just chosen at random. Also, the summary says that this fic is slightly AU, which means that I don't have to stick by the show. I hope that addresses everything. I love everyone who reads and reviews! D

Disclaimer: No, I don't own it. If I did, Jay wouldn't have to wear clothes during the show. oO

"I miss you too, Sean," I said, totally taken aback at his display of affection. I tried to give him a longing stare as I said it, but it probably didn't work out too well. I was never good at giving people those cute looks, the looks that some girls could pull off effortlessly.

Sean grinned, and we began talking again, about our first date back in middle school, when a bird pooped on my shoulder as soon as I left the house. About fifteen years later, I finally thought it was funny. Apparently, he had thought it was funny the whole time.

I decided to take a risk. I had always been one to do things even when I knew I probably shouldn't. So I reached my hand over the table to grab his. He didn't protest, and our hands lay on the table, intertwined. His rough hands, just like they'd always been; rough from working on cars all day. It was familiar, it was him.

When the sky began to darken outside the windows of The Dot, Sean looked at the clock in surprise. "I better get going, Em. But like I said, I think we should see each other again." There was something in his tone of voice that gave me hope, and I nodded.

"Wait, before you go," I added in haste, trying to keep the man I knew I needed, "Manny's having a party at her new house on Friday and maybe you could come with me. If you're not busy or anything."

He thought for a few seconds, and then his eyes lit up. "Sure, Emma. I'll call you." And with that, he grabbed his jacket and left.

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Friday

I was standing in the front doorway of Manny and Mark's brand-new house when I heard a familiar scream – Manny's. My left eye twitched, like it always did when Manny screamed within one hundred feet of me. I saw her rush towards me with a mischievous look on her gorgeous face.

"Emma, Emma, Emma, you finally made it. A half hour late, of course, but you're still here…and I see you brought Sean! Hey, Sean, how've you been?" She was talking a mile a minute, and grinning at me the whole time. I rolled my eyes, anxious to get the explanations over with, because Manny was bound to interrogate me for hours after Sean was gone.

Sean looked a little overwhelmed, but hugged Manny hello and started a bit of small talk, before him and I headed off into the living room, where everyone had congregated, dancing and drinking and chatting.

There were a few people from the old Degrassi class there, just Toby and Liberty. I tried to avoid looking at Liberty, that wretched excuse for a friend, and stood with Sean in the middle of the room, sipping drinks and chatting amicably. I had a feeling I was sipping one too many, because I was starting to feel a buzz.

No, Emma. Not now. You can't get drunk and do something you'll regret in front of Sean. You have one more chance, please don't screw it up! That's what the voice inside my head was telling me, but I wasn't listening. I grabbed another glass of wine and chugged it down. Glass after glass after glass slid down my throat with ease, and I could literally feel myself loosening up with every sip. Sean was noticeably buzzed as well. His speech was starting to slur a little, but he still had control of himself. I had control, too. Well, until he pulled me into Manny and Mark's bedroom to talk, that is.

He closed the door behind us quietly and turned on a light. The room lit up quickly, and I had to shield my eyes from the sudden brightness. There wasn't much furniture in the room, only a king-sized bed with purple sheets and a wooden headboard, and two bookcases stuffed with books and DVDs. The walls were painted a light beige, like most of the house was, and two doors led to a closet full of Manny's clothes and a bathroom full of Manny's makeup. I half-smiled knowingly – Manny was a complete dive when she wanted to be.

"What is it, Sean?" I asked, curious. Did he want to tell me that he never wanted to see me again? That he was choosing Ellie over me? I shifted my position, anxious to hear his response.

"Sean, seriously, what do you wan-" My question was cut off by Sean's lips on mine.

Author's Note: Did you like the suspenseful ending? Haha. You'll have to keep reading to find out what happens next. I'll give you a hint: More Semma, and eventually some Jemma. Maybe some other couples will form, as well. And the reason why Emma hates Liberty will be revealed, even though it's irrelevant. Bye!