Disclaimer: I own nothing Degrassi...

Thanks for all of the great reviews! I got busy with stuff and wasn't able to post until now, but I'm posting three chapters, so enjoy!

"What are you doing here?"

Jay looked around from under the hood of the car he was working on, only to spot Manny Santos standing just inside the big garage door, hands on hips. He sighed heavily. This was just what he needed!

"Let me repeat...what are you doing here?" she asked, stepping forward.

Jay wiped his hands on a rag and pointed to the car beside him. "Some of us have to work, Santos."

Manny stomped forward, until she was about a foot away from Jay. She regained her stance, hands on hips, legs spread slightly, attitude oozing from her being. Jay prepared himself for a lecture.

"It's nine o'clock at night, moron! This garage closes at six! But that's not the point! You should be with Emma!" she ordered.

Jay shook his head. "Why would I be with her?"

Manny, not fooled by Jay's tough exterior, saw his comment for what it really was, a guy who'd been completely crushed by the woman he loves. "She loves you. I know that she does."

"She's got a funny way of showing it, don't ya think?"

"That's just Emma being...well, Emma. She needs time, Jay. Please don't give up on her," Manny begged.

Jay walked away from Manny, wanting out of this conversation, especially with her. It was no secret that Jay and Manny were anything but friends. In the beginning she'd accused Jay of using the heartbroken Emma for his own personal gain. So why was she here, begging him not to give up the chase to spend forever with her friend?

"Say something, idiot!" she yelled.

Jay threw the wrench that was still in his hand. It hit the tool bench at the far end of the garage with a loud clang. Manny jumped, letting out a little screech. Jay hadn't meant to scare her, but this was not where he wanted to be right now.

"She said no, Manny! I told her everything she wanted to hear and it still wasn't good enough! I'm done trying to convince her that I'm the one. I'm just done," he swore.

"If you're willing to give up this easily, I guess you're not the one for her anyway," Manny said sadly. She turned to walk away and then stopped. Jay almost didn't hear her whisper, "Do you love her?"

"I asked her to marry me, Manny. I don't exactly make committing myself to someone for the rest of my life a habit, you know. Yeah, I do. I love her. But that doesn't make a difference if she doesn't love me. She told me so. Then she gave me back my ring and walked out of my life. It's time for Jay to move on and try to forget about Emma."

Manny turned back to face Jay, her body moving slowly, but with purpose. She walked toward him, a smile spreading across her face. "Jay, you brilliant bastard! That's it!"

Jay gave her a look, confusion mixed with fear. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about you moving on," Manny smiled, shoving Jay back. "You need to move on. Don't you get it?"

"I can honestly say that I have no clue where you're going with this," Jay admitted, backing away.

"Girls always want what they think they can't have. If Emma thinks that you're off the market, she'll realize that she made a huge mistake letting you go. It's perfect!"

Manny's excitement made Jay cringe. Her plot was lacking in originality, but Jay had to admit, it probably was true. Emma, in her present state, liked to think of Jay as her little toy. But what if he was no longer hers? What if Jay found a new someone? How would Emma react to that?

Still, Jay's conscience told him that winning Emma back in a dishonest way wouldn't help his plight. "Bad idea, Santos. Emma would see through it and then she'd definitely never talk to my again."

"Oh, versus how much she's going to talk to you now?"

Jay shot Manny a heated look. "And let's say I went along with your stupid little plot here. What chick is ever gonna date a guy, knowing full well that he's only doing it to get in with someone else?"

Manny thought for a second. Her face suddenly broke into a wide smile. "I know just the person! You leave it all up to me, Jayson Hogart! I'll have Emma begging at your feet in no time!"

As Manny turned to excitedly leave the garage, Jay asked, "Why are you doing this? You don't exactly like me."

Manny looked at Jay and smiled. "Because you're perfect for my friend. And I can be a big enough person to admit that I was wrong."

Good old Manny! But will their plan work or will Emma see right through it? R&R!