Okay. This chapter is longer than the others, 2135 words if you can believe it! Although it always looks smaller online, doesn't? Anyway, I'm happy about the direction I'm taking this in. So, read away!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING TO DO WITH DEGRASSI!

Oh, and I divided the three scenes by dividers. Mmmkay?

Three weeks later, and I was in about the same situation as I had been before. I still felt like I was caught up in some sort of tornado, but this one wasn't transporting me to a far away and magical land; no, this tornado was leaving me in Toronto. This tornado was forcing me to attend Degrassi, even though when I went I might have been better off somewhere else. It seems that no matter how many teachers expressed their growing concern in my plummeting marks; I still just sat blankly, often drifting off into silent slumber. I just didn't have the motivation to attempt school work, or even the Environmental Club anymore. So, I, Emma Nelson, was left to vacant thrills in a dingy van, with a guy who couldn't care less about how I felt.

That night I had the final dress rehearsal for the play; I couldn't wait for it to be over for good. I was tired of Liberty's endless tirades, JT's irritating one liners, and Manny's never-ending talk about, well, about herself.

"So, I was thinking, I look better in the emerald green dress than the black. What do you think? I mean, I know Alex is set to wear the green one, but I think if I just talked to Liberty..." Manny stopped, and let out an overly exaggerated sigh. "Em, are you listening to anything I'm saying?"

Truthfully, I had barely been conscious, I was feeling a little under the weather. I shook my head, looking up at a frowning Manny, "No, sorry. I'm just not feeling well."

She sat down next to me, looking concerned, "Are you alright? You've been a little distant lately."

Inside my head I laughed, as if I had been the one who was distant! Manny was one of those people who only paid attention to you when she needed you, you worked on her schedule. "I'm fine," I responded. "I'm just nervous. I mean, the play is tomorrow!"

She lightened up, smiling brightly, "You'll do great, Em. You're amazing! Seriously, I'm thinking maybe you should be the actor instead of me."

I smiled, "Manny, I could never live up to your...personality."

Laughing, she shook her hair. "You should come to The Dot with all of us after rehearsal. We're all going for burgers and shakes, it will be tons of fun."

I considered it momentarily,until I considered the fact that I had already gone five days without anything but celery; why would I want to ruin that now? I shook my head, "I have to study. I have a test tomorrow."

"What class?"

I paused before answering, trying to work out which class I had without her. "Uh, gym."

"You have a test in gym?" She asked, doubtfully.

"Yeah," I lied. "It's really more of a biology test though. It's all about the body and stuff."

"Okay," she replied. "Then, tomorrow?"

I nodded. Great, now I would have to think of an excuse to get out of that one. I had planned to celebrate after the show with Jay, in the ravine.

Play rehearsal was as boring as ever; I did manage to nail all of my lines though. So, luckily, I spared the wrath of Liberty for one night at least.

It was ten by the time I was out of full dress, and ready to go home. I had forgotten my coat and it was pretty cold out; so, as I walked down the street towards the bus stop I was glad to have Craig pull up beside me. "Hey, stranger!"

I turned around, "Hey, Craig."

"You look like you're freezing, get in the car," he said, reaching over to the passenger door to unlock it.

I threw my backpack into the backseat and jumped in. "Thanks, I forgot my coat."

He smiled, "I figured that much."

I nodded, turning to look out the window. I wasn't exactly sure what to say. So, after some akward silence I finally spoke, "How's Jimmy doing?"

"Great," he replied, looking over at me. "He doing awesome, actually. Should be back at school soon enough."

I nodded, looking back out the window.

"How about you?"

I turned to look at him; he had that concerned look in his eye. The same look that everyone seemed to be giving me lately. "What do you mean?"

He frowned slightly, "Em, you had a gun pointed straight at you. I can't imagine you could just get over that."

"I'm fine."

"I just don't see you around that often anymore."

"We both have lives, Craig. Besides, it's not like we've ever been best friends or anything," I said, mad that he was choosing this particular time to play the ' I care about Emma Nelson' card.

"True enough,"he replied. "But, if you need to talk or anything, I'm here. I mean, we have been there for each other through rough times before, right?"

"Yeah, but then you got popular, found girls, and suddenly the weird little blond girl wasn't important enough!"

"Em, it's not like that!" He fueled in his own defence. "You're like a sister to me!"

"Uh huh,"I fueled back doubtfully. "The sister who gets one phone call each year around Christmas!"

He pulled the car off to the side of the road. "This is crazy, Emma." I opened the car door, getting out. "What are you doing?"

"Walking," I stated simply enough.

"Emma," he sighed, "get back in the car."

"No."

"You live like fifteen blocks away."

"I like exercise."

"Why are we even fighting!" He exclaimed. "Listen, I didn't mean to offend you, or whatever. I know we kinda drifted apart, and all that, but I still want to make sure you're all right."

How ridiculous was it that Craig Manning suddenly wanted to help me out again? I turned away, mostly because I didn't believe him; Craig liked to play the hero. "I'll be okay," I choked out; but, suddendly I was extremely dizzy, and my vision was starting to black out.

"Emma, are you okay?"

I didn't get a chance to respond, as my legs were giving way, and I quickly fell the ground, completely unconscious. When I came to, my head was in Craig's lap as he lightly slapped my cheek. "Oh thank God, you're okay!"

I slowly shook my head, trying to comprehend the whole situation. I leaned on my hand, attempting to get up, and Craig lended an arm to help. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" He asked, voice full of concern. "The hospital isn't far from here."

"I'm okay!" I exclaimed, then, noticing the shock in his face, I lowered my voice. "I just need to rest. I've been pulling killer hours, trying to do all my school work, help with Jack, and the play."

He frowned, speaking calmly, "You need to take a break. Just get in the car and I'll drop you off."

I relented, and got back into the passenger seat. The rest of the ride was completely silent, even though I knew Craig was dying to proclaim his concern for me. I was tired of people all of a sudden caring about me; so, when he finally stopped in front of my house, I grabbed my backpack and shut the door. There was nothing left to say.

The house was empty, but that seemed to be the usual state of it. I grabbed the note that was taped to the refrigerator; Snake and mom were spending the night at his mother's, they'd be home tomorrow to see the play. Well, it was a Friday night and when the parents are away the children are supposed to play. So, I grabbed my cellphone from my backpack, looked up a phone number and placed a call.

"Hey, Jay?"

I heard him chuckle, probably to himself, in the background, "If it isn't my favourite blond."

I smirked, "I thought Amy had that place in your heart."

"Nah," he replied, "Amy's a ho. You, you still have that little bit of innocence that guys crave."

I laughed, "Then, are you busy?"

"Sorta. I'm at Alex's, she's in the shower; but, if you're offering something up, then I'm game."

"I'm offering," I replied seductively.

"The ravine?"

I thought about it, but then remembered that it was fairly cold outside. "What about my place?"

He hesitated, I could tell he was really thinking it through, "Okay, I'll be there in twenty."

I smiled, "Great." I closed my phone, getting up to go look in the mirror. The skirt I was wearing really showed off my thighs, which were definitely not my best asset, so I changed into some looser fitting jeans, putting on a black loose fitting tank top. Finally, I looked in the mirror to fix my make up and hair which were still a bit messy from the incident with Craig.

True to his word, Jay showed up in exactly twenty minutes, wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. He wasn't wearing his hat, which was a nice change. "Come in," I greeted, ushering him through the doorway onto the couch in the living room. "I'm glad you came," I told him. "I was feeling pretty bored."

He smirked, "Uh huh. So, how'd you get home so quick?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you and I were both at the rehearsal, and by all correct time calculations the bus wouldn't have you home until...now."

Why did he care? "Craig drove me home," I stated, with my eyebrow raised, questioning him.

"Manning!"

"Yeah," I replied. "What does it matter?"

"You getting with him too?"

"No," I replied, astonished that, even if I was seeing Craig, Jay would care at all.

"Suuure," he said, disbelief dripping from his voice.

"I'm not," I answered with a little more venom in my own voice. "And, even if I were, why would you care?"

"I don't" he replied, as if suddenly realizing what he had been arguing with me about. "I wouldn't."

"Good," I said with finality, "because, you've made it more than clear that this has no 'personal' meaning, this is just an arrangement of sorts."

"Exactly," he stated, looking at me blankly. "You did make it more personal tonight though."

I stared at him, "How?"

"You brought me here. This is your house, Emma. This is not some van in the middle of some dirty ravine; this is yours."

"So what?"

"So, you wouldn't have brought me here if you didn't want this to get a little personal." He sighed, and turned away. "I don't know why I'm even here."

Furrowing my brow, I stood up. "Leave then. I don't care if you think this has some sort of alternative meaning! This is what it is, Jay. I asked you here, to do what we always do. Why? Because that's who I am, okay!" I was sweating, and starting to feel relatively unstable on my own two feet. "I'm a slut," I dead panned. I was shaking, staring at his back with fire in my eyes.

He sighed, turning to face me. His eyes widened, "Are you okay?"

"Just peachy," I replied sarcastically, while trying my hardest to stop from falling over. However, my eyesight was starting to get a bit patchy.

He started to walk towards me, and I tried my best to walk away; but, just as he went to grab my hand, my legs gave way and I collapsed to the floor. Luckily, this time I didn't fully pass out; if you can call that 'luck'. I went to sit up, and he crouched down to pick me up completely. I tried to fight it, but I couldn't; I was extremely tired, and just plain weak. "Where's your room?"

"Downstairs," I managed to mutter somewhat coherently.

He carried me all the way down to my room, and laid me gently onto my bed. He turned to leave, but before he had disappeared completely he muttered, rather sadly, "Eat something tomorrow, okay?"

I was positive that I had misheard him; how could he possibly know? Maybe it was just some lucky guess. And, why, all of a sudden, did Jay Hoggart give a damn about my well being?

A/N: PLEASE REVIEW! I hate asking, but I really want to know if people are reading. I am really into this story, and have everything pretty much figured out right until the last word. However, I can see myself seriously losing interest if no one seems to care.

If you don't review I don't know if you're reading it.