"Oh my gosh," Paige exclaimed as she sat down at the lunch table on Wednesday, "you will never believe what I just heard!"

"Where have you been?" Manny asked as she shoved her things out of the way to make room for Paige.

"If you'll just chill and wait for me to complete what I was going to say," Paige replied in a snotty tone of voice. "Anyway, Heather Sinclair is having a 'Welcome back to school' party on Saturday and she didn't invite me."

"Umm, who's Heather Sinclair?" Emma asked cautiously. She'd only known Paige for two days but she'd learn to tiptoe around the girl when she was in certain moods.

"Paige hates her guts because she stole Paige's boyfriend back in ninth," Manny informed Emma.

"No, I dumped him and she took my leftovers," Paige corrected. "I hate her because she's a stuck-up bitch who tried to get me kicked off the Spirit Squad for not wearing the shorts underneath our uniform."

"Was it true?" Emma asked.

"That was just a vicious rumor she started," Paige said as she narrowed her eyes at Emma. "Anyway, she graduated last year but she's still having a party for high school kids. She's now the queen of Loserville."

"Totally," Manny agreed.

"Speaking of which," Paige said as she looked around the cafeteria, "where's Sean?" Not spotting him, she shrugged her shoulders. "Oh well. Anyway, we're going to crash the party."

"But I thought it was for losers," Emma said, confused as to why Paige would want to crash.

"Oh, you have so much to learn and you are so lucky that I am willing to teach you. Heather is a loser for throwing a party for high school kids but you're cool if you show up at a party with college kids. Got it?"

"Got it," Emma said.

"So, we meet up at my house about eight to get ready and then we'll hit the party about ten. Sound good?"

"Awesome," Manny said.

"Umm..."

"Oh no," Paige rolled her eyes at Emma's unsure "umm". "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. It's just that it'll be easier for me to go to a party if I tell my mom I staying the night at your place then she'll be less likely to check up on me."

"Not lying by omission of the facts, excellent job. Now, let's talk about what we should wear."

Emma zoned out as Manny and Paige talked about clothes. She was tense about the party but she didn't want Manny or Paige to think she was a total loser by saying no. But usually at parties there was loud music and loud talking and drinking, all of which made Emma's life a heck of a lot harder.

"Mom, are you home?" Emma called as she walked into her new house after school. Not hearing a reply, Emma sighed and headed up to her room and lay down on her bed. The house didn't feel like home yet. Sure, the things in it were familiar, but it lacked any history. She'd spent most of her life in an apartment in Vancouver and she had so many memories from living there. There was just a void here.

"Guess you didn't hear me."

Emma opened her eyes to see her mother standing in the doorway. "I was just thinking about home. I miss it."

"This is our home now," Spike said as she came to sit next to Emma on the bed. "I know this is hard but going back to Vancouver isn't an option."

Emma looked down at her hands and tried to fight back the tears that surfaced. "I can't help but hope. I mean I know you and Dad aren't going to get back together or anything but I wish things could be different."

"Your father and I tried, you know we tried, but it just wasn't meant to be for us. Ultimately we just want what's best for you."

"Sure, as long as it means moving me across the country and leaving everything that's important to me," Emma said angrily. "He hasn't even called, has he?"

"Your father loves you, Emma."

"Has he called?" Emma asked again, her voice rising.

"No," Spike said quietly. "But he's busy."

"I don't matter. Even when I was there it was like I wasn't there." Emma said calmly. She was used to her dad's lackadaisical attitude when it came to her. She didn't know why she'd expected it to change now that she was in Toronto.

"I'm not going to defend his actions anymore," Spike said, standing up. "He's made a lot of mistakes with you but that doesn't change who you are inside. Don't let your father dictate how you feel about yourself. I raised you to be stronger than that."

"I know." Emma agreed.

"Why don't we go to the store and pick up something to make for dinner? I'll even spring for ice cream."

"Sure. I don't know why I'm being like this today. I guess it's because I got invited to a party today at school." Emma said glumly as she followed her mother down the stairs.

"Oh." Spike said as she grabbed her keys and purse. "Well it's good to hear that you're making friends."

"But it's a party. If I don't go then I risk losing friends but if I do go then I take the same risk."

"Maybe you should just be honest with them."

"No one here knows about it. I just want to be like everybody else for once. It's really not to much to ask."

"I won't tell you what to do but your new friends may surprise you."

"I doubt it. Let's just go."

Spike watched as her daughter walked out to the car. Emma was her baby and she wanted to protect her from everything. But she'd realised even before Emma was born that that was impossible. Unfortunately, Emma was still dealing with that fact.

"I look totally hot tonight," Paige said as put the finishing touches on her makeup. "Heather Sinclair is going to spit nails when I show up and all her latest boy toy wants to do is look at me."

"What about Sean?" Manny asked as she zipped up her boots.

"Sean can keep himself busy. There'll be plenty of girls there for him to have fun with. We just need him for his chauffeuring services."

"Well if you hadn't lost your license we would be able to go in your car." Manny reminded Paige.

"Well if you'd only get your license. How many times have you failed your driving test?"

Emma sat on Paige's bed listening to Manny and Paige snipe back and forth. They were pretty entertaining and for a few minutes she could forget how nervous she was about the party.

"Stop chewing on your lip, Emma." Paige commanded. "That is very expensive lipstick and you should only waste it on kissing a hot guy."

"Sorry," Emma said, not realizing her old childhood habit of lip chewing had resurfaced.

"There's no reason to be nervous," Manny said. "I know it's your first Degrassi party but it'll be fun. And Paige and I will have your back. Well, I will. Paige will probably be too busy making out with some guy."

"You were the one who spent the last party attached to Craig Manning's face." Paige said snapped back.

"I've known Craig for years. How long did you know Spinner Mason before you were screwing him in the backseat of his car?"

Paige gasped but the doorbell rang before she could say anything. Emma looked back and forth between the two girls who were now locked in a staring match.

"I'll just go get the door," Emma said, glad to have an excuse to leave the room.

"Hey," Sean said with a smile when Emma opened the door. "You look nice. Are you excited about the party?"

"Umm… Sure?" Emma said as she closed the door behind Sean.

"Nervous?" Sean asked as he made himself comfortable in an easy chair in Paige's living room. He knew Paige well enough to know that she'd probably another fifteen minutes.

"A little," Emma said, following Sean's lead and taking a seat.

"No worries. Just relax and have fun."

"I'm just not much of a drinker."

"Me neither. It's why I get the job of always being the designated driver. It's always been more fun for me to watch drunken people act like fools. I'm sure you'll see some great performances tonight."

"Let's go," Paige said as she walked into the room. Manny was following, rubbing a red cheek.

Sean looked back and forth between Manny and Paige. "Do you have to do this before every party?"

"She started it," Paige mumbled.

Sean gave Emma a look that clearly said he didn't believe Paige and Emma had to suppress a giggle.

"Sure," he said to Paige. "Let's go."

Emma sat on a sofa in Heather Sinclair's basement. Manny had left her there fifteen minutes ago, promising to "be right back" but she looked to have disappeared into the throngs of people just like Paige and Sean. But no one was trying to talk to her so things weren't so bad.

"Hey," Sean said as he sat next to Emma. "Are you having fun?"

Emma wanted to curse as Sean sat next to her. Now she'd be forced to have a conversation. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"It is a little loud in here." Sean said, raising his voice. "Are you having fun?"

"Not really," Emma said with a smile.

"Yeah, these parties can suck," Sean agreed. "But it's still early. Give it another hour and then see what happens. Why don't I go find you something to drink? Heather usually keeps bottled water somewhere."

"Sure."

"Okay. I'll be back in a few."

Sean got up in search of the water. A wrinkle of confusion marred his forehead. Emma had been concentrating on his mouth while they were talking. It was weird. Did she want to kiss him? Emma was hot so it wasn't like he'd protest. But why didn't she just go for it if she was interested? He'd supposed maybe she was just a little shy.

"This party sucks," Jay informed Sean as he came up behind Sean. "They have no Jack Daniels. It's all light beer. You'd think Sinclair could have at least gotten the real stuff."

"When did you get here?" Sean asked as he made his way to the kitchen.

"I've been here awhile. I was upstairs enjoying some company. What are you looking for?"

Sean rummaged through the refrigerator. "Emma doesn't drink so I'm trying to find some bottled water."

"And you came from the basement so that must be where she is. I think I'll just go and say hi."

"Don't be a dick, Jay." Sean warned. "I'm going to be down there as soon as I find the water."

Jay just smirked at Sean and headed downstairs. It was time he and Emma got acquainted.

"Hey Blondie," Jay said as he sat down next to Emma. "You're looking hot tonight."

Emma rolled her eyes at the sight of Jay but didn't say anything.

"Why don't you like me?"

Emma didn't respond but stared straight forward.

"Hey, I asked you a question." Jay said and touched Emma on the shoulder to get her to acknowledge him.

"Don't touch me!" Emma yelled and turned to look at Jay.

"I just want to know why you don't like me," Jay said, taken aback by Emma's anger.

"Because I don't think you see me as anyone other than someone to screw. You're completely immature and a complete jerk and I'm not interested in you."

"Fair enough I guess," Jay said, shrugging his shoulders. "Seen any good movies lately?"

"What?" Emma was confused by Jay's out of nowhere question.

"Well, I get that you're not interested so I'm trying to make polite conversation. You know, like a mature person."

A corner of Emma's mouth turned up at Jay's joke.

"See, I'm not such a bad guy."

"That remains to be seen."

"Just to prove it, I'll tell you a little story about me when I was a kid."

"Is this going to be about you and your dog, Lassie?"

"Funny, but no, it's not. My dog's name was Rover."

Sean stood across the room just watching Emma and Jay. Jay was doing all of the talking and Emma looked to be concentrating on his mouth, just like she had with him. Something didn't fit. She'd didn't seem to like Jay so why was she staring at his mouth so intently?What was up with Emma?