"I love double cheese pizza," Emma sighed as she threw down her napkin and groaned. It was their second date and Sean had taken her to see a movie, of which she'd only seen about half. Making out with a guy she'd only started going out with wasn't Emma's style. But there was something about Sean that made her throw all her previous ideas about dating out and just go with the flow. And besides, he was a really good kisser. Now they were sitting in a corner booth of a small pizza parlor, eating and enjoying each other's company. "Oh, and my mom wants to have you over for dinner soon. Is that okay?"

"Sure, no problem," Sean agreed as he took another slice. "I'd love to meet your parents. Well, that's a bit overboard. I'd like to meet them sounds better. That's sounds kind of cheesy, too. Can I just admit that I'm a bit nervous and have you not think that I'm less of a man for it?"

Emma grinned at Sean's verbal diarrhea. It was something they were both good at doing when they were around each other. "It's just my mom and she's really cool. I doubt you'll ever meet my dad."

"I want to ask about him," Sean said as he covered Emma's hand with his own. "But I don't want you to feel like you have to tell me anything."

"It's okay. I mean, he's just in Vancouver now and he's busy. I thought that maybe I would go to his place for Christmas but he left a message saying he was going to go on a Caribbean cruise instead. He called at a time that he knew I would be at school so he wouldn't have to talk to me."

"That's pretty crappy. Has he always been like that?"

"He's always been distant," Emma shrugged. "I don't know, I guess it was easier for him to be that way. He was only fifteen when I was born so it's not like he knew how to even be a dad. It couldn't have been easy for either of my parents because they were both so young."

"I wish I could give you an answer about your dad. Parents aren't perfect and if we don't expect them to be then I think life is a lot easier."

"You make your parents sound perfect," Emma said in her matter-of-fact way. "They just seem like the most down-to-earth, caring people."

"They are good parents but I don't think they're perfect parents. I mean like right now we're fighting about college. I like cars and I want to open my own shop after graduation. My parents can't accept that fact. They want me to go to college. I'm not against taking a few business courses but I don't want to waste the next four years of my life in a classroom. It doesn't sound in the least bit interesting to me. But at least once a week I have to hear about going to college and how disappointed they'll be if I don't go. I'm saving money right now so that when I graduate I can move into my own place."

"Wow, I had no idea."

"They're not horrible people or anything but they are getting annoying," Sean took a deep breath to rid him of the anger that the whole college subject brought up. "Anyway, tell your mom I look forward to dinner."

"Just so you know the meal will be vegetarian."

"Yeah, I figured. I can see there will be no double bacon cheeseburgers in our future."

"The meat industry is k-." Emma was cut off by Sean kissing her.

"What were you saying?" Sean asked when he pulled back from Emma.

"No idea," Emma replied breathlessly before leaning back in for another kiss.

"Would you two please stop making googly eyes at each other! Some of us are trying to eat our lunch," Paige said huffily. "I know you two are still in you honeymoon phase but a honeymoon only lasts two weeks and you two have been going out for three."

"Thanks for reminding me, Paige. Happy anniversary, Em," Sean said and then leaned into kiss Emma.

"You just made it worse," Manny said with a smile. She was happy for Sean and Emma but she was a romantic. "But please tell me why Jay keeps staring over here. I thought you guys weren't speaking."

"Were not," Sean said, briefly breaking eye contact with Emma to glance over to where Jay was sitting with Towerz, "but he still has a thing for Emma."

"It's not a big deal," Emma said. She was trying to be diplomatic because she didn't want to be the one to end their friendship. "He's been nice to me and he never says anything bad about you. Just forget about it."

"That's a good idea. But I've got an even better one. Why don't we all hang out together on Friday night? Paige can bring Spinner and Manny can bring-."

"Her flavor of the week," Paige interjected. "Ow," Paige cried out as Manny's fist connected with her arm.

"We're at school," Sean chided. "Anyway, as I was saying, Manny can bring whomever she wants. We all haven't hung out in awhile so it might be fun."

"And where are we going to go? Paige asked.

"I don't know. I'll figure out something."

"As long as it's not too lame then I'm in," Paige agreed.

"Me too," said Manny.

"Excellent," Sean said. "Emma and I need to get going. We have a quiz in Advanced Calculus today and Emma is going to help me study."

"Please," Paige scoffed and rolled her eyes. "We all know you're going to go make out somewhere."

Emma blushed but didn't contradict Paige. She hurriedly grabbed her things and followed Sean out of the lunchroom. What could she say, she loved kissing Sean.

No mention of the secret in awhile. Don't worry, it's still there and will be revealed soon. I just thought I needed to build up Sean and Emma's relationship a little first. But I think it's going to come in the next chapter. And then there will be angst and pain and more Jay (for you Jay lovers out there.) Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing. Hugs to everyone (but not kisses because I don't know you all well enough for that.) :)