The following morning came quick for the pair. Jay hadn't slept a wink the entire night; he was too caught up in worrying about his best friend. He laid awake on the couch for hours, staring at the ceiling and listening to the infomercials that had been playing quietly in the background for the past few hours. Although he didn't check the time, judging by the sun that was now peaking through the crack in the blinds, he figured Serenity would be down any minute to get ready for school.

The stairs began to creek moments later, drawing his attention to the girl who was trying to sneak downstairs. He leaned up against the couch's armrest.

"Sorry," she whispered, "I tried to come down quietly and avoid waking you."

"No big deal," he yawned, "I haven't been able to sleep yet, anyway."

Her eyes turned sympathetic, "you need to sleep, Jay."

He shrugged her off.

"Why don't you go lay in your bed? I'll just grab a taxi to school."

He shook his head, "nope. I'm taking you, then checking on Sean."

"What time should I be ready for?"

"I'll be ready in like 45."

Jay agreed; that would give him enough time to clean up, get dressed and even take a coffee to-go.

As Serenity went to grab an outfit from her suitcase on the side table, she found Sean's button-up denim shirt on top of her things. It was still in the same place he had discarded it the day before. The shirt acted as a harsh reminder of Sean's carelessness that landed him in jail; a fate that everyone always feared for him. Serenity wished so badly that she could take back what happened the night before, and that her brother could be here safe and sound. But now, he had to face the consequences of his actions.

She moved the shirt onto the couch and dug through her stuff until she found a black, fitted zipper-up sweater that she paired with dark wash jeans. With her clothes in tow, she headed down the hall to the bathroom, where she washed up and covered her dark under eyes from the lack of sleep the night before. After tying her hair in to a ponytail, she called to Jay, who was in the kitchen.

"I'm ready when you are!"

He emerged from the other room with a travel mug, presumably filled with coffee.

The drive to school was surprisingly filled with conversation on Jay's part. Serenity never pegged him to be such a morning person, but she also figured the silence would allow her to think too much. For the first time in her life, she was grateful for such chatter so early in the morning.

"After I drop you off, I'll go check on him," he said and she nodded, "you said you have a free period before lunch?"

She nodded again.

"I'll meet you out front then and let you know what's going on."

Serenity agreed. She wanted to come with Jay, but she figured going to school and letting everyone else know what had happened would be best.

Jay pulled up out front of Degrassi, "I'll meet you here in a couple hours."

"Sure thing," she gave a weak smile, "thanks for the ride."

He reached into the backseat and handed her her backpack, "have a good day, Lil' Cam."

"You too."

Jay sped off the moment Serenity had made a safe distance away from the car. As she made her way up the front steps, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was Emma and Peter; for a couple that just broke up, they looked to be a little too close.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" She growled as she approached the couple. She furrowed her brows and looked Peter up and down.

The pair looked at one another, then back at Serenity. Emma's eyes appeared apologetic.

"Unbelievable." She muttered under her breath as she practically pushed past the couple and threw the door open.

"Ren, wait!" Emma called after her.

She turned around in a huff as the footsteps grew closer, "the second my brother's gone, you run back into that psycho's arms?"

"We were just talking," she said defensively. "Plus, Sean's in jail. He didn't have to race Peter."

Serenity's eyes narrowed at the blond who stood before her, "you don't get it, do you?"

"Everything my brother does is about you. Why do you think he raced Peter in the first place?"

Emma appeared at a loss for words. She could no longer look Serenity in the eyes.

"Look, I can see why my brother loves you so much," she smiled softly, "you're beautiful, passionate and smart..."

Her smile faded as she continued, "but you have to be pretty damn stupid to believe Peter didn't frame Sean."

"My brother isn't perfect; in fact, he often does really dumb things before thinking. But one thing he would never do, is lie to you. He would never sell drugs. All he's wanted this whole time is you."

Before Emma could muster up a response, Serenity turned away and stormed off before the tears that swelled in her eyes could fall. She headed directly for her locker as J.T. arrived at his.

"Hey, Ren," he smiled widely; his face falling as he continued, "I heard about Sean. How's he doing?"

"Haven't heard anything yet," she frowned, spinning the her lock and tugging it open, "Jay's supposed to check on his status and let me know during free period."

"I'm sorry that happened," he replied, at a loss for what to say to comfort his friend, "you must be devastated."

"I am," she said simply, "but I'm grateful to have such a supportive friend like you. Thanks for yesterday."

"Hey, don't worry about it. What are friends for?"

Serenity couldn't help but notice he seemed to harbour a tinge of sadness in his voice as he spoke his words.

"Walk you to class?"

She nodded, allowing the goofy boy to walk her to Mr. Armstrong's classroom.

Waiting for the first two periods of the day to come to an end felt like torture for the girl. Minutes felt like hours, as she waited to meet Jay at the front steps. Her left leg bounced uncontrollably as she watched the clock tick down the last few moments before the bell finally rang. She practically flew from her desk and ran down the halls to the front of the school; ignoring teachers' requests to slow down. As she flung the door open, the familiar orange sedan pulled up in the same spot it parked hours earlier.

"Hey," she greeted Jay through the passenger window as it rolled down, "any news?"

"His hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday." He handed her a document with the date and time. "I have to work, but I was hoping you and maybe Emma could make it. He could really use the support."

She rolled her eyes, "good luck with that. You can count on me be there."

Jay decided not to open that can of worms.

"Maybe talk to Mr. Simpson, too?" He suggested, "Sean really looked up to him. He may have some ideas on how to help."

Serenity agreed, "I'll bring this information to him before lunch."

"How'd he seem?"

"Pretty bummed out," Jay said, putting it lightly, "he just asked that I look after you, and bring you to visit him later..."

"...and he wanted to see Blondie, of course."

"Shocker!" She responded sarcastically, ending the topic of Emma.

"Anyway," she stood up from her resting position against the frame of his opened window, "I'd better go talk to Mr. S. Thanks for checking on him and stopping by."

"He's like a brother to me, too. No need to thank me."

She nodded, "I'll see you later, okay?"

"3:00, same place. I'll be here."

"Thanks, Jay." She responded sincerely, turning away and making her way back to the school until she was stopped by one of the last people she wanted to talk to.

"Hey," Emma stopped the girl in her tracks, "why were you talking to him?"

She nodded her head in the direction of the car as he pulled away from the school. Him, as in Jay, Serenity figured.

"Um," she scoffed, "I live with him? Plus, he was just updating me on Sean."

"You know, the guy who you used to have feelings for?"

Emma ignored her snide remark, "how is he?"

"Great! Never better!" Serenity's sarcasm made Emma roll her eyes.

"Here," she said more seriously, passing the paper to the blonde, "I was just about to talk to your stepdad about what we could do to help him."

"His hearing is next Tuesday?"

"Yup."

"I'll be there," Emma nodded affirmatively, "now what's this I hear about you going to my dad for help?"