Chapter Seven

Sneaking Glances

It has been at least a week or so since Emma got grounded and she hadn't been to the ravine since that one party with Jay. She hadn't seen him since. Emma had been spending that time journaling, knitting and driving herself insane with what ifs. She wonders why considering Jay doesn't mean anything to her hes merely an escape. She began working with her mom earlier that week and that's when she saw him. He passed by the salon and they exchanged looks. Finally she walked up to the entrance with her broom in hand and asked quietly, "What're you doing here?"

He shrugged, "Just hanging around, so you've been avoiding me?"

"Contrary, I kind of got myself grounded'

"You were a little tipsy and not to mention baked when you left the party. . "

"Yeah kind of." She managed a smile.

"So you work here?"

"Yep I do."

"You coming tonight?"

"I'll make an appearance."

"Good to know." Jay then walked off she smirked and went back to work, but before she turned around she looked back and saw that he had just turned his head back around. She thought for just a moment but dismissed it before sweeping the remnants of hair from the floor.

"Whos the guy?" Spike asked surprising her, making her jump before she turned around she didn't hear their conversation

She was silent for a second and answers in a absent minded voice, "Nobody."

"Didn't look like a nobody, Em." Spike giggled, "you two seeing each other?"

"No Mom, he's just a guy."

"It might be good for you to I don't know throw caution to wind and meet someone new, what's the worst that'll happen?"

"I contract an incurable disease?" Emma asked rhetorically.

Spike made a face and rolled her eyes, "Stop beating yourself up about that and besides anyone with eyes can see that guys interested in you trust me."

"Please don't be ridiculous, mom. He can't be. He's not falling for me."

"If he turns around and looks back at you when you're not looking, trust me he is."

"We're just friends." She then thought to herself, are they even friends?

"I hate to say it but you're oblivious. He looks at you the way Sean used to and you have that old Emma glow when you were talking to him."

"We talked for less than five minutes."

"Still counts for something. Why don't you go catch up with him, go on take your break? The hair can wait."

"Okay, fine."

Emma caught up with Jay in the food court. Before that though she bought herself a bottle of water from the vending machine and a pretzel from Paige at the concession stand. She awkwardly said, "hey" as he sat at one of the tables eating some general tsos.

"Did I get you in trouble?" He asked somewhat surprised to see her. She sat down across from him.

"No, my mom said I can take my ten."

"Oh." Emma wordlessly took her pretzel from the paper bag and applied some mustard from the tiny packets inside as Jay asked her, "Your mom works there?"

"Yeah, she owns the salon."

"Anyway, It'll be nice to see you at tonight's party, ravines pretty lame without you."

Emma beamed, "I've been going stir crazy, it'll be nice to get out."

"What time you get done work?"

"I get done in an hour."

"Come by the ravine after, I'll be there."

"Okay."

As Emma walked out of work changed and ready to meet Jay at the ravine she bumped into Manny on the walk home. "Manny!"

"Em!" She hugged her friend and pulled away, "where you off to?"

"Oh nowhere." Emma answered uncomfortably lying. She couldn't tell her the truth after all.

"Let's have lunch at The Dot and catch up!"

"Sounds great!" Jay could wait. Afterall the party isn't until later on tonight, sure she felt a little guilty blowing him off but Manny was back she was sure he'd understand.