Chapter 17
Back to School
It was finally a few days later and it was the end of the summer. It's the first day back at Degrassi for junior year.
Emma was dressed up and looking her best in a floral print black dress and strappy sandals and was looking forward to being back; in a relationship and excited in general for the new year. She was hoping to patch things up with Manny who still was mad. By all accounts, this summer was the best yet but it's nice to get back to the student council meetings, the dances, and the fun things. Granted she was supposed to start off the year much differently than she imagined but she couldn't be happier with how her life is going.
Along the way she saw Spinner being hassled by some guys and his former friends ignored him on the street, it's funny how things change in a year. Manny and Emma weren't speaking and haven't been since their fight the previous week. Sure they still live together and Manny has been obsessing over her script for her big meeting with Berniece morning noon and night. She had kept up her end of the bargain by not tipping Spike and Snake off of anything but she was not happy with Emma and her choices. They hardly say so much of a word to each other. Emma couldn't believe Manny called her a whore, Manny couldn't believe Emma accused her of being jealous of her. While Manny's keeping a low profile, Emma's been sneaking out to see Jay at his loft by night and spending her time at the library tutoring him by day.
When they arrived at school Manny stopped dead in her tracks and nearly turned around but then Emma saw what Manny saw and gasped, "I-is that you?"
Emma ran up to the bus station and it had a naked picture of Manny that said call Manny for a good time with her phone number below. By the looks of it, she was incoherent in the image but Manny's rep was about to tank. By the time they had arrived, there were other cruel words on it written by immature kids. She had a mustache and some pom poms on it. Ms. Hatzilacos took one look at Manny who was flabbergasted and being looked at by everyone and exclaimed, "Manny, to my office now!"
All Emma could do is stand idly by. Manny slowly walked as she heard whispers and felt eyes in her back. Emma was determined that she was to get to the bottom of this. It had to be someone rich who had the means to buy printing or advertising large enough for the bus shelter in front of the school. Who would do this? she wondered to herself.
Emma arrived at her homeroom and noticed the backgrounds of the computers were Manny's body, the same image from before. Mr. Simpson instructed everyone to turn off their screens and was closing his eyes pretending he didn't see absolutely mortified. There was a lot of laughter and a lot of rumors and it was only eight-thirty, she happened to hear some words that jogged her memory, "I heard she got wasted at that party."
Another girl said, "She was all going on about her wanting to be an actress that ain't happening now."
Emma wanted to blurt out to everyone to shut up. Even if they weren't on speaking terms she didn't hate the girl. She felt horrible as she looked at the empty seat beside her and noticed Manny was in the office still. She looked in the halls and just knew the words and thoughts on everyone's lips. She was silent and the more people laughed the more people talked the more she wanted to scream shut up. She knew the hallways were unforgiving, hell the classroom she was in was unforgiving. Snake stood up once the computers were off and shut out the lights on and off flickering and everyone quieted down, "We've got a lot of ground to cover and I need you all to be quiet. I've got roll call, I've got seating and locker assignments. So simmer down!"
Emma admired Snake for taking action so that she didn't have to. Finally, Manny came in and softly told Snake, "I'm sorry I'm late Mr. Simpson."
Snake chose not to say anything about the computer screens to spare her, "We'll talk after class. Take a seat next to Emma."
All eyes were on Manny who glared at Emma, who could tell she'd been crying. Emma opened her purse and handed her some pocket tissues covertly quietly as Mr. Simpson kept talking at the front of the classroom Manny whispered, "Thanks."
Even though Emma didn't know what happened, if their friendship was salvageable or how those photos came to exist Manny was still her best friend and she was going to be there for her no matter what except after lunch when she got a text from Jay and he told her to meet him so she was planning on cutting out most of the day.
This year, unlike most Emma and Manny, she had the same classes and lunch for the most part but this year was different so she didn't have Manny at lunch but she had Liberty. Liberty beamed at Emma and gave her a hug, "How was your summer? It'll be nice having lunch this year. It's a shame Manny doesn't have this period."
"It was great I went to Banting for a summer science meet and of course spending time with JT."
JT was there too beside her adding very excitedly, "And I'm teaching Liberty how to drive."
Emma beamed, "How's it going?"
"I ate a curb last lesson. He can't win them all." Liberty told Emma a little bit embarrassed, "it's challenging."
JT went up to get his lunch and Liberty asked quietly, "So who is the guy? You've been pretty mums the word when it comes to your love life." Gesturing to her neck Emma's faded hickey and general glow about her. "Guess who's in my English class?"
Emma shrugged, "Manny?"
"Nope, Sean Cameron. It wasn't so long ago he saved your life from certain danger. Is he your mystery man?" Liberty sighed, "I hope Manny's going to be okay. It's such a blow to her reputation."
Emma is super annoyed that Liberty brought him up and what happened the year before, "I don't have a mystery man?" She didn't want to talk about that stuff especially with Liberty.
"Lying never looked good on you, Nelson. It's all over your face." Emma preoccupied, pulled out her vibrating phone full of texts from Jay who was waiting on her in the car outside. Emma texted Jay completely over Liberty and all her questions.
How could she possibly spend an entire year's worth of lunch with her wanting to talk about frivolous things like love lives and judgments? It was going to be a long year. "I almost forgot I need to talk to Mr. Simpson about our next meeting."
Liberty was somewhat annoyed that Emma kept changing the subject and was clearly trying to get out of the conversation, "Um okay. I'll just wait for JT. Have you seen Toby lately? He's supposed to help with morning announcements this year."
Emma shrugged, shaking her head, "No. He's been quiet this summer."
Emma texted Jay back quickly:
"I gotta go," Emma told Liberty and waved to JT who was on his way back.
"What about lunch?" JT asked returning with some snacks. He had candy, pop tarts, a Gatorade and some slim jims.
Emma grabbed a slim jim from him, "I'll be taking this." He made a face, "I'll pay you back I promise." As she power-walked out of the cafe, down the hall and slipped out through the side doors as unnoticed by anyone to meet Jay.
She peered over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't caught and then she pulled him into a kiss by the lapels of his jacket once she got in the car. Little did she know Sean was on his way to talk to Mr. Elh in the shop room and he saw her leave. Sean peered out the window and saw them rolled his eyes and walked away. He was hurt but it wasn't the end of the world but it hurt him more than it let on.
Outside and in the car, Jay unlocked his car door and Emma hopped inside. "Today was awful." Emma groaned unhappily buckling herself in the passenger seat throwing her head back in fake agony, "I wish I could blow off the rest of the day."
"You can spend some time with me or you could go back in after lunch and finish out the day."
She grimaced, and then told him, "Todays just awful. We get there and some creep has naked photos of Manny posted all over the place in the MI lab and out front of the school. I have zero classes with Manny."
"I thought you were mad at Manny."
"I am but I feel really bad for her and I can't even be there for her because we had that stupid fight the other night."
Jay pulled out a joint, "I see why you don't want to go back." He lit it, took a drag and passed it to Emma, once they reached the park, "have a few puffs of this and you'll be fine."
She took a huge drag, held it in her mouth holding her breath and then exhaled a cloud of smoke, "Now really I can't go back." The weed hadn't kicked in but usually, when she smokes especially what Jay provides she knows she can't handle sitting in class high.
Jay laughed, "Good. I didn't want you to."
"I don't want to be there today at least. I don't do this sort of impulsive stuff, Jay, I've never skipped except for that day at Wasaga with Sean and Ellie."
"How's it feel?"
"Exhilarating."
"Awesome, so where do you wanna go? What do you wanna do?"
They decided to park the car and continue smoking. They ended up at a lake by the ravine near the park. Emma coughed and couldn't stop laughing at Jay's jokes as they spent the day together talking shit about people. "What did Liberty say again?"
"She asked me about my mystery man."
Jay cracked up laughing before taking another hit at the diminishing joint, he paused and exhaled, "Who's your mystery man?"
Jay passed it back to Emma, "Who do you think?" Emma asked looking at him, "Which reminds me you got to be careful. You got a little hungry on my neck."
Jay laughed and told her flirtatiously, "You're mine though. I can do what I want."
"I don't belong to anyone. I'm not like cattle or property."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"I know." Emma told him, "it's just then I get questions. I tried to cover up but it's too dark."
"Sorry, but you can't deny it felt good."
"You're not wrong but next time do it where I don't have to explain myself."
"What did you tell Manny when she saw it?"
"Nothing at all."
"And Liberty?"
"She kind of changed the subject but she saw it."
"I like when you tell me about your day."
"Anyway, I know JT and Liberty have been doing it. I mean they didn't go and tell me but I can observe it. So why was Liberty being judgemental? It's like I spent the entire summer feeling normal and now I got to be who everybody expects me to be. I'm back with everyone else who likes to live in the past and talk about the old shit that doesn't matter anymore."
"Like what?"
"Sean and the shooting."
"Who cares? It's old news, a big deal definitely but that was months ago. He went home to mommy dearest and we had to deal on our own."
"I guess everyone still is reeling. It's fucked up is all. They weren't in the hallway. Quite frankly the way I see it it's none of their business."
"Have you seen Issacs?"
Emma shook her head no, "Apparently he wasn't at school. Everyone thinks I know what's going on but he stopped being friends with me when I told his family that Rick was his friend. I can tell he's still messed up but he's just compartmentalizing."
Jay joked not being able to stop laughing, "Emma, how could you?"
Emma was serious despite Jay's laughter, "I know it wasn't my thing to tell. We truly haven't spoken since the vigil night after everything went down. I'm sure he got a lot of shit at home for that comment I made. I wish I could apologize. I'm always putting my foot in my mouth. Jay, it's not really funny these people are my friends."
"I'd say whatever the circumstances they were your friends. Past tense."
"You might be right, they just don't understand me anymore. Did I outgrow them?"
Jay shrugged, putting on his black sunglasses, "You think a lot. Just enjoy yourself, enjoy the high."
Emma dug in her pocket and pulled out the slim jim she swiped from JT tore it in half and gave half to Jay as she took it to her lips and took a bite. She made a face and spat it out on the sandy ground, "I didn't even see what I took this tastes like ass."
"Why would you take a slim jim if you don't even eat meat?" Jay took a bite with his mouthful he wasn't impressed, "eh they tasted better in the 90s."
Emma managed a giggle and handed him the rest of her slim jim, "I was hungry too but that was nasty."
"Let's go get lunch today, what are you in the mood for?"
"Sushi."
"I love sushi."
Emma was surprised, "You do? I feel like nobody does."
"Actually Emma, lots of people do. Maybe not your former friends but I do. My treat we'll go."
"Like a date?" Emma asked as they got in the car and drove.
"Come to think about it, we've never formally gone out anywhere, so yep like a date."
Emma gleefully told him, "Awesome, maybe one day my mom could make you sushi. She bought one of those kits at Barnes and Noble. It teaches you how to make it, it's fun." Jay didn't say anything as he drove carefully to the local sushi restaurant, "Nevermind?"
"I'm not the 'meet the parents' kind of guy honestly. I know Mr. Simpson doesn't like me or whatever reptile you call him sometimes. Plus he's a teacher."
"Snake? It's just a stupid nickname from high school."
"What did they call your dear old mom?"
She was amused, "Spike."
"Sounds adorable, Spike and Snake, or was it Snake and Spike? It sounds like a match made in heaven. Were they high school sweethearts?"
"Sorta kind of, it's a long story." Emma got quiet and shrugged, "I wouldn't know. Well, technically he's not my father."
"Wait what? Pump the breaks, I thought he was."
Emma turned to Jay not sure why it was relevant, "I visit my biological father like three times a year, he lives in Stouffville."
"That's definitely a hike. What does he do for a living? Like I hear that place is pricey. Is he a doctor or some shit?"
"He's under the doctors care, I got to jump through a lot of hoops to visit him."
"Institutionalized?"
"Yes well in a way. It's easier to just say he's away. Long story, however, it was mixed up around my whole life. I met him around this time two years ago for the very first time since I was three. He got me into knitting. It's how he copes with his issues."
"You knit?"
She nodded, "Yes I knit."
"I love learning about you. You're so interesting to me, like a science thing."
"The science of Emma Nelson? Sounds like a book."
"I find you as fascinating as you are beautiful," Jay told Emma flirtatiously as they sat down at the restaurant. Within seconds the waitress silently filled their cups with water and took their orders. They started with miso soup and a kani salad with ginger dressing and they got a loveboat with like three different types of sushi and a California roll. When it came they couldn't believe how much they had ordered but they finished it entirely.
When they got in the car they couldn't believe how much they had eaten. The bill wasn't very high and they decided to open up their fortune cookies there. Emma says, "Ever play the bed game?"
"What's that?" He sounded enticed immediately thinking in the gutter.
"You read the fortune and end it in bed. I'll do mine first." Emma ignored his tone and didn't protest, ripped open her fortune cookie and read her fortune, "You're embarking on love's journey in bed."
He laughed, "Okay I'm going to do mine." He did the same and ripped open his fortune. Emma ate her cookies and awaited Jay's fortune, "You're learning to take things at face value in bed."
They both giggled, he decided to check out his CD changer and realized he'd been force-feeding Emma his rock and rap music. She wasn't complaining but he wanted to know if there was anything she wanted to hear, "So what do you like listening to?"
Emma told him, "Pop."
"I can fuck with pop," Jay told her comically as he found a decent radio station in the pop genres. "Britney or Christina? Justin or Nick?"
"Britney and definitely Justin but I prefer Backstreet to NSYNC," She laughed, "You're such a pottymouth Mr. loud-ass speakers."
"No really what do you listen to?"
"I don't know a little bit of everything but I hate country and rap."
Jay pulled over and grabbed his CDs out of the glove box, as he leafed through he asked, "Do you like the eighties?"
"My mom was big into the 80s, I love those songs."
Jay grabbed a mix CD labeled 80s mix, it had a whole host of songs that they sang along to. From pop to hair metal to headbangers to one-hit wonders it was a great mix and Emma knew each and every word to every song. Jay also loved the 80s music because he feels like it brings him closer to the mother he hardly knew.
"We need a song," Jay told her, "like for us."
"How about the next track is our song. It doesn't matter what it is."
"It does need to lyrically fit us." Jay remarked, "on the count of three."
They both counted and Jay changed the track from Africa to something unexpected.
It was Rick Astley's Together Forever. Jay Hogart had managed to Rickroll her. The pair sang along to the words laughing making their way back to town. Emma arrived at home and you could hear a pin drop. It was like a record scratched and everything got quiet.
"Hello, anybody home?" She called out as she walked into the kitchen. Manny was seated with the police and with Snake and Spike. Manny had been crying, no one was smiling.
"Emma, Officers this is my daughter Emma."
"Hello," Officer Gretchen told her, seeming standoffish but Emma had interrupted.
"Why don't you take a seat Em," Spike told her pretty seriously, it was a command not a suggestion. Emma didn't say anything or protest and sat down.
"Is it true you skipped lunch and the rest of the day?" Snake asked her, Emma wordlessly nodded, "I've arranged with guidance that you have most of your classes with Manny now so she can look out for you and you can look out for her."
"Why are the police here? Is everything okay?"
"They have questions about the photos of Manny throughout the school and they came on their own. Daphne reported the incident and was careful not to tip off Manny's mom and dad." Spike told Emma tearfully, "it's like we all just put you back together and look at you, you're just going through the motions."
"That's not fair." Emma stated uncomfortably shaking her head crossing her arms over her chest, "we have company enough about me."
"Who are you and what happened to my daughter? I can't even look at you."
"What's this I hear about you talking to that boy Jayson Hogart?" Snake asked angrily. "Remember what happened this past spring? You're disappointing us."
"What is even going on right now?" Emma asked, raising her voice, "I'll tell you what when you guys stop asking me all that keep in mind about what really happened! Rick nearly shot me last year. I've been trying to deal it all on my own but it's getting really hard and I wasn't asking for help because this is what happens."
"Honey you just aren't yourself. Gretchen is going to talk to you about what you saw today and if you know anything please tell her."
"I'm not responsible for this but I will say I think I know who did this." Emma tearfully looked at Manny who's eyes were watering and glaring back at Emma.
"Berniece called and told me she won't represent me, she told me to also lose 20 pounds but that's all because of these pictures. I might even get sent somewhere for self-esteem training. Emma if you know anything you'd tell right?"
Emma nodded, "It's a long shot, I went to this party over the summer at this guys mansion and Manny came late and got so drunk she blacked out. Rumor has it someone took advantage of her at that party. I'm determined to get to the bottom of this."
"Does this sound familiar?"
Manny tearfully nodded, "I got there late. This dude was feeding me shots and everyone including me was drinking top-shelf long islands. I was mad because Emma was supposed to be there or I wouldn't bother even showing up. I got into a fight with my parents before the party." Gretchen the cop wrote this down, "The last thing I remember was taking shots with some guy, Paul, Pete or something or other I don't remember. I woke up the next morning and I figured I had a one night stand and I guess that's not a crime but I passed out or blacked out and I know I did something with this guy whether I wanted to or not but I just don't remember. I woke up in a strange bed with a guy I'd known a few hours. He had light hair but I couldn't see his face. I got the hell out and that's all I know."
The officer asked, "Was he tall or short? Hair length?"
"Medium and short blondish hair. Before that night I'd never seen him before. He probably doesn't go to school here." Manny tried to remain calm and collected but she was clearly affected.
"Do you still have your clothes from that night?"
She quietly whispered an affirmative yes. Spike handed the female officers Manny's dirty clothes from the previous night, "We'll take this to the lab, but we're going to run some tests at the hospital so you have to come with us. We suspect there's more to this story and we want to cover all the basics, possibly a sexual assault took place."
"Am I under arrest?" Terrified, Manny asked, unsure still seated, "can I have my friend with me?"
"Of course not even though you were drinking underage and yes you can have your friend with you as moral support." Emma and Manny went to the police car and got inside and to the hospital. While they waited for Manny's initial bloodwork to come back they were waiting around in the hospital room alone together.
"I'm sorry." Emma blurted out to Manny after the doctor left them alone, "I'm a shitty friend. I feel so sorry for what I said the other day."
"No, you're not shitty just preoccupied." Manny offered Emma a compassionate smile, "best friends fight. I'm sorry too."
"I wasn't there today. I can't imagine what you're going through."
Manny sighed, "It's not your fault."
"Neither is this, I'm going to find who did this to you one way or another."
"I don't even want to know if it's true." Manny clutched her legs tightly as if she were hugging them in her hospital gown in the hospital bed, "whoever did this has no heart. While you were getting candy bars from the vending machine they said I got roofied. It sounds like such a '90's teen drama trope, why do people do this?"
"I don't know Manny, but I'm here for you." Emma placed her arm on Manny's to comfort her and leaned on her, "we're gonna get to the bottom of this."
"Nice bracelet," Manny smirked, she always did admire shiny things. Nothing, not even a secret boyfriend gets by Manny, "when you guys are making it official? If you're not already."
"It was a gift from Jay." Emma told her beaming halfheartedly, "he's been good to me. I guess we already are."
"I can't believe that," Manny shook her head calmly, staring blankly ahead before turning to Emma, "he better be good to you or else. No one fucks with my best friend."
"And no one ever fucks with my best friend," Emma echoed the sentiment and offered Manny a warm smile as they awaited Manny's results. It was sure to be a long night.