Emma and Stephen walked into Erin’s right when Benji, Joel, and Roxi were about to order. Benji noticed her before she saw him and stood up.

 

“Where ya goin’ Benj?” asked Roxi.

 

“I suddenly lost my appetite.” he said, walking out the door that was closest to him.

 

“Hey guys!” said Emma, as she and Stephen approached the table. “Mind if we sit here?”

 

“Not at all.” replied Roxi.

 

“Where’s Benji?” Emma questioned.

 

“He just le...” Roxi began.

 

“He wasn’t feeling good, so he went home.” Joel cut in. Roxi shot him a confused glance then turned back to Emma and Stephen.

 

“Hey Stephen.” Roxi said, she noticed he didn’t seem too comfortable.

 

“Uh hey.” he mumbled as he looked out the window.

 

The waitress came back to the table with one more set of silverware. “Ready to order?”

 

The two couples ordered their food and sat, conversing about random things.

 

Back at the twin’s house, Benji was sitting in his room when his mother walked in. “Benjamin, what’s wrong?” She had the ‘motherly instinct’ and she could tell that something was upsetting her son.

 

“Nothing mom.” Benji replied.

 

“Why aren’t you out having lunch with Joel and Roxi?”

 

“Emma showed up.”

 

“I thought you were all friends with Emma.”

 

“She brought her boyfriend.” he replied, putting emphasis on the word ‘boyfriend’.

 

“Oh. I see.” she said, understanding why Benji was upset. She was tidying up Sarah’s room and had found the paper that said ‘Benji + Emma’.  “Don’t worry hunny. Jr. High relationships never last long. I’m surprised Roxi and Joel can still stand each other!.” she said, trying to reassure her hurt son.

 

“Yeah, whatever. Thanks mom.” Benji said, smiling just a little. His mom was always there for him whenever he was sad, angry, or just needed some advice. He stood up and gave his mom a hug then walked out into the family room to play Tony Hawk. The game reminded him of Emma.

 

After everyone was finished with their lunch, the two couples went their separate ways. Joel and Roxi were headed to Roxi’s and Emma and Stephen headed back to Emma’s.

 

............................................................

 

It was two weeks before eighth grade graduation, and Stephen had asked Emma to the ‘promotion’ dance. Roxi and Joel were going together, and Benji decided he’d go by himself.

 

At the dance, Emma and Stephen were dancing to a slow song and Benji was sitting in a chair by the wall observing. Joel and Roxi were dancing too. When a faster, more up-beat, song came on, Roxi ran up to Benji and dragged him onto the dance floor.

 

“I can’t dance.” he said, trying to pull himself back. He succeeded and sat back down. When the last slow song of the night came on, Emma walked up to Benji and asked him to dance. Benji accepted and they headed onto the dance floor.

 

“Where’s your boyfriend?” Benji wondered.

 

“He had to leave early.”

 

“Oh.”

 

As the song continued, Benji was trying to make every moment count. He was holding Emma’s waist, and she had her arms around his neck. She looked so good in her black knee-length skirt, pink tank top, and pink fishnet’s. Her hair was up in three spikey twists, and she had on black Mary Janes. ‘Why can’t she feel the same?’ he wondered. As Roxi and Joel danced, Joel was watching his brother with Emma. Roxi glanced at Joel and followed his gaze to the other two.

 

“He likes her.” Roxi stated.

 

“How’d you know?” Joel questioned.

 

“I’m a girl. I know these kinds of things.” Roxi said smiling at Joel. He pulled her closer, into more of a hug, and she rested her head against him. “Too bad Emma doesn’t see it too. But she seems pretty happy with Stephen I guess.”

 

“Yeah, poor Benj.”

 

The song ended and Roxi and Joel headed over towards Emma and Benji.

 

“Thanks for the dance Benj.” Emma thanked Benji, smiling up at him.

 

The way Emma said his name, made Benji want her even more. ‘Why?’ he kept asking himself. “No problem.” He replied, forcing a smile.

 

As the four walked outside to wait for their ride, Roxi pulled Emma behind. “So Emma, how are things going with Stephen?”

 

“Umm.. pretty good.” She remarked, trying to sound happy. Deep inside though, Benji and Stephen were playing ‘tug of war’ with her heart. Sure, she liked Stephen, but she had always had so much fun with Benji.

 

To her surprise, Emma’s father was their ride home. Mrs. Combs had called him and asked him if he’d be able to get them because Sarah had just fallen asleep. She had caught him right when he had returned home from work.

 

“Hey Emma! Who are your friends?” her father said smiling.

 

“This is Roxi, Joel, and Benji.” She said, pointing to each person while she said his or her name.

 

“Nice to meet you, Roxi, Benji and Joe.”

 

“That’s Joel… with and ‘el’.” replied an irritated Joel from the backseat.

 

“Oh I’m sorry Joel.” Phillip apologized.

 

The twin’s were dropped off at their house and Roxi went home with Emma to spend the night.

 

 

 

*a/n:* this song is stupid, but I wrote it in a couple seconds, and it sort of fits the ‘tug of war’ dealio. =D

 

You two were playing tug of war with my heart....

That is the day I fell apart.

All the things you mean to me...

I wish I could only make you see...

That the love I have for you is real.

Oh and if one day you felt the same

We could end this little game

 

I'm sorry that I didn't see it sooner

I was left alone for so long

When he asked me I just said yes

Now, I realize I was wrong.

 

That’s all there is to it.. maybe I’ll elaborate on the idea someday. Toodalooo! *