*a/n: this chapter brought MUCH frustration and writer’s block! I apologize if you find it lame and pointless!*

 

There were only three days left of school. On Monday morning, Emma woke up and got ready for school as usual. She walked to the bus stop at the corner and met up with Benji and Joel.

 

“Hey guys!” Emma greeted them.

 

“Hey Em.” replied Joel.

 

“Hey.” said Benji, grinning like a fool.

 

‘Wow! She looks really good today.’ thought Benji as he stared at her without realizing it. Joel elbowed him in the ribs and Benji quickly looked away. On the bus, Joel and Benji sat in a seat together and Emma sat in the one in front of them. They reached the school and met up with Roxi in their usual spot.

 

“Roxiiiii!” Joel screeched, running up to her and giving her a hug.

 

“Geez Joel! You act like you haven’t seen me in a jillion years!” she laughed as she hugged him back. (jillion is a funny word!...lol)

 

“It’s been a whole day!” he replied.

 

“Oh noo! Not a whole day!” Aaron mocked as he walked up to join the group. Joel didn’t have a comeback so he just lipped him off. “Joel flipped me off! Ooo I’m scared.” he teased.

 

Joel and Roxi distanced themselves from the rest of the group.

 

“Joelie!” she said smiling at him.

 

“Joelie?! My sister calls me that you dork!”

 

“Oh, I’m a dork?! Well... you’re a ... twit!”

 

“A TWIT?! What the he...” he was cut off as Roxi leaned in a kissed him quickly to shut him up.

 

“It’s a pregnant goldfish.” she said smiling as she bounced back to the group leaving Joel behind, dumbfounded. He looked around, thinking about what just happened and then ran after her to join the others.

 

*a/n: a twit is indeed, a pregnant goldfish. my dad used to say that. haha*

 

As the group talked amongst themselves, someone tapped Emma on the shoulder. She turned around to face Stephen. “I need to talk to you.” he stated as he dragged her by the wrist away from everyone. Benji noticed Stephen’s forceful behavior and that he was hurting Emma.

 

“Hey! Lay off her!” he yelled, running to hold on to Emma’s other wrist.

 

Stephen turned and let go of Emma. “Back out of it. It’s none of your business!” he replied, shoving Benji causing him to fall backwards and land in the dirt. Stephen regained his grip on Emma’s wrist and hurried her to the other side of the field. She glanced back at the fallen Benji and mouthed ‘sorry..’ She didn’t say anything to Stephen after they had stopped.

 

“So, I heard about Friday night.” he commented.

 

“What about it?” she asked, confused.

 

“I heard how you and that freak were all over each other after I left.” he said, referring to Benji.

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“Don’t pay dumb with me Emma...Jason told me all about it.”

 

Jason was one of Stephen’s friends. He was Emma’s lease favorite because whenever he would hang around him, he would act totally different.

 

“I danced with him once. That’s all.”

 

“Did I say you could dance with him?”

 

“I didn’t know I needed your permission to dance with a friend. Why are you acting like this?” she asked worried.

 

“Acting like what?! I’m trying to make sure my girlfriend isn’t cheating on me, what’s so wrong about that?”

 

“I’m not cheating on you Stephen. It was one little dance. I danced with you all night! Benji is just my friend.” as she said this she grabbed his hand. “ I’m sorry you got the impression that I’d cheat on you.”

 

“Yeah, I guess I got a little carried away. Jason must have been exaggerating or something. Just remember... if I ever do catch you cheating on me, especially with him, you’ll be sorry.”

 

“I won’t cheat on you Stephen.”

 

The two hugged and the bell rang.

 

*a/n: sorry Stephen is sooo unbelievably lame! He’s just a stupid character! also, I know that eighth grader’s don’t act like this in real life... but let’s just pretend that Emma, the twins, Roxi, and Stephen and all the other kids are unusually mature for their age! okey dokey?! Alright!*