I left Suave's office feeling strong. No, not strong, powerful. She had given me the courage to battle Jay head on. I trudged toward my locker, looking around expectantly for Emma. I was startled to see Craig Manning approaching me.

"Manny? Emma told me to tell you she had to go home. Jack's sick, and Spike needed her there. She asked me, to accompany you over to her house," Craig said softly.

I nodded my head slowly. I didn't really know Craig, nor did I trust him. But I did trust Emma, and I knew Jack was sick, so I followed him out the school's door, and let him lead me to Emma's house.

When we arrived, Emma was stretched out on the couch, staring at the blank television screen. She didn't even notice us walk in.

"Hi Em, it's nice to see you too!" I shouted.

Emma jumped. "Oh, sorry Manny, I was just thinking. Hey Craig, thanks for helping me out."

Craig smiled. "It was nice being in Manny's presence," He remarked. I felt myself grow weak. He had the nicest smile. And it was all I could do, not to think about Spinner. Spinner, the guy who left me, the guy who believed Jay when Jay told him that I flirted with him, begged him to have sex with me. Spinner, my boyfriend. My ex-boyfriend, as soon as he started answering my calls.

"Sure it was. Even though I didn't say a word to you the whole way," I joked. It felt good to be able to joke around. But I'd been scarred for life, so joking with boys, especially one who made me weak at the knees after being around him for less than ten minutes, was out of the question.

Emma looked at me. "So, how was Suave?" She asked, voicing her concern.

"It was--" I stopped. I didn't want to discuss this, this, rape, in front of Craig. "It was something I don't want to talk about," I finished, sitting down next to Emma on the couch.

Emma showed her realization of what I was saying by acting submissive. "Let's, um, talk about--." She looked at me for a topic.

Craig butted in. "Aren't you dating Spinner?"

I was taken back. "No. I'm not. Not that it's any of your business anyway."

Craig looked as if he'd been slapped. "Eh, you're right. It's not. Sorry."

I smiled. Most people continue to pester me with questions, but Craig didn't. That was nice. "It's okay." I felt my cell phone vibrating. My mom's name popped up on the screen. "Great, mommy dearest checking in, even though school's only been out for fifteen minutes."

"She's worried about you Manny. Can you blame her?" Emma said, sounding annoyed.

Suddenly I felt bad. Emma was right. My mom was concerned and I didn't care. "You're right Em. I should head home. I wouldn't want her to have an aneurysm."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Gee Manny, I'm sure she'll be ever-so grateful."

Craig piped up. "I'll walk you home, if you want."

I was taken back for the second time that day. "Um, sure, thanks." I gathered my things and smiled at Emma. She grinned and waved her hand towards the door. "Be careful though," She called out before I left. Craig was standing on the corner of the driveway, looking at the ground.

"Where do you live?" He asked me.

I stopped. I had forgotten where I lived. "Um...that way?" I pointed to the left.

"Are you asking me, or telling me?" He laughed.

I smirked. "I don't know." I giggled. "Telling you." I started walking, then I began feeling hesitant. If my mother saw me approaching the house with Craig, she'd think I caused what happened to happen. That was my mother for you. Always thinking badly of me. "Um, you know? I think I can make it on my own."

Craig gazed at me. I felt like he was looking through me. "Manny, is this about what happened with Jay? Because, I'm not like him."

I felt tears spring to my eyes. Emma had told him! How could she? As if reading my mind, Craig said, "Emma didn't tell me. I overheard Jay talking about to Spinner."

"Jay told Spinner he--" I couldn't say it aloud. Rape. Rape. The word was death.

"He told him that he gave you what you wanted. But how he said it, I knew you couldn't have wanted it."

I sat down on the curb, head in my hands. Jay was such an insensitive moron. I hated him for what he did to Emma, and I despised him for what he did to me. And even though I hadn't seen Jay since, the pain was overbearing, and it seemed to have taken over my life. I had been raped. I looked up at Craig. "He raped me. And no one seems to be able to do anything about it."

Craig nodded. "I'm sorry. I mean, I know saying that doesn't change what happened, but, not all guys are like Jay. I'm not."

I smiled in spite of myself. He had said that already. I guess he really wanted me to believe it. But then, a thought came to my mind. "You're dating Ashley Kerwin aren't you?"

Craig shrugged. "I don't really know. I mean, we haven't talked since before summer break, and when she left for England, we weren't on good terms."

I secretly hoped they weren't dating. Then again, it didn't matter, because I wasn't ready to date myself. When I looked up again, Craig reached out his hand to help me up. Reluctantly, I accepted it. Reluctantly, I accepted him.