Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the film "LOD." I do own the original characters though (Yessssss)

Chapter 1

Emery was working at the lamp-making sweatshop with Philaine. She was fiddling with a piece of the lamp. She couldn't quite figure out how exactly that piece would help the lamp. It looked like a broken piece of metal or something. Emery sighed kind of loudly which made Ted, the manager of the sweatshop, walk over to the table and make sure they were working hard at putting together the lamps. "Emery, remember without lamps," he began.

"There would be no light in the houses," she finished for him and looked up at his face. "I know that but I just don't understand why we have to put them together. I mean technically it's not lamps that put lights in the houses it's electricity," she smiled big like a little girl. Ted shook his head.

"Get back to work please," Ted kept on walking to his office. Philaine looked up at Emery and smiled.

"You know you could tell him more information. I don't think he is well informed about the outside world," Philaine nodded her head as she put together the lamp. Emery laughed.

"One day, don't worry I will," Emery looked at her and went back to putting together the lamp. She finally figured out what the hell that piece was but unfortunately she felt someone come up behind her and pinched her hips. She jumped up and turned around to see Jay laughing. "Asshole," she shot him a glare with her brown eyes and sat back down on her stool.

"Thanks sweetheart," Jay kissed her cheek. "Hey mom," he walked over to Philaine and kissed her cheek as well. He pulled up a stool at the end of the table and sat down. "So what's up ladies?" he asked and glanced at them.

"Putting together these shitty lamps," Emery announced and put down her lamp to look at Jay.

"Well glad to know you have a positive attitude," Jay acted like he was proud of her and pinched her cheek. She smacked his hand away and smiled. Jay rubbed his hand and glared at her. He tried to pinch her cheek again but instead knocked over some of the lamp pieces off the table onto the floor making some of them shatter. "Oh shit," he exclaimed and got down on his knees starting to pick up the pieces. Ted came rushing out of the office.

"What the hell happened," he practically screamed and looked at Emery. "Do you have any idea how much these pieces cost? Do you?" he was now screaming for everyone to hear. Everyone stopped working to look who was getting on Ted's bad side. Emery opened her mouth to answer. "No you don't! They cost more than your damn paycheck that's how much they cost. I can't believe you could be so stupid Emery," he glared at her. "Do you know how much it is going to cost to replace these, do you? I don't think you know. So I suggest you be more fuckin' careful," he ranted waving his index finger in her face.

"Hey man it wasn't her fuckin' fault," Jay stood up and glared at Ted.

"Ah Phil's boy," Ted crossed his arms. "You don't work here so I suggest you leave now," he stormed off to his office slamming the door behind him. He called the company to ship more parts. Emery locked eyes with Jay.

"If I had my skateboard that guy would definitely be regretting yelling at you," Jay nodded. "I swear," Emery rolled her eyes.

"Whatever. Did you get the medicine for my mom?" Emery asked as she tucked a piece of Jay's hair behind his ear.

"Oh yeah, they said it would cost 38," Jay sat back down. "And all you gave me was 20…so…," he looked down not wanting to finish his sentence. He knew Emery had a hard time paying off the medication and didn't need to know that she still couldn't afford it. Emery nodded and looked down at her lamp.

"Well…I'm going home already. My mom needs me. Tell Ted to fuck off for me," Emery smiled at Philaine.

"I will," Philaine smiled back as Emery went to punch out and to go home. Philaine looked at Jay and sighed. "Poor girl, I wish I could pay for that medicine. God knows Loren needs that," Philaine continued to put together the lamp. Jay looked at his mom at work.

"I'm going to become famous and make enough money to get you out of this shit-hole," Jay bit his lip and glanced up at his mother quickly and returned to survey his mother's hands putting together a lamp. Philaine stopped and looked at her son.

"I love you," Philaine kissed his forehead. "Go home before Ted comes back," Jay nodded and got up. He kissed his mom's cheek and headed out taking one last glance over at his mother.

: Emery's Apartment :

Emery unlocked the door to her apartment and pushed open the door. Her mother, Loren, was sitting on the couch watching some old TV show. "Hey sweetie," she coughed and covered her mouth with a tissue. Emery smiled and plopped down next to her mother.

"Hey mom," she kissed her mom's cheek. "So how are you today?" Emery leaned back against the couch and pulled her legs up against her chest. She turned her attention to her mother. Loren looked back at her.

"Well I got the light bill and phone bill," she said and reached over to the coffee table lifting up the two envelopes.

"You mean I got the bills," Emery corrected. She hated her mother worrying about anything so she didn't want her mom reading the bills or anything like that. She took the envelopes from her and opened the light bill first.

"Baby, I don't mind paying," her mother ran her hand over her daughter's hair and brushed it with her fingers. Emery shook her head. She read the statement and it said 74.65. "I really don't," her mother said again.

"Mom," Emery looked at her. "Don't worry I'll take care of it," she smiled and shoved the bills into her messenger bag. "I'm going to go get something to eat. Want anything?" Emery headed to the door.

"Whatever you get is fine," her mom turned back to the TV. Emery nodded and opened to the door.

"Boo," Jay shrieked and began laughing. Emery jumped back. "Two times in a row. I'm on a damn good luck streak," Jay peaked inside. "Hey Loren," he smiled at her.

"Hey Jay," Loren waved at him. Jay waved back and stepped outside. Emery walked out and closed the door behind her. She then locked the door.

"So where are you off to?" Jay followed her down the stairs. "Off to go murder someone?" he walked beside her.

"Yeah," Emery nodded and looked at him. "Why don't we go into a dark alley and just talk…," she spoke softly like she was hiding something. Jay threw down his skateboard and got on. He pushed off and was going slow so he could keep up with Emery.

"Yeah let's," Jay spoke in the same tone of voice. He grinned and looked at her. When they got to Seal Beach, Jay picked up his skateboard and followed Emery inside. Stacy and Tony were in there buying food. Emery walked over to Stacy and stood beside him.

"Hey Emery," Stacy smiled at her. "Here to get food for your mom," he asked as he took out his wallet. Tony grabbed his food since Stacy was paying and headed out. Jay followed Tony outside grabbing a bag of chips on the way. Emery nodded and looked at him. "Well what do you want?" he asked. "I'll buy it for you," he smiled, "My treat. Consider it a 'thanks' for being a cool friend." Emery laughed.

"It's cool Stac. I have some money," she reassured him and took out a 5 dollar bill from her pocket. Stacy smiled and turned to the guy at the counter.

"I'll take two more burgers and two more fries," Stacy told the guy at the counter. Stacy paid and gave Emery the bag and just took his food out.

"Thanks Stac," she smiled and took a fry from him when they were heading out.

"Okay I bought you food but that doesn't mean you can take mine," Stacy grinned at her and opened the door for her.

"Really?" Emery asked sarcastically and headed out. She took another fry and headed over to where Tony and Jay were. She stood against the wall next to Tony. Tony glanced at her.

"How's your mom," Tony asked taking a bite out of his taco and jugging his coke down.

"She's the same," Emery shrugged, "and hungry," she smiled and held up the bag with grease seeping through. Stacy leaned against the wall next to Emery eating his burger. Tony nodded. Emery looked down. "Well guys I'll see you tomorrow, if I don't, it cause I have to work," Emery stood up straight.

"All right," Tony nodded. "Oh wait here," he shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out a 10 dollar bill. "For the medicine for your mom, don't worry about paying me back. I took it from my dad," Tony smirked and took another bite out his taco. "Don't turn it down. I won't accept it back," he raised his eyebrows. Emery smiled and hugged him trying to fight back the tears.

"Thanks Tony," she put the money in her pocket. "Bye Stacy and thanks," she kissed his cheek. Stacy kind of blushed. "I'll see you later Jay," Emery pushed Jay playfully nearly knocking him down. The guys continued eating.

"So Stac you got a thing for Emery," Tony inquired as he tossed his trash under the car in front of him. He wiped his hands on his jeans and waited for Stacy to respond.

"I'm not answering that," Stacy shook his head and did the same thing as Tony but hit the car setting off the alarm.

"Nice going Stacy," Jay grabbed his skateboard as did Tony. They ran to Stacy's car and jumped in. Stacy took off in a direction to get away before the owner came out and started ranting at them.