A HUNT IN VAIN

"Crying won't solve your problems," Camilla said, her voice gentle but firm. "I understand how you feel, but you need to focus on finding a solution, not on your emotions."

Emily stopped crying and looked at Camilla, her eyes swollen and red. " You're right," she said, her voice hoarse from crying.

"That's the spirit," Camilla replied, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "It's okay to feel frustrated or upset, but sometimes we need to take a step back and take a deep breath."

Emily nodded, wiping away the last of her tears. "Thank you, Camilla, for always being there for me," Emily said, her voice finally returning to its normal tone.

"You're welcome," Camilla replied with a warm smile. "Friends are for helping each other through the tough times, right?"

"Exactly," Emily agreed.

"How about we do something fun to take your mind off of this?" Camilla suggested. "How about we go out for a bit?"

"You think that would help?" Emily asked, still not entirely convinced.

"Absolutely," Camilla replied, her voice filled with confidence. "No more 'buts'," she added, putting an end to any further protestations. "Now go get dressed and meet me here."

Emily huffed, but she knew that Camilla was right. "Okay, fine," she said, heading towards her bedroom.

"Just don't take long and aren't you gonna take your engagement ring with you?" Camilla asked, calling after her.

Emily stopped in her tracks and turned to glare at her. "What was that supposed to mean?" She asked, her voice dripping with irritation.

"Oh, nothing," Camilla said quickly, raising her hands in surrender.

Once in her room, Emily sat on the bed and tried to gather her thoughts. "There must be a way out of this mess," she told herself, trying to stay positive.

After a quick shower, she changed into a casual knee - length dress and sandals, her mind still racing as she got ready. As she stood in front of the mirror, she gave herself a reassuring smile. "I can do this," she said to her reflection.

She glanced at the clock and saw that it was already 12:00 noon. She grabbed her purse and made her way downstairs to meet Camilla, who was still waiting for her in the living room.

"You look absolutely stunning," Camilla said, admiring Emily's outfit. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, her confidence slowly returning.

"Let's go," Camilla said, standing up and leading the way to the door.

As they were about to leave, Emily remembered her phone and went back to grab it from the couch. She followed Camilla out of the door and locked it behind them.

The two of them began walking down the street, passing by Camilla's apartment, which was only a few blocks away from Emily's apartment. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and a gentle breeze was blowing, making the day feel pleasant and refreshing.

The street was bustling with activity, with people walking by in every direction, talking and laughing with one another. The air was filled with the sound of their chatter, interspersed with the occasional honk of a car horn or the rumble of a passing bus.

There were shop windows displaying colorful and enticing merchandise, while vendors shouted out their wares, trying to entice customers to shop and take a look. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted from a nearby bakery, mingling with the scent of fresh flowers from a florist's shop. Above it all, the sun shone down brightly, bathing the street in a warm, golden light.

"We should go get ice cream, I know that would put a smile on your face," Camilla suggested, her eyes shining with excitement.

Emily hesitated, unsure if ice cream was really what she needed. But before she could answer, Camilla grabbed her hand and started pulling her in the direction of the nearest ice cream shop.

"Come on, I know the perfect flavor to cheer you up," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Scoops 'n' Swirls, right?" Emily asked, pointing to the shop ahead of them.

"It sure is!" She replied with a grin.

"Scoops 'n' Swirls" is an ice cream shop that specializes in, Scoops and Swirls of ice cream! They offer a variety of flavors, from classic vanilla and chocolate to more adventurous options like cotton candy or rocky road. And of course, they have all the toppings you could ever want, from sprinkles to gummy bears and more.

They walked down the street, the colorful shop sign Coming into view. It was a cute little place, with a pastel pink exterior and an old - fashioned ice cream cone on the sign.

"This is the perfect place to get a treat," Camilla said, pulling open the door. "Come on, let's go in!" She said, practically bouncing on her toes with excitement. Emily smiled, the anticipation of a sweet treat filling her with warmth.

They stepped into the shop, the cool air instantly refreshing after the heat of the summer day. The interior was bright and cheery, with pastel - colored walls and a counter filled with colorful containers of ice cream. The smell of waffle cones and chocolate syrup filled the air, making their mouths water.

The shop was bustling with activity, families and couples chatting happily as they enjoyed their frozen treats. Children ran around, licking ice cream cones, while their parents watched on, amusement in their eyes. The shop was a hub of activity, a place where people came together to enjoy something sweet and delicious.

"Let's go get ours," Camilla said.

As they made their way towards the counter, someone called out Camilla's name. She turned, a smile spreading across her face as she saw her friend, Casey, waving from across the shop.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," she said, turning to Emily.

"I'll grab our ice cream," she answered, a tinge of disappointment in her voice.

"Don't worry, we'll catch up soon," Camilla reassured her.

"Hello, Mr. Rolex!" Emily said, a smile on her face as she approached the ice cream counter.

Mr. Rolex, a man in his 40s with a kind smile and a gentle demeanor, looked up from what he was doing and greeted her warmly. "It's my favorite customer! How are you?" He asked, a twinkle in his eyes.

"I'm well, thanks," she said, feeling a surge of affection for the kind shop owner.

"You don't look as happy as usual," Mr. Rolex observed, concern evident in his voice. "Is everything alright?"

"It's just school stress," she answered, her shoulders slumping a little.

"Well, perhaps some ice cream can help with that," he said with a smile.

At his words, she felt a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Maybe a sweet treat was just what she needed.

"I'll leave you in the hands of my staff," he said with a grin, before disappearing through a door behind the counter.

"Thank you, Mr. Rolex!" She called after him, her spirits already starting to lift. As she waited for her turn, someone called her name from behind. She turned, and found out it was no other person than Frederick.

Frederick approached, a sly grin on his face. "Hey Emily, what's the matter, Em? You don't look very happy," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Nothing's the matter," she said quickly, not wanting to give him any reason to pry. Her irritation flared, but she kept her composure, forcing a smile onto her face.

"What about the thing I told you about?" He asked, his voice a little too eager for Emily's taste.

"Look, I'm not in the mood for this right now," she said, her tone growing more terse by the moment.

"Please, I meant what I said," he pleaded, his voice taking in a desperate tone.

But Emily was having none of it, her frustration reaching a boiling point. "No, Frederick, please just leave me alone and go look for another girl," she demanded, her words sharp and cutting.

At that moment, a shop worker emerged from the back room. "What can I get you?" The attendant asked, a friendly smile on his face.

"Two chocolate ice cream, please," she said, her voice sounding a bit calmer than before.

"And I'll have a vanilla one," Frederick added, his tone a little sheepish.

"Coming right up!" The attendant said, turning to fill the order. As he scooped the ice cream, a peaceful silence fell over the store.

"Please, Emily, please," Frederick said, his voice low and pleading.

"If you were the only problem I had, I'd say yes," Emily replied, her tone unyielding. "But right now, you're just one more thing on my list of things to deal with. I'm sorry, but you need to move on, you won't get what you want from me." Frederick looked crestfallen, his face falling as he took in her words.

"Here you go!" The attendant said cheerfully, handing them their ice creams. Emily and Frederick each paid for their treats, and Emily decided to sit at a table in the corner of the shop.

"What are you trying to say?" Frederick asked, following close behind.

Emily turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "I need you to stop bothering me, Frederick," she said, her voice calm but firm. "I'm already taken, the sooner you understand that, the better off you'll be."

Frederick looked taken aback, his mouth hanging slightly open as she turned and walked away. He stood there, frozen in place, unsure of what to do next.

As Frederick made his way across the shop, he spotted Camilla standing with a girl he didn't recognize. He walked over to them, a look of concern on his face.

"Hey Camilla," he said, his voice soft. "Is Emily alright? She seemed a bit upset."

Camilla looked at him, still an unreadable expression on her face. "Did you speak to her?" Camilla asked, her voice curious.

"Yes, I did," Frederick replied, a sigh escaping his lips.

"She is fine, just give her some space," Camilla said, a hint of warning in her tone. Frederick nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling of worry that lingered in his heart.

"Casey, meet Frederick," Camilla said, introducing the two of them. "He's a friend of mine." "Frederick, meet Casey, one of my friends," she continued.

The two of them shook hands, their gazes locking as they did so. There was something about the way they looked at each other that felt electric, like the energy between them was charged with a certain intensity.

Frederick was tall and lean, with dark hair that felt in loose curls around his face. His eyes were a deep blue, and they sparkled when he smiled. He was the kind of person who seemed like he could be anyone's friend as he had an easygoing nature.

On the other hand, Casey was a slim and petite figure, with delicate features that belied her inner strength. Her skin was clear and smooth and her hair was soft and light, like a halo around her head. There was quite elegance to her that drew people in, a natural beauty that shone from within.

Camilla's cough broke the silence, and the two of them dropped their hands.

"I have to get going," Casey said, her cheeks a little pink. "Bye, Camilla," she added, giving her a small wave before exiting the shop.

"So, Camilla," Frederick began, turning to face her. "Emily said something about being taken - what did she mean by that?"

Camilla let out a little laugh, giving him a sly look. "Well, I don't have anything to tell you, it is what it is" she answered tapping him on the shoulder and walked away going to meet Emily.

Frederick watched as Camilla left, her words were hanging in the air, a puzzle he couldn't quite solve. What did she mean when she said "it is what it is?" He stood there for a moment, trying to make a sense of it all, but in the end, he just shook his head and headed out of the door.

Emily was known for her cheerful disposition, her sunny smile always brightening up a room. But those who knew her well could tell when something was bothering her, when she seemed out of sorts.

Her moods were as clear as day, and those who cared about her could tell when something was out of control. They could sense the shift in her energy, the subtle change in her demeanor. She was a bright light, but even the brightest lights can flicker.