An old friend

"What's with the stupid smirk on your face?" Iris glared at Emma. "You talked to some boy, that's all."

Emma smiled wider, not wanting to admit she was embarrassed. "We were just talking. There's nothing wrong with that, besides we're applying to the same school together."

"It doesn't matter," Iris replied. "You should know better than to talk to strange boys."

"It's not my fault I'm adept at talking to cute boys." Emma threw her hair.

Iris rolled her eyes and sighed. "Oh my god, Emma. You just got over your breakup just hours ago and here you are flirting with another man!"

Emma shrugged. "I'm just trying to have a conversation with him. I want to make some friends when I'm here in Brooklynville."

Iris shook her head. "But you HAVE a friend, Levi, remember? You two promised to call each other."

Emma sighed. "I know, but what's wrong with making NEW friends? I just want someone to talk to here?"

Iris nodded. "I understand, but don't forget about Levi. He's your friend, and he won't forget about you either."

"WE'RE HERE GIRLS, BROOKLYNVILLE!" Their mother yelled from her seat.

The girls looked out of the car window and saw Brooklynville in all its glory. The streets were bustling with people, the buildings were tall and proud, and the sun was shining brightly. The girls were filled with excitement and anticipation.

"OH MY GOD I'M SO EXCITED!" shouted Iris. Emma couldn't help but smile and share in the excitement. They knew this would be the chapter of a lifetime.

At each corner of the street were brightly-colored decorations, the smell of freshly-baked goods in the air, and the sound of music and laughter all around. It was a truly magical experience.

"Okay, on the right, you can see the school: Crystal Lake Secondary School for girls, where your old best friend is learning. What's her name again?" Emma's mom asked.

Emma smiled as she remembered her old friend's name. "It's Katherine. I haven't seen her since she moved last year, but I'd love to catch up with her."

"And there's Eastwood Academy just 10 blocks away from the all-girl school," her mother said. "And in the next 30 minutes, we'll reach our new home!"

Miss Bright looked in her driver's mirror, looking at her daughter's reflection. "And a special surprise awaits in our newly acquired home, Emma."

"If it's Katie being our new neighbor, don't bother Mom, Emma already knows," Iris asks, looking down at her phone.

"What?" Her mom turned around, puzzled. "How did she know?"

Iris shrugs. "I heard them talking on the phone yesterday. They were such loaded mouths."

Her mom shook her head. "I should have known better than to talk to your sharp ears."

"I wonder if Calvin lives in this neighborhood," Emma asks, looking through the house she passes.

Her mother sighed. "I think it's wise not to get involved. We don't know him."

"But he saved me from the creepy cashier at the gas station. He was so brave," she replied.

Her mother looked at her and said, "I know, but it's still a risk. We can't take too many chances."

"Yeah, you should stop thinking about him," Iris agreed.

"What's up with YOU, Iris?" Emma asked, narrowing her eyes. "Why don't you want me to see him?"

Iris sighed and shook her head. "It's complicated," Iris said. "I just don't think it's a smart idea right now."

Emma frowned. "Why not? Tell me!"

"Alright, girls enough talking, we're here!" Their mother yelled as they parked at their newly purchased home.

Emma and her sister looked around in awe. Everything was so big and so new! They could hardly contain their excitement as they stepped out of the car and into their dream home.

Emma's mom smiled and said, "Welcome home." Emma and her sister stepped out of the car and carried their luggage to the front door.

A warm atmosphere filled the house as Iris opened the door and both sisters walked in. Emma and Iris hugged their mom and thanked her. Emma and Iris looked around the house, taking in the sights. Everything seemed so cozy and inviting.

Emma walked into her spacious room. It was not much: just a bed, a closet, and a study table. Emma was content, she had all she needed. She took a deep breath and smiled. The movers obviously did not understand her minimalist request, but she was content.

She knew she would make this place her own, no matter how small it was.

Emma unpacked her luggage and started to make the place homey. She filled the walls with her memories, hung her favorite paintings, and added a few of her own touches. She was determined to make it a place she could call her own.

After hanging the last painting, Emma looked around her new room with satisfaction. She had created a space that was uniquely hers and it filled her with a sense of accomplishment.

"EMMA! I'VE GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU~" Her mother called her downstairs.

Emma quickly raced down the stairs, eager to see what her mother had for her. She was surprised to see an elegantly wrapped present in her mother's hands.

Her mother smiled and handed them to her, saying, "Come on, open them!"

Emma smiled, excitedly unwrapping the present. While she was doing so, she heard her younger sister giggle in the back of the room as she held up her phone.

Emma's mother noticed and asked, "What's so funny?"

Iris shrugged and replied, "I took a video of Emma's reaction. It's hilarious!"

Emma smiled and shook her head, continuing to unwrap her present with glee. There, she finds her school uniform and a note that says "Good luck for the new school year".

"Seriously? A uniform?" Emma frowned, then Iris burst out laughing.

Emma glared at Iris as she laughed. "It's not funny!" she said, but Iris couldn't stop laughing.

With a sigh, Emma thanked her mother and then walked up the stairs. Emma walked to her room and shut the door behind her. She got dressed in her PJS and flopped down on her bed and buried her face in her pillow. She could still hear Iris' laughter in her ears.

Emma pulls up her phone and opens messages with only 5 contacts: her mother, her sister, her best friend Katie, her male friend Levi and her newest friend Calvin.

Emma was deciding who to text, and there was no doubt her best friend would answer, since it was a Thursday and her school had strict guard lines for using phones.

As a result, Levi and Calvin were left to decide. Emma finally decided to text Levi. She knew he would be available to talk. She quickly typed out a message and hit send. Seconds later, Levi replied with a cheerful message.

LEVI: Hey! Emma!

LEVI: How r u doing?

LEVI: You've reached your new home?

EMMA: Yeah I did.

LEVI: How was the journey?

EMMA: It was long but thankfully uneventful.

LEVI: That's good to hear.

EMMA: Yeah, the roads were pretty empty.

LEVI: That's always a plus.

EMMA: Definitely.

EMMA: But I also met this guy at the gas station.

LEVI: Who?

EMMA: His name is Calvin. He's really nice.

(Levi typing hestisitively)

LEVI: What did you two talk about?

EMMA: Nothing much. He will apply to the same school as me.

LEVI: Good for him.

EMMA: So, what was the school meeting about?

LEVI: I missed the meeting, remember?

LEVI: But one of my pals told me everything. One of the juniors got pregnant.

EMMA: Oh my God.

EMMA: R u shitting me? Who's the father?

LEVI: Don't know.

EMMA: What do you mean?

LEVI: I mean I don't know who the father is.

EMMA: Oh.

(Emma typing hestisitively)

EMMA: Did you slept with her?

LEVI: No, I didn't.

EMMA: Are you sure?

LEVI: Yes, I'm sure. I don't even know her!

(...)

LEVI: Sorry, Emma. I gotta go. Mum's calling me for smth.

EMMA: OK. Goodnight.

Levi: Goodnight.

Emma switched off her phone, gave a deep sigh, and muttered, "Goodnight, Levi." She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, thinking about what tomorrow would bring.

.

.

.

As soon as Emma heard a stone being thrown at her window, she opened her eyes. As soon as she got up, she looked at her phone. It's 2:51 A.M.

"Who the hell is throwing stones at my window at this hour?" Emma thought.

She quickly ran to the window and opened it. To her surprise, she saw a brown-haired girl wearing a hoodie and tight shorts standing there, with a sheepish smile on her face.

"Katie? What are you doing here at this hour?" Emma asked, still half asleep.

"Get down here, bitch!" Katie yelled with a smirk, but not too loud for the neighbors to hear.

"Okay. How?"

Emma yawned and looked around for what she could climb down. Katie pointed to the big tree outside the window.

"Climb down the tree. I'll wait for you here." Emma nodded and climbed out the window. She descended the tree easily and Katie welcomed her with a hug.

"OH MY GOD, I HAVE BEEN SO HAPPY TO YOU HERE! LET'S NEVER SLIPT AGAIN!" Katie hugged Emma tightly, but Emma hardly hugged her back because her eyes barely opened.

They hugged for a few minutes and then Katie stepped back, looking at Emma up and down. "You look amazing! Let's go out and get something to eat."

"At this hour?" Emma asked, yawning. "And I'm in my pajamas."

Katie smiled. "Don't worry, I know a great late-night diner. They're open 24/7." She took Emma's arm and the two walked on the sidewalk.

Emma smiled back. She was still sleepy, but the thought of diner food made her stomach grumble. She knew Katie was right, the diner would be the perfect place for a late-night snack.

It was a 1-minute walk when they arrived at the diner. The diner looked old like in the 1970s, with the same neon sign flashing brightly. Inside, the booths were filled with late-night patrons, and the scent of freshly cooked food filled the air.

The waitress welcomed them warmly and showed them to a booth. As they settled in, they could hear the clatter of dishes and the conversations of other customers. The menu was full of delicious options, and- most of all, it was cheap!

"Well, what do you think?" Katie asked Emma, grinning.

"I think you have a good taste for hanging out," Emma said, looking down at her menu. "But I didn't carry my money."

Katie chuckled and said, "No worries, I got it. You can get me next time."

Emma smiled and said, "Deal."

"Excuse me, can you be ready to take your order?" A young handsome waiter with glasses approached them holding up a clipboard.

Emma looked up and nodded. "Yes, I'm ready. I'll have the steak with Pepsi. What about you Katie?"

Emma took a look at her friend staring at the waiter. "I'll have the usual." She responded with a flirtatious smile.

The waiter wrote on the clipboard and walked away. Emma watched as her friend glanced at the waiter, a sly smile on her face. She realized her friend was flirting with the waiter. Emma rolled her eyes and shook her head in disbelief.

"Now I get how you found the diner, it's because of him, right?" Emma asked with a smirk.

Her friend blushed and nodded. "GUILTY!"

Emma laughed, and the two returned to their conversation. "You know, Emma. There are things I've been meaning to tell you."

"Okay, what is it?"

Katie inhaled deeply before responding. "What's your new year's resolution?"

A piqued look crossed Emma's face as she gazed at her friend. "What? My new year's resolution? Why do you want to know?"

Katie shrugged, "I'm just curious. You know, like everyone else, I'm sure you've got something you want to accomplish this year."

Emma looked down at her feet. "Yeah, I have a few things I want to focus on this year."

Emma hesitated before continuing. "But, I'm not sure I have the courage to pursue after them."

"Well, I do," Katie answered with determination in her eyes. "I want to be loved."

Emma felt inspired by Katie's words and determination. "I want to be noticed, accepted, respected. Having to be nobody in my school exhausts me to no end. Even my OWN family does not favor me. They love my brother more."

"Katie, where is this coming from? Why are you bringing it up now?" Emma asked.

Katie looked away, her eyes glistening with tears. "It's been like this for a while. I just want to be seen and appreciated."

Emma suddenly felt a wave of courage wash over her. She realized that she wanted to be loved just as much as Katie did. She made up her mind to take a chance and follow her heart.

Emma grabs Katie's hand. "Katie, I know how you feel. When you left, I was someone's girlfriend. There is no one who views me as someone with talent at drawing. I was just another face in the crowd. But like you, I want to be noticed, accepted, and respected by everyone."

"So you want to be popular?" Katie grinned.

Emma smiled. "Yes, I guess I do." She squeezed Katie's hand. "But more importantly, I want to be seen for who I am."

"Luckily, I know we can be popular." Katie winked and smiled.

Emma laughed. "Yeah, we can do it together. How can we become popular, Katie?"

Katie thought for a moment. "Let's start by joining some clubs and making friends. Then, we can show off our talents and skills to the world!"

"How will we "show off" our talents to the world?"

"I glad you ask," Katie led the table towards Emma's face. "We'll sign up for TikTok."