3. Emily
Emily
T he rest of the week went the same as my first day. Having James to sit with on the bus and his friends at lunch, has made me rethink my choice to stay a loner.
“Are you coming to the football game tonight?” James asks as we’re walking down the hallway after the last class of the day.
It’s the first JV home game of the year. The energy throughout the school was infectious and made it difficult for anyone to focus.
“Um, I wasn’t planning to. Why do you ask?”
It’s taken me a bit to warm up to talking with James. He’s the first boy I’ve had as a friend. He’s my first friend in general as my shy personality scares people off.
James scratches the back of his neck. It’s something that I notice he does when he’s nervous to ask a question. We may have only been friends for a few days, but he’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had. “No reason.”
Deciding to be brave because I think that’s what we both need, I ask him. “Did you want me to come?”
“You don’t have to. But if you want you can sit with Kamryn.” He rushes out as if he’s afraid I’ll turn him down. The thought crossed my mind as I’m not used to socializing with kids from school. My school spirit level equates to a trip to the dentist to get my wisdom teeth pulled.
“I’ll come to the game.”
He releases a huff of air before responding. “Cool. Is it okay if I text Kamryn your number?”
James and I exchanged numbers after the third day of school. He mainly texts me and I text back emoticons. I’m a terrible texter but with James, I think I can get better.
“Sure.”
“Okay.” Our steps slow down right before we get to the exit doors to the buses. “Well, I’ll see you after the game.”
“Yep. Good luck James.”
“Thanks, Em.” He’s slow to backup and I lift my hand in a small wave.
Walking to the bus, I mentally run through a list of what I want to do this weekend. But since I’m now going to a football game tonight, I’ll have to rearrange some things. Is that a bad thing? I can’t figure that out yet.
Unknown number: Hey, it’s Kamryn.
Me: Oh, hey.
Kamryn: Did you want to sit with me at the game?
Me: That’d be great.
Kamryn: Awesome! I usually sit with Liam and James’ family, so you’ll be a nice mix- in.
Me: Thanks? I think.
Kamryn: It’s a good thing. Did you want a ride to the game?
Me: If it’s out of the way you don’t have to.
Kamryn: It’s no problem. I get a ride with Liam’s parents, so I’ll ask them if it’s okay.
Me: If you’re sure…
Kamryn: 100% sure. You live next door to James, right?
Me: Yeah.
Kamryn: That’s perfect. Their families usually hang out at James’s family's house anyways.
Me: Okay. Cool.
Kamryn: Pick you up around 530?
Me: Sounds good.
“Mom? Dad? I’m home!” I announce when I walk through the front door. They must be in their office or still at work because the house is dead quiet. I stand in the foyer longer than normal, waiting for any acknowledgment, when I realize that they must be at the office. My stomach growls in protest and I decide to feed myself before getting some homework done before the game.
As I walk towards the kitchen the smell of chocolate fills the air. That can only mean one thing. “Hi, Gloria.”
She pulls a baking sheet out of the oven and places it on the island behind her. “Hi, sweetheart. How has your first week of school been?”
I set my backpack on a barstool and slide onto an empty one next to it. “It was good. Busy. Exhausting. I don’t think I want to go back.” I say only half kidding.
School has only been in for a week and I’m loaded down with homework. They’re mainly worksheets and reading assignments, so I don’t mind that too much.
“Have you made any friends?” Her focus is on removing the chocolate chip cookies from the sheet and onto a cooling rack so she can’t see my smile.
“Yeah. A few.”
“That’s great. I always worry about you.”
Our eyes meet and a mutual look of adoration passes between us. “I know you do. Speaking of...where’s Mom and Dad?”
Gloria looks down in regret. “They had to fly back to New York for the weekend.”
“Oh,” I say, unable to hide my disappointment. “Work stuff. I get it.”
“Did you want me to make you some dinner?” Gloria asks and puts her hand on top of mine in a comforting gesture. It’s a gesture that usually soothes me but instead makes me want to cry.
I blink fast and swallow hard. “Please.”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Gloria busies herself with some dinner while I unpack my backpack to get some homework done. “Do you have plans tonight?”
“Yeah. I’m going to a football game with a friend.”
“A boy?”
She’s not completely wrong. “Not exactly.”
“Does it have something to do with the boy next door?”
Crap! How does she know everything? Even my own parents haven’t pointed that out. But that would also involve them being out of the office or in town when I get home from school. “What? Who? I mean...I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
“Mm-hmm,” Gloria says. She turns back to making dinner and I swear I see a smile lift her cheeks.