Through the Eyes of Emily Prentiss

Chapter 3

                                                                                      1984

Having Emily back in Italy has been a huge change for Elizabeth. Ambassador Prentiss had gotten used to a quiet household with no one to bother her in her study. With her daughter back, that has all changed. Emily and her friends parade throughout the estate each day;  talking, laughing, and making up for the lost time in their friendship. Emily still wrote to Fiona, but not as much as she used to. During the first few months after her return to Italy, settling back in wasn't easy. Emily had felt homesick in her own room, and wanted nothing but the company of her best friend to ease her sadness. The girl hardly ever cried. But there were nights where even she couldn't hold back tears. Her house had never felt so empty, and she had never felt so alone. Emily would never tell her mother of her heartbreak though. It would come across to the woman as weak and immature and that's hardly how she wanted to be perceived.  

     A year later, the trio started middle school in Rome, and Emily began a new string of activities to keep her out of the family home. The girl, already speaking fluently in five languages, started taking courses in Russian and Greek, to complete her library of languages. She also played co-ed soccer, and tennis, keeping active with her friends. Emily and the Benton boy began taking riding lessons together as well, as if her schedule wasn't enough. It was their favorite thing to do together. The two competitive spirits always playfully pitted against each other to see who's horse could jump the highest, or run the fastest. Their endeavors resulted in a beautifully broken arm for the Prentiss girl and a handful of concussions for the boy, but it never stopped them. John wasn't fond of horses, but joined them at the diner near his family home each night after Matthew and Emily finished lessons for the day. They sat there for hours, night after night, books opened all over the worn tables, as they took turns helping each other with their studies. 

                                                                                   1985

"Matthew wait up!" Emily called to her friend from across the courtyard. "Everything ok Em?" the boy eyed the torn sleeve of her cardigan and the gaping hole that had been freshly torn into her stockings. "I'm fine. I got in a fight with someone in the woods earlier." "And not a scratch to be seen." Matthew said sarcastically. The girl laughed and brushed off her skirt, sending a cloud of dust down to her shoes. "OHHHH Emily! You're mom is gonna kill you." The Cooley boy said, coming up behind them. "Shit. I didn't even think about that. I think I've got an extra uniform in my locker, can someone come with me? The hallways will be dark by now and I don't want to go alone." Emily said. "Of course. I'll walk over with you." John replied. "I'll see you guys later tonight! Be careful Em!" called the Benton boy, running to his father's car across the way.

      "Emily... are you alright?" John asked carefully. "Yeah, I'll be okay, my eye just stings a bit. Can you tell me if it's red or swollen? I don't want to go home looking all crazy." Emily answered. "Oh my God Emily it's purple." "Here." John walked Emily over to the gymnasium where they found the bin of ice they always use at soccer practice. He helped Emily find a bag and gently placed the ice onto Emily's eye watching her the whole time to make sure she was alright. "Thank you John. You really didn't have to stay and help me." Emily looked up at John, the boy's hand still resting gently on her face holding the bag steady while she buttoned up her new cardigan. "Anytime Emily. I needed to make sure you were ok. I care about you a whole lot you know." "And I care about you. I really do. I'm glad I came back here. To Italy. I'm really glad to be seeing you all again." Emily replied. "I missed you when you were gone." John said, breaking eye contact. "I missed you too." "Haha even if I was only ten years old. I never forgot you guys." Emily added.  She could tell there was something John wasn't telling her, or something he couldn't bring himself to say, because at that moment, his whole demeanor changed. Instead of his normal, outgoing, loud self; he was quiet, and a bit awkward. Suddenly, he wouldn't meet Emily's eyes. "Is everything ok J?" Emily asked. She was curious to hear his response this time. "Everything is just fine. Let me walk you home."

NOTE: This one is pretty short, my bad :) the next one will be much longer