True Friends & Hard Times (Emblem 3)

Chapter 7

The rest of the ride over there was quiet, except the singing of our voices when songs we liked came on. When we finally arrived, the boys came outside to greet us, kissing and hugging us. We headed back inside and discussed what movie we should go see. In the middle of this conversation, Wesley and Maggie walked in. We greeted them and then told them what we were doing. "Ooh, let's see a scary movie.", Wesley suggested. "I'm okay with that idea.", I told everyone. And a couple others agreed. Alise never answered, but just sat there. We searched which ones were out and immediately chose the newest chainsaw massacre movie. We looked up the times and chose to see the 9:30 movie. So we had plenty time to stay awhile with the boys, then go home and get ready for them to pick us up. "Maggie, you can ride with me and Alise to the house to get ready with us.", I told her. "I don't have clothes.", she answered. "We can run you to your house real quick and then go on to ours. It's no problem.", I assured her. "Is that okay with you Alise?", she nicely asked. "Yeah, it's fine.", she answered back. "Well it's settled then.", I smiled. "Can I privately talk to you?", Alise asked. "Sure.", I curiously answered.

I followed Alise into the kitchen, checking to make sure Mrs. Stromberg wasn't in there. I wondered when we would meet her. "What's up Lis?", I asked her. "Her.", she said sounding pissed. "Maggie? What about her?", I asked. "She doesn't like me and you know it. Yet you invited her to our house". "Alise, she does like you. I told her y'all should become friends and she said yeah.", I told her getting annoyed. I continued, "your just not giving her a chance. It's only been a couple days and you've said what 5 words to her". "Okay. You're right. Ill try.", she told me. "Thanks.", I told her, giving her a hug. "I didn't say it'll work out. All I'm saying is that ill try.", she laughed. We walked back into the living room. "Everything cool?", Drew asked me, giving me a quick kiss. "Yeah. She just needed to tell me something.", I smiled at him. "When can I meet Mr. And Mrs. Stromberg"? "Ahh, this weekend. Say Saturday?", he asked smiling. Wesley and Keaton turned around "that's a great idea.", Keaton replied. Alise and I just looked at each other and smiled.

We told the boys we'd see them later tonight, and got into Alise's car. We stopped at Maggie's house for her to quickly run in and get her stuff. She came back out and got into the car. "Got everything?", I asked her. "Think so.", she answered, smiling. I looked at Alise, "let's go". We pulled out of the drive way and headed to our house. We were driving up when Maggie asked, "you live together?" "Yeah, our dads are big time business men and work a lot from home.", I responded. "I wish I could live with a bestfriend.", she laughed. "Least I'm with one of them now.", she looked at me and smiled. I could see Alise tense up so we quickly got out of the car and changed the subject, walking into the house. Our moms walked in to greet us, and we introduced her to Maggie, telling them she was our new friend. Alise gave me a look, but I ignored her. I did not want to start arguing about this again. She told me she would try, but she hasn't. I wasn't in the mood and she was getting to me already, and we still had the whole night to go.

We all went upstairs and I showed Maggie around a bit. She fell in love with our house. We took our time getting ready, making sure everything about us looked perfect. When we were finally done, we went down stairs to watch TV until the boys got here. I took it we were going to have to go in two vehicles. "Who's riding with who?", I asked. "Huh?", Alise asked. "Well we can't all six fit in one of our small vehicles." "I'll text Drew.", I told her. *hey* *heyy nicole, what's up?* *can u call me?* I soon felt my phone ringing, so I quickly answered, "hey drew". "You wanted me to call you?", he asked. "Yeah. How are we all riding to the movies"? "I can see if we can take my moms SUV. Wes will drive it.", he answered. He considered Mrs. Stromberg his mom, so we never talked about his biological mother. "Okay. Great, see y'all in a few.", I hung up.

"So what's the plan?", Maggie asked. "We're all riding together in Keaton and Wesley's moms SUV.", I answered. "This should be fun.", Alise commented, sarcastically. I gave her a look, telling her to shut up. She responded with an apologetic look, and quickly looked away. We went on to watching TV. It wasn't long before I heard a horn in the driveway. We all started to gather our things, and went outside to meet the boys. They each got out, greeting us and allowing us in first. Alise and Keaton got in the far back. Drew and I got in the middle seats. And Wesley and Maggie got in the front, since Wesley was driving. Drew sat close to me, holding my hand. We talked and laughed the whole way there. He made me feel special, and different than any guy has ever made me feel before. I smiled on the inside and outside. For no reason sometimes. Just because in my soul, I felt something. It wasn't love, it's been too short of time. But, happiness. With all the moving, and me and my dads relationship falling apart, I've been pretty down, that is until Drew came along. He had his ways, and knew how to make a girl feel good. I'd always been a daddy's girl, but the past couple of years, since I've grown up more, he hasn't been there much. And I missed him, entirely too much. Drew kind of took over some of the hard feelings, and replaced them with good ones.

When we finally got to the movies, we handed them our tickets Keaton had already gotten online, and we all paid him back. Everyone got their snacks and drinks that they wanted, and us girls used the restroom, so we wouldn't have to go during the movie. We met up with the guys in the theater. It was Wesley, an empty seat for Maggie, an empty seat for me, Drew, Keaton, then a seat for Alise. I knew before looking at Alise, she'd be pissed at having to sit on the end. I knew she hated scary movies, though she hasn't told Keaton, because he loves them so much. She didn't want it changing anything, although I told her Keaton seemed he was the kind of guy to understand, she didn't listen to me. We exchanged a quick look, and I could tell she was worried. She went on to her seat, getting her popcorn and drink from Keaton. Not ten minutes went by, and the movie was starting. Everyone quickly quieted down, and the previews began. We laughed at some, and got interested in others. The movie started to come on, and I could see Alise tense up in the corner of my eye. I wanted to ask her to switch, but didn't want to make a scene, and everyone question what the problem was. So I quietly sat, watching the movie, sharing a bucket of popcorn with Drew.

There were a few parts where I screamed, or covered my eyes in Drew's chest, or squeezed his hand until it was over. He smiled at me, and sweetly squeezed it back. I wasn't embarrassed to show my fear during the scary parts of the movie, or when I jumped, caught off guard. I felt myself and completely honest with him. I even caught myself staring and smiling at him once during the movie. He simply leaned down and kissed me, giving me chills of happiness, and also butterflies. When the movie finally ended, we all walked out to the car. It was almost 12:00 Am.We all quietly made out at the vehicle for awhile, then finally got in to drive off. When we were in the car, drew leaned into me, "I had a really nice time". "Me too.", I responded, smiling. He kissed my neck, and then laid his head on my chest while holding my hand, slightly dozing off. When we pulled up into my driveway, I gently shook him, waking him up. He looked into my eyes smiling, "call me tomorrow when you wake up, so we can meet up". He walked me to the door, kissing me goodnight. Maggie was still asleep in the front sleep, and Alise had already gone in. I quietly walked over to Maggie, waking her up. "Why don't you just sleep? It's quite out of their way to bring you home, then go home themselves. Leave your parents a text or something so they don't worry.", I told her. "Yeah, okay. I'll do that. Thanks Nicole. This is kind of you.", she said nicely. "It's no problem.", I smiled. She quickly kissed Wesley goodnight and followed me into my house.

I texted my mom to see if she were awake. *yes honey, in my room reading*, she replied. *is it okay if Maggie sleeps? She came to the movie with us, and it's late.* *thats fine. See u in the morning*, she texted back. We were already in my room by this time. We quickly took off our make up in my room, and got ready for bed. I lent Maggie some clothes to sleep in, and told her I'd be right back, and for her to make herself at home. I walked down the hall, and knocked on Alise's door. She quickly called me on in, and I sat down on her bed.