If Not For Her

Chapter 14. "You are the god damn sun"

"Where were you last night?" Sofia asked. " At a friend's house," Emmalyn said. "A friend or a friend" Sofia asked. " More like an acquaintance," she said, smiling. "Just tell me one thing, whoever your new friend is, when can I meet him, and is he your mystery date behind the cafeteria?" Sofia asked. " There is no mystery date near the cafeteria and yes, it is the same person and soon I will introduce you two."

"Hot?" Sofia asked. "A bit, yeah," Emmalyn said. They were walking to their class, the first class. It was advanced English. Emmalyn saw Evelyn and Dexter. She turned to face Sofia, "don't even bother there is that Nicolas boy and then there is your mystery friend. You are in a much better position than him" Sofia assured. Emmalyn nodded. "See you later hon," Sofia said and they moved different ways. Emmalyn walked into the class.

"Good morning Mr. Mays," she said. "Good morning Emmalyn," Mr. May's said. She saw Annabeth was missing. She looked out the door, she was early the students were still coming inside. Then she heard Annabeth's voice, she leaned in to get a good look, she was with him, her smile bright. Nicolas walked away as Annabeth walked in, and sat next to her. She smiled at her and then, Emmalyn noticed her face.

She had light makeup on. Emmalyn had never seen her with makeup, it brought out her sharp features. Her hair was not in her usual ponytail, it stopped right on her shoulders. Her round glasses seemed to be the only constant in her appearance. She looked different...good. " What's the matter, Reed?" Emmalyn asked. Annabeth did not have to answer, it was evident, that Nicolas Parker was the reason. "Just thought to change my look a bit," she said smiling.

Emmalyn looked out the window. Did Annabeth like Nicolas, of course, she did. Emmalyn remembered how her eyes lit up, whenever she saw him. "Go to page 20 of your textbooks," Mr. May's said. Emmalyn looked down, she had to win the program and date Nicolas, and Annabeth was the standing between both. She had to pull her act together. She glanced at the dreamy look on Annabeth's face. She had to work fast.

"Now, for the results of yesterday's test here are your papers. I will call you one by one when you hear your name please collect your answer slip. Annabeth Reed" he called as Annabeth got up, her face lit up. A small smile made its way to Emmalyn's face. She sat on her seat and soon Emmalyn's name was called out. A 100. Emmalyn smiled and took her seat. "What did you get?" Annabeth asked. "What did you?" Emmalyn asked. "A 100," she said pride filling her voice. "Good job, I got a 99," Emmalyn said folding the red 100. Annabeth bit her lips, "good luck next time" and she turned away.

Emmalyn did not understand why did she had lied? She had the opportunity to gloat and instead, she chose not to, maybe the humiliation made her humble, or was it something else. The class ended and the students rushed out. Annabeth walked alone with her nose in her book, Nicolas was not at her side. Maybe if she grew closer to Annabeth she could grow closer to Nicolas. She caught up to her and flung her arm around her shoulder. Annabeth did not even look up, " Chris, I told you" " Chris?" Emmalyn cut her off.

Annabeth finally looked up at her. "Hi, Liv," Emmalyn said. Annabeth looked around. "What are you, get your arms off," she said. "Why?" Emmalyn asked, waving at one of the students. "Why, people might think" Emmalyn cut her off again, "no one would ever associate me with you. We are worlds apart" "well, we made sure of that and, I am teaching you and you are learning and maybe we should keep it that way. Why are you talking to me like we are best friends?" Annabeth asked. "Maybe I want to be your best friend," she said.

"I thought we were acquaintances?" Annabeth asked. "We could be more," Emmalyn said. Annabeth looked at the students, she gazed at Emmalyn like she was the sun and Annabeth hated the stares. She lifted her hand "I need to go, see you later, Em" Annabeth smiled and walked away, leaving Emmalyn Cole smiling. "Why were you talking to baby Reed? She looks good though" Sofia said. "It's not," she breathed out, "let's go, Sof," she said, walking to art. "What has gotten into you Emma," Sofia asked.

"Maybe I am tired of being Evelyn's shadow," Emmalyn said. Sofia looked at her, "you my friend, aren't a shadow you are the god damn sun, never let anyone make you believe anything else, remember that" she said. Emmalyn smiled, Sofia always managed to say the right things at the right time. She snaked her arm around Sofia's, she was the sun of Rosewood High.