Not One In Eight

5.I can't Hate Her

"Hay Jody." I said with a smile and a wave as I walked into the cafeteria. I was happy that I had found a new Casey (it is Casey, not Maxine, just if you were wondering) though she's nothing like Casey. Casey was sweet, innocent while Jody is sweet and kind but I knew was strong. She could defend herself while Casey always needed Annie or I. But I love both of them very much. I just wish that David would talk, well write, to me again. He hasn't since the announcement.

"Come on Emmalie." She said to me and I walked over. Wow she was excited. I wonder why.

"So what's up Jo-bear?" I asked sitting down. She started jumping down.

"I have the like best news ever!!" she said bouncing and I am not exaggerating two exclamation points.

"Have you caught the cheer-disease or what?"

"No, that's not it, it's amazing. I was just in Az's class and they announced the results and you won." She squealed.

"Awesome."

"But there's more."

"What."

Suddenly Jody shrank back in her seat. She went into the abyss. That could only mean one of two things. The S Seven was here or well them. The Blake family, their presence scared everyone. Except me, and I didn't get why they were so afraid.

"Hello". Said a honey voice and behind me stood Finnen.

"Hi." I said to him.

"Hello Emmalie, Jody. I was wondering if you'd care to walk with me. I have something I'd like to discuss with you." But I didn't was to go.

There was something behind that smile, and those eyes. They seemed to reek of bad news. And I had a bad feeling about this. I just didn't know why.

"Maybe another time Finnen, I'm talking to Jody and what I have to tell her is kind of important. I hope you can understand" I said to him.

He looked shocked "B-b-but." he stuttered looking very shocked. I tried to look very nice though.

"Maybe another time though."

"All right." He said and walked away shaking his head. Well I guess I can go back to my conversation and get away from that awkward situation.

But of course I couldn't. All around me everyone was gossiping. That weird girl Emmalie just turned down a Blake. So of course my sisters needed to be the center of attention so they told everyone I was the eighth. So I went from That Weird Emmalie to Emmalie Hart the middle Hart. Not that I was born in the middle, I was first but I am in the middle of every photo. The others fought but I didn't want it. Dad though it was important.

You're probably wondering about my Dad. He's been gone for twelve years. I was three. He's dead, I think. I know, it's just I had a dream that he was alive. He stood over me and said Vampiro. It's Italian, which he told me he spoke. But I miss him.

He was my best friends. In a world of cheer shorts, dieting, squealing and fake tanness, I had him. Maybe he likes another sister better but he was all I had. The others had each other and Mom but he was the only reason I got up in the morning and was happy.

But I'm getting off track. Today was the day I became famous. The day David decided to talk to me again.

David

Emmalie, a Hart. Smart Emmalie, a Hart. Down to Earth, easy to talk, different from the other girls Emmalie, a Hart. But she's not just a Hart, she's the Hart. The leader, the middle one, and the only one I actually liked was her. One of the cheerleaders who I heard had made a girl cry by looking at her. I just couldn't be.

Emmalie is so sophisticated and sweet. She has passion, she has life. Unlike her sisters I can feel the goodness of her. Plus she's beautiful, inside and out unlike her sisters. I can't see any resemblance between them.

"Wuz up brada???" Sam said to me and I looked up annoyed. He knew I hated that.

"Stop it Sam. You know he hates that." Finnen said appearing. I wonder where he was.

"Ya, Finn, where were you?' Danni asked suspiciously and Finn sighed.

"Nowhere, why?" Finn said trying to cover something up. I wanted to know why Danni was so mad.

"Finnen," Fay-Fay said as she slid into our table. She sat right next to Danni and they linked arms. Suddenly Reose appeared and stuck her nose up in the air at Finn.

What's wrong with them? I asked.

"I don't know?" he whispered so that only I could hear.

"Why would you do that?" Fay-Fay asked no snarled to Finn. I saw I look I had never seen on my kind brother's face. It was a look of cruelness.

What'd he do?

"He is leaving Danni." Fay-Fay said angrily but not snarling, our little fire fairy always did have a soft spot for me. I guess she always appreciated that I'd let her dress me up and carry her bags. She's who I'm closest to in the family. I'd trust her with my life.

What?!

"I just need to figure out some things out. I just don't want her to get hurt." He said in his honey sweet voice but I wasn't fooled. Neither was Fay-Fay.

Talk to me after school. Kay?

Fay-Fay smiled and nodded. I want to know what's happening. My family tends to forget me, even Fay-Fay does sometimes

Suddenly I heard the bell and realized I'd zoned out. Sam and Van were gone. So were the three members of the I Hate Finnen Fan Club. Even Finnen had left. The only one left in the lunchroom was her. Quickly, though not at full speed I ran out before she could see me.

I don't know why I care but I just do. I mean she's unique and special. She is actually the only human I really ever liked. Sure some were amusing, some brave, some sweet but she is someone I could get along with. Plus she's not impressed with our beauty. Van didn't enjoy hearing that but Van would have to deal.

I like her, I like her a lot.