It Started With Hello

Chap. 65

Kandy- How's it going down there?

Emma read Kandy's text message aloud as she lay back on her bed, the sunlight streaming through her window into her bedroom. Emma had texted her earlier to find out how she was doing at Chris's parents' house. Kandy informed her how nice Chris's parents were and how they loved Kandy since day one, so she was having a great time. Now that they had gotten that out of the way, Kandy wanted to know how Emma was doing.

Emma- I'm doing alright. I actually planned a girls' day today to look for Christmas presents.

Emma rolled on her side, looking over at her locked door. She didn't want to tell her about the craziness going on with Jason and the chief of police. Honestly, she just didn't want to worry her. Kandy instantly replied back.

Kandy- The girls?

Kandy didn't know Emma was close with the other girls at The Underground yet. Well, might as well let her in the loop now, right? Better late than never.

Emma- Whitney, Claire, and Niki. It's gonna be a fun day, I think.

Kandy- And your parents are just gonna let you go?

To be honest, Emma hadn't even asked her parents if she could go. Luck was on her side today because they both weren't home, so she didn't have to deal with them. She locked her bedroom door anyways, out of instinct. She was just used to doing it at this point.

Emma- Probably not, but thank God they aren't home right now. They both had work and expect me to go to violin practice, but I'm skipping it today.

Kandy- Oookkk, world look out, we have a badass over here 💯

Emma rolled her eyes with a smile as she heard a beep outside. She climbed out of her bed, looking out her window.

She saw Whitney in a white jeep waving up at her. Her hair was now in long blonde braids. Claire looked at her through the windshield, a cat-ear headband atop her head. Niki sat in the back seat, a big smile on her red-painted lips. Emma smiled, waving back at all of them. She lifted the window, yelling, "I'll be right down!" before slamming the window closed. She picked up her lavender crossbody bag off the bed along with her phone. She sent Kandy one quick text.

Emma- Their here gotta go ttyl

Turning off her bedroom light, closing her bedroom door, she hurried downstairs, opening the front door, walking over to the jeep. Whitney was the first to greet her.

"Hey, Emma, ready to get this show on the road?" Emma nodded with a smile. "I love your hair, Whitney," she replied with a thank you, playing with one of the braids.

"If you ever want braids, let me know; I can do your hair for you." Emma used to have braids a lot growing up, but around 12, her hair took off growing like crazy. Since then, she liked to wear her hair straight with bangs, but who knows, maybe one day she'd go back to the braided look. Good to know Whitney would be willing to do it.

"Thanks, Whitney. If I ever want to change up, I'll let you know," she said while Niki opened the back seat door for her. She climbed inside. Claire turned back in the seat, smiling.

"Hey, girl, this is gonna be so fun!" She clapped her hands slightly, full of excitement, before facing back forward.
Emma buckled her seat belt as Whitney started back up the car, heading down the highway. "This is actually my second girls' day ever. The first time I had was with Kandy," Emma stated shyly, adjusting the strap of her bag.
Niki pushed her arm slightly. "Don't worry about it. You have us now, and we'll go out all the time together."
Emma grinned as the other girls agreed with Niki. Claire looked back in the rearview at her. "Yeah, I can't wait to take you with me to comic book conventions."

Whitney grinned while rolling her eyes. "I'm definitely going to take you with me to wine tasting! You'll love it, and we paint while we do it."
Niki leaned forward between the seats, looking at Whitney. "She's still underage, dude."

Whitney raised a brow, obviously not knowing yet that Emma was only 17. Emma quickly interjected as Niki leaned back in her seat. "But I'll literally be 18 January 1st, which you're all invited to my birthday party, of course! Don't worry about getting me anything. But my parents are kinda crazy, so dress, you know... classy. Don't show any tattoos, or they'll flip." Of course, she would love to have all her friends there, but they needed to know now that her parents are nuts.

They all agreed to stop by on her birthday. "So wine and painting is on for next year," Niki laughed while bumping her shoulder against Emma's.
"And of course, I'll need a wing woman going with me to bars, but before that, we need to get you some sexy clothes." Emma looked down at her knee-length flowy pink dress.

They finally pulled up outside the mall. Claire turned, smiling at them. "I like Emma's style. It's super cute!" She winks at Emma before opening her door. They all followed her lead, climbing out, walking towards the mall. Emma couldn't wait to get inside and find Blake the perfect Christmas gift.