The Family We Choose

Chapter 33

Emelia wasn't that scared to meet May's friend, except for the fact that she was actually terrified to meet her. She's only ever heard good things about Pilar, they've been friends ever since the beginning of 10th grade.

Meaning now she was a senior, equaling 2 years ahead of her, as well as the closest person to May after herself. And she wanted to leave a good impression. None of these things had ever bothered her before.

Until now.

When she was standing on the sidewalk waiting to be buzzed up into her apartments she shared with her mother who was currently at work.

May saw the nerves bounce around her face as they climbed the 6 flights of stairs to reach her floor.

"You have nothing to be nervous about." May hummed and Emelia turned to look at her like she was insane. "She said she already loves you."

Emelia was not expecting the ball of energy to answer the door, her long brown curly hair bounced as she jumped into the door frame.

"Emelia!" she beamed, not hesitating to wrap her into a big hug. "It's so exciting to finally meet you."

In that exact moment all her nerves dissipated as she reciprocated the hug.

"Me too." she said gently, no where near matching her energy but Pilar had no care in the world. Simply moving aside to let the pair in.

"All May does is talk about you, it is nice to finally put a face to the stories." Pilar teased. Emelia smirked at her girlfriend, the teasing smile met with an exaggerated eye roll.

"I forgot how big of a mouth you have." May bumped hips with her friend.

"So you're not denying it." Emelia teased and Pilar's face lit up. She could tell they were definitely going to be friends.

"Ohh I like her." Pilar said as May pinched Emelia's side in retaliation.

"Your mom still at work?" May asked, following Pilar to the living room.

"Yes but she promised to bring home donuts from the bakery." She sang, sinking into the couch. It was weird and so not like Emelia to fall into such easy conversation with a person she just met. Normally it would take a while for her to be this comfortable with a new friend but before she knew it they were spilling secrets over buttery popcorn and sour patch kids while a movie played in the background.

They were half way through 'White Chick' and Mays' embarrassing story about how they both went to the wrong movie theatre for one of their dates before almost getting in a car crash with each other on their way to meet in the middle when she smelt the smoke.

A dull accent in the air that would have been missed if not for the rising temperature in the room and the way her nose tickled with each breath. Emelia turned to face her girlfriend who only crinkled her eyebrows in concern at the look of fear on her face.

"Do you smell the smoke?" she cut into the story and was about to stand when the fire alarm started blaring through the small apartment.

"It's probably just a drill." Pilar tried but from the look on her face, it didn't look like she believed herself either.

There were no sprinklers so that had to be a good sign right?

"We need to get out of here." May struggled to keep her voice calm as they stood from the couch and made their way over to the door. The iron tight grip May had on Emelia's hand was the only thing keeping her from fully panicking.

"Wait!" Emelia stopped Pilar from grabbing the handle. "If it's hot we can't go through."

Pilar backed away from the door, allowing Emelia to touch the doorknob with the back of her hand. The moment her hand connected with the hot metal she flinched away. Bring her hand to her chest to inspect the red spot growing just below her knuckles.