Inconvenient Things

12. Error 500 advice not advicing

Going back home on Saturday morning, Emery felt bummed out. For weeks, she had been trying to impress Ashley. She had tried everything she could think of. She solved a Rubik's Cube in less than a minute in front her, learned to juggle, baked mathematically identical cookies and during the sleepover/camping, she recited the world's hardest poem. Isn't that how you impress smart people? Shouldn't Ashley be head over heels at this point? Apparently not, since Ashley remained completely oblivious to any of Emery's obvious flirting. What else did Emery have to do? Serenade her under the stars in fucking Paris? Emery sighed and entered her house, stomping up to her room, slamming the door behind her and throwing herself onto her bed. She groaned into the pillow.

There was knocking at the door, which Emery quickly identified as Chloe's merciless banging. "Piss off!" She barked, not wanting to deal with that kid. Nevertheless, Chloe allowed herself into the room and sat down next to her. Looking around the room, she remarked: "You're the only person I know who actually has a clean, tidy room."

"It's not. I just stuff everything in cupboards and under the bed. It's all just an illusion." Emery grumbled. To prove her point, she stuck one arm under her bed and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, a sweaty shirt and a dirty plate. "I don't even know what's going on down there."

Chloe fake-gagged "I take it back."

The two sisters sat comfortably sided by side for a while, enjoying one of the rare moments in which they weren't bickering or insulting each other.

"So...what's up?" Chloe broke the silence.

"Girl problems. You wouldn't know."

Chloe frowned "I am a girl. I'm sure I would know."

Emery rolled her eyes and chucked the pillow she was holding at her sister "No, dumbass. I meant girl likes girl problems."

"Ohh. What happened? You didn't break up, did you?"

"Who?"

Chloe raised an eyebrow "You and Ashley? You're quite the cute couple. It'd be a shame if you broke up."

"Why does everyone assume we're dating? Because we're not. She doesn't even know I like her."

"You're not?" Chloe exclaimed in surprise.

"We're not. That's the problem."

"So you want to be together."

"I do, but she doesn't like me that way."

"How do you know? Did you tell her how you felt."

Emery felt annoyed. "Weren't you listening? She. Doesn't. Know. I. Like. Her."

"Tell her then."

Emery laughed bitterly. "The worst she can say is no, right? You know it's not true. That girl could pulverise me."

"Yeah, she could...Have you tried to impress her?"

"Man, did I try." Emery replied miserably.

"Does she even like girls? Does she know you like girls?"

"She knows. And it's not my place to tell."

"So she likes girls."

Emery felt bad about indirectly outing her friend. But what was she supposed to say? Denying it wouldn't get her anywhere. 

Chloe thought for a moment. "What if you tried making her jealous?"

"That's a bad idea, Chloe."

"It could work though."