The skinny girl

Chapter 3

The Aftermath of Homecoming

The morning after the homecoming dance, Emma woke up feeling a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion. The memories of last night played in her mind like a highlight reel—dancing with friends, laughing until her sides hurt, and the bittersweet moment when she had walked away from Ethan. She sat up in bed, the sunlight streaming through her window, illuminating the remnants of glitter from her dress scattered across her floor.

"Emma! Breakfast is ready!" her mom called from downstairs.

"Coming!" Emma shouted back, pulling herself out of bed. She quickly changed into her favorite oversized sweatshirt and leggings, still feeling the remnants of the night's excitement.

As she made her way downstairs, the smell of chocolate cakes wafted through the air. Her mom was flipping them on the griddle, humming a cheerful tune.

"Good morning, sleepyhead! How was the dance?" her mom asked, looking up with a warm smile.

"It was fun! A little overwhelming, but fun," Emma replied, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.

"Just fun? I thought you'd have a story or two to tell!" her mom teased, raising an eyebrow.

Emma hesitated, remembering the moments with Ethan. "Well, I did dance with Ethan for a bit," she finally admitted, trying to sound casual.

"Ethan? The one you mentioned?" her mom asked, her interest piqued.

"Yeah, but it didn't really go anywhere. He got pulled away by his friends," Emma said, shrugging it off.

Her mom nodded knowingly. "It's still a good experience. You're growing up, Emma. Just remember, it's all part of the journey."

After breakfast, Emma grabbed her backpack and headed to school, her heart racing with anticipation. She felt different today, more confident after the dance. As she walked into Maplewood High, she noticed a few students whispering and giggling, and she couldn't help but wonder if they were talking about the dance.

"Hey, Emma!" Lily called out, rushing over with a bright smile. "You were amazing last night! I can't believe you danced with Ethan!"

Emma felt her cheeks flush. "It was just a dance," she said, trying to downplay it.

"Just a dance? You should have seen the way he looked at you! It was like you were the only one in the room," Lily said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Okay, now you're exaggerating," Emma laughed, but a small part of her felt a flutter of hope.

As they walked to their first class, Emma spotted Ethan at his locker, surrounded by friends. He looked up and caught her eye, giving her a small smile that made her heart skip a beat. She quickly looked away, feeling a mix of shyness and excitement.

"Are you going to talk to him?" Lily asked, nudging Emma.

"I don't know! What would I even say?" Emma replied, her nerves bubbling to the surface.

"Just be yourself! You've got this!" Lily encouraged.

As the day went on, Emma found it hard to concentrate. In English class, she doodled in her notebook, her mind wandering back to Ethan. 

What if he did like her? 

The thought sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

When the final bell rang, Emma felt a rush of adrenaline. She had to talk to Ethan. She couldn't let this opportunity slip away. With a deep breath, she made her way to his locker, her heart pounding in her chest.