Brave

Settling In

|Michelle's P O V|
I lay down on the couch in my grandma's basement. It's old, it's an ugly plaid pattern, it's uncomfortable, it kind of smells funny, but I have to sleep here for tonight. Tomorrow we check into our hotel, but my mom wanted to be with her mom these first two nights. I guess I understand, but I'm not exactly happy about it.
I turn on my tablet and video call Emily. I promised I would talk to her as soon as I got home from house hunting with my mom.
Emily's beautiful, makeup free face pops up on the screen.
"Sorry I look terrible, I haven't gotten out of the house today."
I smile in awe, "You look amazing."
Emily bites her lip, "Thanks."
"So, do you miss me yet? I mean six hours is a long time apart." I joke.
Emily giggles, "Not at all. I love the freedom." she teases.
"... Okay fine, maybe a little. You're supposed to be here for movie night, but you're in Madison."
I sigh, "I know. It's cold down here, and it smells funny. I wish I was with you."
Emily laughs, "Aww, poor Michelle. I wish you were here too. At least you have friends there."
I frown, "What friends? I lost all my friends here when I moved."
Emily furrows her eyebrows, "Well maybe you'll run into Hunter."
Confused, I raise my eyebrow, "What do you mean Em? You know Hunter doesn't live here..."
"Oh, you didn't hear?" Emily says, repositioning herself on her bed.
"Hear what...?" I ask, is there something Hunter didn't tell me?
"Hunter is moving back to Madison for a year." Emily explains, visible hints of sadness in her voice.
"Oh no, how is Eldon holding up?" I ask, truly concerned for my friends happiness.
"I haven't seen him lately, but James said he's a bit mopey, he's trying to have fun, but it's not completely working." Emily admits, picking at a thread on her shirt.
"I wish I was going away for a year, I could use some time away from you."
I joke, playfully winking at the camera.
Emily laughs, "Hey, that's not true."
I display a small, sincere smile,
"For real though, I'm glad I'm not going away for a year. I could never make it that long without you."
Emily blushes, "Wow that's embarrassing, I don't have any makeup on to cover this." she admits shyly.
My smile grows bigger, "Aww, how cute. You love me soooo much."
Emily giggles once again, "I do."
I change the subject, "Do you know when Hunter is getting here? Maybe I can talk to him."
Emily shrugs her shoulders, "I think at some point this afternoon, I don't know. Just text him, he'll reply when he lands."
I nod, pulling out my phone and texting Hunter. I get a response quickly. After reading it, I put my phone down and bring my full attention back on Emily.
"He said he's here already, and we can see each other when he's settled in."
Emily smiles, "Do you know how long that will take?"
I shake my head, "No, but hopefully I can see him within these next couple of days."
Emily takes a sip from a mug,
"What are you drinking?" I ask,
she tilts the mug towards the camera,
"Oh, it's just hot chocolate, nothing too special." she says, staring into her pink mug with a giant E on it.
I laugh, "It's not even Ocotober yet. You can't drink hot chocolate in September, it's illegal."
"Oh really?" Emily teases, "I guess I'm breaking the law." she says, taking a sip out of her mug.
"You're lucky I'm in a different state, I might have had to arrest you if I was in New York." I smile, Emily puts down her drink.
"Too bad." she giggles, winking at me.
"How much longer until you get back again?", I bite my lip flirtatiously, "Only two weeks."
I hear a knock on her side of the screen, Emily turns around, "Hey Ri, what do you need?" Emily asks.
"I just need a pencil to do my homework, I can't find any of mine."
Emily reaches over and hands Riley a pencil, "Here you go."
I can see Riley on the screen, "Oh, hey Michelle. Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt anything."
I laugh, "It's okay, don't stress."
"How are you?" Riley asks,
"Good, I'm just settling in." I reply.
"That's good, I'll see you when you get back to New York."
Riley smiles and heads out of Emily's room. Emily shuts the door and her face is back on the screen.
"Now, where were we?"