Freshman Year

Forgive and Forget

One of the biggest and most important thing in life is forgiveness. It can be one of the toughest things ever. Sometimes things get better all on its own and maybe not. Others mistakes don't define you. What you do defines yourself. How you chose to handle that friends slip up depends on you. That is when the real you will reveal itself. It can be tough. Everyone has that one time, and this was Emerson's.

Audrie had practically searched everywhere for that girl. She just wanted the chance to apologize. Whether she admitted it or not she had in fact enjoyed the kiss. She touched her lips again. This was her first kiss so, and it was beyond weird. She knew she didn't like him, but it was just that. She had began kissing back right before realizing who it was. She felt even worse with that fact.

So she kept looking. All of her friends began texting her after awhile saying to come to the dorm rooms. She just sat by the fountain when she had finally given up hope. It was almost no use even calling or yelling. Emerson wouldn't talk to her. That was when the tears came.

She wiped her eyes when she heard someones voice, "Hey, Audrie."

Audrie turned her head and spotted Lauren. She smiled as much as she could and waved. Lauren came and sat beside her. They avoided eye contact for awhile. Audrie wanted the tension to blow over and for Lauren to speak. And just like that it rang true.

"You wanna talk about it?" Lauren says rubbing her back. She sounded like she generally cared and in fact she did. "I don't want to see you cry."

"Yea... I just lost a friend basically!" She puts her head in her hands. The tears couldn't be stopped. It was useless. "Boys are stupid, idiotic jerkfaces who do not care about anyone else ever. Like ever ever."

"That is a very true statement." Lauren says in a calm voice. "I know the feel fam."

"No you don't!" Audrie laughs half heartedly. "Mason is a gentleman. You have nothing to complain about. He is like my brother best friend person."

Lauren laughs at what she had called him. Suddenly Audrie frown deepens; then she joins in on Lauren's laughter. It was contagious. This seemed to help lighten Audrie's spirits. She had just needed a friend to talk to.

"I'm glad you came over here, Lauren." She says. Lauren wraps her arms around Audrie's shoulders forcing her into a hug. "You actually made me feel better. You and Mason that is." She winks at her then laughs once more.

"Ugh.." Lauren rolls her eyes. "Glad to be of service. You shouldn't tease me. You guys always tease me!" Her cheeks turn red and she crosses her arms over top of her chest. "We should head back to the dorms. If you need someone to talk to me just come over. I would love to have a friend." With that they got up and left.

_____

At some point Audrie returned back to her own dorm room. She wasn't the least bit surprised to find that Ellie was still awake on her phone. Something was different though. She was actually texting someone. Ellie quickly slipped the phone underneath her leg.

"Hey, Audrie, how you feeling?" She asks quickly. The smile on her face was evident.

"Good." Audrie says slowly. She was seriously debating what to say. "How are you feeling, Ellie?"

"Just dandy." Ellie says. Her hand flies up to her mouth to guard her smile.

"Who is this boy?" Audrie quickly says running over to her bed. "Tell me tell me right now!"

"No-" Ellie starts.

"Ring power." Audrie sticks out her fist for a fist bump as always. "Speak."

"Man you are getting sassy.." Ellie mumbles. Audrie crosses her arms and raises one of her eyebrows. "Fine. His name is TJ well... it is actually Tristan, and he is so sweet and funny. Carter and I went to stalk Nicole and Nash's date. When we came out I met Tristan.."

Audrie takes a second to take in all that was just said, "So is he cute?"

"I think he is pretty cute. He even has a beard... I like beards." Ellie smiles and then both girls start laughing.

_____

Brooke laid in her bed thinking over everything for a long time. Carter had said something adorable like always that just made her heart melt. Now she was stuck in that really ditzy happy faze. That was until Emerson walked over to her. 

"Hey, Em, what is on your mind?" She asks even though she knows the answer. It was about Audrie and Nash's kiss.

"I can't push the image out of my head. It is literally all I can freaking think about... What is happening to me?" Emerson asks with a confused look. She seemed so lost lately it was insane.

"Look I know you do not want to hear this right now, but you need to get closure on this. Just ask Audrie if the kiss meant anything to her." Brooke places a hand on Emerson's shoulder. Emerson looks Brooke in the face. She clearly didn't like her friends idea.

"I... I can't." She tries to form a wall between Brooke. She no longer wanted to let her know what was going through her mind. "You are suppose to support me, Brooke. Are we not friends?"

"Yes, Emerson, we are. However Audrie is my friend as well. In order for things to get better first they have to get worse."

"What is that suppose to mean?!" Emerson rolls her eyes.

"It has to be harder for the both of you to fix this new problem. It is neither of your faults anyways. Nash is just a jack wagon. There is no way avoiding that fact. Just reach deep into your heart and forgive Audrie. She deserves it."

"I will think about it." Emerson says truthfully. It was true and she knew it. "Do you think that Audrie is still awake?"

"If she really does feel bad then probably." Brooke shrugs. "Just walk across the hall and check."

Emerson manages to pull herself together before heading out the door. The walk to Audrie, Ellie, and Hadley's room never felt longer before. Emerson desperately searched to find the words she was to say to Audrie. Finally she decided on just being blunt about it. Next was the hardest part so far. Knocking. Her fist hovered in the air for a long time. Slowly she tapped on the door quietly. She does this two more times before turning around. She makes it halfway back down the hallway when she hears a voice from behind.

"Emerson? I'm so glad it is you!" Audrie tackle hugs Emerson. "I need to be honest with you. I liked the kiss."

"I forgive you." Emerson chokes out before turning and walking back to her room.