Colliding Hearts #Wattys2017

Chapter 2- Family Time Part 1

"Beep. Beep. Beep."

"Shut that thing up already!" An annoyed and sleep filled voice shouted as a hand slammed on top of the loud alarm clock.

Pulling her hand back a tired sigh left pink lips as green eyes slowly blinked open. Pushing back her blankets, Emerson Gray sat up, lifting her arms above her head she yawned. She twisted and turned, popping her back and sighing in content as she did so. She turned and seen her roommate and perhaps only friend, Emily, sitting up and glaring at her. Emerson offered a sheepish grin and a nervous laugh as she stood up.

"Sorry Em, I forgot I didn't have class today." Emerson said as she began fumbling through her dresser, looking for an outfit for the day.

"Clarissa Emerson, you always forget!" Emily shouted as she flopped backwards and pulled the blankets over her head.

It was true; Emerson was the most forgetful person Emily had ever met. Of course it didn't help that Emerson was intelligent and talented, those qualities made everyone either hate the poor girl or envy her. Emily had somehow found herself in-between the two emotions as she was forced to room with her when her own dorm was flooded.

Emily sat up, looking at the now dressed and ready Emerson, she truly envied the girl. Standing at 5'2 with porcelain skin, and perfectly even and shaped bright green eyes. Emerson had the perfect figure, not being over weight or thin, her long and wavy bright reddish orange hair always seemed to fall in perfect waves. Even her freckles were evenly spread out along the bridge of her nose, though they were light and often hard to see.

All in all Emerson Gray was a very beautiful girl and Emily would be lying if she didn't envy her. Though she knew if Emerson could, she would trade her looks just so people would stop staring at her. The poor girl had spent her entire life being home schooled and on her eighteenth birthday had joined the university and was stuck dealing with people her age for the first time.

Emily pitied her on that part, she was socially awkward to the point it was painful for everyone who was in the near vicinity. It was as if she never fit where she went, always looking out of place in class and even at the few parties Emily had forced her to attend. Emily took note of the simple clothes Emerson was wearing and wondered why she dressed as if she was some old lady who was always cold.

Today Emerson had settled on wearing a white undershirt with an emerald green knit sweater over top. She was wearing faded blue jeans that were tucked into brown ankle high boots. They had been a gift from her mother and had thankfully been made with a flat bottom; Emerson being very clumsy.

She had braided her hair, allowing it to hang over her left shoulder and was wearing a matching emerald green knit beanie that had her bangs poking out to the side. Emerson, forgetting that Emily was still awake, began packing her messenger bag. Making sure her sketchbook and extra pencils and pens were inside, she made sure her wallet was in it as well as her phone charger.

"Where did I put my phone?" Emerson muttered as she looked curiously around her side of the dorm.

"Check under your pillow," Emily offered laughing as Emerson jumped and shouted in shock.

Her forgetfulness had its moments where it was pure entertainment for Emily. Emerson, shooting a glare towards her friend reached under her flower print pillow. She let out a triumphant shout as she pulled her phone towards her. She checked to see if she had any messages and seen she had two. One was from her mother, instructing her to come to their apartment as soon as she woke up and the other from a family friend.

'Happy Birthday Little Clarissa Emerson,'~ Magnus

"What's with that smile?" Emily's question pulled Emerson from her thoughts. Typing a quick thank you and sending it to him she tossed her phone and dorm keys into her bag and pulled it over her head and allowed the strap to rest on her right shoulder while the bag rested on her left hip.

"A family friend texted telling me happy birthday, I'm going home for the weekend. I don't have any classes so I'll see you Tuesday!" Emerson said as she left her dorm room only to groan and realize she was supposed to wait for Emily to respond. Emerson poked her head back into the dorm and gave a sheepish grin.

"Have a good weekend; tell Tessa I said hey and happy birthday Emerson." Emily said as she laughed and lay back down. Emerson nodded before backing up and shutting the door; she made her way towards her home.