Happy Accidents (CS AU)

Chapter 4: How to Save a Life

Emma's POV

3 weeks after unemployment

3:04 P.M.

The music in the background faded.

Emma reached to the camera and turned it off.

She smiled; She finally finished her video.

Emma had postponed making her video for 3 weeks now, and she had decided to stop and just do it. (Nike sponsor us pls)

She stood up from the couch in the den and walked over to the kitchen. She pulled out a barstool and just... sat there.

For some reason, Emma didn't know what to do. She'd been fired from her job, so she couldn't work. That also means she couldn't make money. Emma was basically broke.

Where did I go wrong? Emma asked herself.

Emma was lost in her thoughts when her cell phone rang from her room. She stood up, walked past the kitchen, and into her room. She didn't even look at the caller ID, she just answered before it went to voicemail. How come I'm this desperate to talk to someone?

"Emma!" Emma had recognized the familiar voice of her high school friend, Ruby. When she heard her voice, all of the memories of high school came rushing back. She remembered every day after school, they'd meet behind the school when they would walk to Ruby's house. Emma remembered one particular day: the first time she told Ruby she was an orphan.

Emma stepped out to the back of the school. She was ready to run to the Walmart down the street and sneak a night in there. She was not going to be put back in the foster system. Sure, this was bad, but foster care was even worse.

Emma started to walk, but she heard a voice from behind her.

"Emma!" She turned around to see Ruby, a girl from her Algebra II class. She was tall, with long, brown hair. Her eyes were a light brown, but slightly tinted yellow. Her bright red lips were recognizable. Ruby was a year older than her who usually would rather spend time with girls her age than an awkward freshman.

She didn't want anyone to know that her parents don't actually work as lawyers who live in a slightly large house. Emma had lied and forged signatures on her financial aide forms, and lied to basically anyone who asked about her background. Her parents don't exist. She ran away from her last foster family 3 months before. Her life was really bad. 

"Hey," Emma had said, as she waved with a fake smile plastered on her face.

Emma was terrified.

"Yeah, um, I was just walking home," Ruby said with a smile. "Do you want to walk with me?"

Emma was so happy to have someone want to hang out with her, she happily obliged. 

"Emma? Hello?" 

Emma snapped back to reality when she heard Ruby's voice again. 

"Yeah, hi. Sorry, just lost in thought. It's been awhile, huh?" Emma asked. 

"It's been awhile if you don't still wear glasses and a ponytail every day," Ruby said with an awkward chuckle. "Ah, memories."

After about 10 minutes of walking and light conversation, Ruby reached the front of her neighborhood. "I guess this is my stop," she said with a sad smile. "I'll see you tomorrow, I guess."

Emma was upset Ruby was leaving so she turned away. "Bye."

"Or you could come over to my house, if your parents are cool with it?"