Just a Scratch

Chapter Nine

"Emilee's your friend?" May was surprised to hear that one of the two people running for school pres. was a close friend of mine. She looked at me through her thick glasses with wide eyes and it took everything in my power not to smoosh her cheeks.

"Yeah," I nodded, "make sure you and your friends vote for her during homeroom."

May let out a small laugh, "we weren't really sure who to vote for, to be honest, so I guess it's good that you said that!"

I gestured for her to finish the next problem, it was a tutor morning, and I noticed a bruise around her wrist. "What happened?" I asked.

"Oh, this?" She lifted up her hand for me to examine, "I slammed it in a car door on accident. Honestly I'm such a klutz, I probably shouldn't be let out of the house!"

"Girl, I totally feel you. I got myself in a baaad situation for being clumsy," I said, referring to the whole Will debacle. May nodded like she understood and got back to her work.

After the bell for homeroom rang we parted ways. I made my way to the classroom and I caught up with Alexa, who didn't look like she was in the best mood.

"What's up pup?"

"Ugh, my Tía's coming to visit next week which means the devil's gonna be here too," she complained. Most of Alexa's family was in Mexico so she rarely saw her large extended family outside of holidays. She loved her family but typically clashed with one aunt and cousin on her mother's side.

"Oooo," I scrunched up my face, "when they gonna be here?"

"The plane's coming in early on Tuesday and then they're leaving on Sunday, which means six whole days of Teresa being a bitch." Alexa threw her books onto her desk and the laid her head on top of them. Emilee didn't even flinch at the noise and it was totally obvious that she was anxious about today. "My mom said I should bring her to school with me so she can, and I quote, 'see what school in America is like'. Like, what?! She's live in the US before. It's not that exciting."

I laughed and turned to Em, "you alright fam?"

"I'm so nervous," she said in a small voice. Alexa brought her attention back to the present and squeezed Emilee's hand for reassurance.

"Just relax, whatever happens we'll be here for you."

Mrs. Keller passed around the voting ballots and I proudly circled Em's name.

Please win!

-

"God, I didn't think I'd be freaking out but I'm freaking out," Alexa had been bouncing up and down in the Student Section of the bleachers for the past thirty minutes. We were at the football game waiting for halftime and the new school president to be announced. The air was sharp and cold for it still only being September, but I guess that's what you get for living in the Mid West. And global warming.

The weather only added to my apprehension as I absentmindedly watched some guys throw a ball and tackle each other. The school was pretty strict about the vote count getting out to the masses before the football game so Emilee wasn't going to answer any of our texts.

"Damn, why can't this stupid school just tell us normally instead of forcing us to buy a ticket to a football game. I swear, I bet it's just business ploy to make more money."

"Well it's working cause I need a hot dog," I said.

"Ooo, me too!" Alexa grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the bleachers and past high schoolers that were decked out in the school's colors. We made our way to the concession stands and then stood outside the chain link fence that separated the track and field from the rest of the stadium. We figured it would be better to meet Emilee right after the announcement instead of going back to our seats.

We finished off our food just as the whistle was being blown for halftime and all the students who were running for office stepped out onto the field. The short Emilee was standing next to Rosa's tall figure, showing the height difference between the two.

"Well Wildcats it's time to announce your new student council leaders!" A man over the loudspeaker said. Everyone cheered loudly and then got quiet to hear each name being called.

"Oh my god, oh my god," Alexa whispered in anticipation while I was too nervous to say anything. As each new office leader was announced there was another uproar from the crowd which got quiet again but right before school president was announced it was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for, your new president...

.

.

."

"God, just say it already."

".

.

.

ROSA HUSS!"

The crowd completely flipped, Rosa's friends ran to congratulate her, a bouquet of flowers was given to her, and there was a mega watt smile plastered to her face.

Alexa and I stood in shock.

Emilee hadn't won.

Our lovely, flower of a girl didn't get the presidency that she had been fighting for.

"Fuck."

Alexa and I made our way to where they'd be exiting the field and had to push our way through the crowd surrounding it. Emilee made her way over to us and was keeping it together better than Alexa and I were.

I ran to give my friend a hug while Alexa tried to say things to make her feel better but she stopped us.

"I'd just like to go home and watch movies with you guys," her voice was barely audible above the sound of the students but I saw the glisten in the corner of her eyes that told me she wasn't going to be able to keep it together for much longer.

Alexa and I stood on either side of her and walked in silence to Alexa's car where she took the back seat and began bawling. The girl who was always the rock in our little group let herself go, and we respected that. Sometimes you just need to cry. And sometimes you need to support someone who's crying.

We finally made it to Emilee's house where she changed into pajamas while we set up her favorite movie. Mrs. Carlyle, Em's mom, walked into the living room where we were and put a bag full of junk food on the coffee table.

"Thank you for being here for Emilee, girls," her eyes were sad as she left the room and I couldn't help but think that if my mom were in my life I'd want her to be like Mrs. Carlyle.

The night was filled with movies and unhealthy food but it seemed to make Emilee feel better, which was all that mattered.

-

A/N

Gosh, I was actually sad when writing this, poor Em.

On a lighter note, here's something funny that I found and wanted to share: