Finding Emma

one

Staring at my reflection in the large mirror of my vanity, I promptly untie the green bow from my ponytail, letting my long hair drop in messy waves down my sides. I pace the length of my bedroom, trying to clear my mind. The first day of junior year was tiring, and I want nothing more than to jump into my cozy bed and sleep away the rest of the school year.

Of course, that's not allowed. Because the world is stupid.

Instead, I will myself to let the day's events stay within school property. I'm home now, and I can breathe. I grab my hair brush and start dragging it through the tangles my hair has formed. Once it's smoothed down, I tie it into a quick fishtail braid that rests on my shoulder.

Pulling open the doors to my closet, I search for something to put on in replacement of this uncomfortably snug cheer outfit. I decide on a teal blue v-neck, with a pair of comfy white denim jeans. I throw on my standard Converse, and spare another quick glance in the mirror, checking for any smudges in the makeup I've had on all day.

I know I'm pretty, which is part of the reason everyone's so obsessed with gaining my attention at school. My heart-shaped face, full lips, and rosy cheeks got me a spot on the cheerleading team back in freshman year. And this same face has gotten me the co-captain position as a junior. Of course, the fact that I'm flexible and the perfect size for a flyer helps, but cheerleaders must have a certain appearance, and I've ticked all the boxes.

If I had it my way, or could turn back time, I wouldn't have tried out for the team in the first place. It's not who I am, at least, it's not who I want to be. I'd much rather stay home and bake, and then happily eat everything I bake, without having to worry about my weight. Baking is in my blood, after all.

Snapping myself out of my thoughts, I close the door to my room, heading down the narrow hall of my family's apartment. We live in a cozy little space above the bakery my mother decided to open before I was born. I've always loved the apartment; it's the only home I've ever known, and it holds a lot of great memories.

I find my dog Scout, a German Shepherd we got just a few months ago, lounging on our leather couch. He's still small, an absolute adorable ball of fluff, but I know he'll make a handsome little protector the bigger he gets. He watches me closely, his ears perked, as I grab my little purse and my phone off the kitchen counter.

I step out into the hall outside, giving Scout a kiss and pat before I go, and hop down the stairs. Downstairs, my mom's bakery is full of people coming in for the "after-school rush." Plenty of high schoolers and college students from the nearby universities in San Diego like to come in and sit with some coffee and a cupcake after their tedious days. The shop is quaint and charming, the perfect spot to relax and clear your head.

Our bakery isn't large by any means. It's a pretty standard-sized space, with dark wood flooring and pastel pink walls. Compact round tables are set out around the shop, where customers can sit and work or chat. An alcove towards the left corner of the shop holds a bay window seat with cute decorative pillows and some big cushy chairs around it. By the register, a pastry case sits, spreading almost half the length of the shop. Gleaming glass showcases an array of desserts inside, from cake slices to decadent chocolates.

Through a swinging door to the right, behind the pastry case, is our kitchen. Everything is made right here daily, providing our customers with the ultimate freshness and quality products. My mother works hard early in the mornings to prep everything, with no complaints and a smile on her face. Having her own bakery was her pipe dream as a child, turned reality. She truly adores what she does.

Most days after school I'll take over the shift at the bakery and my mom will go get some rest. We close at 8:30, and it doesn't take long to get everything in order before shutting down for the night. While my family has hired a few workers to help out during the day and handle some of the baking itself, we prefer to keep the business close-knit and mainly family-oriented. The workers we do have are pretty close though, and we have a strong sense of teamwork. I love working here, and hope to inherit the business someday.