.: Star Wars Buddies :|: Alex Riley/OC :.

01

Emily Sterling hated living in her sister's shadow. Nori got everything; The fame, the popularity, the influence. Now, that wasn't to say that Emily didn't get all of that. People loved her, too. She just got it on a much lesser scale, and all of the boys that she had ever set her eyes upon ended up kissing up to Nori before they came crawling back to her. All Emily wanted was someone who would look at her first. Look at her and say wow. She wanted Nori to be the second choice for once.

Of course, there was Emily's best friend, Justin, but he was different. He wasn't really under the influence of any girl, he was sort of a Lone Ranger without even meaning to be. It was kinda like he was oblivious to the fact that life wasn't some sort of TV show that he was just watching. He always explained things as if explaining the concept of a television program to one of his friends. He never really seemed connected to the people he talked about, as if he was talking about a character rather than a real person.

It amused Emily when he talked about people in this way, which was why she was confused when he actually showed a connection beyond just knowing who someone was in talking about his soon-to-be stepbrother, Alex Riley. It was like someone just flipped a switch and suddenly he was describing this kid in detail. Emily had only ever heard him talk about kids at school that he didn't know, so it was interesting to hear his actual opinion on a person.

She wasn't too bothered by the fact that he was going to have a brother in a few days. He would always be her best friend, and it wasn't like she was opposed to meeting someone new. It occurred to her that she should probably try to be there to meet Alex before he saw Nori, just so she could make a good impression before her sister sent another idiot reeling back in time just to see her walk around the corner again.

"Hey, Justin, when's your brother gonna be around? Didn't you say he was moving in soon?" Emily pulled her binders from her locker, making sure she had the correct ones for the first two periods of the day. Justin was leaning against the lockers next to hers to wait since they would be heading in the same general direction anyway. They were still learning their ways around the high school together.

"He's gonna get here tonight, and I was thinking about bringing him to the school dance later so he can meet a few people before his first day on Monday. Speaking of meeting people, do you want to come to the dance with us and sleep over tomorrow night? He can meet you today since you're chill and won't overwhelm him." Emily could tell Justin was getting a little excited, which made her smile. "Then tomorrow you can sleep over and we can tell him who to look out for and how to find a seat at lunch."

Closing her locker, Emily pretended to think about it, but her smile gave it away.

"Alright, Loser. I'll be there. What time should I head over tonight?" They began walking, and a few people greeted Emily as she went, to which she smiled back and fiddled with the bracelet clinging to her left wrist.

"I don't think Dad would agree to you being there the second they arrive, but let's say we give it about ten minutes and you can sneak in through the window. Be there at around 5:30, ready for the dance because it's at 6:30 and I think you're gonna need to help us get ready." Emily nodded in agreement, echoing the time aloud as he peeled away from her side to turn down a different hallway with a wave. Excitement bubbled in her stomach at the thought of a fresh start, a new friend who she could meet and talk real with before the school got their prickly claws on him. Specifically her sister.

Speaking of, Nori was sitting in her usual spot, surrounded by her friends. But she kept the seat next to her empty for Emily, just like usual. It was at times like these that Emily forgave her twin for her blissful obliviousness and felt a rush of warmth as Nori broke out into a huge smile. Emily knew Nori didn't mean to be the first choice. It was just frustrating.