Finding Emma

two

When I awaken the next morning from a comfortable sleep to Scout licking my cheek, I do feel better. While I don't feel like getting out of bed, I don't want to make myself nor Bradley late, and Scout is practically begging me for a walk. So I slide out of my warm and cozy covers, telling myself that today will be a good day.

Once I've quickly brushed my teeth and tucked my hair into two neat Dutch braids, I tug on my darkest blue jeans and an olive off-the-shoulder blouse with long flowy sleeves. Grabbing my backpack, I head down the hallway with Scout at my heels, impatiently waiting for me to take him out.

I notice my sister's bedroom door is closed, which is unusual since she's usually up by now, getting ready for school. I brush it off, assuming she must not be feeling well still. With Mom already down at the bakery and Dad out at work, the apartment is unnaturally quiet. I savor the silence, grabbing a protein bar and a banana to eat while I walk Scout. I clasp his leash to his collar and we leave, Scout prancing happily by my side.

Scout does well on his walk, keeping the heel we've been working on and not barking at the older poodle we crossed paths with. Once we get back to the apartment, I brush him down and give him new water and a treat. He hops off, disappearing down the hall and into my room, most likely to finish his treat on his dog bed. While he's distracted, I grab my backpack, keys, and wallet, and sneak out the door quietly.

I check my phone to find it's almost 8, so I go down to the bakery and walk into the back, stealing two fresh chocolate chip cookies from the tray on the counter. Mom is lining pastries up prettily on display trays to fill up the pastry case.

"Good morning, sweetheart!" She nods cheerily to me, and I give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Morning, Mom," I say through a mouthful of cookie as I wrap the other one in a napkin for Bradley. "I'm off to school."

"Okay! Have fun! I'll see you when you get home."

"Yep, love you, Mom!"

"Love you, too. Say hi to Brad for me!" She calls out behind me as I head back out to the front of the bakery.

I see Brad's sleek black sedan waiting out front on the curb. I run out to meet him, opening the car door and swiftly climbing into the comfy passenger seat. Brad's car always smells like cinnamon and cologne, and it's ridiculously clean. I think he loves his car more than himself.

He smiles at me from the driver's seat, one hand on the wheel, his body twisted towards me. I drop my backpack on the floor in front of me, stuff the last bite of cookie in my mouth, and hand the warm napkin over to him.

"Cookie for you."

He grins and unfolds the napkin, leaning over to give me a peck on the cheek. "Thanks, beautiful."

I nod and buckle my seatbelt, and he takes a bite of the cookie as he drives away from the curb. We ride in a relaxed silence to the high school, me scrolling through my phone as he focuses his energy on the crowded roads of downtown.

Fifteen minutes later, we find a parking spot and enter the school hand in hand. The crowd of students mingling the halls conspicuously parts for us, whispers and mumbles floating by as we stroll by. Some girls look at me with envy, but most just stare with awe. I hate the extra attention, but glue a lazy smile on my face and keep up with Bradley's pace as he accompanies me to my locker downstairs.

"What's your first class?" he inquires once I've opened up my locker and shoved my backpack inside.

"Art," I answer, wrapping my earbuds around my phone and grabbing my sketchbook and pencil case.