𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

IT WAS A LITTLE AFTER  noon on a Saturday, and Emberly was slouched on the couch, staring at the TV. Re-runs of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air played, but she wasn't really paying attention. She sighed, bored out of her mind with absolutely nothing to do.

With only two close friends, and both preoccupied today, she was stuck spending the day with the TV. Olivia had texted her earlier that morning, explaining she and Layla had been paired up for a school project. Emberly had wished her luck—because she knew that tension would be awkward—but inwardly, she was relieved it wasn't her. She had no idea how she would survive a whole day working with Layla.

"Emberly, there's someone here for you!" Evelyn called out from the front door.

Emberly frowned, turning her attention toward her sister's voice. Someone here for her? That didn't make sense. She barely hung out with people outside her tiny circle, and most people would just call or text first.

Curious, she set the remote on the couch and walked toward the door. Evelyn stood by it, the door slightly ajar. "Who is it?" Emberly asked, stepping closer. Evelyn moved aside, pulling the door open wider to reveal someone Emberly definitely wasn't expecting.

Jordan Baker.

"It's you," Emberly muttered, her tone dripping with annoyance as she rolled her eyes.

"Hey," Jordan said casually, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"He's all yours," Evelyn said, clearly amused as she walked away, leaving Emberly at the door with her unwelcome guest.

"The last person I'd expect to see here is you," Emberly said, crossing her arms. "You couldn't call or text like a normal person?"

Jordan smirked faintly. "Would you have answered if I did?"

"Probably not. You're still blocked."

"Fair point," he admitted, shrugging. "But listen, I need a favor."

Emberly raised a brow, skeptical. "Jordan Baker, asking me for a favor? This should be good."

"I need you to come to Crenshaw with me," he said simply.

Emberly blinked, caught off guard. "Crenshaw?" she repeated, her brows furrowing. "Why would you go there? And why do I need to come with you?"

"I need to go to Spencer's house," Jordan explained.

Emberly's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Spencer's house? Jordan, I swear to God, if you're going there to—"

"It's not like that," Jordan interrupted, holding his hands up defensively. "Do you really have to assume the worst of me?"

"Well, given your childish behavior lately, yes. Now tell me, why are you going to Spencer's?"

Jordan exhaled, clearly trying to be patient. "Dad says we need to bond as a team. Spencer already knows how things are in Beverly, so I figured, why not go to Crenshaw and see how things are there?"

Emberly raised a skeptical brow, leaning on the doorframe. "You? Trying to understand Crenshaw? That sounds like a joke." She started to close the door, but Jordan quickly pressed his hand against it, pushing it back open.

"I'm serious, okay?" he said, his tone more earnest now. "You know how much football means to me. What kind of team captain am I if I can't get along with my teammates? There's no drama here—I'm really trying to start fresh with Spencer. And since you and him are... friends, I thought you could help."

Emberly sighed, hating how soft her heart could be. As much as she wanted to slam the door in Jordan's face and tell him to figure it out on his own, it was obvious he was genuinely asking for help. And Jordan Baker never asked for help unless it had something to do with throwing a party.