Free Writing

Glint (Part 5)

There was a crack as the book slammed shut. At last Matilda was stirring, pushing the book she had closed so abruptly back onto the shelf, getting to her feet, and stretching her arms out as if she had just woken up from a long nap. Emma took this awakening as her cue to edge toward the other girl. Biting her lip, she began to say something - but her voice betrayed her, and only a squeak came out. Emma steeled herself and took a deep breath. She tried again. "H-hello?" She cursed her stutter. Why was she so nervous? Matilda heard the quiet words and turned her head to see who it was. She looked half-awake, distracted, as if she was thinking about something else. After a moment she lost the dreamy look.

"Oh! It's you!" She looked very surprised. Emma wagered that she was wondering what on earth this girl was doing here. Well, she couldn't just excuse herself. Couldn't she? She remembered what she had told herself last night. Time to make orange juice.

"Yeah, it's me. I-I've come to ask you if..." her voice trailed off and she blushed furiously, averting her eyes. Talk about awkward. But there was something, something unfathomable, that made her continue, albeit nervously. "...if your offer still stands about, about being my friend."

Matilda looked curious for a moment, her eyes sparking. The brown-haired Emma, her breath nearly stopping from anticipation, tried to don a sincere expression to convince Matilda that she was being truthful. She wondered why she thought she would be believed anyway. Still, neither of them stirred for a moment. Then, her foot scuffing nervously on the ground, Emma mustered a small smile, hoping she'd be believed. Suddenly Matilda seemed to realize Emma was sincere, her eyes lighting up. She returned the smile. "Of course," Matilda replied in a quiet voice. Emma was overjoyed, her nervous shaking easing, her breath returning to her with a whoosh.

Accepted.