Song for this chapter - Stand by you by Rachel Platten
Emily
I couldn't believe what I was listening. The hallway was quiet as they looked at us. This is so embarrassing and hurtful.
"We were friends with her because she's helpful when it comes to our assignments and works." London said and looked at Morgan who stood quietly beside her. "No one wants to be friends with boring Ms. Perfectionist who only loves reading and playing instruments.." She flipped her hair and smirked.
I felt tears in my eyes, but I can't cry right now. Not in front of her, them and everyone else. I don't know if I'm hurt and upset with Everett or my friends-
"We want to be friends with Emily." I heard Bloom's quiet voice in the crowd and everyone turned to look at her and Aaliyah as they give me a smile.
"Of course, boring people needs another boring friend." London remarked sarcastically.
"So, are you trying to say I'm boring as well?" Everett challenges and everyone started whispering. "Emily is my friend and I think she's perfect the way she is. You are shaming someone for doing what they love. How awful is that? I thought you were bad." He laughed, it was a disbelief laugh. "You are worse than I thought."
Some teachers interrupted us and dismissed us. London walked pass me with a smirk on her face.
"Are you okay?" Aaliyah asked me.
"Yes. Thank you." I said in a quiet voice and looked at Everett. "I'm mad and upset with you."
"I know." He said. "I went overboard. I'm sorry."
"We will talk about it later." I said. "We will be late for class."
Most part of the morning, everyone spoke about the arguments that happened this morning. Some students came to talk to me to tell me that they are here for me and I couldn't help, but feel they are saying that because Everett was supporting me.
I thank them none-the-less.
"Are you okay?" Evan came up to me for the first time to talk to me. This was the first time we were talking and somehow he knew which neighbourhood I was living and have my number.
"Yes." I said. I don't like attention and this was overwhelming me, somehow.
"Everett doesn't know how to hold back." He explained.
"I noticed." I said.
"He meant no harm." He explained.
"I know." I said.
"I hope you do, he wanted your good and wanted you to see what others saw. It was unfair to you." He said.
"So it was that obvious?"
"Very." He said. "They don't invite you when they go to malls or movies, do they? We see them in the mall without you."
And that did hurt me a bit.
I don't know what friendship was about anymore...
"Do friends really have to hang out with each other outside school?" I asked.
He looked thoughtful.
"Not necessary." He said.
"So...I don't get your point?" I said.
"Friends are suppose to have your back." He said. "You do things together. All fun stuffs and sad stuffs. Like family."
I cocked my head to one side and thought about it.
"You will understand one day." He said with a sad smile. "I'm here if you want to talk and that's not because of Everett. I find you genuinely nice and it would be nice to have someone like you as my friend."
He turned to walk away when I said,
"Hey Evan."
"Yes?" He turned and give me a smile.
"How did you get my number?"
"It's not difficult, Emily. You have no idea how many people you have helped in different way."
I didn't understand what he meant and he didn't care to explain as he walked away.
During lunch, Everett looked at me nervously. He should be- I was upset and mad with him.
"Cut him some slack." Bloom joked. We were outside for lunch.
"That's right." He agreed and I glared at him and he pouted, slightly.
"What happened to minding our own business?" I asked him.
"I thought it was unfair and that you should know."
"Who are you to decide if it was unfair or not?" I asked.
He opened his mouth and closed it. "Right." He said. "I'm sorry."
Evan decided to join us at that time and plopped down on the bench, casually.
"Would you have prefer fake friends instead?" Evan asked as he took a bite of his apple and looked at me.
"Evan..." Everett started.
"I want to know. I'm curious. Would you prefer having fake friends or making real friends."
"What's real friends?" I asked him quizzically.
"Everett stood up for you and for all the other times." He reminded. "Friends who will support you and will be there for you."
"Isn't that using them as well?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"No. Friends genuinely want to help you in every possible way they can, they are not with you just because you benefit them more." Evan said like he was talking to a child.
The only friends that I ever had was Morgan and London and our friendship was something I can't even explain.
"It's time for you to make news friends. They have friends outside the circle, why don't you do it too?" Evan suggested. "Get to know people, learn about new people."
"What's the point? We are graduating soon."
"That's true, but you never know. Our friendship may last longer than you can imagine." Bloom said giving Aaliyah a side hug.
I looked at Everett who was looking at his shoe and was frowning.
"Hey Everett." I said standing up and he looked up to look at me. "Would you like to be my friend?" I asked as I took out my hand for a handshake.
He was surprised, but his lip turned into a smile. "Sure." He said as we shook hands.
Friday rolled by, Bloom and Aaliyah was excited to go for the party today. This week have been long and unforgettable. My friends from elementary school was no longer my friends anymore. All of a sudden we became strangers, reminding me of the time we were strangers before becoming friends.
They both ignored me, but I didn't stop myself from being nice and give them a small smile every time I see them.
My little five year old self was standing in line, waiting for her turn to wash her hands for recess.
A beautiful dark skinned girl pushed me aside and I fell on the ground. I was upset, but I didn't cry. Her dark hair was in a pony tail and she stuck her tongue out at me.
"Teacher." Another beautiful girl with sun-tanned skin and two pony tail called out for help. "London is pushing friends." I think the girl's name is Morgan.
"Are you okay?" The teacher asked me and looked at London. "We can't push our friends because we are in a hurry. That's not nice. Friends can get hurt."
"But she's not my friend." London tells the teacher and looked at me and then give me a small smile and said sorry to me.
London's beautiful five years old face, turned into one of her teenage face, but she was not smiling at me anymore. She was glaring at me with so much hatred, that her dark eyes was completely dark and her lip was in a menacing smile.
I woke up startle as I looked at the alarm beside me. I woke up five minutes before my alarm. I don't know why I'm having these kind of dreams. I turned off my alarm before it rang and got ready for school.
"Hey Em." Everett greeted me as he stood beside my locker and waited for me to get my things out of the locker.