Chapter 10

"What is this? Who is this?" Emma asked, feeling her heart breaking bit by bit.

She cannot believe he thought she had found someone, but seeing her crush kissing another girl is too much for her to bear.

"Calvin, is she your girlfriend?" Emma asked.

"Huh? What? "Girlfriend?" Calvin was puzzled, then laughed. "No, no, she's not. We're just friends."

June stood up and blushed while Katie walked onto the scene.

"What's going on? Emma, who are these people?" Katie asks. At that moment, Katie glanced at Calvin. "Wait, wait, wait. Did I see you before?"

June and Emma both looked at each other surprised. Calvin tried to hide a smile and said, "We've met before."

Katie lit up her eyes and said, "Ah, now I remember you."

"Wait, what? Kate, do you know Calvin Ashton? And you didn't tell me?" Emma asked in disbelief.

Katie smiled and shrugged. "It must have slipped my mind."

"Calvin, who are these girls? Is the blonde one Emma?" June asked.

"Wait, how do you know my name? Calvin, you told her about me?" Emma asked Calvin.

Calvin blushed and sighed. "Yeah, this is Emma and the other is Kamila." He said, avoiding June's gaze.

"Ah, it's Katherine." Katie said, correcting him. June raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Calvin's blush deepened.

"Katie and Emma, this is June-one of my closest friends."

June smiled and greeted the girls warmly. Katie and Emma were instantly relaxed by June's friendly demeanour. Calvin looked relieved that the awkward moment had passed.

Emma walked up to her. "So, your name is June? And you're his closest friend?"

"Yes, my name is June Hayashi. Calvin told me you guys walked to the park this morning." June replayed.

Emma smiled. "It's nice to meet you, June. I'm Emma Bright." She held out her hand and June shook it.

"It's nice to meet you too, Emma," June said. "It's funny we met again."

Katie wonders, "Again? Wait, you've met before?".

"Yeah, we met this morning when I went for a jog and I saw her reading a book on a bench," Emma said. "I tried to talk to her but she left me silent."

"Because you asked so many questions and I didn't feel like talking to anyone," June added.

Emma and June stare at Katie and Calvin. "So, how did you two meet?"

Calvin and Katie glanced at each other, then Katie said, "We met at a party last year. It was like a bonfire or something. We drink, dance and exchange phone numbers. But then, he stopped calling me so I deleted his number."

Calvin nodded and said, "Yeah, I remember that. I was really busy with work and just forgot about it." Katie nodded and they both shared an awkward silence.

"So, um why were you two kissing when you guys were friends?" Emma asked, blushing, secretly wishing she had kissed him.

Calvin and June looked at each other nervously before June spoke up. "It's not what you think. We were just testing something out."

Emma nodded, not sure if she believed them, but she decided to drop the subject.

"Emma, why are you up so late?" Calvin asked.

"Well, I was at a friend's house. We discussed me, Katie and my new friends signing up for Youtube," Emma answered.

"Youtube?"

"Yeah, my friend said it was a great way to start making videos and maybe even get famous. I thought it was an awesome idea and we decided to create an account and start making videos."

"That sounds great!" Calvin turned to June. "June, maybe instead of finding jobs, you could start making videos like ranting about a book or something."

After thinking for a moment, June nodded. "I actually like that idea. I think I'll give it a try." She stood up and grabbed her bag. "I'm preparing to start working on it immediately. Bye, Calvin. Bye, girls."

June walked away with a smile on her face. She was eager to start working on her new project and see where it would take her.

"Emma, I'm heading home. I'll call you tomorrow about our plans." She waved goodbye and headed off. Emma watched as Katie walked away, leaving Emma and Calvin alone.

"Oh my God, it's just us...alone...at night." Emma thought as the young teen felt her heart pound.

Calvin slowly looked up from the ground, his face red. He stammered, trying to find the right words to say. But before he could, Emma quickly interjected, "Yeah, Calvin, it reminds me. Why are you late at night?".

Calvin's face grew even redder. He opened his mouth to reply but no words came out. He hung his head in shame and let out a sigh.

"I...left home for fresh air." He whispered.

"What? You left home?" Emma said. "What do you mean?"

He sighed and laughed. "Yes, I just needed to get away for a while. I needed some time to think and clear my head."

"But why?"

He paused for a moment before responding. "Sometimes, I just need a break from the noise and chaos. I need to take a step back and reflect on things."

"Noise and chaos?" Emma wondered.

He nodded. "The stress of life and work can be overwhelming. I just need a moment to clear my head and think."

Emma understood. "I know what you mean."

Emma sat down next to him and they both looked up at the night sky. She felt a mixture of emotions at the moment. Her heart raced with excitement and fear. Just then, a shooting star flew across the sky.

"A shooting star!" Emma grasped.

"Make a wish," he said, grinning. Emma closed her eyes and made her wish. She hoped it would come true.

"So, what do you wish for?" Calvin asked.

Before Emma responded, he spoke. "Wait, wait, wait, let me guess: You wish you had one million subscribers?"

Emma laughed. "No, that's not it," she said. "And I'm not telling you my wish, otherwise it won't come true."

Calvin looked down at his feet, then stood up and began to walk to the road.

"Calvin, what are you doing? Please be on the sidewalk!" Emma pleaded.

Calvin ignored her and kept walking. He stopped in the middle of the road and closed his eyes, letting the moon light his face.

"Emma, whatever your wish was, I hope it comes true," he whispered. He put his hands in his pockets. "But to make your wish true, you have to believe in it."

Emma felt her stomach fill with butterflies. She felt her heart swell with hope.

He opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "Goodbye Emma," he whispered, before walking away.

Her heart sank as she saw him disappear through the night as he walked away.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She picked it up only to see her sister calling her. She put the phone to her ear and heard her sister talking.

"EMMA! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?" Iris yelled.

Emma was taken aback by her sister's sudden outburst. She stammered, trying to explain. "I-I'm sorry, I lost track of time. And also I'm sitting on a bench near our house."

"WHAT?" Iris yelled at the phone before opening her bedroom window and spotting her older sister waving.

Emma nervously waved back before standing up and walking home. As she passed through the gate, she heard Iris calling her name from the window. Emma stopped, took a deep breath, and prepared herself for the scolding she knew was coming.

"Emma, where have you been? You got me worried sick! Did you meet up with the same guy you met yesterday?" Iris yelled at her window.

"It's not your business who I'm hanging out with and please wear something. I can see your cleavage from here!" Emma yelled, pointing at her sister's clover revealing her bra.

Her sister rolled her eyes, grabbed a sweater and covered herself up. "Okay, okay, I get it," she said. "Happy now?"

"Satisfied," Emma said, and stepped into her house, only to find four large bags in the living room.

"What's with all the luggage in the living room?" Emma asked.

Her sister, who walked into the room texting on her phone, replied, "Don't you remember? Your school is moving us into a dorm. When you left, Mom came home and told me to pack your bags while she's dealing with the paper work and getting us our own dorm keys."

"Really?" Emma said.

"Yeah, your key is in your room. Mom was so tired she slept like a log. She didn't hear you come in."

Emma shook her head and smiled. "That's Mom for you."

Emma was overwhelmed by the news. She hadn't expected to move out so soon. She couldn't believe her life was about to change so dramatically.

"Anyway, I ordered take out. You feel like eating Chinese?" Her sister asked, holding up a box of dumplings.

Emma smiled, grateful for her sister's support. She nodded and accepted the food. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Let's eat."

.

.

.

Emma lay on her bed scrolling down her phone until a message appeared: It was a text from Levi.

She smiled as she read his message. She was so happy to hear from him. She quickly replied, eager to start a conversation.

EMMA: Hey!

LEVI: Hey! How's it going?

LEVI: Are you enjoying your new home?

EMMA: Yes, I am! I'm so grateful for having a place to stay.

EMMA: It's been a difficult transition, but I'm feeling more settled.

LEVI: Awesome.

EMMA: I'm also moving to my school dorm tomorrow.

LEVI: Wow, that's great. I'm sure you're excited.

EMMA: Yeah, I can't wait to start this upcoming chapter in my life.

(...)

EMMA: Anyway, how's school?

LEVI: Well, I just received my art test today."

EMMA: What have you got?

LEVI: F :(

EMMA: Oof, that's suck.

LEVI: I made it a B so my stepdad wouldn't find out.

EMMA: That's really smart.

LEVI: Yeah, I'm hoping he will think I'm getting better grades.

EMMA: Well, I'm sure you'll be able to pull it off.

LEVI: I wish you were still here to teach me how to draw.

LEVI: You're an amazing artist.

Emma felt touched by Levi's text, she didn't expect him to say something like that. She smiled and replied: "Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words."

LEVI: You're welcome!

LEVI: Anyway, what time are you moving to school?

EMMA: At 8 I think.

LEVI: Do you already have your room key?

EMMA: Yeah, I got it earlier.

LEVI: Okay, night.

EMMA: Night.

Emma switched off her phone and reached out to grab her dorm key which was lying on her table. She stared at it and read the number tag. "Room number 143 huh?"

She smirks and tucks the key under her pillow before closing her eyes and drafting into her dreams.

.

.

.

"Okay, girls. Do you have your dorm keys?" Their mother asked, checking them in the car side mirror.

They both nodded. "And you pack everything you need?" their mother asked.

"Yes, mom," they both replied. Their mother smiled and said, "Alright, then. Let's go!"

She started the engine and the car pulled out of the driveway.

"I can't believe you girls are old enough to live on your own, it felt like yesterday you were taking your first steps." Their mother wept with tears in her eyes as she said.

"Mom, it's just a school dormitory. No big deal." Iris said, admiring herself in the mirror.

Her mother shook her head and smiled. "It's not just a dormitory, it's the start of your new life. You'll experience the outside world! And you might bump into older classmates who want to take advantage of you!"

"Mom, we're going to be fine. Besides, we have each other's backs. We'll look out for each other. Right, Iris?" Emma turned to her younger sibling.

"Whatever, Emma, is my hair okay? I want to impress my roommate."

Emma rolled her eyes and laughed. "Yes, Iris, your hair looks gorgeous. Now, let's go!" She said as she grabbed her sister's hand and walked toward the door as their mother packed up the car.

"Emma, are you sure everything is going to be okay?" Her mother screamed from the car window. "You always feel nauseous when you think of living with someone. Are you confident now?"

Emma took a deep breath, smiled and waved goodbye as she sped away. She was sure this time would be different. She was confident everything would be okay.

Both sisters stared at the school building for a moment.

"So, this is where we're studying? It looks so big," said Iris.

"It's not that bad," replied Emma, taking a deep breath. "Let's go inside and see what it's like."

They entered the building and were immediately impressed with the spaciousness and airy quality of the facility. It was a much better environment than they had expected.

"Good morning girls, I was called told that two young ladies were checking their new dorm rooms." A teacher walked in wearing glasses and a paper slit.

The girls nodded in response, looking around with wide eyes. "We'll be happy to show you around," one of them replied. The teacher smiled, leading them towards the rest of the building.

The girls began their tour, taking in the sights and sounds of the school. The teacher answered their questions, telling them stories about the school's history.

At the end of the tour, the girls were excited about checking into their dorms. "Okay, on this side it's the dormitory. From there you girls will be able to explore the grounds and get to know your classmates better. Any questions?"

The girls shook their heads in agreement and the teacher smiled. "Alright then, enjoy your stay."

The girls eagerly thanked their teacher and headed to the dorms.

"Iris, what's your room number?" Emma asked.

"Room 136!" Iris replied. "And your room number is 140, right?"

"143," Emma corrected and smiled. "Let's go then."

They walked down the hallway, passing room numbers until they reached the right door. Iris knocked, but no one answered. Using the room key, Iris opened the door only to find no one lived in 136.

"OMG I GOT A DORM ROOM ALL TO MYSELF?" She jumped up and down, excited about the possibilities. She quickly unpacked her things and decorated her new room. She couldn't believe her luck.

"Wow, you're lucky." Emma rolled her eyes. "As always."

She smiled widely, beaming with pride. "You know it," she replied, feeling on top of the world.

Emma shook her head but couldn't help but notice the smile that spread across her face. "Anyway, I'm heading to my room now, so enjoy decorating your dorm into a Dream Barbie house."

The girls parted their separate ways, and Emma walked room after room. It took her two floors to find room number 143. When Emma knocked on the door there was no answer.

She knocked again and there was no replay. "Bull's-eye! I have a dorm of my own too."

Emma nearly opened the door to hear a sound from inside.

"Never feel your a disgraced."

"Never feel you're out of place."

"Never feel you have failed as a human race,"

"Someone is singing behind this door." Emma thought as she listened.

"Because you can shine bright at night,"

"You can't deny,"

"You're capable of shining through the night,"

"You can't fight, and you can't hide."

"You can't shine like the sun, so shine like the moon's light."

She paused and thought about the words she had just heard. A feeling of hope filled her heart, and she was suddenly determined to keep going. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Once she stepped into the room, June stopped singing and stared at Emma for a few seconds. Emma felt a chill run down her spine, yet she stood her ground and met the singer's gaze. Neither of them said anything.

They are now roommates.

Chapter end