"I hope so. I'm not gonna lie… I told myself that this year I have to make real friends."
"Wait—so you don't have any?"
"No, I " I said..
i lifted my head, searching for Sara.
There she was—already sitting with her new friends, and of course Susan was right there with them.
i let out a small, tired sigh before finishing her sentence:
"…I have Sara."
Another boring day in my life.
I woke up in the same mess I always do—my room looked like a small disaster zone.
I stared at it, sighed in pure boredom, then opened the door.
"Are you going to stay like this forever?? We've been waiting for breakfast for almost an hour," my stepmother snapped.
"WHAT?! An hour???"
After I rushed through everything and finally left the house, I made it to school.
Everyone was probably already in class.
I sighed. "Why the hell am I this sleepy today… weird."
I knocked on the door.
"Emma? I thought you weren't coming today," the teacher said.
"It looks like her house is far, miss, and apparently she doesn't even have a ride," Susan started her usual pointless commentary.
The whole class laughed—at absolutely nothing, as usual.
The mysterious guy just stared at them like he was judging all of humanity.
Weirdly enough… he's one of the few people here who actually respects me.
I don't even know why they're laughing. They're idiots. All of them.
My eyes drifted to Sara sitting next to Susan.
She always wanted to get close to her… is she actually obsessed with her? Whatever. It's her life, not mine.
Then my gaze snagged on that bright smile—that perfect hair.
Does someone like that even exist in real life?
Gina turned toward me with her usual sunshine energy.
"Welcome, Emma."
"Hey. And… thanks for not laughing with those idiots."
She smiled. "Don't worry about them. The teacher didn't give us much; we just got started."
"Oh good… so you didn't get far," I muttered, bored out of my mind.
Break time.
I walked with Gina, drowning in my thoughts.
I don't think I can keep doing this… It's only day two and I already feel suffocated.
A cheap dad who won't do anything about this crappy school… maybe Susan is right… maybe this really is all my fault.
While I was lost in my own head, someone called my name.
"Emma!"
I snapped out of it. "What?"
Gina grinned.
"What do you think about coming with me today to a costume party?"
"Huh? That's… kinda sudden."
"A costume party? Gina, but—"
"No excuses. Please? Come on. My sister hates parties, and I have no one else to go with."
"If you don't have anyone… why are you even going?"
She scratched her cheek.
"I mean… I'm bored. So please… just this once?"
Gina: "Sooo… is that a yes?"
"No— I mean… I really can't. My dad is super strict about this stuff. I have to be home before midnight at least."
"What? Are you Cinderella?"
She burst out laughing.
I looked at her, embarrassed but smiling a little to hide it.
Great, Emma… now you're trying to impress her? Why are you like this?
"Fine. Just this once," I said.
Gina's face lit up like she won the lottery.
"YES! Okay, we're going together then!"
"But… costume party?" I repeated.
"Yeah, is that a problem?"
"No, it's just… I don't have a costume."
God, that was embarrassing to admit.
She waved her hand.
"No worries. Your friend has one."
"…My friend?" I blinked. "Thanks, but I can buy it myself—"
Gina smacked my arm lightly.
"Are you serious right now? Yes, your friend. And I'm helping you. What do friends do if they don't help each other?"
I sighed.
"Okay… fine. But I'm giving it back."
Gina laughed.
"You're unbelievable. But whatever—as long as you're coming with me!"
"What time does the par—"
I didn't finish my sentence.
Gina grabbed my hand, pulling me along, smiling like an excited little kid.
And for the first time in a long time…
I wondered—did I actually make a friend?
I got back home to rest for a bit, my mind still racing from everything that happened.
What the hell did you just do, Emma?
How did you even dare to say yes to going with her?
And now what—how am I supposed to sneak out of this house without anyone noticing?
Great.
Brilliant.
I've officially lost my mind.
I can't believe myself…
My phone buzzed.
I looked at the screen.
"Are you ready? Come over so I can give you the costume."
I let out the longest, most miserable sigh.
Then glanced at the time.
9:30 PM.
Seriously, Emma?
Are you really about to do something this reckless?
…Are you actually doing this?
To be continued…