Chapter 1
It was a normal, sunny day in my new town, and it was my first day at school. I had just moved since the last place I lived wasn't...the best place for me. It was a bad time, and I'm still afraid to go to now.
“Are you sure you don't want me to drive you? I can if you want me too.” Mother suggested with her hands on her hips, and tired eyes piercing my own.
“No, it's okay. It's only a few blocks away.” I reassured her, “but it would be okay for me if you let me stay home just one more day.” My face fell into a sorrowful frown, so has mother's.
“Now Emily, you know what I had said. Why don't you just go today and see how it is, okay?” Her voice calm, but her eyes irritated. I gave her a sad little nod and started for the door. “Have a good day! Love you!” She quickly shouted before I shut the door behind me.
As the day went on it turned horrible. Just as I expected. The teachers were mean, the kids were horrible, and the work was hard! Who knew high school could be so hard. I didn't even make any friends... I wish I could just disappear and never return. I hate life and I hate school!
When school was over I grabbed my bag and stormed out of the building. I was so upset that tears streaked down my cheeks more and more. It ended up with me not being able to see, and muffled whimpers of sadness came out. Then I ran into somebody.
Tears wouldn't stop coming down and my voice was now jagged. “I'm so sorry...I'm sorry.” My voice was barely audible and I just covered my face with my hands and cried.
“Oh no, are you okay? Where do you live? Do you need a cell phone?” Questions spat out of the strangers voice as I just harshly cried into my hands, rapidly shaking my head. “Here why don't you come with me? My Aunt owns a bakery so you can just hang out there.” I looked up at the stranger. He looked around my age or maybe a little older as he stretched his hand down to help me up. I honestly didn't even realize I was sitting down. I reached up and took his hand to allow him to help me up.
“Thank you,” I quietly choked breathing heavily.
“It's no problem. We'll get you a glass of water and you can call your parents to come pick you up.” He said closely guiding me to his house.
“Mom.”
“What?” He asked with the sudden comment.
“I just live with my mom.” I told him looking down.
“Okay, well you can just call your mom to come pick up then.” He replied. Soon we had arrived to his little bakery home, which smelled delicious, and lead me in. His aunt stood behind the counter smiling and about to greet him when she saw me. A sniffling, crying little girl.
“Can you go fetch her some water? I'm going to give her my phone.” His aunt rushed into the kitchen to get me some water and came to give it to me. Her voice was warm and comforting when she talked to me.
“Oh sweetie are you okay? Do you want me to call your parents for you?” I nodded and started to cry some more.
“Mom, it's her mom.” The boy who walked me here corrected.
“Oh okay, and what's your name dear?”
“Emily,” I replied followed by a sniffle.
“Okay, well I'm Cass, Hiro's aunt. You are allowed to come by anytime you'd like.” She smiled, making me feel more welcome. “Would you like to stay for dinner?” I quickly looked at the boy, Hiro I'm assuming, as he just shrugged.
“Sure, thank you so much.” I replied, his aunt has also given me a freshly baked cookie right out of the oven! Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad day after all. Soon after Hiro had led me into his room to cool down, alone. That's when I realized I'm here with a super smart kid.
“Who are you?” I asked looking all around his room. I was in such awe. I couldn't have fit in any less with him.
“Well my name is Hiro and I was just on my way home from school when I ran into you. More specifically, when you ran into me.” He replied jumping onto his bed.
“Ha ha, hey at least I apologized. I don't do that often you know. You're lucky, and how old are you? Are you some super genus kid or something?” I asked him.
“I'm fifteen, and I guess you could say that.” He answered watching me examine his room.
“So, you're in high school?” I asked in disbelief. Not that he looked older than that. It's just...he seemed more experienced than that. Much smarter than me. That's for sure.
“Collage.” He corrected with a slight smirk. My mouth dropped and my gaze landed on him. He was so young...and in collage...and this is the first time I really put my whole focus on him. Messy black hair, light skinned, brown eyes, wow he was not bad looking. I haven't even noticed I was blushing. “How old are you?” He asked.
“Fourteen and I just started high school.” Honestly, I felt dumb in his existence. Almost useless. Like, this kid could change the world! In fact, he probably already is!
“Hm, so in reality I'm like four years older than you.” The cool smirk didn't fall from his face, it actually had gotten bigger.
“No, in reality you are only a year older than me. Don't flatter yourself there.” But I honestly couldn't help but smile myself. I sniffled again and my eyes had gotten lighter.
“Well, hypothetically I meant.”
“I don't know, a lot of people say I'm much more mature than other people my age.” I replied putting my hands to my hips.
“Not smarter,” he spat back.
“Well, at least I'm not acting like an arrogant prick.” I shot a look of disapproval.
“I'm not acting arrogant!” He defended getting off his bed to indulge himself into the conversation some more.
“Yeah, right.” I wiped my eyes from recent tears that started to leak. A look of guilt came from Hiro. He opened his mouth to apologize but I interjected. “No, forget it. You are just like everybody else. So caught up with yourself you can't notice anybody else. I'll just tell your aunt I'm leaving. I'm sorry for disturbing your nerdiness.” I walked out of his room and before he had a chance to chase after me his aunt came up.
“Your mother said yes for staying for dinner and so proud you had finally made a friend!” The look in his aunts face was just cheer joy. I knew if I left now my mother would be so disappointed. I couldn't do that to her. Not again.
“Oh yeah, thanks. I was just coming down to ask for some more water.” I looked up the stairs to see Hiro staring back down. He looked at me with such sympathy it hurt.
“Of course you can! I'll be right up to give you some, okay?” I just nodded my head in response and went back up the stairs.
“Look, Emily I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that, I didn't know.” His gaze was only at the floor.
“No you're right. I'm not that smart, I'm barely passing school. You should be proud of yourself. You're accomplishing a lot more than me.” I sad laugh left my throat. His gaze locked on mine and I looked back at him.
“That's probably not true. You seem a lot better than you are giving yourself credit for.”
“You don't even know me, you wouldn't understand.” I shook my head and looked to the ground. He came closer and put his hand on my shoulder.
“I do understand.” His voice strict and assuring. I started crying again and hugged him. He hugged me back. And that was the start of a beautiful friendship. My only friendship.
