Fletcher, Olive and Chyna glanced up as a girl entered the classroom.
Her brown hair flowed down her neck, stopping a little past her shoulders, and her eyes were a bright green. "Everyone, this is Emilie. She's a new student here at Ant Farm." The teacher introduced.
"Emilie, go sit next to…" the teacher's eyes scanned the room, and then he pointed at the seat beside Fletcher. "Sit beside Fletcher, for now." He said.
Emilie obediently walked over and sat down next to him. Instantly, Fletcher smiled at her.
"Hi, Emilie, welcome to Ant Farm! I'm Fletcher, obviously. This is Olive, and this is Chyna." He said, introducing Emilie to his best friends, who were sitting behind them. Emilie smiled.
"Hi, nice to meet you all." She said, nodding.
Later, they were heading to the cafeteria, when the bell suddenly rang. "RUN!" shouted Chyna, Fletcher and Olive.
Emilie looked confused, but Fletcher grabbed her by her hand and yanked her over to safety just as big kids began walking out.
"Big kids…you have to be careful of them." Fletcher warned, releasing Emilie's hand and smiling at her. "You got lunch in your locker?"
"Yeah, I think so." Emilie said, and she smiled. "I'll be back when I've looked." And with a wave, she set off.
Chyna's eyes were narrowed disapprovingly. She turned to Olive and Fletcher, both of whom were smiling and chatting about her. "How can you want to be friends with…with that?" Chyna said, distaste obvious in her face.
Fletcher and Olive frowned at each other, before looking back at Chyna. "What do you mean?" "Yeah, she's nice." They both spoke, one after the other.
"She obviously has, like, no talent. I mean, seriously. What is she doing here?" Chyna's tone made it obvious; she was jealous.
"Come on, Chyna, at least give her a chance!" Olive pleaded.
"You might really like her!" Fletcher added.
Chyna frowned. "Fine, then. I'll give her one chance." She said. "One." She repeated, just as Emilie rounded the corner, holding a bag.
"Hey, you guys, want some cupcakes?" Emilie asked as she approached them.
"Yes please!" Fletcher and Olive reached into the bag, pulling out a cupcake each.
Emilie offered the bag to Chyna, who seemed a little jealous again but she weakened when Emilie held out a chocolate cupcake. "Okay, thanks Emilie." She said, smiling as she bit into it.
Emilie bit into one, too, throwing away the empty bag before turning to the other three, smiling widely at their faces of delight and slight shock added.
"Who made these? They are amazing." Chyna said in awe.
"My mom made them. She's great at cooking." Emilie explained.
"Can you maybe bring us something tomorrow?" Olive asked, causing Chyna to whack her arm.
"Maybe." Emilie said, smiling mysteriously.
The next day, some home-made fudge was given out to the same three; Fletcher, Olive, Chyna, and of course, they were from Emilie.
"Thanks so much Emilie!"
"Yeah, you're the best."
"Thank your mom, too!"
Chyna had been weakening and debating on taking Emilie under her wing until later. She came across Fletcher and Emilie walking to class.
"Thanks for the stuff, Emilie. I mean, I never expected to find someone with an artist for a dad." he said, grinning.
Emilie smiled at him. "No worries. I mean, your art is fantastic. You deserve the stuff."
"Well, your singing and dancing are both fantastic, too." He told her.
Emilie threw her arms round him, pulling him into a hug. To Chyna's jealousy and dismay, she saw Fletcher accept the hug and even return it!
"You're welcome." They both said, laughing.
They pulled out of the hug, and to Chyna's fury, Fletcher grabbed Emilie's hand. "Come on, we'll be late." He said, and they both ran off to class.
That little freak stole my…well, my not-so-secret admirer! Maybe I don't like him, but she'll pay for making him not like ME! Chyna thought, and with that, followed them to class.