"Who are the Gilmores anyway?"
Sweetie replied, "I must say, Emily, I'm shocked that you don't know who they are. I mean, it's fine that you didn't know Richard; after all, your parents aren't exactly in the Gilmores' social circle. But I never thought that you didn't know who the Gilmores were! In fact, I thought that that was the reason you sought out Richard."
I was extremely shocked and not sure which area I should bring up first. I looked Sweetie square in the eye, "I did not go to the art gallery with Richard because I thought he was important."
Sweetie said, "You know that I adore you Emily, I really do. But every man that you've dated has been in an attempt to move up in society."
I replied, "Isn't that our purpose in life? To go to college, make a match, learn a bit in the process, and then enter society? Of course I'm going to want to be with a man who will be able to support me."
"I dated a man who didn't have a penny, and it was a very enjoyable experience."
I rolled my eyes, "Yes, but did you end up with that pauper? No, you ended up with Mitchell, who will probably be a very successful businessman someday. Besides, I've already told you, I had no idea who Richard was when I accepted his invitation to the art gallery. I just happen to love fine works of art. You haven't answered my question. Who is he? And why wouldn't my family be in their social circle? You and I both know exactly how high up the Johanssons are in society."
Sweetie told me, "Richard's family has practically owned the insurance business ever since people started wanting their property insured. The family is not as important as they were about twenty-five years ago, but Richard is definitely set for life. Don't look so shocked that your family isn't part of their social circle; it's not your fault. Lorelai Gilmore has got to be one of the most fastidious women I know. She probably didn't like one of your mother's outfits twenty years ago or something."
I could not believe that, for once, Sweetie actually knew more gossip than I did. I shook my head, "I'm not going to let some fashion faux pas of my mother's get into my way of coming on top of society. I'm just going to have to make sure I get to know Richard better."
Sweetie said, "Emily, you just basically wrote off this man because you didn't like the café he took you too. Now you want to go after him to make sure that you're invited to a couple more parties than usual. Tell me the truth. How do you feel about Richard Gilmore?"
If this were any other girl, then I would've brushed her off, saying that she was acting ridiculous. Sweetie, however, was different. She was my closest friend, and for some reason I had a feeling that she knew more about my feelings than I did. I replied slowly, "I really don't know. I love Samuel, I really do."
She sighed, "Emily, I don't think you love Samuel at all. I don't even think you're that attracted to him. When you say the name Richard, you blush without even knowing it, and you just look happier."
I rolled my eyes, "What on earth are you talking about? Saying a person's name does not make a person happier. And don't tell me who I love and who I don't. If I weren't attracted to Samuel, then why would I still be with him?"
I walked into my bedroom, and shut the door. I wasn't angry with Sweetie, in fact, I was angrier with myself. I had been ready to tell Sweetie how confused I was. To me, love was something that you gained over time, through trust, and I did trust Sam very much. It irked me that she could just dismiss what Samuel and I had built up over time for some new, arrogant man. I had been ready to talk it out with her. Now I just wanted to lie down and forget that I had ever met Richard Gilmore. I couldn't understand why I had such a crush on the man in the first place. He was definitely not my type.
Sweetie walked into my room a few minutes later. She hesitated, and then said, "Emily, I didn't want to get you mad at me. I just wanted you to see what's right in front of you, that's all. "
I shook my head, "I wasn't mad at you, I would just rather not talk about men anymore."
She nodded, "So are you still going to go to Lisette's party with me?"
"Of course I am, Sweetie, don't be ridiculous."
For the next few days, I managed to almost forget about Richard. I spent lots of time with Sam, and everything seemed back to normal. The only problem was that I kept seeing Pennilyn Lott everywhere. No matter where I turned, she was there, and it seemed like she was smirking at me, flaunting the fact that she was going to get married to a Gilmore, that she would be at the top of society.
I told myself that the only way I could be happy was if I knew my future. So I started spending more time with Samuel, and dropping hints about our life together.
Our relationship was going better than it had ever been before. That is, until I went to Yale with the girls for another party. I knew that Richard would be there, but I told myself that there was no way that I was still attracted to him.
The first hour of the party went pretty well. I ate a few cocktails, and practically led the conversation.
When the dancing started, I made sure to dance with everyone, not just Samuel, because I was in the mood for some fun.
While I was dancing with some rather handsome boy, Richard came up and asked if he could cut in. I rolled my eyes, but the boy let go of my hands, and I reluctantly placed them in Richard's.
He smiled at me, "You look lovely tonight, Emily."
Even though I didn't want to have to deal with Richard, I responded politely, "Why, thank you, Richard."
We made small talk for a while, and as we danced closer, I couldn't help but noticing how amazing he smelled. I was about to lean closer, and inhale, when I realized that this was Richard, the man who I had been trying to avoid.
He looked at me, "Emily, things didn't go so well between us at the art gallery. Would you give me a second chance?"