Chapter Three

Acceptance

September 7th 2005

She didn't know where she got the courage. In her old school, she never put herself on the line, even for something as little and simple as this. The next day at school however, she noticed Haley sitting in the library. Slowly and timidly she approached the table and asked to join.

"Hey Emma, of course, sit down" Haley cheerily answered.

"You remembered my name!" This surprised Emma and another smile crept its way onto her face. People she had been to school with for years didn't even know her name, so it was hard to believe that someone would remember her after one encounter.

"As much as I would like to impress you with my marvellous memory, I can't lie. We don't get many new kids around here, so it's hard to forget one when they come." Haley admitted "It's understandable though, I mean no offence, but why would anyone want to move here, its boring!"

After snickering at Haley's comment - another first for her - Emma replied "I'm sure it's not that bad, I mean you are on the water here, that's got to be nice"

"True" Haley answered after thinking about the statement, "Being on the water is great, but you can only do that so much!"

Emma again laughed at Haley's wit; she seemed to fell entirely comfortable in her presence. "Maybe your right" she replied.

"So where are you from?" Haley questioned, "Which great city did you leave for Tree Hill?"

"I doubt you'd call it a great city, in fact I wouldn't consider it a city at all. More of a town." Emma responded. It was usually hard for her to think of her old life, because memories of her mother would flood back, but for some reason, the reminiscing wasn't upsetting her. Although she really didn't know Haley that well, she felt comfortable enough around her to share. She continued on describing where she was from, and the rest of her life story, as Haley intently listened. She didn't remember the last time she had had a conversation as personal as this one, but she enjoyed having someone listening to her without feeling judged.

When she got to the part of her life story with her mothers passing, Haley stopped her.

"Hey, I didn't mean to pry, you don't have to continue if you don't want to tell me, I won't be offended" Haley sympathetically said.

"No, I don't mind. Actually I think I need to talk about it, I haven't done much talking since everything." Emma replied as she went on.

Before long, the bell had rung and their spare was over. They had by then moved on to lighter subjects, and the bell was only interrupting their laughing.

"Looks like its time to go, what class do you have next?" Haley asked as she packed up her books and slipped them in her bag.

"Umm...." said Emma as she pulled out her timetable and skimmed to the part she was looking for. "Seems like I got lunch now"

"Really, that's great, same as me! Come on" Haley replied as she led Emma out of the library and through the halls. The halls were swarmed with people, many of which all had the same destination in mind. They follow the herd as they parade towards the cafeteria for their long awaited lunch, like Pavlov's dog salivating at the sound of the bell After a brief stop at their lockers, they reached the cafeteria.

As they entered the cafeteria, she was overwhelmed. It was so much more chaotic than what she was used to. Her head darted back and forth trying to take everything in. Her observations were interrupted when Haley once again dragged her through the herds of people.

"Hey everyone, this is Emma, she's new here" Haley said to the group of people already seated at the table as her and Emma took a seat next to them "Emma this is everyone"

"Hi" Emma said as she looked around the group.

"Nice to meet you Emma, I'm Brooke" the dark-haired girl in a cheerleaders outfit said as she offered her hand "I'm a friend of Tutorgirl's"

"Tutorgirl?" Emma questioned as she shook Brooke hand.

"I guess she didn't mention her nickname to you, that's what we all call her"

Emma watched as Haley rolled her eyes at this "not everyone. Its more of a 'Brooke' thing, you can just call me Haley"

The introduction went around the table and she met Lucas, Peyton, Nathan, and Tim. She recognized Nathan from the day before, but she never mentioned it.

"Hey, where's Jake" questioned Haley as she looked around the caf.

"Jake? Who's Jake?" Emma asked, still confused by meeting so many new people.

"Jake... is Peyton's Boyfriend" Haley began as she helpfully pointed on the curly-haired blonde for me understanding that I had most likely forgotten "who," she continued "is apparently not here"

"Jake's got a custody hearing today," Peyton said silently as she stirred her fork through the mush on her plate. "Apparently Nikki's got a good chance of partial custody"

"Oh Pey, I'm sorry. This must be hard on you" Haley sympathetically said before turning to Emma and whispering "I'll explain later" in her ear.

"Well isn't that impressive" Haley said, sarcasm dripping from her every word in an attempt to change the subject. She picked up a clump of her lunch, which stuck to the fork like a child's tongue to a cold winter pole. "An entire summer off, and our amazing caf ladies couldn't learn to make decent pasta"

"Just so you know, As hard as it is to believe, it looks better than it tastes" the dirty blonde haired boy warned as he stirred through his own meal.

"Well I don't feel like getting a stomach ache" Haley responded as she pushed her plate away from her.

The rest of lunch was filled with minor gossip exchange and small talk getting Emma acquainted with everyone. Most were very talkative, exchanging information between themselves and her, in attempt to make her feel welcome. As welcome and included as everyone tried to make her feel, she still felt herself watching Haley. She seemed so happy and carefree, and Emma longed to be able to feel that way. To not feel insecure, and to not feel like she had to watch the way she acted in order to be accepted. She studied the way Haley talked, the way she acted, and the very way she carried herself. She felt a twinge of jealousy as she watched Nathan brush a piece of Haley's silky brown hair from her face and kiss her on the cheek. She yearned for someone like that.

Before she knew it, lunch was over. She got up and followed the flock of people shuffling through the doors and on with the rest of the day.

AN: Please R&R. More will happen in the next chapter.