AUTHOR'S NOTES: So, starting this story, I'd like to welcome my newest beta SowenElf. She'll be going through my older stories as well. Basically those were written before I had a beta. So, if I ever post any beta'd updates on those stories here on this site, you will know.
This story takes place in March 2025.
CHAPTER 1:
One evening, at Aubrey and Chad's house, Aubrey was getting the place ready for some of the Bellas to arrive when Chad came downstairs.
"Uh, I thought our planned get together with the Bellas was cancelled," Chad said.
"It was supposed to be, but Emily insisted we still have it with the Bellas who are still in town," Aubrey explained.
"Why?" Chad asked.
"She said she invited some guests and she wants them to meet the Bellas," Aubrey explained.
"Did she say anything about them?" Chad asked.
"Nope. So, I guess we're in for a surprise later today," Aubrey said before the doorbell rang.
Chad went to answer the door and some of the Bellas entered the house. Emily was last to enter bringing Garrett and Shannon with her.
"Hey, Emily. Are you going to introduce us to your friends?" Aubrey asked.
"Oh, yes. Everyone, this is my best friend from high school, Garrett, and his wife, Shannon," Emily said, introducing them.
"Nice to meet you all," Shannon said.
"Please...come sit down," Aubrey said as Emily, Garrett, and Shannon joined the other Bellas at the table.
"You two have known each other since high school?" Chad asked.
"Yep," Emily said.
"You know, I want to know the whole story. I mean, I know Garrett's only told me bits and pieces, but I am curious," Shannon said.
"Get comfortable, Shannon; because there's a whole lot of the story to share," Emily said.
"When did it start?" Shannon asked.
"It all started during our senior year," Garrett said, prompting a flashback.
September 12th, 2013
"Prior to senior year, I was best friends with two other girls. We all met on the high school swim team. But they were seniors when I was a junior. So early on in my senior year, I didn't have anyone to sit with at lunch. That was until I saw Garrett sitting all alone in the cafeteria. I felt sorry for him, so I went to go sit with him," Emily said.
"Hi." Emily said, approaching Garrett.
"Hi," Garrett said back to her.
"May I sit here?" Emily asked, gesturing to the chair across from him while a bright smile lit up her face.
"Sure," Garrett said, motioning for Emily to sit down.
"So, why are you sitting by your lonesome?" Emily asked.
"I have no friends," Garrett said as his eyes dropped to his lunch.
"Like, none at all?" Emily asked.
"Well, I did have a best friend last year, but he moved away," Garrett explained.
"Aww, I'm sorry. No one should ever feel alone," Emily said, frowning sympathetically.
"I know. I guess I can get rather shy when it comes to meeting people," Garrett explained.
"Well, you don't have to be shy in front of me. I'd be happy to be your friend," Emily offered.
"You'd really do that?" Garrett asked.
"Of course. I'm Emily, by the way," she said, prompting a handshake.
"Garrett," he said, accepting the handshake.
Present Day
"I'll never forget that day in the cafeteria. I remember how kind enough you were to come sit with me at lunch since not many people would," Garrett said.
"You were always a good friend to me in high school. The other kids would've been lucky to know you," Emily said.
"Thank you," Garrett said, smiling.
"I remember you said you had a boyfriend at the time. How was he okay with you hanging out with Garrett?" Chloe asked Emily.
"I'll get to that in a little bit. Anyway, we hung out for the first time after school later that evening and we had such a great time," Emily said, prompting another flashback.
September 12th, 2013
"We went to this ice cream stand a few miles away from home because one of Garrett's favorite things to do is get soft serve ice cream. He was grateful that his favorite place hadn't closed for the season yet. He ordered vanilla and I ordered a vanilla/chocolate twist. After we ordered, we sat down at a table to enjoy our ice cream and we really started to get to know each other a bit," Emily continued.
"How's your ice cream?" Garrett asked.
"This is one of the best vanilla/chocolate twists in a waffle cone I've ever had," Emily said, with satisfaction.
"Glad you like it. So, tell me something about you," Garrett said, curious.
"What do you want to know?" Emily asked.
"Well, what is something you enjoy doing?" Garrett asked.
"Well, I enjoy songwriting," Emily said.
"Really?" Garrett asked.
"Yeah. One of these days, I want to be a famous singer/songwriter," Emily boasted.
"Well, maybe one of these days, you ought to show me one of your songs," Garrett suggested, interested.
"Okay. I don't exactly have my songbook with me, but I'll bring it next time we hang out," Emily said.
"I look forward to it," Garrett said.
"So, what about you? I noticed when we met in the cafeteria today, you seemed rather shy and alone. Any particular reason?" Emily asked, curious.
"Well, it has to do with something hardly anyone knows. It's something that's been bottled up inside of me for 13 years," Garrett said.
"13 years?!" Emily asked, shocked.
"Yeah. If I tell you, do you promise not to make it public on the internet?" Garrett asked.
"I promise," Emily said, assuring him.
"Okay...when I was three, I was diagnosed with autism," Garrett confessed, prompting another shocked look on Emily's face.
"What? For real?" Emily asked, concerned.
"Yes," Garrett confirmed.
"Wow," Emily said, softly as a smile tilted her lips. "Thanks for sharing that with me. I know it wasn't easy, but I appreciate the trust."
Emily could see just how hard it was for Garrett to confess his autism to her, so she stood up holding out her arms offering a hug to which Garrett accepted.
"Thank you for being so understanding," Garrett said, relieved.
"Of course. Just one thing, though…" Emily said.
"Yes?" Garrett asked.
"Would it be okay if I told my boyfriend about your autism? I want him to be okay with us hanging out twice a week after school," Emily asked.
"Sure. You can tell him and your parents," Garrett said.
"Great. Come on, let's finish our ice cream before it melts," Emily said as the two new friends resumed eating.
Present Day
"So, when Emily dropped me off at my house after we had our ice cream that night, I introduced her to my parents," Garrett said.
"I remember that first conversation I had with them. They were so grateful that he found a friend," Emily said.
"They noticed how much more happy I've been since she came along to the point where I felt a bit more comfortable and relaxed about going to school every day. Often times if I wanted to talk with someone or sit with them at lunch, I'd have to make the first move. It was nice to have it the other way around for once," Garrett explained.
At that point, Finn came downstairs.
"Daddy, do we have any snacks in the kitchen?" He asked.
"Sure, buddy. Are you hungry?" Chad asked to which Finn nodded.
"Come on; let's see if we have anything in the kitchen you like. Be right back, guys." Chad said as he and his son headed for the kitchen.