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- 3 THREE 3 -
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It was like a whirlwind, the process of getting her enrolled in high school and purchasing all her supplies that she needed, thrown a little off balance by how giving the Quartermaines were. They were all so welcoming and accepting of her, giving her anything she could possibly need and more. Sure, it wasn't all easy, still quite a few things she needed to learn about those around her, having learnt the hard way not to talk to Tracy before she's had her morning coffee. Not unless you've got some kind of death wish that is. Thankfully, for her sake, AJ got her out of there before Tracy could really lose it.

"Aren't you going to unpack your things?" Emily questions from the doorway between their shared rooms. "Its been nearly a week."

"I know." Elizabeth replies simply, going over the supply list once more to make sure she had everything. "I will."

"Everything okay?" Emily probes as she walks over to sit in front of her on the bed. "You can talk to me, you know. I won't judge."

"Its nothing, really." Elizabeth assures. "I guess I'm just not used to being anywhere long enough to unpack."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that here." Emily assures her. "You're stuck with us until graduation day and beyond, if I have any say in it."

"And I couldn't possibly tell you have much that means to me." Elizabeth replies wholeheartedly. "I...I just need time. I'll get there, promise."

"Take all the time you need." Emily says with a soft smile. "Anyway, to the real reason why I barged in so nicely, AJ's dropping us to school. You better hurry if you want breakfast before we leave."

"Yes, ma'am." Elizabeth laughs softly. "I'll be down in five."

"Cool." Emily says before turning on her heels. "I'll fix you up a plate then."

"Mmm...sounds good." Elizabeth says as she starts putting her supplies into her backpack. "You know how I like it."

"One of everything, piled high." Emily replies easily. "If it has chocolate in it, double up."

"And that's why you're my best friend." Elizabeth laughs softly. "Thanks. I'll be down once I'm done."

Watching as Emily closed the door between their rooms, Elizabeth lets out a deep sigh once its shut, taking a glance at the backpack she had come to Port Charles with. She's been meaning to unpack that thing, but she just hasn't be able to bring herself to do it. Each time she tried, she ended up staring at the thing for hours before eventually zipping it back up, still stuffed to the brink with her things. Maybe it wasn't only about not settling down for too long, but also because she didn't want to bring her past into her present. Whichever one it is, she just hasn't been able to bring herself to unpack it just yet. Eventually. Maybe. Hopefully.

Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, she heads downstairs to the family room for breakfast, taking a moment to admire the others as they start in on the local news of the day. They are so beautifully imperfect. Seeing that Tracy has successfully been caffeinated, she bids her a good morning, to which she receives it back the same. A slight smile on her lips, she joins Emily at their usual table, impressed with the food she has piled up for her today. A clank of their glass, a cheers with their orange juice, the girls proceed to devour their breakfast, well fed for the day ahead.

"Well, looks like this is where we split up." Emily says as they stand at their lockers. "You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, sure." Elizabeth says with a shrug. "Its just high school. How bad can it be, right?"

"Like hell in a picnic basket." Emily laughs softly. "I'll see you for first break."

"By the fountain." Elizabeth shakes her head. "I remember."

"Okay." Emily smiles softly. "See you soon."

"See you soon."

Storing her things in her locker, Elizabeth locks it up before making her way to her homeroom class, eager to get her first day over with and settle into a routine already. The day went by relatively like any other first day has gone by for her, not too much out of the ordinary, until she made her way to the fountain to meet up with Emily for first break. It was there that she and her sister finally came face to face. The look on Sarah's face told her enough, she wasn't happy with her, not in the least. As if Elizabeth cared at this point.

"You must feel so good about yourself." Sarah states unimpressed. "Getting the poor Quartermaines to buy into your little victim act. Poor Elizabeth, her family hates her, drown her in your pity."

"Coming from the person that couldn't be bothered to stay with one person." Elizabeth counters plainly. "Attention seeker, much?"

"At least I'll never be seen as a charity case."

"No, of course not. Just an ungrateful, indecisive, self-centered drama queen." Elizabeth snaps back. "Better title by far, right?"

"You know what, Elizabeth..." Sarah's anger began to escalate when Emily came walking up to them, silencing anything she was about to say.

"Go ahead and finish, Sarah." Emily probes, an arched expression upon her face as she moves to stand by Elizabeth's side. "Don't stop on my account."

"Emily." Sarah sighs, turning to look at her former friend. "I wish you'd see that she's not good for you or your family."

"I think we're talking about the wrong Webber." Emily counters. "You used and abused our friendship till there was nothing left. If any Webber should stay away from my family, its you."

"Fine. Whatever." Sarah scoffs. "Just don't come running to me when she proves me right."

"Nothing she could ever do would prove you right." Emily counters with ease. "Seeing as she's been more of a friend to me this past week than you've ever been in the years I've known you."

"Is that so?" Sarah questions.

"Yeah." Emily states firmly. "So, for your own sake, Sarah, I suggest you steer clear of Elizabeth before I show you just how good a friend I can be."

"Everything okay here?" Lucky, Sarah's boyfriend, walks up to them with a concerned look on his face, clearly seeing the tension between the three. "Em?"

"Just peachy." Emily states simply before turning to Lucky. "If you'll excuse us, Liz and I have to be somewhere."

Linking arms with Elizabeth, Emily ushered her away from the couple, thoroughly over Sarah and her holier than thou attitude. Letting the situation settle without tearing it apart with conversation, the two friends share a smile before grabbing a drink at the vending machines and taking a seat in a secluded area of the break area. Talk of after school plans are discussed through the rest of the break before they head off in different directions at the sound of the bell. Lunch went along relatively the same, the two enjoying lunch at a table of their own in the corner of the cafeteria, enjoying talks of after school plans and other such things.

"Well, look who it is." Elizabeth comments as they enter the local diner after school and find Nikolas sitting down at a table alone. "Hey, Prince. Dare we trouble you with our company?"

"Funny." Nikolas rolls his eyes slightly before using his foot to push out the chair across from him. "Sit down, Motormouth."

"Ha. How long did that one take you?" Elizabeth counters as she plops down into the seat, pushing out one for Emily. "All day?"

"Probably all week." Emily counters, laughing at the look on Nikolas's face. "Really? That took you all week?"

"Would you just order something already?" Nikolas says as he closes the folder he had been looking at and sets it aside. "You know, its not fair that you two always gang up on me."

"True." Elizabeth accepts. "But that's half the fun."

"I've noticed." Nikolas shakes his head before waving over the waitress. "My friends would like to order some lunch."

Jokes are set aside as the two place their orders before settling into conversations of plans for the weekend, seeing if Nikolas had any suggestions or if he'd like to partake in the plans they had come up with. Seeing as Nikolas had things to handle on his island over the weekend, their plans for hanging out are transferred to his house. At the mention of horses, Elizabeth was more than eager to get to his island and see them for herself. A weekend of riding horses and possible sleepovers, granted Em's parents say yes, the small group of friends couldn't wait for the weekend to arrive.