3:30 PM PST
Emmett was sitting in his usual spot at Larry's Cafe with Karen and Leanne. The three of them were eating stuffed shells with garlic bread.
'Hey, Emmett,' Karen said, 'I noticed that Howard Needles has pretty much left you alone within the past week. I think your plan worked.'
'Yeah, I'm quite amazed by how well it worked,' Emmett replied. 'You know, it's been nearly a week now since Mike Lewis returned to San Francisco. I'm starting to miss him already. I wish we had thought to exchange addresses with him.'
'Well, he'll maybe come back and visit us in the future,' Leanne said, gently. 'He did seem to be very fond of you, Emmett. He was very laid back and easygoing.'
'Yeah, and not to mention non-judgemental,' Emmett said, smiling. 'He accepted me just the way that I am. He's not like some of those other people who would pretend to be my friend, and then slowly try to mould me into being the kind of person he wants me to be. He accepted me for me.'
'Well, just think,' Karen remarked, 'this is going to be our last year of high school. Next year, we'll be going to college. I can't say that I'll really miss high school.'
'Yeah, well, academically high school is pretty easy,' Emmett replied, 'but it's terrible that the popular people in school snub us. Yeah, I know what you girls are always saying. They're probably more lonely than we are, and that maybe is true. Still, it hurts to always be picked on and laughed at. Know what I mean?'
'Right, I understand,' Karen said, gently. 'It does hurt to know that many people in our school are not too fond of us. Still, in the end, we wouldn't let the naysayers bring us down. People will respect us better if we stay true to ourselves.'
'Yeah, Emmett, just think,' added Leanne. 'Some fifty years down the road, we'll be the ones who are successful - and they'll be the ones who everyone is laughing at. So, really, the joke will be on them. They will, one day, receive their comeuppance.'
'Well, I certainly would like to believe that, girls,' Emmett said, sighing. 'Still, sometimes I'm not too sure of what to think. Still, I do have Nancy for a girlfriend - so maybe my luck is starting to change. Anyway, having you girls for friends always gives me hope. Then, at least, I don't feel all alone.'
'So are you going to the drive-in with Nancy, tonight?' asked Leanne.
'That's our plan,' Emmett said, smiling. Then, becoming serious, he added, 'She told me her father might be getting transferred to a city near Los Angeles. If that happens, she's going to have to move, too. I would really miss her, if she left.'
'Well, I'm sure you two can always write,' suggested Karen. 'I mean, distance really shouldn't come in the way of your relationship. True love should be able to overcome obstacles like that, after all. That's what I've always heard, anyway.'
'Karen is right,' added Leanne. 'You two can always write to each other, and you can talk on the phone occassionally. It's not like she's going to die, or anything.'
'Yeah, that is true,' Emmett said, nodding. 'Still, it's not going to be quite the same thing. It's not like we can hug over the phone, after all.'
'Well, yeah, I do understand what you mean,' Leanne said, gently. 'It is true that writing letters, or even talking on the phone, isn't quite the same thing as being as able to talk to each other in person. Still, it's some form of contact.'
'Well, I guess I'm not going to sweat over it right now,' Emmett said, sighing. 'I hope I can make some more friends, when I go to college this fall. At any rate, I'm going to see to it that I don't end up attending the same college as Howard Needles and his gang. Chances are, though, they don't even plan to go to college.'
'So you plan to take a course in physics?' asked Karen. 'I know you're real passionate about physics. Are you planning on getting a doctorate?'
'Yeah, I would like to get a doctorate in physics,' replied Emmett. 'You know, sometimes I can't help but feel that my father is disappointed that I don't plan to become a physician like him. Maybe I am being overly sensitive, though.'
'Yeah, Emmett, I think you are,' Karen said, gently. 'I mean, it's your life - and you should make your own choices about how you live it. Besides, your father has told you that he will support you in whatever your passions are.'
'You're right, Karen,' Emmett replied, sighing. 'Anyway, I'm sure my father would rather have me be a scientist - than be a cowboy, which was my dream before I read Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - which had a profound effect on my life. Of course, that was when I realized that I must devote my life into science.'
'Well, look at it this way, Emmett,' Leanne said, gently. 'You are a very intelligent person - and that is something any father should be proud of.'
'Sadly, my newfound interest in science has caused me to lose many friends,' added Emmett, 'but I've learned not to care about what my former friends thought of me. When you think about it, they obviously weren't true friends to begin with.'
'That's right,' Leanne said, nodding. 'Your true friends are people who accept you just the way you are. They don't abandon you because of your passions.'
'Well, I would like to thank the two of you for standing by me,' Emmett said, smiling. 'You two are the very definition of true friends. I really do hope to see Mike Lewis again. He was so wonderful to me. I feel bad, though, that he got beat up when trying to defend me. I sure will miss him.'
'Well, it's not your fault, Emmett,' Karen said, gently. 'It's not your fault that Howard Needles and his gang had it in for you so much. Mike was just doing the right thing in standing up for you. Have you noticed the way Howard looks at you, now? It's like he's scared of you, now. I think your revenge plan worked perfectly.'
'Yeah, I think it did,' Emmett replied, smiling. 'Well, anyway, those stuffed shells were really good. Are you guys ready for dessert, now? I could certainly go for a brownie right now. Those are so delicious.'
'That sounds fine with me, too,' replied Leanne. 'They're so nice and chewy.'
'You should try my mother's brownies,' said Karen. 'Those are really good.'
Emmett then smiled at his two close friends. He couldn't help but wonder about this mysterous Michael Lewis. He couldn't quite place his finger on what it was about him, but there was something really special and unique about him.