There is nothing I love more than waking up to the smell of bacon.
6:34
It was a little early for me but I couldn't resist. I walked downstairs to see my mom cooking up a storm. Even with dad gone she still cooks like there's three of us.
"Good morning beautiful."
"Morning Ma, why are you up so early?"
"I wanted to make sure you had something to eat before I left."
"Thanks, cause I need all the energy I can get if I want to keep up with those kids."
"Oh yes reading buddies, what time is it over?"
"Around three thirty. We leave school and hour early."
"Hm, well I don't get back home until 9. You should go out and explore the town!"
"Wow, a seventeen year old wandering the streets looking like a lost puppy! I'll pass."
"Don't be silly, you can go with that girl- oh what's her name? Oh yes Spencer!"
"I can't have my life revolve around one person mom."
"Suit yourself honey."
XXXX
"Okay class, today we'll be merging classes!"
"With who?" Noel shouted out.
"Mrs. Eugene's class."
There was a mixture of groans and cheers. I looked at Spencer who was focused on the assignment. She looked up and smiled at me, I smiled back.
Shortly after a group of students came in, everyone running to the first friend they saw and exchanging, 'omfg I didn't know you were in this class!'. I watched as they poured in, two girls sat beside Spencer and they all giggled.
There's something else that sucks more than moving. It's being the new kid without any friends.
"Hey swimmer Emily." A girl said as she slid beside me.
It was Maya, and my was she beautiful. She smelled like strawberry and banana, the perfect combination.
"Hey creepy Maya."
"You know, you didn't call me. What's the point of me giving you my number if you weren't going to call!"
"Shit, sorry. I wanted to wait a couple of days, you know. Didn't want to seem desperate."
Mr. Banks gave us our instructions. We could work in partners or small groups. Our task was to compare classic literature to today's social media.
"I guess we're partners, unless you already have one?"
"No I don't actually that'd be great."
We worked for the entire period. Maya life was extremely interesting. She played in the school's jazz band, worked at Lucky Leon's cupcakes, and had a love for plants.
"So, I don't know if you're busy after school but do you want to hang out?" Maya asked.
Do I have any plans? Just reading buddies with Spencer, and maybe get some Ice cream.
"I would love to hang out, I'll meet you outside."
She smiled, and nodded. The bell rang signaling for everyone to head to their next class.
The day as repetitive, classwork, homework, lectures, screaming freshmen. It was blessing to leave early. I met Spencer at the library.
"Hey Emily! Are you ready to get going?"
"I guess so."
"Okay we'll leave in a minute I'm just waiting on Aria and Hanna."
"Who?"
"Oh, they're my best friends. I finally convinced them to join!"
Great. Now I'll have to deal with the three of them talking about things I know nothing about. Ten minutes later a blonde and brunette made their way towards the library.
"You guys are ten minutes late!"
"Sorry." The shorter girl replied. "Hanna took forever to finish her note."
"Who's she?" The blonde girl spoke.
"This is Emily, she's volunteering too."
"Hi." I said quietly.
"You're new here aren't you? I haven't seen you around." The blonde said again.
"Yeah I transferred here the first day. I used to live in Toronto."
"Holy shit that's like a bazillion miles away."
"Hyperbole." Spencer said.
"What?" The blonde replied.
"An extreme exaggeration." I chimed in.
Spencer smiled at me, but the girl still looked confused.
"We should get going." The short girl said. "I'm Aria by the way, and that's Hanna."
"Nice to meet you." I said with a smile.
We all sat in Spencer's car. Aria up front and Hanna in the back with me.
"So what's it like up there in Canada? Is it always cold. Do you guys have igloos and maple trees?"
I laughed. "No Hanna it's nothing like that. But it is a beautiful place."
"Why'd you move?" Aria said from the front seat.
"My mom won the lottery. It was dumb luck actually. She found the ticket in our car, but she didn't remember buying any."
"Damn, I wish I was that lucky. I could use a couple million dollars."
"Yeah, so I guess she needed a new lifestyle for our new found cash, and here I am."
"Well, you'll enjoy it here! We have the cutest boys."
Spencer and I both gave a little laugh. Gaining confusing looks from the other two girls.
"Emily, isn't really into guys Han."
I blushed. Back home everyone was very accepting. I don't know how things really worked here in Rosewood.
"Oh. OH!" Hanna beamed.
"That's even better." Aria added.
"Well then you'll definitely enjoy it here. In addition to having the cutest boys, we also have the cutest lesbians."
I laughed, Hanna sure did seem like a goofball. We spent an hour at the school. I was so grateful for the breakfast mom made this morning. I would never be able to keep up with all those kids running up and down. Getting them to sit down was harder than getting Noel Kahn to shut up.
We pulled up back to school just as the bell rang. I made to my locker my way to my locker and spotted Maya strutting in the hall. I waved to her and she made her way over.
"Are you ready to see the beautiful mysterious Rosewood?" She said greeting me.
"Ready when you are."
Maya held my hand and guided me through the halls, her hands were so soft. We got to her car which smelled exactly like her. I watched all the faces blur as we drove off.
"So where are we going?" I asked.
"Well, you like swimming right"
"Correct."
"So the first place I'm taking you is swimming."
We drove for 30 minutes until all the buildings and parks were replaced with trees and dirt roads. Maya put the car in park and jumped out. I guess that was my signal to follow her. She pulled out two towels from her trunk and walked down the hill. I followed her to this beautiful lake. The sun made it shine like a pile of diamonds.
"How'd you find this place." I said amazed.
"My brother and I loved to adventure so one day we stumbled upon this beauty."
Maya smiled at me, then started running toward the lake. Taking off layers of clothes as she did. I could feel myself tensing up because before I knew it she was naked and splashing in the water.
"Well don't just stand there! Jump in and join me." She yelled
"You want me to strip?!" I yelled back.
"Come on swimmer Emily. Don't be shy!"
I decided it was best to leave my bra and underwear on. I jumped in the lukewarm water, splashing Maya with my cannonball.
"Hey you did that on purpose!" Maya said splashing me back.
"Maybe I did." Sending more water her way.
This water war carried on for a good twenty minutes until we were both too tired. Maya swam closer to me and I could feel her legs intertwining with mine. I don't know what was worst. The fact that she was making it harder for me to swim, or the fact that her naked body was around mine.
"Carry me Emmy, I'm too tired to swim." She whined
"I can barely swim myself!"
She groaned and we swam back to shore. The water dripping off Maya was making me think of bad things.
"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable." Maya started. "I'm just really confident about all this."
She gestured to her body.
"I can see why." I said without thinking.
I ducked my head down and put my shirt and pants over my wet body. We used the towels to sit on so we didn't get the seats wet. Maya drove back towards the old town. This time, the trees and dirt roads were replaced with the familiar olden styled houses and parks. Kids were playing the streets. Many on their bikes racing down the road. Maya pulled up into her driveway.
"Hey!" I said.
"What?" Maya asked.
"I live just up on the other street!"
I could tell by the large oak tree across from her house that I was ten minutes away from home. This was my route from school.
"Maybe if you called me we would've scheduled a sleepover!"
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"Are you going to come in?"
"Actually I should get going. I'm swamped with homework."
"Oh, well then maybe this weekend?"
"Cool, can't wait."
And with that she leaned in and kissed my cheek.
"Walk safe!"
"Bye." I said a little too quickly.
I walked home with an hour to spare before mom came back. I took my shower and checked for any new texts.
Unknown: Hey Em! Spencer gave me your number!
Me: Uh okay great!
Unknown: It's Hanna btw
Me: Oh hey Hanna
Hanna: This is my number so text me whenever okay?
Em: Gotchu
Mom came in a few minutes later with some take out.
"So how was hanging out with Spencer?"
"Oh I didn't hang out with Spencer. I was hanging out with Maya."
"Maya? She sounds cute!"
"Ew mom, you only know her name."
"Yes, and I think it's cute. I hope you had fun." She said with a wink.
"Maya is just a friend mom!"
"Sure. Is Spencer just a friend too?" She asked.
"Yes mom! Please don't try to hook me up with every girl."
"Hey, I'm just trying to make sure you're happy."
"I was happy back in Toronto."
"Well now you're in Rosewood and I want you to be happy here."
"If it makes you happy then fine mom."
"Well I'm tired." She said kissing me on the forehead.
"Goodnight Mom."
"Night Emmy."