I didn't sleep; when I got home, I made coffee and worked on my homework. I had only been here a little over a month and I couldn't believe everything that happened. I wondered just how much more shit I could be put through before I freaked out. Last night's events were stressful and I didn't know how I'd face any of my friends… maybe I'd sit with Wendy and the girls at lunch today or maybe I'd just leave school and go to Benny's with Michael to help him avoid the lovebirds; I hoped Firkle would be over the flu soon because I didn't want to leave Michael alone, but I also didn't want to feel like I was his babysitter – I was a year younger than him, anyways.
I didn't just sip my coffee this morning; I devoured cup after cup; I needed energy – and it brought my mood up – if I were to deal with the day; I wondered if this was why Tweek drank what looked like gallons of coffee a day; I wondered what kind of pain he must be going through, but I didn't want to pry. I'd ask when I got the chance, I knew.
I wondered if dad would let me skip school; it was worth a shot. I never got sick and I hardly stayed home from school; I hadn't since we got to South Park, so a sick day would be a good idea; but then again, I might look like a wimp, but I doubted Kyle would tell anyone what happened with Kenny anyways, so I'd probably be in the clear. It was approaching six by the time I was done my homework and I got back in bed. I fell asleep not long after; approaching eight, I heard my door open and opened my eyes.
"Hey, kiddo, how was last night?" Dad asked. "It's already eight. You have to bring Van to school soon."
I feigned a cough, "I had to leave early because I got a headache and I don't feel great."
He sighed and thought for a minute, "I'll let you stay home today if you bring Van to school. And then afterschool, if you're feeling up for it, we'll take that trip to the coffee shop I've been talking about."
I sat up, faking weakness, "Okay."
"I've got to get to work,' He said. "Get some rest."
I nodded and he left. Immediately, I went to Van's room and woke him up.
"Van, you're running late, hun, get your clothes and I'll go make you toast," I said.
He groaned but nonetheless got up after a minute and I ran downstairs to make him a small portable breakfast and packed his lunchbox. Not three minutes later, he arrived downstairs, bag packed and all; I packed up his lunchbox and gave him his toast and we walked to school; we were running late, so even if I wanted to talk to Henrietta, she'd already left probably ten minutes before.
"Have fun at school," I said, hugging him.
"Are you not coming in?" He asked, looking confused.
"Not today, sweetie, but I'll see you this afternoon," I smiled.
"Oh, well tonight I'm staying over Ike's house," He grinned wide.
"Awesome," I said. "Well, get going; you can blame your lateness on me."
He nodded and trotted inside.
"Why are yuh-you st-still in your pa-pa... paj… night clothes?" Jimmy asked and I turned around to face him.
"I don't feel great, so I just dropped Van off to school, but I'm going back home," I told him. "I didn't sleep last night, honestly."
"Do yuh-you want to talk about it?" He asked.
"Don't you have to get to class?"
He looked around; everyone was already inside, including administration.
"Nuh-no," He grinned.
"What a rebel," I gave a sarcastic laugh. "Okay, let's go for a walk."
We walked down to Stark's Pond, since nobody was really over there in the mornings, besides a few fishermen who I knew wouldn't pay us any mind.
"Last night, Kenny tried to kiss me," I admitted; I knew I could trust Jimmy.
"Oh w-wow," He said. "Did yuh-you kuh-kiss him b-back?"
I shook my head, "No. It caught me off guard."
"Did you want ti-to?" He asked.
"No! I mean, I don't think so," I shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not really good with this kind of stuff. I wish I didn't have to deal with this kind of stuff yet; I'm only in fourth grade."
"Yuh-yeah," He said. "But, if everyone ex- expec… wants you tuh-to, muh-maybe, you should d-do it."
"You think?" I asked. "If I dated someone, I'd be left alone."
"Yuh-yeah," He grinned.
"I mean I guess I could try," I said. "Wendy offered to help me. I'll just call her tonight. Thanks Jimmy."
I hugged him.
"Yuh-you're welcome, Em," He said.
Later that day, I went back to the school to pick up Van from school with a bit more of a pep in my step. I felt like I was figuring out how elementary school worked finally, which was ironic because I'd be moving to intermediate school in the next two years; I suppose that's how it was supposed to work though; you learned how to get along with the crowd once it was too late to enjoy too much of it and then you restarted your journey of the food chain. I mean, I knew it wouldn't be much, but to get people like Wendy to get off my back about boys, it seemed to be the only way, even if I wasn't ready yet.
I didn't know who I'd pick though; I mean, someone cute and nice was all the criteria most of the girls seemed to need, so I guess that was my criteria, which only left a few options who were both. Of course, I'd have to consult with Wendy to make sure. The only thing that worried me was losing Michael and Firkle's friendship because I'd be becoming a conformist by dating someone, like what happened with Pete and Henrietta; I hoped they'd make up soon, though…
When I got home, I picked up the home phone and dialed Wendy's. She picked up and I told her to meet me at my house; it would be a few hours until dad got off work anyways; and I doubted he'd remember to take me to coffee.
She arrived a few minutes later, which gave me enough time to set Van up in his bedroom with his homework and make him a cut up apple with nut butter.
I made a kettle of oolong tea and brought it into the living room with tea cups for her arrival. When I heard a knock on the door, I let her in and we sat in the living room on the floor, across from each other at the coffee table.
"So, what's up, Emma?" She beamed.
"If I date someone, will that make me fit in?" I asked.
She shrugged and took a sip of her tea, "I don't know for sure. Maybe. Why?"
"Because I considered your offer…"
"You're going to let us help you find a boy!" She squealed. "Sorry. I just get excited, you know? All the other girls are stuck up and argue about whose going to finally talk to Clyde that it's just frustrating… You don't want to date Clyde, do you?"
"Why would I want to date Clyde? He acts so weird around me." I laughed. "You wouldn't believe what Craig said to me the other day in detention."
"What?" She asked.
"He said something about how it wasn't him and he wanted to apologize and talk," I giggled. "I wouldn't let him."
"So, Craig's off the list, too," She said. "Well, that leaves Kenny, Kyle, Eric – but please don't say Eric – um… Token, if he's not with Nichole right now; they're kind of on and off… Hey, wait, don't you like that emo kid?"
"Who, Michael?" I asked, a bit stunned. He was Goth, but I didn't feel like correcting her.
"Yeah, why not him? I mean, you might get made fun of by Eric, but the others wouldn't really care."
"I mean, I don't know if that would work," I stammered.
"Why not?"
"Because he thinks dating is for conformists. And, he's a year older!"
"Well, things work differently here than New York, Emma," She said.
That was what Henrietta said to me a few weeks ago. But, he also clearly called me his friend. I didn't think it would work – it couldn't. He was Goth and I was… not applicable; my style wasn't definite, but it was most definitely the opposite of Goth and opposites don't attract no matter what movies said.
"I mean, if not him, who would you go for?" She asked. "Don't you hang out with Jimmy and Tweek a lot? I mean, I don't know if Tweek is even interested in dating, but Jimmy definitely is – maybe a little eager, but sweet."
"I don't know," I shrugged. "I mean, Jimmy's like my best friend."
"Oooh, that's rough," She said. "So, he's out. Too bad; I think Stan said he likes you."
I chuckled with disbelief; Stan was probably lying to her. I couldn't imagine Jimmy liking me ever; he was too sweet and innocent, at least that's the perception I got from him. I thought about last night's events and as much as I didn't think it could work and didn't really, truly in my heart, want to date anyone, I did think of Kenny and Kyle. But I was still a bit afraid of Kenny after what he did and I didn't want to get caught up with his friend, or whatever, Mysterion, either. So, that left Kyle; I mean, his family was nice and Van loved hanging out with Ike. My dad also got along pretty well with his parents, since they were a bit more normal than Stan's. He'd probably be the only one I'd get approval to date from my dad, too.
"Um, what about Kyle?"
