Hi all,

Thank you for all the reviews! I know the chapters all seem random, but I wrote them so that each event happens within a couple of days of each other if that makes sense. I'm jumping around a lot with ideas and events, so bear with me until I get my plot sorted out!

For now, each chapter is not really central to the plot...yet. Also, please let me know. Is the drama level in this story too much or too little? I'd love some feedback.

Keep reviewing and thanks for reading!

Emma

Cassidy runs to me as soon as I step in the door of Alcott High.

"Emma!" She almost barrels into me, but stops just in time. My English binder still falls out of my hand, though, and Cassidy bends over to pick it up.

"Thanks. What do you want?" I'm not sure what Cassidy could be so excited about.

"I want to rejoin the newspaper as the sports photographer."

"Really?" I am surprised. "I thought you were busy with your hockey stuff."

"Yeah, but I really like photography, so I'm rejoining."

Suddenly, I remember something else. I'm about to tell Cassidy, but the bell rings and she rushes away, her hair streaming out behind her.

There's only one complication if Cassidy rejoins the newspaper.

I'm not sure if she'll want to come back when I tell her.

I rush off to my next class in a hurry. I sit down just as the bell rings.

"Hey Emma." I see Zach Norton approach me. He sits down next to me and takes out his books.

I don't have a crush on Zach Norton anymore, but I'm almost certain Ashley does because she's glaring at me from her seat across the room.

Zach and I are friends now, and I'm glad, especially after all those years of me awkwardly crushing on him.

My history class is long and boring, and I'm certain that half the class fell asleep during the lecture.

The entire time Mr. Fonda is lecturing, I am thinking about a poem that I've wanted to write for awhile.

It's about a small waterfall that my mother and I saw last time we went hiking. The bubbling water was crystal clear and the sheer beauty of it all shocked me. I didn't know how Concord could be so stunning.

Mr. Fonda's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Miss Hawthorne, will you please answer the question?"

I panic and look around, desperately trying to recall what he asked.

My life is saved by Becca. She holds up her notebook, and I see a question scrawled on it in purple ink.

I sigh in relief and mouth a thank you to her before answering the question.

Mr. Fonda looks annoyed and turns back to the board. I can almost hear the class sigh in disappointment as he continues his lecture.

When the bell rings for fourth period, Becca and I walk to our next class together.

"Thanks for saving my life today." I smile at Becca. She's a lot different than she used to be.

"Yeah, no problem," She says lightly, "You would do the same for me."

We head into science and go to our lab station.

The rest of my day drags on, and I am impatiently waiting for the final bell to ring.

Today is Pip's birthday and we're having a party to celebrate.

Megan is bring Coco, Becca is bring Yoyo, Cassidy is bringing Murphy, and Jess is bringing her two shelties, Sugar and Spice.

We spent all day yesterday baking dog treats for the dogs and cat to eat.

An hour later, all the guests show up for the party.

We invited all our families and the Berkeleys.

I bet Megan and Cassidy are excited about that.

I walk over to where Jess, Darcy, Megan, and Simon are standing.

"Hey guys. Have you seen Cassidy? I need to tell her something."

They shake their heads. Simon smirks and says, "I bet she's with Tristan."

They all start laughing, and I head off to find Cassidy.

I find her and Tristan sitting in on the bench outside. I don't want to interrupt them, so I head back in and wait for Cassidy.

Tristan and Cassidy come back in an hour later, laughing.

I don't want to spoil the mood, but I have to tell Cassidy about the photography position in the newspaper. I stop her as she's going to get punch.

"Cassidy, I need to tell you something. It's about the newspaper."

"Sure." Cassidy looks at me expectantly.

"So, about the photography position that you wanted? There's another person who is currently in the position."

"Who is it?"

"Zach Norton."

Cassidy's face turns red. I can tell she's a little shocked. From what she told us, her break up with Zach did not go well, and they're still acting weird around each other.

"Oh," she says evenly, "That's cool."

I don't want her to be any more uncomfortable, so I am quick to let her get out of it if she wants.

"If you want to decline the position, it's totally okay."

"That's fine, Emma. Zach and I need to sort some things out."

Cassidy and I walk back to the party. We're both quiet, and I know she's thinking about what I just said.

The candles are being blown out when we get to the kitchen, and everyone is cheering for Pip.

We quickly get swept up in the excitement, and I'm pretty sure Cassidy almost forgets about Zach. Almost.

When it is finally time for Cassidy to leave, she hugs me and whispers a thank you in my ear.

I nod and smile because I know how awkward it is to face your ex. I did once before with Stewart, but I'm sure Cassidy will be able to sort things out.

As Cassidy leaves, I begin to write a poem, struck by the sudden irony of this situation.

Of all of us, Cassidy has the most boyfriend problems. Who knew, all those years ago, that tomboy Cassidy Sloane would have two guys crushing on her.

I laugh at the entire thing although it's not that funny.

As I'm about to go to bed, my phone buzzes. Someone's texted me. I roll over and look at my phone.

It's Cassidy.

Plot twist! Cassidy and Zach awkwardness!

Review!

Britt