It's been a good few months since I last worked on a chapter but I have a new goal in mind I'd like to reach before next summer which means busting out about 30 chapters. (As I'm publishing this, I passed that goal a while ago).

Intersession: Stark's Señoritas

Sens Nightclub, Mexico City - 1:09 AM

Her friends at The Academy weren't the only ones who finished the school year. Unlike them, Emily Stark finished her first year studying business in Italy and instead of going straight home with her bags, she made a quick pit stop in Mexico with her classmates. They were all coming home together and thought to have one final night out before being dragged to shadow their parents in the business or at events. Avoiding those were some reasons they went to school abroad.

Besides, Mexico was right next door and they've been to many European parties during the school year.

And everyone has contacts for the best clubs and advice everywhere. Everyone Emily's spoken to, her rich dorm mates, classmates, townspeople, and other tourists were right. Foreigners, especially rich ones like them, get into the most expensive clubs in the city easier and everything is maximum fun, especially after midnight.

Emily's been at a party that keeps everyone dancing and drinking on their toes. Champagne bottles constantly coming to their tables and it won't hurt them when they have to pay since it won't even dent their bank accounts. Everyone's dancing all over the place to the blasting electronic music and flickering lights, creating a juvenile vibe for the young adults her age.

She's glad that she wore a short black body-con dress with long sleeves or else she would've overheated an hour ago. She's had a few drinks but not enough to make her disoriented. She could still solve complex formulas and recite the periodic table backwards. Not only did she have to stay alert about the other people she came with and make sure they don't do anything stupid (god, she's turning into Angela). After a whole year away from everything and everyone she knows and forced to play the role of billionaire business heiress, academic genius, and socialite, Emily wanted to go home.

Emily stands to the side of the dance floor. She scrolls through her phone, lowering her brightness. Emily hesitates on making the call since Manhattan is an hour ahead but she figures a missed call is better than none. As she holds the phone against her ear, she hopes he'd be able to hear her against the music. Emily plugs her other ear and crouches to avoid being seen.

Her heart flutters when he picks up.

"Ay papi," she greets to tease. She bites her lips together when she hears him groan in annoyance.

Daniel: Dear god never say that again.

Emily pouts although he won't see her. "Why papi?"

Daniel: Are you drunk?

She giggles like a child. "Maybe."

Daniel: Where are you?

"Mexico City."

Daniel: Okay, Emily, tell me something scientific.

"Tequila freezes at lower temperatures than water."

Emily smiles when she hears Daniel laugh on the other side. She can't wait to hear it in person and watch his face light up when it happens.

Daniel: I love you.

"I love tequila too!"

-o-

Manhattan, New York - 13:30 PM

Emily's had worse hangovers. This one feels more like a caffeine-withdrawal migraine which prompts her to get a cappuccino on the way home. At least she doesn't have to worry about her bags since they got home before her. Her parents were peeved that she was off partying in Mexico but the excuse that her ride took a pit stop worked for everyone.

At least she got to walk through the airport in peace. No eyes were on her or peering through her sunglasses, except for her two girlfriends holding back their excitement through a homemade sign with "the matriarch" written in a glittery cursive. Angela definitely wrote that since there's no way in hell Merida would write that or anything in pink glitter. It warms her up how nothing much has changed.

Emily tears off her sunglasses as she runs up to Angela and Merida, hugging them as tight as she could. If she tried her hardest, Emily could maybe overpower their Academy-given muscles. Even before they were students, Angela and Merida were stronger than her. Emily can't think of the last time she hugged them but it was probably before she left a year ago.

"What happened to you?" Merida asks.

Emily knows she's referring to the series of drunk photos she's dropped into their group chats. She's lucky to have Jarvis on her phone because that prevented her from sending to not only the wrong people but anyone who wasn't her friend. She accidentally sent one in her family group chat and got angry texts in response. Her friends loved the photos, though.

"James was looking for this," Angela says about the patterned blazer Emily's wearing.

Before she left, she took the blazer from James's closet. They got in a heated debate about who would look better in it and couldn't settle it, so Janet let Emily wear it on the streets of Milan to prove her point.

"Oh well," Emily says as they start walking through the airport. "I look better in it anyways."

"What were you doing in Mexico?" Angela asks.

"We were in the mood for tacos during our pit-stop."

Merida scoffs. "Rich bitches."

"Wow." Emily laughs.

"But look at this photo, Emily." Angela taps on her phone and shows her one of the photos Emily sent them. "I have never been more concerned for you."

Emily lowers her sunglasses and sees a photo of her at an upper-class party in the fall. She's chatting with some of her dorm mates, smiling and laughing with a glass of wine. This picture should've been sent to her parents because it looks mature but even her parents would've caught onto the flaw.

"You're so drunk you're holding the glass with two hands," Angela says zooming in on Emily's hands cupping the bottom of the glass.

"You look soberer in this one," Merida says, pulling up a photo of Emily from a party where she was using a stiletto as a phone, "which isn't saying much."

Emily nods proudly at that moment. She only remembers trying to call Daniel and wondering why he wasn't picking up. Now it all makes sense.

"I wasn't that drunk, Emily argues.

"You called yourself ugly."

"Yeah, okay, that hangover wasn't pretty, but I still was."

Merida fakes a smile. "Of course you were."

Emily scoffs. "Please, I've seen your drunk photos. You'd be lying on unknown floors, screaming on countertops, or posing in the mirror with strangers."

"I will never see those girls again and it's amazing."

Angela narrows her eyes at them. She couldn't indulge in drunk photos because she couldn't get drunk and, honestly, she's envious. "So, Emily, your first year in your fancy Italian private school with your equally fancy classmates. What have you learned?"

Emily stares at her. "You're preparing me for when I see my parents again and I appreciate it."

"Based on your photos, did you even go to class?" Merida asks, scrolling through the endless party and travel shots in their conversation.

"Top of the class, baby," Emily boasts with a bright smile before refocusing on Angela. "I learned a party trick. Do you know how to get more drinks at parties? You get two glasses, pour one into another, and ditch the empty glass. Now you have a free hand to get another glass."

Angela isn't surprised she got that answer. " … weren't you studying business?"

Merida laughs to herself. "I didn't think I missed you but wow; now I do."

Emily wraps an arm around Merida. "I missed you too, señorita."

Angela nods, taking all this in. "High school Spanish and a night in Mexico. University's doing wonders on you."

Emily takes Angela into her embrace. "I've missed you two so much."

The problem with growing up is that once people have grown up, others who aren't grown up aren't fun anymore. That thought has never been a problem for these girls despite being apart from their matriarch and even Iqadi and Britney. Or even the boys. They're all growing up in ways that are taking them different paths bound to meet up along the way. It's moments like seeing each other in the airport or sharing drunk photos that make the distance worth it.

Pretty sure I say this whenever Emily appears or is even mentioned, but I miss her so much.