(Preparations for the Festival)

*May 3rd, 1941*

*1:25 pm*

*Jackson Private Academy*

*Author's Note: This chapter begins the May Festival arc and that storyline has been teased during the series annnd Emma is a key player as well during this arc but I hope everyone enjoys it!*

It was a sunny and beautiful day as Anya and her friends were helping everyone with setting up the decorations in the gym as the room was filled with many supplies and everything else for the upcoming festival that was in two weeks.

"Thank you so much for helping us with setting up, I know the festival is on the 16th of this month but it's always nice to prepare early" Emma had spoken to her friends as she opened up a box which contained many supplies such as scissors.

"You're welcome, We're always here to help and I'm glad Calvin was able to convince Mr Miller to allow us to help as well since he's pretty hard to get you" Anya had spoken back to her friend as she chuckled at the last part of her sentence.

"You're right, I think he just doesn't wanna have outsiders being involved or something like that but I can tell that this festival is gonna be big since Mr Miller has allowed more schools to join as well" Emma had spoken back to her friend as her words were met with Anya nodding her head in agreement as she looked over to see Russell hanging up some things decorations on the bleachers.

"Hey, wanna help my friend with the decorations? It won't take long" Anya had asked Emma as her question was met with Emma nodding her head in agreement.

"I would love to help you and your friend, Let's make our way over there as quickly as we could" Emma had answered back as she and Anya made their way towards where Russell was currently at.

"Heyy, Mind if we help you out? We saw that you were having some trouble with hanging these up but if you got it then It's understandable" Anya had asked Russell as she and Emma waited for an answer as they saw their friend turn his direction towards them.

"Don't worry, I got this but thanks for the offer! You guys are really the best!" Russell had spoken back with a smile on his face as his response was met with nods of understandment from Anya and Emma.

"Oooh okay, I'm glad you are able to take care of this but please don't be afraid to ask us for help, okay?" Anya had spoken back to Russell as she gave him a smile and a thumbs up in which was followed by Russell returning the favor.

"Guess we'll be seeing you then but we're wishing you the best of luck on your work!" Emma had bidded farewell to her friend as she and Anya proceeded to walk back to what they were originally doing.

"How's things been going for you, Emma? It's been quite some time since we've last seen each other" Anya had asked Emma as the girls sat back down to continue with their work as Emma began to speak.

"I've been doing okay, Just been avoiding Judith and her little friends while I've been talking to Calvin and Claudia since they're the only people in this school that's actually nice to me and pays any attention to me but overall, I've just been hanging in there…" Emma had spoken to her friend as she let out a smile to ensure that everything was okay which brought a sense of comfort to Anya.

"I'm glad, It's best to continue being friends with Calvin and Clauida since they're very wonderful people" Anya had spoken back to her friend as the girls shared smiles together as Anya quickly felt a finger tap on her shoulder which belonged to Miss Joyce.

"Miss Romanov, Mr Miller would like to see you in his office please and don't worry, He isn't gonna yell at you or anything but he just wants to talk to you about some things" Miss Joyce had advised to Anya in a calm and reassuring voice as she had seen the young girl quickly get up.

"Thanks! I'll head to his office but I'm still hoping it's not anything too serious" Anya had spoken to Miss Joyce as she turned over to Emma to say her farewells.

"Sorry about the unexpected leave but I should be back to help you once I get back, okay?" Anya had spoken to Emma as she was met with an understanding smile from Emma.

"It's okay, unexpected things truly happen but we shouldn't feel bad about it If I'm being honest if you but I hope the meeting goes wonderfully" Emma had advised Anya as the girls shared a smile together as the young girl had seen Anya running off towards her destination.

*Hallways*

Anya was walking towards Mr Miller's office as she quickly remembered their last encounter.

"Our last encounter was back in March and he didn't really make a good first impression so I'm thinking he might apologize to me" Anya had quietly spoken to herself as she had finally made arrived at the front door of Mr Miller's office as Anya proceeded to knock on the door as she soon waited for a response.

"Please come in…" Mr Miller had called out from the other side of the door which prompted Anya to open the door as the young girl had finally entered the office.

"Good Afternoon, It's been awhile since we've last spoken to each other but I hope all is well for you" Anya had spoken to Mr Miller in a polite tone of voice as she had taken a seat that was in front of Mr Miller's desk while she waited for the conversation to began.

"So, why do you and your friends want to come to our upcoming festival? You guys seemed awfully interested…" Mr Miller had asked Anya as he had taken a seat to face the young girl while he waited for his answer.

"Our good friend Emma told us about the festival and we were interested in going but we won't cause any trouble with anyone" Anya had answered back in a more formal tone of voice as her words were met with Mr Miller nodding his head in agreement.

"I see, I'm more surprised that Emma of all people has friends since she's usually alone and timid since my daughter bullies her from time to time but I usually keep her in check but that's not the point. The point is that I expect the best behavior from you and your little friends, okay? You're dismissed" Mr Miller had spoken back to Anya as he got up from his desk.

"Well, I hope Judith doesn't try to do anything wrong and mess up during the festival but you won't have to worry about me and my friends getting into trouble.." Anya had spoken back in the same polite tone of voice as she and Mr Miller gave each other a handshake as the young girl left the office building in which was seen by the gentleman.

"I have a feeling that this year's festival will be quite eventful…" Mr Miller had thought to himself as he felt a sense that things could take an unexpected turn.

*Hallway*

Anya had exited the office as she saw Judith standing in front of her which piqued her curiosity as she heard Judith beginning to speak.

"Well! It's been a while since we've seen each other! You're still hanging out with that Emma loser, aren't you?" Judith had spoken to Anya in a rather mean tone of voice as this had offended Anya as she quickly defended her friend.

"Emma is not a loser! She's very kind, sweet, and a very loving person! Can't you just be nice for once?" Anya had snapped back in a more assertive yet offended tone of voice as this only made Judith snicker at everything.

"Awwww, You're gonna cry for that weirdo? You know she's different from the others right? I know something about her that will surely get you kicked out of this place…" Judith had spoken back as her words caught Anya by surprise as she suddenly began to speak back to Judith.

"So? It doesn't matter to me, I will always accept Emma for who she is! So you can just back off and leave me, Emma, and the rest of my friends alone, thank you very much" Anya had spoken back to Judith in a more calm tone of voice as she walked past Judith with confidence as this only arked Judith.

"God, you're so annoying…" Judith had whispered as she suddenly had a smile on her face knowing that her plans would eventually come into motion.

*2:10pm*

Anya had come back to the gym as she saw her friends still working on setting up for the upcoming festival.

"Anything okay, Anya?" Emma had asked her friend as she was met with a warm smile from Anya.

"I'm doing quite well. Wanna get lunch with me and my other friends once we're done?" Anya had offered Emma as she had a warm smile on her face as she waited for a response.

"Sure, That truly sounds wonderful!" Emma had answered back in a joyful tone of voice as the girls shared warm smiles together as the pair knew that their days ahead are gonna get better.