(Calvin and Emily)

*December 1st, 1941*

*11:25 pm*

*Miller Manor*

The Winter Ball was still going strong, with people continuing to talk and laugh amongst each other. Calvin ate dinner and talked to Emily and her friends during this time.

A "Hey, what you said to Judith wasn't right. I know Judith can be pretty mean, let alone having hatred in her heart on certain occasions, but that still doesn't give you the right to talk badly about her." Calvin spoke to Emily with concern while taking a bite of pork and sipping some cola as he waited for a response.

"I was being honest! There's nothing wrong with a little honesty, Calvin. You need to stop taking Judith's side. It's bad for your skin." Emily responded with a hint of annoyance, while Sarah and Marie nodded in agreement as they began to speak.

"She's right, and I have a little confession. I used to have a crush on Judith; however, I realized she would talk badly about Emily, so my feelings for her diminished quickly. But going back to the point, Emily did nothing wrong, and I will stand with my friend." Sarah also spoke to Calvin, letting out a smile while he sighed, shaking his head.

"Look, I just don't want things to go south for Judith, okay? That's all I want." Calvin responded more annoyedly before getting up from his seat to step outside.

"Wait, Calvin-Honey! Wait for us. It's rude to just walk out on your future fiance in such a manner." Emily spoke to Calvin in a somewhat concerned tone as she got up with Sarah and Marie and followed Calvin toward the outside area.

"Don't call me that. I'm not our fiance. We're just friends and nothing else, okay?" Calvin advised his friend rather sternly while Emily made a pouty face filled with innocence as she quickly hugged him from behind, making Calvin blush slightly out of embarrassment.

"C-Cut it out! People are watching, and I don't want Mrs Hamilton to assume we'll get married." Calvin uttered in embarrassment while trying to break free from the hug.

"Why, why do you have to have feelings for Judith and maybe that Anya girl? Those women have anger issues, and did you see how Anya was yelling at me? That was so mean!" Emily asked Calvin in a whiny voice mixed with calmness while waiting for the boy's response.

Calvin sighed to himself before gently removing Emily's hands from his waist as he began to speak in a stern yet calm manner.

"Look, you don't know Judith. She may have her moments; however, I'm doing all this to make her a better person. And to answer your question, Anya and Judith are special to me. Both girls treated me with kindness and respect, and I started to have feelings for them. It's weird to have feelings for both, but this is how I feel, and I don't see us ever marrying." Calvin sternly explained to Emily while looking her in the eyes while Sarah and Marie watched with severe looks on their faces.

Emily's expression turned into annoyance; however, this quickly changed as she reverted to her usual innocent demeanor.

"I see; well, I don't give up that easily but have fun with Anya or Judith, but if you ever get bored of them, you know where to find me, okay? I'll give you time to think about it." Emily spoke to Calvin for the final time before waving goodbye and turning in the other direction; however, Calvin began talking to his friend again.

"That's it? Are you going to give up that easily? I know you're not petty like Judith, but I thought you would at least have some fight within you." Calvin asked Emily with curiosity, which was met with Emily laughing at this before speaking.

"Did you hear what I said? I'll stop now, but I will give you time to think about everything. Hopefully, you will realize that I'm the right woman for you," Emily responded to Calvin once more before kissing him and walking away with Sarah and Marie.

"Emily sure is a handful, I can say that, and I'm glad Judith didn't see the kiss, or else she would have been pissed at me." Calvin spoke to himself, chuckling while walking toward the backyard entrance, eventually making it outside for fresh air.

Calvin had taken a moment to allow the cold, cool air to breeze over him, and for that moment, he felt a sense of calmness and peace amid the talking and laughter surrounding him.

"The air feels wonderful. It always makes me feel at ease, even during my worst moments, but going back to Emily, I feel she won't give up that easily. Is she perhaps expecting me to marry her so that she could make Judith jealous, or is it because she generally has feelings for me.." Calvin thought to himself while enjoying the night air, closing his eyes to soak it all in before opening them again.

"I should head back and see what Anya, Judith, or Louise is up to. I just hope Louise isn't freaking people out with her hobbies! That would be bad," Calvin said once more before quickly heading back inside the manor, hoping to find the three girls.

Calvin walked across the ballroom, looking around, hoping to spot Anya, Louise, or Judith until he eventually found the three girls sitting together, chatting.

"There's my favorite two girls. It seems they're enjoying each other's company despite the possibility it could be an obligation; however, just seeing them happy is enough for me." Calvin thought to himself with a smile before walking over to sit with his sister, friend, and former friend.

*Other side of the Ballroom*

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ballroom, Emily was sitting down with Sarah, Marie, and even Mrs. Hamilton, whom she told about the earlier situation.

"I see; it seems Calvin still wants to seek a possible relationship with either Anya or my disappointment of a daughter, Judith. How inconvenient. That boy is going to be the death of me one day, and I'm not even related to him.." Mrs Hamilton spoke to Emily in response to what she heard while sighing to herself with annoyance.

"I know, right?! I just want to be a good wife to Calvin, take care of him, and perhaps start a family one day.." Emily responded to her grandmother, blushing while thinking about her possible future with Calvin and other intimate things.

"Even I asked Anya out just so there's less baggage for Emily and Calvin, yet I got rejected on the spot; such a shame.." Sarah chimed into the conversation while Mrs Hamilton nodded understandingly before speaking again, this time more seriously.

"Anya, this girl is a threat to our family. She's an outsider with no business being here anyway! I wish my daughter, Edith, never allowed her even to step foot in this home, but going back, Anya must be banned from seeing Calvin. If the boy continues to grow feelings for her, then this would destroy our bloodline of pure-blooded rich people!" Mrs. Hamliton seriously responded to Emily and Sarah while Emily and her two friends nodded understandingly.

"Exactly! Anya has anger issues as well. She yelled at me for being honest with Judith, like it's not fair at all! She needs to be punished for that.." Emily spoke to her grandmother once more with more anger in her voice; however, she managed to cool down rather quickly.

"Calm down; you are a Hamilton, so act like one, young lady. All revenge comes in due time, and for now, we'll let Anya have her fun, but I'll be damned if Calvin marries an outsider.." Mrs Hamilton spoke to Emily in a stern voice while her granddaughter nodded in an understanding way before speaking once more.

"S-Sorry, I just didn't like how mean Anya was to me, and you're right. I should take things slowly, but..can I talk to them quickly?" Emily responded while waiting for an answer as Mrs. Hamilton was unsure; however, she gave in.

"Sure," Mrs Hamilton simply answered as she saw Emily smiling back while getting up from her chair and approaching Anya and Judith.

Emily crossed the ballroom and eventually encountered Anya, Louise, Calvin, and Judith.

"What do you want, Emily?" Judith spoke with disgust while the others watched with intrigued looks.

"Hello, Judith. I wanted to talk to you about something. Shall we head outside for some peace?" Emily responded in her usual cute yet annoying tone, while Judith was unsure what to say initially before speaking out.

"Sure, I always wanted to talk with you, so let's head out, shall we?" Judith responded with cockiness in her voice while getting up from her chair, which made Emily smile.

"Good girl, now come along, my dear cousin," Emily said to Judith once more while seeing Judith standing with her; however, Anya began to speak out.

"Judith, are you sure? You know, things might get intense. Emily is a pathological liar and clearly doesn't know that herself." Anya warned Judith; however, she felt Judith's hand gently touch her shoulder.

"And that's the difference between me and Emily. I know what I am. I've been a bully toward you and your friends, so I'm aware of my behavior, unlike Emily's, so let me talk to my cousin, okay?" Judith spoke to Anya again with a smile while Anya nodded understandingly.

"I guess you have a point there, so knock yourself out, Judith." Anya responded, smiling back while seeing Judith walking over to Emily before the two girls approached the backyard entrance.

Calvin watched the events with an intrigued look on his face but one of worry as well.

"I just hope this little talk goes well.." Calvin thought to himself as he felt concern for both his friend and former friend regarding the upcoming conversation.