"So, ready to go clothes shopping, Taylor?" Emma cheerfully asked as we waited for her father to drive us downtown.

"I don't recall agreeing to that…" I said dubiously.

Smiling brightly, Emma raised her phone and tapped the screen. "Fine…" my voice groaned, "we can go clothes shopping tomorrow..."

"Do you know how easy it would be to fake that?"

"Taylor!"

"Ok, fine… We'll go clothes shopping," I conceded.

"And I'm getting you a new outfit." I opened my mouth to object, but she quietly added, "It would mean a lot to me."

I sighed. "All right. But it has to be something I'm actually willing to wear."

A look of concern crossed Emma's face as she slowly looked me up and down. "I'm sure … we'll be able to figure something out."

"Hey. There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing."

"Oh, Taylor… dear, sweet, simple Taylor. Don't worry—I'll help you."

I decided to quit while I was ahead. For certain definitions of ahead. Look, it's a tactical withdrawal, a very sound time honored move. No one asked you, anyway.

O

It was on the ride downtown that I noticed Emma eying my clothes again and opening her mouth to speak. Knowing I had to act instantly, I blurted out, "So, how's Sophia doing?"

Emma sighed and looked down briefly. "We've talked once since that day. It turns out we don't really know each other. Not the real us." I gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze and she briefly smiled at me. "We thought about trying to start over but realized we'd be two strangers starting off with a ton of baggage in bad memories."

"You'd have someone who's gone through the same thing you did, though."

Emma nodded. "Yeah, we thought of that but decided it didn't make up for the bad stuff. And she's planning to move out of Brockton Bay, anyway. But it's not like we've cut all ties; if we ever need to talk, we have each other's number."

I thought for a moment, then said, "If you think it would help, you can let her know I don't blame her for things."

O

"I know what you're doing," I growled.

"And the great thing is that it works anyway," chirped Emma as she turned me slightly in front of the mirrors. "The first outfits were so much worse than these that you still can't help thinking 'these aren't so bad'."

"I'm lodging a formal protest against such blatant manipulation."

"Well, if it bugs you that much, I guess I can stop… Let's try that black and hot pink crop top next."

"No!"

"But if we went with that jeans, blouse, vest combo I was planning to show you next, I'd be manipulating you."

I sighed deeply. "I withdraw my protest."

Seven years later—no wait, I checked my phone—40 minutes later, the cashier was ringing up my new outfit. Emma didn't let me look at the price tags and I didn't try; I figured we'd both be happier this way.

"And we'll be leaving them here and picking them up this afternoon," Emma told the saleswoman.

"Wait, you can do that?"

"At a place like this, sure."

"Hnh. I guess that's convenient, but why didn't we just go shopping last if we're going to be coming back here anyway?"

Emma snorted. "Please, like I was about to take you shopping for clothes when you're tired and cranky from running around all day."

I raised my finger and opened my mouth, then paused as I considered what she'd said. "Point."

O

I eyed the prices on the menu in the nice cafe Emma had chosen. They were uncomfortably high, even if everything did sound really good.

"I've got this, Taylor."

"Emma," I sighed, "you can't pay for everything."

"I want to get this, and since I chose an expensive place, it's only fair."

"It's not … that expensive," I said unconvincingly, "and if you think you owe me something for the last—"

"I don't," she said, cutting me off, before quietly adding, "It's just that being the one in control of situations and doing nice things helps right now. I know it may not be healthy long term, but my therapist agrees it's good for me in the short run."

I reached over and gave Emma's hand a squeeze. "Ok, Emma. Can I at least pay for the movie?"

She cocked her head, making a show of considering it before smiling and saying, "Very well, I'll allow it."

O

"Oh my god, what were you thinking?" Emma asked, staring at my drink in horror.

"I haven't been to the movies in years! I forgot what the sizes are like!"

"You got a large, Taylor!"

"I was thirsty! Look on the bright side, at least you told me not to get one for you."

"I suppose… Just make sure you don't spill that. This isn't a plane; the seats don't double as flotation devices."

"I won't. Um, could you hold this for a minute? I have to go back to the concession stand and get my popcorn. I couldn't carry it and my drink."

"Damnit, Taylor…"

O

"I have to pee."

Emma sighed. "Why didn't you go before we left the movies?"

"I did."

"Oh." Emma looked around the almost deserted noncommercial boardwalk we were on, looking for someplace with a bathroom. I, on the other hand, took the smarter and more effective option of pulling out my phone and calling up an app.

"Found one," I said half a minute later. "It's not far, I'll be right back."

Emma nodded and leaned against the railing to look out over the water as I hurried off. I hoped I wasn't coming down with something; I usually didn't need to go so often.

"Not so fast, buddy!" a woman's voice dramatically cried from up the boardwalk. Emma turned and stared in astonishment as the hot new hero of the Bay, Freakazoid!, chased down a running man, and in a brief, very one sided fight, pummeled him into submission.

"Freakazoid!" she shouted, jumping up and down and waving her hand. The hero peered in her direction, shot back a friendly smile and a wave, then held up a finger before hoisting the man onto her shoulder and dashing off the boardwalk. Emma intently watched the spot, hoping the hero meant she'd be back.

"Hello, miss. How can I assist you?" someone asked from behind her.

"Not right now, I'm waiting for Freakazoid!," Emma replied, not shifting her gaze.

"Oh… ok, I can come back later, then. Freakazoid! awa—"

"No! Wait!"

Freakazoid! froze in mid-crouch, arms extended above her head. "Waiting."

"Sorry! You can stand up. I thought you were going to come from the other way! I didn't mean to brush you off!"

"No problem," replied Freakazoid!, standing up. "So, what can I do for you?"

"Oh, right! I wanted to say you're amazing and the way you dealt with that guy just now was incredible!"

"Thank you! It's always great to meet a fan."

"Can you wait a few minutes to meet another? My friend Taylor just stepped away but she'd love to meet you!"

"I can stay another minute, but not much longer. I can sense more evil nearby."

"Really?!" gasped Emma, "You can actually sense evil around you?"

"Metaphorically."

"Oh."

Several seconds passed in silence. "I really do have to go soon, though. How 'bout I give you a signed picture for your friend?"

Emma sighed. "She's going to hate missing you, but that would be great, thanks."

"To Taylor, sorry that I missed you —Your friend, Freakazoid!," the hero said aloud as she wrote on a photo of herself. "Here you go!"

"Thank you," said Emma, smiling at the photo for a moment before sighing sadly.

"Uh, I can write something else, if you don't think that works."

"Oh! No, this is great! That's not it at all. Sorry, it's just that Taylor's a great friend, and I've … been horrible to her."

"Hey," said Freakazoid! gently, "it's going to be ok. Did you mean to be horrible to her?"

"No, and she doesn't blame me, but…"

"But you do." Emma nodded. "You know how when you get a horrible present and people say it's the thought that counts? Well, with this sort of thing, that really is true. The fact that you feel so bad about hurting your friend, even if it wasn't on purpose, means you have a good heart, and if she really doesn't blame you, punishing yourself is only going to make both of you feel bad. Stay strong, Emma, don't dwell on the past and just be the best friend you can from now on. I know you can do it."

"Thank you," Emma quietly said. "I'll do my best."

"I believe in you, Emma," the hero said, quickly writing that on another photo she gave to the girl. "But now I must go battle evil!"

Emma watched in awe as Freakazoid! heroically leapt into the air. Then she giggled. "Uh, Freakazoid!, you can't fly."

"Oh, right!" exclaimed the hero as she stopped hopping up and down. "I keep forgetting! Freakazoid! away!"

Emma smiled as she watched her dash out of sight. "Wow, there goes a real hero. Now, where did Taylor vanish to? What terrible luck that she left right before Freakazoid! arrived." Slowly her eyes widened. "Wait… that melodramatic manner, quirky humor, compassion, and belief in people. Oh. My. God. Taylor and Freakazoid!—they'd be perfect together!"

O

(Wait… crap, did Emma even tell me her name?)