27 Chapter 27 (1/2)
The next day, Emma and Wyatt take Jackson with them to Savvy Threads. Jackson didn't really want to go, but Emma insisted that he should at least try doing anything other than laying in bed. When they get there, Emma greets Matilda and Emily. ”Go on” Emma says to Jackson, ”at least be nice to Emily”.
Jackson sighs and says ”What's up, Emily?”.
Emily responds by nervously waving a hand in the air while wearing a fake smile. ”Uh... hey?” Emily says.
”Somehow, that's exactly the response I expected” Jackson says.
”Look, Jackson” Emily says, ”it's not that I hate you or anything... but I also don't recall us particularly getting along super well. Like, we haven't really spoken all that much to each other”.
”Oh thank god” Jackson says. ”The feeling is mutual”. Jackson then looks at Emma and asks ”Can I go now?”.
”No” Emma says, ”try actually getting along with people...”.
Jackson groans and then says ”Fine! I don't even know what to talk about here”.
”Sucks that you and Aeris... broke up” Emily says, trying to find something to talk about. There was a long awkward silence, then Emily says ”This is awkward”.
”Yeah, I'm waiting outside of the store now...” Jackson says as he points his thumb at the door.
”... Anyways” Wyatt says, ”any job opening for here, Matilda?”.
”Oh, yes” Matilda says. ”We'll have to schedule a time for you to talk to Dylan about the job, that way he can interview you and stuff. If he decides you can take the job, you can work as my assistant”.
”Hopefully it works out then” Emma says.
”It'll be cool and all having a familiar face to work with” Emily says, ”but I also imagine it'll start being a little awkward staying here”.
”Why's that?” Emma asks.
”I dunno” Emily says. ”I don't really think I'd have much to talk about. So if you do get the job here, don't be surprised if it's constantly quiet”.
”Anyways” Matilda says, ”Dylan should be here tomorrow morning before noon. If you want to stop by to talk with him then, you're free to come”.
”Tomorrow morning, got it!” Wyatt says.
As the two of them leave, Emma waves at Matilda and Emily. ”Thanks again, Matilda!” Emma says. ”And see you later, Emily!”.
”Yeah” Emily says, ”take care”.
”I'm glad to see you two are getting along” Matilda says to Emily.
”Can we go back finally?” Jackson asks as the two of them leave the store.
”Yes, we can go back” Wyatt says.
”Good” Jackson replies. ”It's cold out here”.
”You could've stayed inside, you know?” Emma asks.
”Yeah, but that involves talking to people” Jackson says. After the three of them get back to the dorm, Jackson asks ”So, how do you plan on keeping Emma hidden in the dorm for so long?”.
Wyatt shrugs and says ”It's been working so far”.
”Well...” Jackson says, ”I know she doesn't have a place to return to, so make sure you don't let anybody else know that we're keeping Emma here. If the school finds out, they'll probably be furious”. Immediately after that, a loud knock is heard on the door of the dorm. ”Do... you usually get visitors?” Jackson asks.
”N-no... not really” Wyatt says. Wyatt stands up to answer the door, but the door suddenly swings open.
”Wyatt!” Darren says as he opens the door. Darren then notices Jackson and Wyatt sitting in a room with Emma. ”Oh, I'm sorry...” Darren says as he awkwardly closes the door.
”No, wait!” Wyatt says, ”it's not what you think! I can explain!”.
”Yes, please do explain” Jackson says. ”Knowing you, it won't be a very good explanation”.
Darren opens the door again, then walks inside the room. ”What's going on?”.
”Well...” Wyatt says, ”Emma doesn't have a place to stay, so I'm keeping her here”.
”Uh-huh...” Darren says. ”You know this is the boy's dorm, right?”.
”Y-Yeah” Wyatt says.
”So... is she your girlfriend?” Darren asks.
”Y-Yeah...” Wyatt says.
”And there it is” Jackson says, ”the perfect explanation for a misunderstanding!”.
”So that's why you're keeping her here!” Darren says.
”Wait, no! I-” Wyatt says.
”Look, I get it” Darren says. ”I won't tell a soul”.
”I don't think you are getting it...” Wyatt says in frustration. ”So how'd you know which dorm is mine?”.
”Oh, that's easy!” Darren says. ”I knocked on every door and bursted into everyone's room shouting your name like an idiot!”.
”... Really?” Wyatt asks.
”No...” Darren says. ”I asked Ms. Weber to look up your name of the dorm list... did you honestly think I'd do that?”.
”Pfft- I like this guy!” Jackson says.
”Ayyy!” Darren says as he makes a finger gun gesture at Jackson. ”So, you are?”.
”Jackson Lonny” Jackson says. ”I'm in the same class as Wyatt... and in the club too, I guess”.
”Oh yeah, aren't you that laibah kid everyone was talking about?” Darren asks.
”Yep” Jackson says.
”Oh... so how many of us here are laibah?” Darren asks.
”In this room?” Wyatt asks. ”I'm the only human here at the moment...”.
”Oh, so you're a laibah too?” Darren asks as he looks at Emma.
”Y-Yeah...” Emma says. ”I believe I already introduced myself to you before. I'm Emma Frey”.
”Darren Forray” Darren says as he forces Emma to shake his hand.
”What'd you wanna come here to talk about?” Wyatt asks.
”Right” Darren says, ”so around this time, people in high school and stuff usually come to colleges like these to see what their possible future college looks like. Earlier today, I ran into a certain someone who also wanted to see you”.
”Me?” Wyatt asks.
”I told him to wait by the gate and I'll bring you to him” Darren says, ”but seeing as to how it'll be dangerous to keep going in and out with your girlfriend over there, I'll try bringing him to you”.
”Wait, who is it?” Wyatt asks. However, Darren leaves without answering. After a long silence, Darren comes back with a rather big surprise. ”K-Kemal!?” Wyatt asks. ”What are you doing here!?”.
”Kemal?” Jackson asks.
”So this is your brother?” Emma asks.
”Brother!?” Jackson asks. ”Holy hopping hell, there's two of them!?”.
”What's up, Wyatt?” Kemal asks.
”H-how'd you get down here?” Wyatt asks. ”Is mom okay? What are you doing all the way out here?”.
”Whoa, slow down there” Kemal says. ”Let's see if I can answer these questions first. Umm... I took the city bus, mom is fine, and I'm here to check out what kinda school you go to”.
”So mom and dad are doing fine then?” Wyatt asks.
”Well, dad is still a grumpy old man, but yeah” Kemal says. ”In fact, they're both better than fine now. Dad got a promotion, mom got a raise and we're financially stable for the first time ever. In fact, they're doing so well that I'm finally able to leave my job and come to school”.
”W-What?” Wyatt asks.
”I'll be coming here next year” Kemal says. ”I've gotta look out for my little brother, don't I?”.
”But you'll be a year lower than him...” Jackson says. ”It'll be more like he's watching out for you”.
”Same difference” Kemal says.
”N-no... no it is not...” Jackson says.
Darren laughs and says ”See? Isn't this nice? We've already got a group of friends ready for ya when you start coming to school, Kemal!”.
Kemal laughs and says ”Yeah, I like the sassy one!”.
”Sassy?” Jackson asks. ”SASSY!?”.
”This situation seems kind of awkward...” Emma says.
Kemal leans in close to Darren and asks ”Who's the girl?”.
”That's Wyatt's girlfriend” Darren says with a snicker.
”What!?” Kemal panics.
”Uh...” Wyatt tries to think of something to say.