CHAPTER 2: Confusing Feelings
583 Words
The next morning, Emma woke up feeling a little lighter than usual. Maybe it was the spring sunlight sneaking through her curtains, or maybe it was the thought of Riley waiting in school halls.
She wasn’t sure. But she did know one thing, she wanted to see Riley again.
At school, Emma kept catching glimpses of Riley everywhere. Sometimes Riley was laughing with her new friends, other times she was scribbling in her notebook or leaning against a locker, lost in thought.
Emma wanted to talk to her but didn’t know what to say.
During math class, Emma’s mind wandered. She wasn’t good at math, but today she barely noticed the numbers or formulas. Instead, she thought about Riley’s laugh; how it made her heart skip a beat, and the way Riley looked at her sometimes, like she was trying to figure her out.
Emma shook her head. Stop it. You don’t even know her.
At lunch, Emma found her usual spot at the back of the cafeteria. She picked at her sandwich, watching other students chatter and joke around.
Then she felt a tap on her shoulder.
She turned and saw Riley standing there with two cups of hot chocolate. “Hey, I thought you might want one.”
Emma blinked. “Uh, thanks.”
Riley sat down next to her and handed over a cup. The warmth of the drink was nice, but what made Emma’s cheeks warm was Riley’s closeness.
They sipped their hot chocolate in silence for a moment.
“So,” Riley said, breaking the quiet, “how are you holding up?”
Emma shrugged. “I guess I’m okay. School’s the same as always.”
“Yeah, it can be a lot sometimes.”
Emma nodded but didn’t say more. Talking about school felt easier than talking about the other stuff inside her, the things she didn’t want anyone to know.
Riley seemed to sense that and changed the subject.
“Have you always lived here?”
Emma thought for a second. “Yeah. Born and raised. It’s small. Quiet.”
Riley smiled softly. “I needed a fresh start. Somewhere new.”
Emma looked up, curious. “Why?”
Riley hesitated but then said quietly, “Old problems. Stuff I didn’t want to carry anymore.”
Emma felt a little tug of sympathy. Maybe Riley wasn’t just the confident, fearless girl she seemed.
“Do you miss your old home?” Emma asked.
Riley laughed a little. “Sometimes. But I’m happy to be here.”
They sat together a bit longer, sharing small stories about their lives, Riley about places she’d been, Emma about her family and her quiet weekends.
It felt nice. Easy.
Later that afternoon, Emma’s best friend, Lily, caught up with her in the hallway.
“Hey, you’re hanging out with Riley now?” Lily said with a teasing grin.
Emma shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Be careful,” Lily warned softly. “You know how people can be.”
Emma nodded but didn’t want to say more.
She wasn’t sure what she was feeling yet, but she knew it was different. And confusing.
That night, Emma lay awake, replaying every moment she had with Riley. The way her heart beat faster when Riley smiled. The way her stomach flipped when Riley’s hand brushed hers.
Is this… like a crush? Emma wondered.
She wasn’t sure. But she knew one thing; things were changing, and she wasn’t ready to turn back.
- Writer
