บท 16: Chapter 16
After school that day, Emily went to Savvy Threads, to help Matilda around the shop. After a while of helping, without any talking, Emily eventually asked Matilda "You know that one girl, Emma, right?".
"Emma?" Matilda asks, "Oh, yes. I know a lot about her".
"She's been butting into my business lately" Emily says, "gettin' on my nerves, then saying she just wants to help...".
"So she's doing better now, huh?" Matilda says as she thinks to herself.
"Yeah, well" Emily says, "what's wrong with her? Why don't they just let other people take care of themselves?".
Matilda sits down at the counter and thinks to herself for a second. "Well..." Matilda says, "Emma had a lot of mixed emotions. She went through a lot before we met, and she even told me about what happened after I got to know her. The fact that she's looking to help you, probably means that she finally found her place... or at least, she's getting there".
"What happened?" Emily asks.
"That, I'm not at liberty to tell you" Matilda says. "That's up to Emma to tell you. The fact that she wants to help you probably also means that she sees you similar to how she had seen herself before. Either that, or she just thinks you two could easily be friends".
"I think they're weird" Emily says.
"Oh, kiddo" Matilda says, "we're all weird. If everyone were all alike, the world would be boring. Emma just has a hard time being... well, vocal. It takes her time to find the right words to say".
"And she's a laibah, right?" Emily asks. "Which probably makes her feel like she constantly needs to hide?".
"Where'd you hear that?" Matilda asks.
"Don't worry about that" Emily says.
Matilda stops for a moment, then says "Well, I know you can get along with laibah... so I can tell you that much. She is a laibah, yes. However, don't try to be too hard on her. Not because she's a laibah, she's not that shallow. She just... well, much like you, she doesn't have her family around either". Emily looks down, thinking to herself, as Matilda continues to say "She's probably the one person you could count on to understand what you're going through. Or at least, not think less of you for being in your position".
"Right..." Emily says. "By the way, how long have you known Emma?".
"It's been a few months" Matilda says. "I had to talk her into enrolling in college in the first place. When I first knew her, she wouldn't talk to anyone at all. She was so quiet... then again, now I guess most people would still call her quiet".
"You seem to really like her..." Emily says.
"Emily" Matilda says, "that goes for you too. Did anyone ever tell you the real reason I know your parents?".
"They were old customers of yours" Emily says.
"No, honey" Matilda says, "they were old friends of mine. I've traveled a lot in my days, and I met this couple long ago. This couple later got married, and those were your parents. I met them one day while taking care of some personal business in a city called Genovyra. Genovyra is just east of this city, Terrio. I met these two on the street, starving together. They were apparently from a far away city, and left because they weren't able to be accepted anywhere they went. They kept moving, in hopes of being accepted somewhere, but wound up on the streets in Genovyra. However, as hard as it got, they stuck together. I offered to help, and the first thing they ever said to me is 'But we're laibah'. Isn't that ridiculous?".
"Y-Yeah..." Emily says, "but it makes sense. With how bad most people treat them, it probably became a natural reaction for them".
"True" Matilda says, "but if you see a creature suffering, whether it be a person or a pet, wouldn't you want to help?".
"I guess..." Emily replies.
"And so I did just that" Matilda says. "Although, they were nervous around me at first. I started with giving them food, without talking. Eventually, we started sharing stories and talking often. At the time, I think they had only recently graduated high school and were about your age. They were so young at the time. Before you know it, we all became close friends. Lyra and Jay we such a nice couple, and I couldn't understand why anyone would leave them on the street like that".
"Mom and dad..." Emily says, "that's why I've always hated humans. Mom and dad never did anything to them".
"Well" Matilda says, "life just cares about moving forward, not being fair. And soon after that time, Jay and Lyra learned that the hard way".
"What do you mean?" Emily asks.
"Well, after they were able to get on their feet" Matilda says, "they got married. They wanted a family so badly, but something wasn't working out. Later, the two of them learned that Jay was infertile. Turned out, he had a birth defect that kept him from producing healthy sperm. And so, the two would never have a child of their own. They were ready to give up on life".
"They never told me about that!" Emily shouts.
"The universe works in mysterious ways" Matilda says. "Maybe it was destiny, but it lead to something more wonderful. Around this time, I had moved to Terrio to work here. Your parents, Jay and Lyra, lived just outside of this city. The day after Jay learned of his infertility, he went for a walk in the rain. Lyra followed after him, trying to convince him that no matter what, she's still staying by his side. The two of them had a lot to think about, and Jay thought walking would help him clear his mind, regardless of if it were raining or not".
"Dad did always tell me to 'walk it off' whenever I'm angry" Emily says, softly.
"Well, that day" Matilda says, "they came across a nearly empty adoption center. Inside, there were little staff and only one little girl. A baby, sitting alone in a place that was on the verge of shutting down. That was the day they adopted you, Emily. They knew you were human, but the distress they saw you in, it spoke to them. They told me the next day, when they saw you through that window, you were abnormally quiet. You sat alone, and away from the staff. There were no other kids, just nurses, and you looked lost. So they took you in, and it changed their world forever".
"If you had known them for so long..." Emily says, "then why didn't you ever visit us?".
"I did visit" Matilda says, "I visited all the time. Eventually, we had to go our separate ways. They moved out of the city, and I had to stay here. They eventually got ahold of me, after not being in the city for about fifteen years, after they had found out I was still here. I'm assuming that's why they wanted to send you to college here. They knew there'd be at least one person they could trust here, while also being afraid that if they stayed too close to you, it'd ruin your future. They felt like they were holding you back, dear, and wanted you to move onto better things. Just because life seems bad at the time, doesn't mean it's not going to get any better".
"B-but if that's true" Emily says, "then why do you tell everyone that mom and dad are just old customers of yours?".
"It was their idea" Matilda says, "Lyra said 'the less people who know about our relationship to you, the better'. They're afraid the information will fall on my shoulders and gain me criticism. I don't care what people think of me, in all honesty, but those two... they seemed to be really worried. They're trying to be as careful as possible. After all, you are their only daughter". Emily thinks for a moment, then Matilda asks "Now do you understand how important this is for them?".
"Y-yes ma'am" Emily says.
"Sweetie, you don't have to be so formal" Matilda says. "Don't worry, I'll makes sure everything goes well. You can trust me, but you should also try making at least one friend".
As Emily thinks, Refus walks into the store. "Ms. Hadley?" Refus asks.
"Ah, Mr. Maloney!" Matilda says.
"Mr. Maloney?" Emily asks.
"Oh, hello Emily" Refus says, "I didn't know you work here with Ms. Hadley".
"You can just call me Matilda" Matilda says.
"Right" Refus says, "then you can just call me Refus. You're Emily's legal guardian, right? I had spoken to Emily's parents before the semester began, but they didn't tell me who her guardian was. I had to ask the principal about that, since it was on record".
"It's fine, don't worry" Matilda says, "is there anything wrong?".
"Ah, no" Refus says, "I was actually hoping you'd have some sort of way to contact Mr. & Mrs. Bernnigan. I'd like to eventually set up a way for Emily and her parents to be able to visit each other throughout the year, in hopes that it'll help with Emily's growth during school".
"Oh" Matilda says, "well, unfortunately, I don't have any definite way to get ahold of them. At least, not at just any time. Those two move around a lot, and they don't have phones, so I can't call them. However, if I can get them to stop by, I'll let you know".
"Thanks" Refus says, "it means a lot. I'd like to be able to help my students whenever I can, so if there's anything else I can do to help Emily's position, please let me know".
"Will do" Matilda says, "thanks Refus". After Matilda finishes speaking, Refus began to leave the store.
"I didn't think he would actually try to help that much..." Emily says.
"He seems like a great teacher" Matilda says. "Is he that laibah teacher everyone has been talking about?".
"Yeah" Emily says.
"Well" Matilda says, "good to know you've got a great teacher in your school".
The next day, during lunch, The Rejects were eating on the rooftop. "Everyone's having fun lately but me" Jessica complains. "Everyone has plans for this weekend but me, and it bums me out".
"I'm sorry" Wyatt says, "would it help if we try to hang out as a group next week?".
"That would be pretty cool..." Jessica says with her arms crossed. "But that doesn't stop me from being bored all this week".
"Tough shit" Jackson says, then Aeris elbows Jackson in the side. "Ow! I thought you were supposed to mark down a tally, then hit me after I pass a certain amount". Then Aeris starts to take out her small notebook. "No! Hang on!" Jackson panics, "you can't hit me AND mark down a tally! That's unfair".
"Tough shit" Aeris says as she marks down a tally anyways.
Suddenly, the door to the rooftop slowly begins to open. Through the door, Emily nervously entered onto the roof. "H-hey..." Emily says.
"Emily?" Emma asks.
"Y-Yeah, I know" Emily says, "I was kinda mean... b-but can I... sit up here with... you guys?".
"Yeah" Wyatt says, "no problem".
"What made you change your mind?" Emma asks.
"I never said... I changed my mind about anything" Emily says as she sits down. Emily sits in a spot between Emma and Jackson. They were sitting in a large circle, with Wyatt next to Emma, Aeris next to Jackson and Jessica across from Emily. Everyone sat with plenty of space between each other, with the exception of Wyatt and Emma. "So..." Emily says, "this is the group everyone in class calls The Rejects?".
"You already know about that?" Jackson asks.
"I'm not surprised" Jessica says, "people like to gossip a lot".
"They say you're all weirdos" Emily says, "and probably all laibah".
"And if we are all laibah?" Jessica asks.
Emily shrugs and says "My parents are laibah".
"Your... parents?" Jackson asks.
"I'm adopted" Emily says. "I'm a human".
"For real!?" Aeris asks.
"I've never heard of anything like that" Jackson says.
"Why'd I say that out loud?" Emily asks herself, "now everyone's gonna make a big deal out of it".
"But doesn't it feel easier talking to us, now that we know?" Emma asks. "Your secret is safe with us, don't worry".
Jackson squints at Emma, as he thinks "Aren't you the one who hasn't been telling a certain someone about yourself?".
"We may be Rejects in the eyes of other people in society" Emma says, "but we're all still here for a reason, right?".
"Well..." Emily says, "I guess you guys aren't all bad... maybe just stupid".
Jackson starts laughing, then Aeris glares at Jackson. "What? That was funny" Jackson protests.
"Welcome to the club, I guess" Wyatt says. "We mostly come here to get away from the rest of the students".
"Club?" Emily asks. "Is that what you call this?".
"Well... not really" Wyatt says, "but when we're able to, we're planning on making an actual club, next semester".
"Oh..." Emily says. "That's stupid".
After school, Wyatt left to go to work. When he came back, he and Emma were talking in the dorm. "Looks like she came around after all" Wyatt says, "although, it was a lot sooner than I thought it would be".
"Yeah" Emma says, "I'm glad she finally decided to talk to us, but she still doesn't seem like she really wants to talk very much".
"You think she's still holding something back?" Wyatt asks.
"I do" Emma says, "she definitely seems like it. Although, I don't blame her. She hasn't really known us, or talked to us at all before this. So we just have to give it some more time".
"That's the spirit" Wyatt says. "Now we should probably get some sleep. We still have school tomorrow, but we also have that date after school".
"Yeah!" Emma says, suddenly cheering up.
"It'll probably have to be late in the night though" Wyatt says. "Is that alright with you?".
"That's fine" Emma says, "I don't mind when. I'm looking forward to it either way".
"I haven't been able to request any days off at work, since it was kind of a sudden plan" Wyatt says, "so I still have to go in tomorrow. But when I get off, we can go out".
"Okay!" Emma says as the two begin to lay down in bed. As the two lay down in bed, Emma recalls what she said to Emily earlier that day. "Doesn't it feel easier talking to us, now that we know?" Emma thinks to herself. For a while, those words ring throughout Emma's head. "Hey, Wyatt?" Emma calls out.
"Hm?" Wyatt asks.
Emma pauses for a second, then simply just says, "I-I love you".
Wyatt laughs softly and says "I love you too". Emma knew she should've told Wyatt that she's a laibah by now, but she wasn't sure how to tell him. After she had refused to tell him yet again, she only felt more guilty.
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