Page 13 of Emma
Freya hesitated, looking down at the book as though she was choosing her next words carefully. Then, with a tentative smile, she spoke up. “I’ll finish it tonight. Would you like to borrow it when I’m done?”
Alice nodded enthusiastically. “That would besoamazing.”
“Okay, well, I’ll bring it in tomorrow and maybe find you around school to pass it on.” Her voice was soft, but Emma could hear the subtle excitement that was beginning to build in Freya. “I don’t really know my way around yet, but if you can tell me where to find you, I’ll definitely bring it in.”
Alice looked to Emma, her eyes bright, and Emma winked, silently encouraging her to keep the conversation going. “Did you…want to eat lunch together today?”
Freya looked at her, chewing on her lip nervously. For a moment, Emma saw that familiar uncertainty in her. Was she being too forward? Was she about to ask too much? Had she read the situation wrong?
“Would your friends mind?” Freya asked shyly.
Alice shrugged. “I don’t have many friends. But you could be my new friend if you wanted to hang out. I love to read and listento music, so if you do too, I think we’ll be good friends for each other.”
Freya’s eyes softened. “Yes, please. I’d like that.”
God, Emma hadn’t known how much she’d needed to witness an interaction like this. Quite frankly, it gave her hope. So much hope. And happiness. Moments like this would always fill her with joy. Emma wanted to bundle them both up in a hug as she continued to watch them. It was the kind of moment that reminded her how much the small things mattered. Just how easy it could be to change someone’s day with just a little bit of kindness and a dash of encouragement.
“Well, then, ladies,” Emma said, beaming as she looked at them both. “It looks like a new friendship has just formed.”
“Come on,” Alice said, taking the lead as she motioned for Freya to follow. “I know the perfect place to eat lunch where nobody will bother us. Then you can tell me about your top three books of the year so far, and I’ll tell you mine.”
Emma sighed inwardly as she watched them walk away, a smile settled on her face. Her heart felt fuller than it had in a long time. It wasn’t just from seeing Freya and Alice find each other. It was from remembering how much those early friendships meant and how hard it had been for her to find the people who understood her when she was young. The best kind of friendships weren’t based on anything superficial. No, they were based on shared passions, mutual understanding, and a little bit of vulnerability.
And she had just witnessed the beginning of one. Emma couldn’t help but hope that these two girls would continue to lean on each other and to grow together. Maybe, just maybe, they’d be able to navigate this school year with a little less loneliness and a little more belonging.
Stacking her students’workbooks, Vanessa blew a strand of hair from her face, the soft, golden light of the late afternoon casting shadows across the classroom. The blinds clicked into place as she lowered them, and she glanced out the window, watching as the last of the daylight faded. Autumn had crept in, its chill brushing against her face early this morning, but there was something about this time of year that Vanessa had always loved. The way the air felt crisp, the earth smelled fresh, and the world seemed to slow just enough for people to breathe after such a hectic, blazing summer. The warm, cosy sweaters, the comforting mugs of hot chocolate, and the calming walks through crunchy leaves. These small joys, once terribly boring, had become her lifeline. Especially since Emma had walked back into her life post-Ghana. It was hard to appreciate the changing seasons when loneliness had so often defined them.
The familiar click of the door reached her, pulling Vanessa from her thoughts. “Hi, excuse me. I’m looking for my wife.”
Vanessa’s heart skipped a beat, and she grinned, turning to face the doorway. There she was.Emma. Leaning against the doorframe with that effortless, sweet smile that always made Vanessa’s pulse quicken, even after all this time.
“What does she look like?” Vanessa teased as she stepped towards the door.
Emma arched an eyebrow, that mischievous smile she wore so often doing everything to Vanessa’s body. Emma tapped her chin and looked up to the ceiling. “Um, blonde-haired. Blue-eyed. Amazing arse,” Emma said as she stepped into the room and closed the door. “She’sreallygorgeous.”
“Huh.”
Emma reached out, took Vanessa’s hand, and pulled her closer. It felt as perfect as it always did—comforting—but there wasalwayssomething electric about these moments. As though every time they connected, the world outside faded away. “You know, she looks remarkably like you.”
Vanessa squeezed Emma’s hand, aching to kiss her. “Then I guess I should take you home with me. It seems rude not to.” With a reluctant sigh, Vanessa stepped back, not wanting to lose the moment but knowing she had things to finish up. She could tame herself until they were in a more appropriate place. “How was your day?”
“Better as it went on. I even played matchmaker for a new little friendship.” Emma’s smile was bright, her eyes shining with the satisfaction of doing something good.
Vanessa raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You did?”
“Yeah.” Emma perched herself on the edge of a desk. “You remember Freya? Just started this week…”
“I do. I remember her.” Vanessa nodded, immediately recalling the quiet girl who had stood out like a sore thumb in the classroom on the first day of this term. Freya had been almost painfully shy. “She’s made some friends?”
“Well, just one so far,” Emma replied with a small, knowing smile. “But you know me…I believe in quality over quantity.”
Vanessa grinned, incredibly proud of her wife as she gathered the last of her belongings. “That’s a lovely thing you did for them both. Especially if they’re on the quieter side. High school can be very unnerving for students these days. At least, that’s what I’ve found since the pandemic.”
“You’re right, but that was the weirdest time for everyone, so I suppose it makes sense.” Emma snorted. “Though, to be honest, Iwasthat kid twenty-odd years ago. So, I think we’ve always been around. We’re just more noticeable now if we don’t immediately fall into whatever group looks the most popular.”
Vanessa remembered the lonely years she’d also spent navigating those uncertain school corridors. She wasn’t sure she’d ever truly fit into a group, but she had learned to find solace in her own company. She paused, recalling Freya and the initial impression she’d gotten from her. “Out of interest, you…didn’t secretly have a child in your university days, did you?”
Emma frowned. “I’m sorry?”
