The laugh was low and quick, his light hair flowing into his eyes as he did so. His broad shoulders bounced, and he had his mouth in his hands now. I smiled widely. He took a deep breath, sat silent for a second, and continued to laugh, but quieter. I look back down at my drawing, and shade the side a little. Mari looked down, focused on her drawing. I hear a quiet tune seep across the room, as I recognize a christmas carol. 4 more days of school, I have been counting down like a child with an advent calendar. Zeke settled down, his smile still brightening. I chuckled silently, my good mood now showing more often as ever. Perhaps it was the fact that Emma was flying over, and she was going to be here this evening. 

:-: 

I spoon the soup into my mouth, the chicken flavour overpowering. Swallowing, my phone buzzes, Zeke looked at it, then me, his blue eyes showing his confusion. I pause at eating to look down at it. It reads: Hey, I've landed. When do you get home from school. I sit up, excited. I text back, not for another hour and a half. The reply: UGH. The corner of my mouth twitches. 

:-: 

I pause before opening the door of my house. I turn the smooth doorknob and peer in. Emma's mother turns towards me and points to the stairs. I nod, and let my backpack rest against the bench. I slowly walk upstairs, my hands shaking. Why am I so nervous? It's Em! I shake my head quickly, and open the door of my room. Emma's head turns and she barrels towards me, her arms wrapping around my waist. She laughs as pull her closer. She was about an inch taller then me, I noticed, and her hair was a good two inches longer. Other than that, nothing had changed. 

I realize the tears resting on her cheeks and use my thump to wipe them away. She smiles, and she rests her chin on my shoulder. Her dark blue eyes still remind me of a blue jay, it's wings beating fast as it flys above trees and through the clouds. Her dark hair was about at her back, and it rested on her shoulder. Slowly, we pull away from each other, but still hold hands each other's hands, our arms in front of us. 

"I've missed you so much." She says quietly, her eyes misting over again. I nod, agreeing, I had to. I miss Em every time my heart beats. She smiles and pushes the hair in front of my face behind my ear. Her hand travels to my cheek, and she rests her pointer finger on my cheek bone.  I smile shyly, her dark hand warm against my skin. 

"Hungry?" She asks, though his is her way of saying, 'I'm starving.' I nod, and I feel her soft lips press against my cheekbone, for no more than a heartbeat. She smiles, and I follow her down the stairs. My mother looks up, and blinks. 

"What do you two need?" She asks, one eyebrow raises slightly. 

"Food." Em replies. Her mother chuckles softly. 

"Well," Mom starts, "You guys can walk to the café down the street, they have snacks." We nod, and begin to walk out the door, throwing on our coats and scarfs. We walk in silence down the driveway, before Emma starts talking about school. She notes that it's ok, and that it's a lot different then my junior high school, the one we'd gone to together. I nod as she talks, seeing the café becoming closer and closer. Em pauses and grabs my hand. 

"How's school going?" She mutters. I nod, though it's hard to tell, hanging out with Zeke is great, same with art and foods. She blinks slowly and huffs. We walk into the café, the bell ringing as the door opened. We stand at the counter, as a lady with a pixie cut takes our order. The chair is plush underneath me. We 'talk' and drink our lattes. Nothing had ever been as good as this these past few months. I feel vibrations from my pocket, and grab my phone. Em looks up from the notebook. I see a single text: Hi, is this Fawn? If so, I'm sorry. I... want to apologize now, because i'm too afraid to do it in person. If you want to know who this is, met me at Shortbread cafe at noon tomorrow, thanks. 

I freeze, and Em grabs the phone from my hands. She studies the message for a minute, and huffs. I raise an,eyebrow, and she looks up. 

"Weird." She mutters. "We aren't doing anything tomorrow, we should do it." I feel concern creeping into my chest. I shrug and nod, after all, what harm could come from seeing someone who wants to apologize?