Chapter 8

Em

That afternoon Em went with Sylvia and the girls to the dance studio, aptly named “Tush”. She talked with the coach , Maria, about starting. At first Maria said she would have to try out, but then after a few minutes of conversation about her past training she told her she was on the team. They would start practice on Thursday after school. On the way out Em noticed a sign on the door, and told the girls she would be right back. Five minutes later she skipped out to the car grinning.

“What just happened?” Aspen asked her.

“I just got a job”. Emerson sing songed.

She was going to work at the studio Monday through Wednesday helping with the books and secretarial duties while Maria taught dance to younger kids. She was even going to help her with the dance lessons.

“Ewwww why did you go and do a thing like that?” Mickey wanted to know.

But she needed to stay busy as possible. When she had too much free time her mind started going over board and all the horrible memories started to surface.

She didn’t want that to happen here in her new town with her new friends.

Her mom had already told her she needed to continue with therapy. But if she didn’t have time she couldn’t argue with her about it. And Emerson wanted to be okay and not have to relive all the painful awful memories with a new therapist. Maybe she would call her old one just if she really needed it.

That afternoon the girls came back to her house and got in the pool. Sawyer and her mom had gone to the mall and to get groceries so they still weren’t home. They were all floating around and talking when a sudden splash hit the pool like a torpedo.

Screaming and flip flopping everywhere the girls looked for what could have caused such an interference when Asher’s head popped up from underwater.

“E-llo ladiess” he drawled.

“Oh what the hell Asher!” His sister was throwing water on him now. Mickey looked like she wanted to murder him and Sylvia looked … Sylvia looked embarrassed that she was even looking.

Em just laughed. She appreciated Asher’s antics so much she didn’t even care that he had thrown half the water out of the pool.

“There’s a party going on right here.” Asher started.

“What?” Said Em.

She looked over to Aspen for help but she was just rolling her eyes at her brother.

“A celebration, to last throughout the years.” Asher looked at them each seriously.

“Is your brother having a stroke?” Mickey drawled. While Sylvia asked: “Someone’s having a party? On a school day?”

Em looked to Aspen for help again to see that she was still rolling her eyes. She was just staring up into the sky with her head tilted back like this was an everyday occurrence.

“So.” Asher continued talking.

“Bring your good times and your laughter too”.

Emerson suddenly caught on and busted out laughing. That got Aspen out of her eye rolling stance and she also began giggling despite herself.

“I am so confused”. Sylvia said while Mickey looked like she was ready to pummel the intruder.

“We gonna celebrate your party with you come on now!” Asher yelled.

“CELEBRATION!” Em, Asher, and Aspen all yelled at the same time. Then busted out laughing. Em accidentally let one of her snorts loose which did both the twins in and they were heaving with laughter.

Poor Sylvia and Mickey were still lost, which made them all laugh more. They got cramps in the water from laughing so much and had to crawl out.

It took them a good ten minutes to regain composure when Mickey said “well shit I had hoped y’all’s weirdness wouldn’t rub off on my new friend here but looks like I’m too damn late”.

Poor Sylvia was sitting a mile away from the rest of them still trying to figure out what happened the last 15 minutes. That’s when the back door busted open and Sawyer, returning home with their mom ran out and yelled:

“Hey bitches! What’s your pleasure? Then they all belted out in song: “Every-one a-round the world.. come on!”