Earth To Emily

Emily’s POV 

The final bell rang, shrill and metallic, echoing through the hallways of Willow Court High like a warning siren.

Students burst from classrooms in loud, chaotic waves—laughing, shouting, reuniting as if they hadn’t seen each other in years.

I hugged my books to my chest, weaving through the noise.

My long chestnut hair kept slipping forward, brushing my cheeks as I pushed my round glasses back up my nose. They always slid when I was stressed… which felt like every second of senior year.

College applications. Scholarship essays. Finals.

My brain was a hamster wheel that never stopped spinning.

All I wanted was one peaceful afternoon in the library with chamomile tea and my half-finished personal statement.

But peace is apparently too much to ask for.

Because the moment I turned a corner, I collided with the one person I never wanted to see.

“Whoa, watch it!” a deep voice snapped.

I stumbled backward, my books scattering across the floor like someone had kicked apart a paper nest. My breath hitched as I looked up—

Straight into the stormy blue eyes of Jake Blaze.

Of course.

Of course it was him.

He stood there with tousled black hair, a leather jacket, and that infuriating smirk that could charm a snake.

He was Willow Court High’s walking red flag—the kind parents warned daughters about and teachers pretended not to fear.

“Sorry!” I squeaked, scrambling for my books before I cried or screamed—whichever came first.

Jake didn’t bother responding. He just walked away, his friends snickering as he joined them.

Heat flushed my cheeks—humiliation, irritation, pure fury.

I hate him.

“Emily! EM!” Sarah burst through the crowd, practically vibrating with excitement. “You literally just ran into Jake Blaze! Like—THE Jake Blaze! My annoying brother.”

Unfortunately, yes.

My life has impeccable timing.

“He knocked all my stuff everywhere,” I muttered, gathering loose papers. “He was just being… Jake. A jerk.”

Sarah’s face softened—because she remembered. How could either of us forget?

— Flashback —

Last day of school.

I was happy. Actually excited for summer.

Sarah and I were talking about sleepovers and beach days as I skipped to my locker. Everything felt normal.

Then I opened it.

A whole bucket of blue paint dumped all over me.

Cold. Sticky. Running down my hair, face, clothes. Students howled with laughter.

Through my blurry vision, I saw him—Jake Blaze—laughing harder than anyone, nudging his friends like he’d just pulled the prank of the century.

My chest crumbled. Tears came fast and hot.

I ran to the bathroom.

Locked myself inside.

Cried until my throat hurt.

When I finally calmed down, I slipped out of school, avoiding every hallway, every person.

— End Flashback —

“Yeah, Sarah,” I sighed. “Don’t remind me. That paint took days to wash out. And I had to lie to my mom. I hate lying.”

The next day in the cafeteria, I sat with my friends—quiet, focused, predictable. The smell of pizza and fries filled the air, and for once, I tried to relax.

But my mind kept drifting.

“Earth to Emily!” Sarah waved her hand in front of my face. “You’re zoning out! Spill.”

“Just thinking about my personal statement,” I murmured.

Before Sarah could tease me, a sudden shift rippled through the cafeteria.

Students turned toward the entrance.

Jake Blaze walked in.

He moved with a cocky confidence that made the air change, like he pulled gravity with him. People whispered. Watched. Reacted.

Even my heartbeat reacted, which annoyed me more than anything.

“Ugh, look at him,” Sarah muttered.

“Troublemaker,” I whispered, stabbing my salad.

But Sarah’s eyes widened.

“Emily… he’s coming this way.”

My stomach plunged. He is her brother after all so hopefully it's for her. 

Jake stopped at our table, leaning casually like he was posing for trouble.

“Well, well,” he said with a teasing smirk. “If it isn’t the nerdy girl.”

I lifted my chin. “Jake. What do you want?”

His smirk deepened.

Bad sign.

“Just here to remind you you’re not invited to the party this weekend. If you show up, you’ll regret it. Nobody wants a loser ruining the fun.”

Sarah gasped.

My jaw dropped.

Heat spread up my neck—anger, humiliation… and something else I refused to name.

“I’m not going,” I replied, steady and sharp. “I don’t need you to tell me that.”

He blinked, amused.

“Good. Glad we’re clear.”

And then he walked away, leaving my heart thundering in my chest.

“You’re TOTALLY still going,” Sarah declared the second he was out of earshot. “I’m not letting him dictate your life.”

“Why, Sarah? So he can humiliate me again? I’m done with that.”

“This isn’t a romance novel, Em,” she teased. “You’re allowed to have some fun.”

“Fun gets me paint dumped on my head,” I muttered.

Sarah grinned wickedly. “Just promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Don’t let Jake Blaze be the reason you hide.”

I sighed, leaning back. “Fine. Just don’t push me into anything stupid.”

“Emily,” she said sweetly, “I would never.”

I groaned.

“You’re impossible.”

But as I watched Jake Blaze across the cafeteria—laughing with his friends, catching glances he didn’t deserve—I couldn’t help it.

Something in my chest shifted.

And I hated that most of all.