There's no ☺-ness. Chptr 3 - Emma

"I can't believe she just walked out on me." I said to myself, tears welling up in my eyes. "I was only trying to be nice to her." I reconsidered that last sentence. "Ok, maybe calling her mom a whoare was a LITTLE extreme, but I mean she IS! What's so bad about saying that she's something she already is?" I really didn't get it. I tried to be nice to her, but she just won't accept my... niceness! I went to walk away when I saw a glint of something pink in the grass. I bent down and picked it up. It was Caitlin's phone. I grinned. I could have some fun with this. Think of what kind of nasty messages I could send to people... Her mom especially. I laughed, thinking of how much trouble I could get Caitlin into. "Man, Emma, you are such a BITCH!" I said to myself. I seemed to take pride in being a cow. It felt really nice to see other people squirm with uncomfort and displeasure. 1

I flipped open Caitlin's phone. The first thing I saw was a message from her mum. "Hey sweetie, sorry to drop that on you like that. Is it ok if you stay at Audrey's tonight? Bill and I need to work all this out. It wasn't fair on you to just make that desicion without you. We'll talk about it later, ok? Mom." I shook with laughter, and quickly pressed 'reply'.2

"No, Mom, that's not ok. I hate Audrey. She's a bitch. I wanna come home!" I grinned. "That should stir things up a bit," I said to myself. Then, placing the phone back on the field, I walked off in the direction of the toilets. Then, on second thoughts, I turned back and picked up the phone, THEN headed over to the toilets. The phone buzzed as a new message came in. I flipped the phone open and read the message. 3

"Oh. But you and Audrey are best friends...what's wrong with her?"4

I quickly responded: "No. I'm Emma's best friend now. Audrey's a cow." I sent it quickly. It was amazing for myself to find out hw much of a cow I was. I mean, stealing a phone, pretending to be Caitlin, making myself look cool. It suddenly dawned on me. I'm an attention seeker. It felt really weird, calling Caitlin's mom 'mom'. But then, I guessed I would be anyway if a few months. I quickly checked the phone to see if there was a message for me (or rather for Caitlin). There was. I almost snapped the lid off the top in my haste to open it. 5

"Darling, is this Emma Allen? I don't think that's a very good idea hun. I don't want you being friends with that girl, ok?"6

My mouth dropped open in offendement. I quickly replied, my cheeks flaring. "Mom. You are being a bitch. Emma's cool. And anyway, weren't you marrying her dad anyway?" I snapped the phone shut, a tear rolling down my cheeks. Hastily brushing it away, I turned all my attention to the phone.7

"Have you seen my phone, Aud? O god, I think I've lost it," I heard Caitlin's whiney voice coming from the entrance to the field. "Hey, what's Emma doing here? Isn't she supposed to be in class?" 8

Audrey sniggered. "Aren't WE supposed to be in class TOO?" She stated. 9

"Oh yeah. But WE came to meet someone." Caitlin admitted, pushing Audrey away playfully. 10

Audrey sighed. "Someone who didn't even turn up. Who is he, anyway? I mean, I hardly know him. Don't even BEGIN to tell me you've known him for ages, cos you told me last week that you met him on the bus. Last THURSDAY. It's Wednesday today. That's not even a week you've known him, and already you're meeting up with him. It's not a good idea, Cait. I don't want you to get hurt." I sighed. Listening to Audrey have one of her 'protective' rants wasn't really my idea of fun. They were coming closer to me, and I quickly pushed the phone deep into my jeans pocket. 11

"Hi Emma," Audrey said, nudging Caitlin. "We were wondering, have you seen..."12

"No!" I interrupted. "I mean, wait, what?" Audrey and Caitlin glanced at each other - a meaningful look that said 'She might have it.' Yes, I'm a bit paranoid, have you noticed? "I mean, sorry. Um, go on?" 13

Caitlin stepped forward. "Have you seen my phone? I left it here maybe...half an hour ago? I noticed you were ou here, and I thought you might have, you know, seen it or something?" 14

I shook my head, furiously. "No, no I haven't. I don't own a phone - I think they're silly." I lied. The two exchanged looks. I felt that my lie was going well - all as planned, when suddenly, the stupid cursed phone buzzed. "New Message From: Mom," it said. Caitlin leaped forward and dug her hand into my pocket. I tried to resist her, but strangely, she was too strong. She succeeded, and pulled out the phone to read her message. 15

"It's ok, hon, I'm not marrying Bill anymore. How would I work? Everything's ok, and you won't have to live with that awful girl Emma. And, we need to have a word when you get home. I know you're 16, but you shouldn't swear like that, especially to me. Love, Mom." Caitlin raised her head, a curious look plastered on her face. 16

"Oh shit." I yepled, and sprinted away, dropping my book as I went. "Man, Emma, you've dug yourself such a big hole this time." I whispered to myself as I ran away, away from Audrey, Caitlin and my reputation.