“So, this is my best friend,” Emma said, showing a girl hugging her on the screen of her cell phone.

The two girls were sitting around a table on the inn’s large porch. The sun was hot, but a cold breeze was blowing, even though it was summer. It was always like that in that place so Emma was used to it. Aleta was sitting beside her, still hesitant to get closer.

“She’s… beautiful,” Aleta said, looking at the screen.

“She’s nice. I think you two would be friends, too. Actually, the first time I met her…”

Emma was interrupted by the sound of a door opening up. Her grandma walked to the porch and looked to the fields in front of her. She had a troubled expression.

“Is there a problem, grandma?” Emma said.

The old woman turned to the girls as if she had just realized that they were there. She gave a gentle smile.

“Not really a problem, dear, but… Well, maybe a little problem, nothing to worry about.”

“Can I help in any way? It’s not like I have anything else to do…”

“Hum…” For some reason, Misses Stephens looked at Aleta, who was sitting in silence beside Emma. “Well, I have some things I need to buy in the town. But I really can’t go now, and there’s no one who can go in my place. The work I have here at the moment is not something I can ask someone else to do.”

Emma’s grandma had a car parked in front of the inn, which she used for travels to the town. She could lend it to someone to go in her place, but she didn’t want to bother her guests with that.

“We can go for you, right?” Emma said, turning to ask Aleta. “I mean, I can’t drive, but a walk could do us some good. Aleta can show the way.”

Misses Stephens threw a worried look at Aleta. The girl was fiddling with the fabric of the blue one-piece she was wearing.

“I don’t know if it’s a good…” the old woman started to say but was interrupted by the girl.

“I can show her the way, it’s fine,” Aleta said. “I haven’t visited the town lately.”

The old woman gave another worried look at Aleta. But then she gave a slow nod.

“I’ll get the money…”

***

It took a little more than one hour of walking. The sun wasn’t that strong, luckily, as Emma was worried about how Aleta would react, given her pale skin. Emma put a blue vest over her shirt, even though she was wearing ripped short jeans. When asked why she was doing it, she only said: “I like pockets.” She had her hair tied up again and wondered if Aleta’s loose hair didn’t make the heat worse.

There wasn’t much to see in the way, and Aleta was quiet as always, but Emma made sure they kept a conversation during all the time. She was excited because she was sure the town would have a signal for her cell phone and hopefully she would be able to talk to her friend.

On the way, they talked a lot. Aleta was taciturn as always, but Emma didn’t stay silent. Every time she asked Aleta for something personal, the girl gave some monosyllabic answer. So it was mostly Emma who spoke about her own life the whole way.

She spoke about her classes and teachers, about the parties she used to go or the few jobs she dropped after three days. She told about the boyfriend she had that didn’t last much. How he was kind of an asshole but hot. Aleta just gave some vague gestures and made sounds to confirm she was listening, but rarely commented on it, so Emma couldn’t say how much she was enjoying their conversation. At one point, she did say: “You’re really sociable…”

They finally arrived at the town, and Emma, not used to walk, suggested for them to rest on the park before resuming their chores.

“This place still looks the same. I wonder if I can find someone I know,” she said, throwing her body on a bench. Aleta calmly sat beside her.

“Did you have friends here?”

“I know some people I used to play with as a kid, but…” Emma surveyed the park, watching the kids running around. “Well, the thing with cities like this is that most people go away when they grow up.”

Emma watched as some boy their age started to approach the park. It was three boys laughing and talking aloud.

“Grandma told me how you have no friends,” Emma said. “Maybe you should talk with other people more. I know you’re shy, but…”

“That’s not…”

“Look at those boys, for example. Aren’t they cute?” Emma asked. Aleta turned her eyes to the boys walking on the other side of the park. She bit her lip, not saying anything. Emma stood up. “Wait a minute, I’ll talk to them.”

Aleta raised her hand, but before she could grab Emma’s arm, she had already walked away. Aleta made mention to go after her but couldn’t let her bench. She looked at Emma with a worried face.

When Emma approached the boys, she immediately recognized one of them, even though she hadn’t seen him in ages.

“Mark, is it you?”

He looked at her, first confused. But then he gave a big smile, showing his white teeth.

“Emma! Wow, never thought I would see you again!”

Emma hugged the boy and greeted the other two.

“So, what are you doing here?” Mark asked her.

“You know, visiting grandma. I’m shopping for her right now. To think you would still be around. What about Eve? Is she still around?”

“Eve married and went to live away,” he said.

Emma was surprised. Eve was a little older than her, but she didn’t think she was old enough for marriage. At least, not for Emma’s standards. She realized again how the reality of that town and those people were different from her.

“Anyway, Emma,” Mark said, looking past her to Aleta sitting alone on the bench. “That girl. Is that Aleta, right? Weren’t you with her just know?”

“Oh, yeah. She’s living with grandma so I was asked to be her friend. Say, would you want come with…”

“Oh, so you’re forced to be friends with Little Miss Creepy? That must be hard.”

Emma got serious. She looked at Mark in silence for some moments.

“That’s rude, you know. She’s a nice girl. What’s up with you?” She said with a firm voice after her silence.

“No, really. I was on the same class as her, and she’s, huh… Weird. Right?” He asked his friends, both agreed and gave their own negative input about her. “You know, she was always alone… Always talking alone. And sometimes she would say some creepy shit. That girl has problems.”

With her hands on the pockets of her vest, Emma faced the three boys. She turned to look at Aleta again, realizing the girl was kicking her feet on the ground, avoiding to look at them.

“I hope I’m wrong, but I will ask it anyway,” Emma said in a sober tone. “Did you bully her?”

Mark and his friends seemed uncomfortable as they looked at each other. After some minutes of silence, it was Mark who spoke.

“Saying it was bullying is a little harsh. You know, as kids we did say some dumb things that maybe we shouldn’t, but that’s natural, right? She just creeped us out. After that, we just...mostly...started avoiding her. Look, you understand…”

“Have you ever made her cry?”

Mark didn’t say anything for a moment, then he started to mumble something. Emma sighed.

“Nice to see you, Mark,” she said and turned away.

She walked to Aleta and gently grabbed her hand, pulling her from the bench.

“Let’s go. Can’t let grandma waiting,” she said and started to pull the girl with her.

Mark caught up after them and tried to call her attention.

“Wait a minute, Emma. Just listen…”

He grabbed her free arm, but she slapped it away with force and turned to him.

“Get away, asshole!” She shouted, loud enough that people around looked in their direction.

“Emma…”

“Keep following me and I’ll call for help,” she said in a cold voice.

The boys gave up but Emma still pulled Aleta with her in hasted steps. At some point, she was almost running.

“E-Emma...my feet are hurting,” Aleta said, making Emma halt.

She looked at the black haired girl and gave a smile, suddenly hugging her.

“W-What?” Aleta said.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know those idiots gave you a hard time,” Emma put her hands on Aleta’s shoulder and looked at her. “Hey, your face is red. Are you hot?”

***

After they bought everything they needed, Emma asked for Aleta to wait for her on the bench in front of a store while she went inside. She came out after some minutes, bringing a blue scrunchie in her hand. She stopped behind Aleta.

“Let me tie it up for you,” she said and pulled Aleta’s soft hair. “Your hair is so smooth. It’s nice to touch.”

“T-Thanks…” Aleta said, looking at her feet.

Emma finished the ponytail on the other girl and walked in front of her to look at the result. With her face free of all that hair, she looked like another girl. Her long bangs still made her look kinda childish.

“You have a pretty face,” Emma said. “You should show it more. By the way, I bought scrunchie that looks like mine, I hope you don’t mind if we match.

“N-No!” Aleta said, looking at Emma’s own ponytail.

Emma sat beside her. She touched Aleta’s hand and realized how warm she was.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“I-I’m fine…” Aleta said with a smile. “I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn't. Those assholes should treat you better. And to think I used to have a crush on that idiot.”

Emma pulled Aleta’s body close to her in a hug. She knew the girl probably wasn’t used to it, but that’s why she wanted to do it. She realized how white Aleta’s neck was as it got so close to her face. She also smelled like flowers, which Emma couldn’t know if it was because of her home or the shampoo she was using.

When she finally decided to walk back home, she realized Aleta’s smile was brighter than before. That made her relieved.

***

Before going home, Aleta asked to use the toilet on a convenience store. Emma wanted to go with her, but they had the bags to carry already, so she decided to wait outside. She didn’t leave her position guarding the door the whole time.

She used her time to verify her messages, as she realized the cellphone was getting signal. There was only one, from Emily, her best friend.

Hey love. I’m sorry you couldn’t come, but I can promise you, this beach is great!

I went to a party with Robert last night, and he actually rented a hotel room for us. I mean, way better and romantic than where we’re staying! It was like I was fucking Cinderella! Well, or he was fucking Cinderella, I was fucking the Prince Charming. Well, you got it.

Oh, but don’t tell mommy, she thinks we just got home late.

Anyway, I’m having twice the fun for you, so don’t be so sad! Say hi to your grandma for me.

Bye, love, kisses!

She looked at the message that just the other day would’ve made her annoyed and jealous. And yet, she just smiled thinking about Emily trying to tease her. She started to type her own message back.

Hey, stupid Cinderella. Don’t ever forget who made you met your Charming Prince. I’m your godmother, so be more respectful.

Okay, I know, I know. Super cheeky, right? You ,started!

For your information, I’m actually having fun, and killing bugs have nothing to do with it!

I don’t have a Charming Prince, but I became friends with a really cute princess. I’m getting along with her, so I’m having fun. She might even become my best friend.

Jealous yet?! Wait until I send you her photo!

Oh, be careful not to make a mini Cinderella. You know, right?

Love you (kinda), bye.

As Aleta came back, Emma asked if she could take a photo of her, making the girl look at her in confusion.

“I want to send it to my friend if that’s okay.”

“Y-Yeah…. But why?”

“Just because.”

Emma surveyed around. She pointed to a point in front of some flowers.

“How about there? You’ll look like a princess.”

Aleta positioned herself where Emma pointed out. She was fiddling with her one-piece dress awkwardly.

“W-What should I do?” She asked.

“Just smile,” Emma said, pointing the camera of her cellphone to Aleta.

Aleta gave a timid smile and Emma took the photo. She showed it to Aleta before sending it to Emily.

“That came out weird…” Aleta said while Emma typed a message.

“That’s not true. It’s cute,” she said, while sending the message and looked at Aleta. “I don’t think it’s possible a photo of you not being cute, though.”

Each compliment she got from Emma made Aleta blush more. She hoped the other girl wouldn’t realize it.

The two girls resumed their walk home. Before losing the phone’s signal, Emma still received one last message from Emily.

That’s a really cute girl, I’ll admit. What is she doing lost in the middle of nowhere?

By the way, Emma, are you into girls, now?

Not judging you love. I won’t become jealous of that, though!

She can be your girlfriend, so I’m still the best friend.

Emma knew her friend was probably just teasing her, but that made her conscious of Aleta. She looked at the girl walking beside. Aleta had a pretty smile on her face.

***

The way home was peaceful, with the two girls talking to each other while holding the bags. The afternoon was ending and the night would start soon, so they couldn’t waste time. Fortunately, they could already see the inn in front of them.

“Oh, by the way, I brought my swimsuit,” Emma said. “So, we could go for a bath on the stream if the weather is…”

Realizing Aleta had stopped walking, Emma stopped too. Aleta was looking right in front of her, but her eyes weren’t focusing on anything. She left her bag slip through her fingers and fall to the ground.

“Aleta…?” Emma approached, grabbing the girl’s wrist, but she didn’t react. “Hey…”

Aleta’s eyes moved to Emma, staring right into her eyes. Her face was expressionless and Emma felt a chill run through her body.

“Aleta, come on, are you tired?” Emma said, grabbing the bag the girl left on the ground. “I’ll carry it for you.”

Slowly, Aleta rose her arm. She brushed the points of her fingers against Emma’s cheek, gently removing the strand of hair in her way. But her eyes had no emotion as if she was looking at the empty.

She breathed hard and opened her mouth.

“Aleta!”

With a sudden movement, Aleta moved her hand away. She looked confused, moving her body and looking to the sides. But her eyes were normal again.

“What did I…” She said, looking at Emma.

“You looked weird. What’s up? Are you feeling well?”

Aleta’s eyes fixed right in the inn in front of them. Then she bit her lower lip and took her bag from Emma’s hands.

“I’m fine...I’m sorry…” she said while walking ahead.