~~I am so glad everyone is enjoying this story. I love writing about Emmy and his new friends. And I love seeing your comments about the story, it warms my heart. Thank you and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.~~

Emerson sighed softly as he slowly walked down the street towards his small house. He was not ready to speak to his two bodyguards, he would rather be drowning in quicksand. He felt bad that he had ditched his new friends once the school bell had rang throughout the campus, but he didn’t want them to feel bad for him.

“Master Faith, you’ve returned home.” The older bodyguard, Winston, spoke sharply as Emerson shut the pale grey door.

“Do not follow me to school.” Emerson’s voice was sharp and deep, albeit still raspy. “I don’t need bodyguards. Go home.”

“Master Faith, we are home. We were told to stay here and prote-“ Johnathon, the younger bodyguard, was interrupted by the mint boy.

Emerson was fuming. “You are both fired. I do not care. Go away. Leave me alone!”

The mint boy rushed into the only bedroom of the small home and slammed his door shut. He quickly began pacing the room, struggling to calm his racing heart. He hated yelling or raising his voice. Why? He knew punishment followed, but he had to remind himself that he wasn’t at his house in England. It was safe, he was away from the torture and pain.

“Master Faith, we have notified your mother of your order. She stated she will fire us if you agree to give her a monthly update by phone call.” Winston spoke on the other side of the door.

“Fine.” Emerson mumbled, knowing the two older males heard him since he soon heard his front door shut.

It was silent for a long ten minutes before Emerson remembered that the group of his friends he made were planning on watching the sun set. He wondered if he should go to them, but decided he should wait. He didn’t want to rush into the friendship without knowing how the others viewed him. He was kind of weird, in a different way than them.

And he had secrets.

One of which was that Emerson loved to rap. It was his passion. But, his persona changed. He became who he calls just Faith. He was more confident in himself when he rapped and he was more relaxed. But, it’s been a long time since he has rapped.

~~~~

The next morning Emerson slowly entered the school, wearing the same thing as yesterday. He stopped by his locker before heading to his first class. He was hoping Felix would tell him about the group’s time together last night, though he wished he had gone to be a part of it.

“Good morning, Emmy.” The purple haired male slipped into the seat beside the mint boy. “How was your evening?”

Emerson simply shrugged, not really wanting to talk. He glanced at the younger with a look as if asking how his evening was.

“The sunset was beautiful, Emmy. Kit took some photos that he said he’ll show you next period. We talked a lot about what we were going to do today. And we talked about you.” Felix’s smile was soft and warm. The smile alone calmed Emerson’s racing nerves. He never thought people talked about him.

“Frankie and Cameron have planned to show you something tonight if you can come over to Sebastian’s place.” Felix ended with a slight indication of a question. Emerson knew the group wanted him to come over, so he nodded slightly before glancing at the teacher. The class had started.

Once Emerson got to math class, Kit immediately sat down beside him and pulled out a camera, one that a professional photographer would use.

“I’m sure Felix told you already, but I wanted to show you some photos I took last night since you couldn’t come this time.” Kit’s smile was friendly and warm as he shifted through the photo library, searching for whatever photo he wanted to show the smaller male.

When Kit turned the camera to show Emerson, the older was shocked. The photo was vividly gorgeous, depicting five silhouettes with the sun setting behind the mountains where the boys had gone. It was breathtaking. Emerson was speechless for more than his normal reason.

Kit chuckled softly before taking the camera back and searching for another photo. This photo was of Frankie and Cameron doing funny faces at the camera - or at Kit, Emerson figured. The older male couldn’t help but feel a very tiny smile lift on his face at the sight of the two males and their crazy faces. Kit was going to show more photos, but class had started.

In no time, it was lunch. Again, Emerson didn’t pack anything since he rarely ever ate. Due to his lack of hunger, he was a very skinny person.

Upon entering the cafeteria, he quickly spotted Sebastian and the others. They were all laughing around the table as they ate out of plastic containers, a sign that Sebastian had made them all food again. As Emerson made his way closer to the group, he noticed an empty seat between Cameron and Frankie that had a small plastic container in front of it.

Almost suddenly, Emerson was pushed and fell onto the ground with a loud audible thud. He hissed softly in pain, trying to stop the tears that threaten to fall from his catlike eyes.

“Shit,” the perpetrator mumbled as he stared down at the mint colored boy. “I am so s-“

“What the hell, Jones!?” A baritone like voice cut through the thick atmosphere of the cafeteria.

Emerson opened his mocha eyes and caught sight of Kit grabbing the perpetrator, Jones’, collar. Emerson did not want a fight to happen all because he wasn’t watching where he was walking. He quickly stood up and went to stop Kit when Jones decided to speak after his shock wore off.

“Dude, Kit, I didn’t mean to.” Jones pushed Kit off of him, only in the manner to put distance between them, not to cause a fight. “I wasn’t watching where I was going and I accidentally bumped into him. Look, I’m sorry. I’ll just keep an eye out for the shorties from now on.”

Emerson was shocked, mostly because this guy wasn’t actually trying to bully him, but also because his new friends were all surrounding him now. It looked like they were going to protect him in the event there was a fight.

Emerson decided to step in, seeing as how Kit was now looking at him for a response.

“It’s… It’s o-okay.” Emerson said as he stood up with the help of Ash. “I s-should have watched w-where I-I was g-going too.”

Emerson hates that he was stuttering, but he couldn’t help it. His body was in slight shock as his mind tried to stop past memories from overflooding his senses.

“Don’t do it again, Jones.” Kit muttered before the six males led Emerson over to the table.

As they all sat down around the table, Frankie helped Emerson into his seat between himself and Cameron. The others were silent as they went back to eating. Emerson felt guilt swim through his veins as he figured he was at fault for the silence. For the second time, his mouth worked faster than his brain could decipher the situation.

“I’m sorry.”

His soft raspy voice was quiet, but it reached the ears of the six males. Sebastian was the first to smile softly, a slight calming gaze entering Emerson’s eyes.

“Emerson, don’t ever be sorry. You did nothing wrong.”

“Yeah, I should be sorry for overreacting as I did.” Kit smiled sheepishly as he slouched beside Ash.

Ash chuckled softly, “The mood is quite depressing. Let’s change that.”

“Yeah!” Frankie smiled, his eyes turning into crescents.

“Emerson, will you be joining us at Sebby’s house after school?” Kit asked after he finished his bag of chips.

Emerson glances around the table, his guilt melting away from all their soft gazes and warm smiles. He could feel the friendship and happiness they all seem to radiate. It made him feel safer than he was with his past bodyguards. He wanted this safety forever.

“Emerson?” Cameron spoke gently beside the quiet boy, grasping his hand gently.

Emerson blinked a few times as he felt Cameron holding his hand. He turned his gaze to match with Cameron’s chocolate eyes.

“S-Sor-“

“No apologizing, Emmy.” Emerson was interrupted by Frankie, turning his gaze to the grey eyes, noting Frankie was wearing contacts today.

“Oh, um…” Emerson was never the one to be lost with words, but he couldn’t think of the words he wanted to say. He looked at Felix and Sebastian, the two who seemed to be the leaders of the group. They were watching him, not in annoyance or anger but with patience and love.

Love.

Emerson was new to that feeling, having lost it when he was barely a child. His heart swelled with the feeling worming it’s way through his veins, seeping deep into his muscles, warming his cheeks to a soft pale pink color. He has never felt such warmth from a group of people that were practically strangers yet felt like they knew each other for centuries.

Emerson was brought back to reality when he felt someone’s warm hand rubbing calming circles on his lower back. This was a sensitive spot for the quiet boy, it was where his mother would always rub when the male was crying or in pain. Though, that had stopped before he became a teenager.

“Emerson?” Cameron whispered again, his warm breath fanning against Emerson’s cheek.

Not trusting his words, Emerson looked at Cameron and nodded slowly.

“You’ll come?” Frankie said with a slight lift in his words, indicating hidden happiness that the elder would be joining.

Again, looking at Frankie and not trusting his voice, Emerson nodded.

“Well, Emmy, we can all go together after music class. My mother knows the group is coming over, I’m sure one extra person won’t matter.” Sebastian said with a warm smile on his features as he packed up his finished dish.

For probably the nth time, Emerson nodded, feeling a warm happiness sleeping into his heart.

After lunch, Cameron gently held Emerson’s hand as they went to Chemistry class. Emerson couldn’t help the soft rose blooming across his cheeks. Cameron’s hand was very warm to the touch. Emerson couldn’t help but stare at the taller male. He was wearing the school uniform but it fit very tightly on the athletic frame of the male. His hair was slightly wavy and parted in the middle. 

~~~~

Soon, the school day was over with and since everyone was in the same class at the end of the day, the group just left together.

The sky was grey and dark clouds covered the horizon. A sharp scent of rain mixed with the growing winds that howled throughout the city. A storm was coming and it was going to a bad one. Emerson didn’t really like storms. They were too loud, unpredictable, and reminded him of too many bad memories.

“Hey, Sebby,” Kit spoke as he took Ash’s basketball. “Since tomorrow’s Saturday, could we just sleep over?”

Sebastian loosened his tie, the only thing that looked imperfect. “I would have to ask my mom. Though, I am sure she will say yes. We can all pile in the van and stop by everyone’s place for clothes.”

Emerson was more into watching the leaves fall off the trees and fly through the air as the wind carried them. He was aware of the conversation, but he did not think he would be included, as he was a new friend.

“Emmy?” A voice entered his ears. Emerson blinked, unfocusing from the flying leaves and focusing on a pair of worried eyes. Cameron was looking at him, standing beside him as they walked.

“Sorry.” Emerson’s voice cracked as he spoke.

Cameron smiled and shook his head. “It’s okay. We were asking if you’d like to stay over for the weekend.”

Emerson’s cheeks heated as he cocked his head slightly. “I didn’t think I was invited.”

“Why not, silly?” Kit shouted, he was a few feet in front of the group, trying to stop Ash from getting his basketball back.

Emerson shrugged as Sebastian unbuttoned his uniform blazer. “Of course you are invited, Emmy. We would like to get to know you as you are now a part of our family.”

Emerson felt sad yet warmth spread in his gut. He never knew what a real family felt like. Would this really be a good family for him? Would it be worth getting to know new people? What if it ended as bad as his biological family? What if he gets hurt more?

“Emmy? Will you stay?” Frankie’s light, airy voice washed away the painful thoughts in Emerson’s mind.

Emerson nodded, shrugging slightly. “I will stay. If it’s okay.”

“Of course it’s okay.” Sebastian smiled as they walked up the driveway that led to his house.

Sebastian’s house reminded Emerson as a large cottage. The brick walls were clean and a mixture of white, greys, and tan bricks. The brick walls led to dark green wood roof walls, and showed where the second floor was. The roof was a dark tile, similar to the wood outside. The second floor had tall windows, opened to show the warm light that came from what might be the open ceiling for the living room. The front lawn showed perfectly cared for bushes that held dying flowers as summer was ending and autumn was approaching. The front door was a gorgeous, ornate oak door with a partially opaque window which also showed the warm light of the house.

The door opened, showing the same woman from that other day. Though this time she was not as frazzled as before. She wore a soft pink maxi skirt with a white button up tied around her waist. Her dark hair was still in the messiest bun Emerson had ever seen and her face was clean of any makeup, showing how naturally beautiful she was.

“Welcome home, boys.” Mrs. Pearce smiled, her smile dropping slightly at the sight of Emerson. “Oh, a new friend. Hello, I am Kathy Pearce. Sebastian did tell me a new friend would be coming over.”

“This is Emerson Faith.” Frankie smiled, his chubby cheeks turning his eyes into perfect crescent. His smile amazed Emerson.

“Nice to meet you Emerson. I also know you don’t talk much, which is perfectly fine. Trust me, these boys are loud enough.” Mrs. Pearce's laugh was soft as they all entered the house.

Emerson was greeted with a hug of warmth from a crackling fireplace and the soft lights that were on throughout the house. The foyer was organised to show where shoes would go, jackets or coats to be hanged, and a small table which held a few cacti and a ornate bowl where some mail laid untouched.

The living room had a gorgeous off white sectional where autumn colored pillows laid strewn about. There was a soft throw blanket the color of a sunset piled up in the corner of the couch. Emerson noticed a sleeping orange tabby sleeping, snuggled into the blanket almost blending in. There was a matching loveseat on the other side of the sectional where two siamese cats slept, wrapped around each other. In the middle of the living room sat a gorgeous dark oak coffee table on top of a soft grey colored rug. The fireplace was a similar brick as the outside of the house and a large tv hung on the wall above it. The walls were a bright white, making the room feel warm and larger than it probably was.

Emerson noticed all of this quickly, wondering what the cats’ names were. He focused on the conversation so as not to miss anything.