Cassidy Clemonte stared at her best friend, wondering how someone could be so beautiful and smart, and yet also be so stupid.

"You have a problem with what now?"

"I really think that it isn't working out between Carter and I." Emy sighed. "He's really, well.... I just need personal space, and he wants to hang out all the time."

"How often do you guys hang out now? I know that he hangs out with you at lunch and comes with you on Fridays to Art Club."

"We spent an hour together after school this week. But, it's like he wants to text me and talk to me a lot. He's so sweet, but.... he's clingy. I don't know. And Chase is talking to me again now that he and Camilla are broken up, but anyways, I feel bad about not being honest. I think I'll break up with him." Emy decided.

"Whoa whoa whoa. Go back. You are dumping the funny, smart, nice guy who likes spending time with you and gets you your favorite candy during your period because your ex isn't giving you the silent treatment?"

Emy's perfect eyebrows drew close together.

"I am not breaking up with Carter to get together with Chase. I was just pointing out that I've been reminded that maybe we aren't right for each other, and that I've had really good relationships before."

"Riiiiight. Stable relationships with drug addict Chase?"

"People should not be judged on their addictions." Emy admonished.

"You are not allowed to judge anything right now. Chase was addicted-IS addicted to drugs, and had you hide them for him. Your last boyfriend before that never came to school, and the one before that was two years older than you and his career goals involved starting a rock band in his basement. Carter is literally the best person I've ever met, and you don't like him because he ties down your free-spirit by spending more than an hour a week with you?"

Emy frowned.

"That's why I came to talk to you, but in the end, I just need to do what's best for me."

Oh dear sweet mother of all things with sugar.

Why was she even here again?

"By the way, I heard about your band competition. Congratulations!" Emy beamed at her like a proud parent.

Cassidy bit her lip.

"Thanks, Em. It was actually-"

"Oh look! Natalia!" Emy leapt up from the table and hugged a girl passing by with a camera.

Cassidy pulled out her book, knowing that she'd only get a couple pages in before Emy came back, but not wanting to look awkward all alone.

"Hey! So what were you saying?" Emy propped a hand under her chin, full attention turned back to Cassidy.

I was saying that it was a theater performance that I played a huge role for, and the last time I stepped foot in the band room was in Middle School. I was saying that I think it's unfair to dump Carter because of your need to have people wait for you.

"Ah, it's nothing. Just that I had a super frustrating group to work with in History because I got elected Leader." Cassidy lied.

"Oh. I can see you as group leader."

"Yeah. I have Shay-James in my group. I know he's super smart, but he's really quiet, so it's frustrating. I know that he could help me figure out what I'm doing."

Emy looked completely enthralled, but less than 30 seconds later she was meeting up with someone else.

"Hey, I'll talk to you later, okay? I have to go." Cassidy said awkwardly interrupting the side reunion that had alienized her.

"Oh, you're so busy! Don't forget to take a break sometimes!" Emy called after her.

Emy was very good with one-on-one interactions. She gave people her all, and was kind and non judgemental.

Unfortunately, Emy liked to know everybody, so that time got cut short as she directed it in different places.

That was probably why she couldn't handle the only functioning relationship that Cassidy had approved of.

Cassidy moved to a quiet hallway and sat down, opening her book.

All she could do was make her opinions known.

The rest was up to Emy.