Abby let out her breath. She was overjoyed to leave Emma on the playground but was still hesitant to go back to class and Mr. Arm. Surprisingly, she was quite interested in the lesson that Mr. Arm was teaching. When lunchtime came, the line was super long. They were serving pizza and everybody wanted some. Luckily Abby had brought her own lunch so she skipped the line and the unpleasant Mrs. Grump and headed for a place to sit. Sophie and Jack joined her. By this time, their table was the only one with empty seats. Abby glanced over to the lunch line. Emma and her friends were the last people in line.

“Look,” Abby said when Sophie came from the lunch line, “Emma and her friends are the last in lunch line”

“So?” said Jack still sore at Emma. “What does that have to do with us?”

“A lot.” Abby replied. “We’re at the only table that has room.”

“Well, she can just stand for all I care.” Jack said, a sour look on his face.  Abby looked around and saw that there was another table with seats but not enough. If Emma and her friends chose to sit there one or two people would be without a seat. Emma looked around and saw Abby’s table. There was no way she was going to sit next to her so Emma moved to the table with few seats. As soon as they got to the table one of Emma’s friend cut across her and stuck her foot out. A girl behind Emma intentionally bumped into her causing her to trip and fall hard. The girls laughed and then took the last seats at the table leaving Meria standing and Emma on the floor. Emma scowled at the floor as if she blamed it for making her trip. Jack, Abby and Sophie saw the whole thing. Jack smiled and tried to hide a laugh. Sophie wrinkled her forehead, not sure what to make of it. Abby looked at Emma thinking.

“Well, it serves her right,” Jack said smiling, “what goes around comes around.”

“I feel sorry for her,” Abby said, “after all I don’t know what kind of friends would do something like that.”

“Her friends apparently,” Sophie said between bites, “I heard that Emma’s friends are tired of her behavior. Hey, Abby, what are you doing” she said when she saw Abby walk up to Emma and help pick up what was on the floor. Luckily, most of her lunch was ok. Abby held out her hand out to Emma to help her up. Emma looked suspiciously at Abby’s hand but then let Abby pick her up.

“We have room at our table if you want.” Abby said to Emma and Meria. Meria’s face brightened but quickly clouded after she saw Emma’s glare they both followed Abby back to her table and sat down. Jack opened his mouth as if to say something. Abby kicked his foot under the table a little harder than she had planned to.

“Ow,” Jack said, rubbing his calf

“Sorry.” Abby said, “My foot slipped.”

“Your foot slipped sideways?”

“I have a weird foot” Abby said, trying to defend herself. Sophie snorted, Meria giggled and Jack tried and failed to look offended. Emma scooted to the far part of the table and turned her head but Abby could sense she was smiling too. Meria eventually got comfortable and started to talk to the group. She revealed that she could speak French and that she helped with her older sister’s yard work business on weekends.

“So your sister is an entrepreneur?” Sophie said

“Entrée-put-what?” Jack said. Everyone but Emma laughed

“Entrepreneur,” Emma said yawning as if saying the word bored her so much that she did not bother explaining

“It means someone who starts a business” Abby said hoping that Jack hadn’t been embarrassed too much by Emma’s yawn and tone of voice. Meria nodded

“She says that she is going to get rich doing it and then buy fancy dresses and shoes.” Meria said. Her high-pitched voice reminded Abby of a cartoon mouse she had once seen singing on TV. The mouse’s voice had been just as dainty and gentle. She did not dare mention it, though, for fear of offending Meria by comparing her to a rodent.

“What do you do on your weekends. Um, Abby-that is your name right?” Meria said cautiously glancing at Emma as if Emma were a sleeping bear and one wrong move might wake the beast. Abby nodded

“Well I mostly spend my Sundays with my dog Belle, reading, watching TV, and if my mom allows it baking. On Saturdays I go to church where I mostly help with the little ones.

“My mom’s friend’s cousin goes to church,” Sophie said, “but she goes on a Sunday not Saturday” she wrinkled her forehead again this time in confusion and interest. Abby took a deep breath hoping not to humiliate herself as well as explain in an understanding way.

“Some people go to church on Saturday instead of Sunday. We’re called Seventh-day Adventists. We go to church on Saturday because it’s what the Bible says.” Abby said. Sophie nodded and the conversation drifted to other topics. Soon the bell rang and the group started cleaning their table. When they were almost finished Meria went to Abby and said

“Thanks for letting me sit next to you.” She paused making sure Emma wasn’t within earshot “You’re a nice person” Then, as quick as a young nimble dear, she was gone. Abby felt a warm sensation in her hands that seemed to run up her arm and into her chest. It was the same sensation she got when her mom, Mrs. Perce, or dad, Mr. Perce, gave her a hug or a kiss. The moment, though, was short-lived when Emma passed by her. At first, she slowed as if wanting to say something but then quickened her steps with a loud “Hmph” though the hmph didn’t sound offended. Abby smiled and the warmth came back. She knew that this was the closest thing to a thank you she would get from Emma Lopez.

Sorry for the long wait. I went through a little writers block and didn’t have the heart to do the editing anyway hoped you enjoyed it.