The Queen of Secrets

Emily stormed in and slammed her books onto her desk while Hayden and Trent were teasing each other in their drama class. She had never acted out like this before, so the other students stared at her, wondering what could be bothering her so much. But Hayden had a hint. He had been restless last night, writhing in bed and worrying about Emily. He didn't know what to do because he couldn't tell the guidance counselor because Emily had threatened to choke him if he told anyone. It wasn't that he was scared of her; she was just...

He therefore reached a compromise: he would inform Loren, her best friend, who would be the one to know what was best for her. However, he had only witnessed Loren confronting her that morning on the side of the school. The fact that Loren was unable to reach her was already obvious to him. In any case, Mrs. O'Brien instructed the class to practice in pairs after taking attendance.

"Good luck, man," Trent said, patting Hayden sympathetically.

First, Hayden was his best friend, and second, Trent had a cousin who had committed suicide, so he understood what Hayden was going through, so Hayden had told Trent. Hayden hauled himself to Emily's seat.

"Hey," he said clumsily. She gave him a friendly nod, but that was the only recognition she gave him.

He inhaled deeply. "Hey, I understand you're upset with me, but I had to let her know." She looked at him. "Oh, hurry up! I couldn't keep it a secret! You nearly lost your life!

"You big fool!" Emily hushed him. "What you did was inappropriate! It really only succeeded in severing our friendship! So many thanks! She sounded urgent, but she didn't raise her voice to drown out the other students.

Do you hold me responsible? It was you who almost leaped off the bridge! A bit too loudly, Hayden cried out. She gave him a scowl.

"Remind yourself to keep your voice down, or I'll do it for you!" she hissed at him.

"Why are you treating me so badly? "All I did was save your life!" he exclaimed, wondering why she would despise him so much. The only issue was that she didn't see it that way, but he did her a favor.

"You defied me and pushed me off the ledge when I told you to simply move away! Her whole body was stiff, tense, and aggressive, but her eyes conveyed the emotions of a wounded puppy. "What you seem to keep forgetting is that I never told you to," she spat.

"Please allow me to assist you, Emily. "We can discuss this in a private setting," he trailed off, begging her to give him a chance.

She let out a sigh. "I don't mean that this argument isn't entertaining, but I think that since this is drama class, we should concentrate on the current assignment rather than on other instances from outside the room."

Hayden could adequately translate that: don't discuss anything other than the dumb skit with her.

He nodded, unable to overcome the distance between them and once again being put in his place.

After class ended, Emily walked out of the room without saying anything and ignored Hayden's cries for her. Trent approached him and touched his shoulder.

"H.O.W., don't give up just yet. Trent stated with optimism, "You'll be prepared for her once she cools down."

"But what if it's already too late by then?" Trying not to overthink his question, Hayden asked.

Loren approached them worriedly before Trent could comfort him.

"Hey, I understand that you're attempting to assist Emily, but I have a small suggestion. Loren's voice hardened as she finished her statement. "Emily doesn't open up to just anybody; you have to be a friend, and even then, she refuses to let you in," she said. "However, by spending time with her and getting to know her, you can become her friend."

"How do I go about doing that? Without confidence that he would ever get through to her, Hayden noted, "Whenever I talk about anything other than the skit, she's either vague or pissed."

Loren grinned, as though a lightbulb had suddenly illuminated above her head, and said, "I have an idea." They accepted the plan after she explained it to them. Hayden would have to persuade the Queen of Secrets to reveal herself somehow.

After school, Emily apologized for trying to purge herself of the outside world and for being so unreliable, while Loren apologized for being so furious. After patching up their friendship, Loren revealed that Trent had asked her out on a double date and that she needed a female friend to keep her company. Emily clearly wanted to veto it outright at first, but Loren persuaded her until she finally agreed, exhausted by her tenacity. Emily then asked her who her "date" would be, but Loren ignored her question and continued talking excitedly. Ultimately, they shook hands on the contract, said their goodbyes, and agreed to meet at seven o'clock on a street corner.

Now they stood there. Perhaps because they were standing in the dark under a streetlight, Emily's black jeans and black jean jacket with a striped sleeveless shirt underneath made her feel like a sex worker. The fact that Loren was dressed in a thin, long-sleeved black coat that covered her shoulders, a ruby red dress that hung down to her shins with spaghetti straps, and a black belt around the middle didn't help either.

"Will they be here soon?" Emily asked impatiently.

"Emily, they will be here shortly." With composure, Loren added, "Just don't freak out when you see them."

"What would make me freak out?" With suspicion, Emily inquired. Now she knew something was wrong.

Trent was behind the wheel of a silver Jeep that arrived before Loren could tell a lie.

"Observe! You brought Emily, I see! He gave a phony enthusiastic greeting.

"Hi, Trent!" Loren waved. Emily still thought she was missing some important clue.

While Emily circled and entered from the opposite side, Loren opened the door and climbed into the backseat. When she got inside, she saw a familiar face in the passenger seat, and you can probably guess who it was because of his frequent, unwanted presence in her life.

"Not at all! This was set up by you guys! Emily glared at Loren and accused him. Loren gave her a sulky glance.

"Perhaps." Mockingly, Trent trailed off.

"Before I push your drama partner through the windshield, Loren, you had better tell me what's happening!" Emily, frustrated, threatened.

"Harsh, girl!" Trent made a loud comment.

"Bit me!" Emily growled and opened her mouth to bare her teeth, but Loren gave her a warning glance, so she repressed the urge.

Hayden swung around in his chair and gave Emily a direct look.

He explained politely, "Look, I know you have a grudge against us right now, but I want to show you that I'm not a bad guy." Loren gave a nod of agreement.

"And somehow a night out with my best friend, whom I currently hate, and you two idiots is going to change the way I see you?" Emily summarized, unable to believe it.

"That's about it," Hayden concurred.

Emily only sighed, despite her temptation to get out of the car and vanish into the Obsidian Angel Dominion, where they would never find her.

"All right. I will not believe you if you don't persuade me in one night.