Now Who's The Famous One Here?

My mother drilled the importance of kindness into me when it comes to treating people, especially to girls.

I reminisced about the time I was in elementary school. My classmates pointed at me and this other girl who everyone declared as examples of the beauty standard. 

Since I was known to be quite chivalrous despite my age, our classmates paired us as the perfect couple on Valentine's Day. Balloons had covered all corners of the room, with a million goodie bags lined up on the teacher's desk. 

Thinking back, it was strange for us to be paired. The girl never stood a chance. She never had eyes on me, let alone have an interest in boys. In fact, I wasn't interested in playing with the girls either, we were kids. 

However, that didn't stop the community of Rylis to host some century-old tradition where families gathered at the parking lot, cheering their little ones in hopes of winning something beyond a certificate of participation. 

Most of us found the tradition outdated, especially when pair-ups were between boys and girls. At some point during eighth grade, I recalled that same girl came out as lesbian. Needless to say, she never looked forward to it. Nothing against me, she'd reassured, it was simply awkward for her. 

I hadn't bothered to question the system; I was too busy minding my own business to worry whether my classmate's mental health was in shambles or in good stitches. Last I heard, she ran away at the age of seventeen and never looked back.

Although, there was one characteristic I faintly remembered about her. She was into lapidary, tarot cards, and God knows what else. 

And as I sat on the floor, with Emma's lavender scent overwhelming my sense of smell, I wondered if they would've gotten along.

"Wow, I can't believe it, you're Ace Clover."

"Yup."

"And I'm your neighbor."

"That's right."

"A-and I'm also in your room-"

"Uh-huh."

"Me. And THE Ace Clover. Gosh, I don't know how to feel about this."

I scooted next to her. Half expecting her to move away, I was pleasantly surprised to see that she hadn't. We sat next to each other against the wall for a few minutes, embracing nothing but the sound of the cold night zephyr. 

"I think," she finally said something after what felt like a decade of silence, "I'm tired. I'm sorry, my social battery died. Let's go to the office tomorrow. Get the spare key so then I...can..."

Without a moment of hesitation, this woman dropped her head onto my shoulder. With her face next to mine under a streak of moonlight, her freckles were a lot more noticeable.

I stared at Emma, her eyes closed as she drifted to sleep.

Woah, that was quick.

I planned to move her onto a more comfortable spot, but I guess that spot was my lap. Her body had slouched forward; instead of getting up, I decided to lay her head on my thighs.

I suppose this is fine.

For the night caught up to me, and I drifted to a deep sleep. 

*******

CRASH!

The sound of plates shattering startled me awake. With my heart pounding so fast, I thought I was gonna call the ambulance on myself. 

"I AM...SO SORRY!"

Emma stood in front of me, holding a broken plate. Guilty as charged.

"I-I didn't mean to wake you up, I swear! Gah, stupid plate, stupid fidgety hands! Heh, m-maybe we can go down to the store later and I can buy you a new one-"

"Emma, what the heck are you doing?"

I slowly got up. My back ached, and it felt like a thousand needles were piercing into the soles of my feet. Talk about being mentally rested but physically dying. 

"Uh, well, since you were so nice to me yesterday, I figured I could help you unpack..."

Good God, she went straight to work alright. A quick glance revealed that I was in a different room from yesterday. What started as a dusty room deserted of furniture was now illuminated with contemporary-style fixtures. 

She had also fixed the lamp provided by the apartment complex. I remembered testing it out shortly after she left for work, but the bulb radiated its light for five seconds before dying forever. 

"Gee, Miss Workaholic, I don't recall hiring a maid."

"Hey! I'm just trying to help!"

I snorted. She's cute when she gets mad.

"Oh I know Missy, and I appreciate it. You should take a break though. Did you get your key?"

"Ah-"

She tiptoed over the folded bundle of clothes that sat on the carpet and stood in front of me. Fidgeting her thumbs, I knew that look of shame the moment anyone expressed it.

"I-I forgot."

"What do you mean you forgot!"

"A-Ace come on! Keys were the last thing I thought of! I woke up, saw your beautiful fa- FACE, JUST FACE, not that it's not beautiful b-BUT you know what I mean! Imagine getting up and realizing a boy whom you very much idolized for years is letting YOU. SLEEP. ON. HIS THIGHS!! Do you know how weird that feels?!"

"No."

"EXACTLY! It is weird! Not in a bad way, but it's still weird! It feels like I've known you for a while but not at the same time! Heck, we just met yesterday, me and you, in real life, and-"

Eventually, her sentences turned into a jumble of unrecognizable sounds. She spoke with such vigor and speed that her words couldn't keep up with the thoughts racing inside that interesting head of hers. 

Sighing, I patted her back as if she was a child in need of reassurance. 

"It's OK. Relax. I really don't mind. How about we go downstairs and get your key?"

She shoved her head into her hands and let out a frustrated yell. 

"OK, I'm done freaking out. I think I'll be fine."

"You will."

We headed downstairs and reached the office area in a posthaste. Not wanting to take any more chances of anyone recognizing me, I hit behind a bush the moment I saw a bunch of elderly folk waiting in line.

"What are you doing?" Emma tugged onto my sleeve.

"Can't you see? I'm hiding."

"From what?"

"People!"

"Why didn't you wear your disguise if you were so concerned about others knowing you!"

"Heh," I smirked, "I forgot."

The look she returned sent shivers down my spine. I was ready to be beaten by a slipper based on how flustered she'd gotten.

"A-anyway Ace," she pouted and crossed her arms, "I don't think you have anything to worry about. I can almost guarantee you I'm one of the very, very, and I mean VERYYYYYY few people who'd know who you are."

"And you're convinced of this, how?"

Emma grinned. 

"Watch me..."

"Huh?!"

She turned to face the crowd and shouted.

"ACE CLOVER IS HERE!!!"

I practically crapped my pants upon her declaration. I pulled her down behind the bush and held her face inches from mine.

"Geez, what are you doing! I said don't expose me-"

"Emma, is that you?"

Some stranger's grandma called from the line. The dress this plump old lady wore looked way too thin for the temperature outside. 

I remained peeking out from the comfort of my bush as Emma ran to the old lady for a bear hug.

"Miss Iwamoto! It's good to see you!" 

"Oh my Emma, look how you've grown! You know, your grandfather cherishes you for all your hard work in your store and emphasizes it greatly in his letters. Goodness, the community looks forward to your speech later, have you prepared?"

What? Speech? Miss Workaholic got employee recognition or something?

"Ahaha, barely! But I promise I won't let you down! Grandpa has been looking forward to the new branch of his company, I mustn't disappoint him!"

"AY MISS WORKAHOLIC!" I yelled from the bush, "YOUR FAMILY OWNS A COMPANY?"

"Oh my," the old woman stood in awe of my weird posture behind the bush, "is he a friend of yours?"

"A-ah," Emma gestured for me to come over, "Yeah you could say that."

"Oh, is he your boyfriend?"

"NO!"

The both of us shouted in sync that one would've thought it was intentional. I hopped away from the bush and sprinted toward them, not caring that the rest of the line got nosy about our business. Emma on the other hand, was shocked beyond comprehension that I heard her heart pounding faster in uncanny rhythm. 

"H-hello Miss," I huffed, clearly lacking exercise, "she's not my girlfriend. I'm actually new here. And I'm her new neighbor."

"Oh," the old lady looked over to Emma, "is that right, dear? Then I suppose you've been showing him around?"

Emma snapped out of whatever thoughts had brewed in her mind. Like a bubble that popped, she blinked rapidly at me before the colors drained out of her flabbergasted expression. Putting on a blank face, she coughed.

"Y-yeah Miss Iwamoto, I um, actually locked myself out last night so that's why I'm here for the spare key."

"Oh no! Where did you stay overnight then?"

An awkward pause. I wasn't sure if Emma dared to reveal the truth, but whatever she was about to spew, I had to interfere.

"Heh, that's easy ma'am, she stayed outside!"

The old lady's eyes widened. One look at her face and it was obvious it screamed I AM HORRIFIED AND SLIGHTLY DISGUSTED BY THE LACK OF YOUR ACTIONS YOUNG MAN.

"B-but," I tried to save face, "she's fine because I gave her a blanket and a pillow! And I stayed outside too. You know, in case any suspicious people get uh, close?"

The old woman exhaled decades of stress. If it weren't for the office lady calling for Miss Iwamoto, I'd be a goner. 

"Emma," she turned to the flustered lady, "Take care of yourself OK? Don't work too hard.”

And then she disappeared behind the tinted windows of the building.

Well, that was awkward.

We stood there wrapped in silence. I’m starting to believe the both of us are becoming professionals at playing the silent game. This time however, it was her to break the ice.

"See Ace, if she recognized you, she wouldn't have judged you so harshly."

"Gee, thanks."

"Hey, it's not my fault that you said what you said."

Smirking, I leaned over; my fingers lifted her chin, forcing her to exchange gazes.  

"And who's to blame for forgetting her keys?"