{+}{+}{+}

   Emilie ran down the dark hallway to her bedroom. The sounds of her steps bounced off the walls.

   Her chest constricted as she did everything she could to hold in her sobs but the tears trailing down her cheeks wouldn't stop flowing. Even though she lived in a mansion, she felt like she was trapped in a small space.

   There was too much space and not enough at the same time. Her whole world was about to close in on her. The very ground she stood on would disappear and she would fall.

   Fall before she could ever get the chance to experience life.

   Once she arrived at her bedroom, Emilie slammed the door shut behind her. She yanked off her heels and threw them across the room. Her breaths came out as huffs until her anger began to dissipate into despair.

   Finally, she let out the sobs she kept locked up for some time. Her back hit the door before sliding to sit on the floor. The blonde tightly hugged her knees to her chest, wishing she could disappear into thin air.

   "Why?" was the only word going through her head at the moment. She didn't understand why this was happening. Why she was put into this life? She didn't belong here!

   She hated living in a stuffy mansion! She hated that her family was rich! She hated all the rules and fancy clothes she had to wear! She hated her parents snobby friends and their children!

   She hated it all!

   Now, her mother was arranging Emilie to marry a close business partner's son.

   Emilie was only sixteen-years-old!

   There was so much she wanted to experience in life before was even though about marriage!

   She wanted to travel and explore the world. She wanted to find her own destiny and make her own decisions. She wanted to choose who she wanted to fall in love with.

   Everything was already set in stone for her. She was unable to escape her tomb of a planned-out life.

If only there was a way she could experience a little normalcy before her childhood would come to a rather fast end. If only she could change her fate and make her own choices.

   She would switch to that kind of life in a heartbeat.

   That's when an idea struck like lightning to a metal rod.

   Perhaps...there was a chance.

   Perhaps she could live the dream life she's always wanted.

   Emilie scrambled to her feet and over to her nightstand. She grabbed her phone and searched for a certain contact. Wiping away the last of her tears, she selected the number and waited for the person on the other end to pickup.

   "Hello?" a woman's voice spoke.

   "Zia Bianca," Emilie began, voice sounding raspy from crying.

   "I would like to take up your offer to live with you in Paris."

   Emilie was offered to stay at her aunt's place in Paris a few times over the years. Bianca was displeased with how her brother and sister-in-law treated Emilie. While Amelie was treated like a princess, Emile was a tool to better their name.

  The only reason Emilie stayed in London was the some of the staff members, her friends and sister. They were the only ones who were kind to Emilie and helped her when times were tough.

   Unfortunately, this situation was much worse than all the other bad ones in the past. This was Emilie's breaking point and she had to get away. The blonde teen hoped the people close to her heart would understand her choice. She couldn't live like this anymore.

   It took a few seconds until her aunt gently responded, "Okay. I will call Dante and have him help you get a plane ticket for tomorrow night. Make sure you pack your bags quietly and keep them hidden."

   Emilie let a small smile grace her features.

   "Thank you, Zia Bianca. You're the best," Emilie replied, gratefully.

   "It's no problem, sweetheart. Now, I want you to get as much rest as possible," her aunt said, "I don't know what your parents did—nor will I ask if you're not ready to talk—but I'll always be here for you and your sister."

   "Okay, thank you so much again. I love you and wish you only sweet dreams," Emilie replied, feeling better already. She couldn't wait to leave and go on her first daring adventure to Paris.

   "I love you too. Goodnight, Emilie," were Bianca's final words before the call ended.

   Emilie felt a rush of determination and optimism rush through her veins. She immediately got to work, packing as many necessities she could carry in a small bag. She had to pack lightly so she could sneak out easier.

   Dante will be excellent help sneaking her out of the house and escorting her to the airport. He was the head of the staff. He knew all the ins and outs of the house like the back of his hand. From all the secret tunnels to the guards' scheduled rounds, Dante had it all memorized.

   Emilie just hoped she would make it to Paris before her parents realize that she had runaway.

   There was a soft knock at the door.

   "Lady Emilie, it is Dante," a male's voice called out from the other side of the door.

   "Come in," Emilie allowed without straying from her task of packing.

   Dante entered the room and shut the door behind him.

   "I have a last minute ticket to Paris that will leave in an hour. Do you have everything you wish to take?" he asked in a whisper.

   Emilie zipped her bag up and slung it on her shoulder.

   "I do," the blonde teen said.

   Dante nodded before gesturing to follow him.

   "Let's get you out of here."

{+}{+}{+}

   "Last call for Paris," a woman warned over the intercoms.

   Dante handed Emilie her ticket with a sad smile. Emilie returned it with the same sorrowful look.

   "Thank you so much for helping me, Dante. This means the world to me. You have not only been a remarkable man, you have been an extraordinary friend too," Emilie spoke with gratitude.

   "It has been an honor to serve you, Emilie. You make sure to live your wildest dreams," Dante said. Emilie's smiled widened, feeling her eyes growing misty. She wrapped her arms around Dante, who returned the embrace.

   Once the two separated, Emilie made her way towards her plane.

   This would have to be goodbye for now. She couldn't stay in contact with Dante, even if she wanted too. Her parents could clue in to her whereabouts if that were to happen. Someday, Emilie hoped to see the man again without fearing her parent's wrath.

   For now, she had to find her own calling in life and London wasn't the place for it.

   But maybe Paris would be.

{+}{+}{+}

   "Thank you again for letting me stay, Zia Bianca," Emilie thanked her aunt for the nth time ever since finding each other at the airport.

   Bianca giggled at her nieces enthusiasm as she scoped out the city of love. This was Emilie's new home and she couldn't be anymore happier to be here!

   "It's no problem, sweetheart. You don't need to continue thanking me," Bianca said with a sunny smile.

   "I don't know how I could ever stop," Emilie replied, gratefully, "This really means a lot to me."

   "I'm glad it does. You're going to love it here. I just know it," Bianca said, very sure of herself.

   The woman parked the car once arriving at their destination. Emilie practically bolted out of the car once the engine stopped running. Bianca adored her niece's energy. She knew if Emilie stayed in Italy, that child-like glow would've been snuffed out.

   Bianca never regretted offering Emilie to stay in Paris with her. She didn't think she ever would. So far, that choice was proving to be true with the way Emilie was practically bouncing off the walls with joy. Joy Bianca hadn't seen in a long time.

   The two ladies made their way up through the building to a largish apartment. Bianca noticed something off with her niece during the elevator ride to her floor.

   "Is something on your mind, Emilie? You look like you've had something to say since we entered the building," Bianca explained as she unlocked the door to her apartment.

Emilie opened her mouth before uncertainty closed it.

Bianca frowned. She could tell the teen wanted to say something but the worry on the poor girl's face made it obvious why she wouldn't speak up.

"Emilie," Bianca gently gained the attention of the blonde girl, "I am not your parents. I'll hear you out if you have something you'd like to say."

Emilie still had some doubt lingering in her emerald eyes but felt somewhat assured that nothing bad would happen for asking a simple question. She nervously scratched the back of her neck and gazed down at her brown sandals.

"By any chance...do you think I could...attend a public school?" Emilie hesitatingly asked.

Bianca blinked in surprise before melting into a warm smile. At first, she was concerned Emilie had something bad to say but was relieved by the outcome.

"Of course you can," Bianca allowed, "I'll get you enrolled when the new school year starts. It is summer break, after all. For now, let's get you settled in."

Emilie was on cloud nine. She smiled so wide that her cheek muscles were sore but she didn't care. Honestly, she couldn't remember the last time she smiled this much or felt this elated.

Emilie knew she made the right decision.

Bianca opened the door and the two walked inside.

{+}{+}{+}

"Now, just remember that you were learning some more advanced lessons than even kids who are in higher grades. You're going to know more than an average tenth grader," Bianca explained, handing Emilie her book bag, "And another thing-"

"Zia Bianca," Emilie cut off her aunt before reassuring her, "I will okay, I promise. But I'm going to be late if we don't leave."

Bianca looked at the clock before perking up at the time.

"Oh dear! You are absolutely right!" Bianca said, opening the door, "Then, let's hurry along. We don't want you to be late for your very first day of school."

Emilie practically skipped to the elevator in joy. She has lived in Paris for well over a month and absolutely loved it! Bianca had taken Emilie to a few places already but she wanted to save some for when she made friends.

It was all a bit of an adjustment at first with how strict her old life was like. Luckily, she was a fast learner.

The day after Emilie arrived in Paris, her parents had called Bianca asking where their daughter was. Emilie left her phone at home so her parents couldn't track her and deleted Bianca's number off the "recently called" list to throw them off.

   There was another pro with secretly living with Bianca.

Her aunt was an acting coach.

She could easily fake being shocked about her niece's disappearance and lie through her teeth. She may be a sweet woman but she had a bit of a sly side too. The best part was, Emilie's parents believed Bianca's lie.

As cruel as it sounded for parents worrying over their missing child, Emilie knew that worry was more for their own sake rather than hers. Her parents just wanted more money and fame. They didn't care for their daughter's wellbeing or safety. Just that she returned and marries to make themselves for successful.

Fortunately, Amelie didn't get treated the same way Emilie was. Her twin sister would be safe.

Bianca parked along the curb in front of Collège Françoise Dupont. There were teens either entering the building or meeting up with their group of friends to chat.

   Emilie was excited but a twister of nervousness swirled in her stomach.

   She was in a whole new country and the only person she knew was Bianca. Not only that, Emilie had never attended a school before. She didn't really know how normal teens acted. The teens she knew were either like Emilie or spoiled brats. Emilie grew up with most of her friends since childhood.

   This lifestyle really was a whole new world for Emilie.

The blonde clutched the car's handle and opened the door.

If she wanted to finally see and experience the world, she'll have to bravely face it head on. She trembled in her sneakers but urged herself to approach the school. She had already been here before for a tour of the place. Yet, she wasn't all by herself last time and the school was barren aside from the staff members, the janitor, the principal, Bianca and Emilie.

Emilie believed she made a good first impression with the teachers. Now, she just had to do the same with her fellow classmates.

The blonde teen pulled out her school schedule and continued to trail up the stairs. She had met many of the teachers but couldn't remember which one was her home room.

   Emilie wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings. There were some boys letting out cat calls. A group of girls stared at the blonde and whispered.

   "Ah," Emilie said once finding her teacher's name, "Mademoiselle Monet."

   For a moment, Emilie was distracted and missed a step. She fell forward a few small items fell out of her bag. The group of girls snickered and chuckled.

   Emilie felt her face warm up in embarrassment. She picked up the small items and quickly returned them into her satchel.

"So much for making a first good impression," she thought, "I'm making myself look like a fool and I haven't even entered the school yet."

Emilie scurried inside before pausing in amazement. Her emerald gazed scoped out the partially outside, two-level school. Her damper mood from before faded into a gleaming one.

She continued to look around. Even though she'd already seen the school during the tour, it had a different feeling now that their were students roaming the halls. It was a more alive feeling.

"Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"

Emilie was snapped out from her trance by a snobbish voice. She saw a girl with dirty blonde hair. A nervous teen boy and and girl stood behind the blonde.

In front of the trio, there was a girl with her head bowed and uncomfortably shrunk in on herself. Emilie could've sworn the girl wore glasses but it was hard to tell with her midnight hair acting as a curtain over her face.

"I specifically asked you to get me an A+ on my essay and the best you "say" you can do was a lousy B+," the dirty blonde blonde girl scoffed, "Unacceptable!"

The girl with glasses winced from being scolded.

This only made Emilie boil with rage. Emilie knew how it felt being bullied like this by her parents. She hated to see this happening to other people. She couldn't stand it nor could she just watch!

   Emilie stormed over with a scowl on her face.

   "Hey!" Emilie growled, gaining the group's attention, "What are you doing to her?"

   The leader of the bullies quirked an eyebrow and slid down her sunglasses to get a better look at the shorter blonde. Her entourage stayed quiet, the girl giving Emilie an unimpressed look and the boy keeping out of the interaction.

   "Who are you?" the dirty blonde teen asked, not really caring to know who this emerald-eyed teen was. Yet, she was displeased with whoever belittled her authority.

   "My name is Emilie," Emilie stated, walking over to the midnight-haired girl, "and I'll be taking her with me."

Emilie grabbed the midnight-haired girl's wrist and pulled her somewhere else. Although, Emilie didn't quite know where to go but she knew wherever she went would be better than with the bullies.

The teen with sunglasses scoffed before angrily shouting, "Get back here! I am not done talking to that peasant!"

Emilie tuned out the hot-tempered teen. Her emerald gaze glanced back and was relieved the trio was heading off in a different direction. More of the minions followed the dirty blonde girl wherever she went.

Emilie let out a breath she didn't know she held before pausing in front of what she believed was the locker room.

"Thank you."

Emilie nearly missed the quiet voice of the girl she helped out. Emilie turned to the shy girl, who kept her eyes on the ground.

Emilie gave her a soft smile and held out her hand, "It was a pleasure. You already know this but my name is Emilie."

The midnight-haired teen was befuddled by Emilie's introduction. She gripped the blonde's hand and returned the smile with a small one.

"I'm Nathalie."

{+}{+}{+}

   It was Friday, marking the first full week Emilie attended a school.

   She and Nathalie had become close friends with each other. Emilie continued to protect Nathalie from the bullies, who she had come to learn their names were Audrey Boucher, André Bourgeois and Clara Contard. Nathalie helped Emilie with getting to know the school and Paris better.

   Emilie didn't make too many friends, which she was okay with. Aside from Nathalie, she did befriend her table buddy. A rather bulky boy in her home economics class, who could bake a shoe and it would still taste delicious.

   Emilie was never one for attention and large crowds of friends. The only thing she needed was a small group of tight-knit ones that she enjoyed.

   There was one thing Emilie wasn't quite sure about.

   The bell rang, ending class and beginning lunchtime. Emilie grabbed her bag before heading to the back where Nathalie sat.

   "So...will you be joining for lunch today?" Emilie asked.

   It seemed that every day, Nathalie would disappear during lunch and runoff somewhere. Emilie had questioned it out of curiosity but Nathalie wouldn't answer. The blonde was somewhat tempted to follow her friend out of curiosity but she had half a mind to do so.

"Uh..." Nathalie nervously started but Emilie knew exactly what she was going to say. Emilie smiled at her friend.

"It's okay if you have somewhere else to be. I was just asking if you were available today," Emilie reassured.

Nathalie let out a breath of relief, feeling less pressured. That was one of many great things about Emilie. She was a very understanding and did not pressure Nathalie into do something she didn't want to answer.

She didn't want to lose her only friend just because of a..."silly thing" she has. And the only time she can go see the "silly thing" was during lunch.

"I'll join you tomorrow for lunch...i-if that's okay?" Nathalie replied, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. Emilie's smile brightened.

"Of course! That would be super spectacular!" the blonde teen exclaimed, "Alright, I better go before things get picked over. I'll see you later in art class."

Nathalie watched Emilie leave the classroom. The midnight-haired teen still needed some time, considering she's only known Emilie for a few days. Yet, she will eventually tell her secret to her friend at some point.

{+}{+}{+}

Emilie strolled down the hallway to the cafeteria, wondering what was for lunch. She hummed a delightful little tune until the happy mood was spoiled. She cut off her humming and listened in to an annoyingly familiar voice.

"These designs are utterly ridiculous! No one in the fashion industry will want to wear these atrocities clothes. I should know. I'll be the queen of fashion someday while you'll be scrubbing the school's toilets for the rest of your life," Audrey criticized from inside a classroom.

   Emilie was about to intervene when the door suddenly flew open and hit the poor blonde. Audrey and her posse walked out of the room. They noticed Emilie on the floor, rubbing the aching spot on her forehead.

Audrey scoffed in distaste at the sight of Emilie, "Oh great, another piece of trash. I can't believe how ridiculous of a litterbug our principal is."

Emilie glared at Audrey and her posse as they made their way to the cafeteria. Her emerald eyes rolled before she stood up, wiping the dirt off her clothes. Her ears caught the sound of shuffling paper coming from inside the classroom Audrey was just in.

   Emilie peeked inside and spotted the back of a teenage boy with dark brown hair. He was knelt on the ground, picking up his papers scattered on the floor.

   Emilie felt her heart hurt at the sight.

   This guy was another victim of Audrey Boucher and her posse. (Although, Emilie believed everyone was a victim, including the staff members.)

   The blonde walked into the room. The teen male perked up at the sound of approaching footsteps and looked over her shoulder.

   Emilie paused when pale grayish cerulean gaze fell upon her and narrowed in an untrustworthy way. He went back to gathering his papers.

   "If you came here just to criticize me too then just leave," he said, coldly.

   Emilie's frown turned into a soft expression. The blonde teen made her way over.

   "Well then," she began, kneeling to help him clean up, "I guess, I can stay since I wasn't planning to do that at all."

   He glanced at Emilie, still iffy about her presence. Yet, he did not say a word and continued to organize his sheets.

   Emilie couldn't help but stare at the pictures on the papers. They were all different kinds of clothes: dresses, suits, pantsuits, sweaters, hats, shoes, scarves, jackets—the list goes on.

   She was dazzled by all the different types of clothing and wished she could wear some of these designs.

   "Wow..." Emilie said, amazed, "these are beautiful. Did you design these?"

   The dark brown-haired teen merely glanced at Emilie before giving a singular nod and a noise of confirmation.

   Emilie brightly smiled and couldn't help looking over more of the designs.

   "You are extraordinarily talented," Emilie complimented, "If you ever do become a designer when you grow up, I'd definitely like to be your first customer."

The dull look the boy had a moment ago vanished for a split second with a spark of life shining in his eyes. If Emilie had blinked, she would've missed change.

"Uh..." he started, unsurely.

He has never been given a compliment for his designs before, only criticism. There were only a few who knew of his hobby and the little that did know only gave him backlash for his work. This was the first time he received a good response and didn't know how to react.

"Can I have my papers back?"

Emilie perked up, suddenly remembering she still had a few of his designs.

"Oh! Yes, of course!" the blonde said, handing over the papers, "I never caught your name."

The boy opened his mouth about to answer before rethinking his choice. His lips thinned out and he shook his head. Hardly anyone was nice to him. He was always bullied for being weird and creepy. The only reason this girl was being nice to him was because she was new.

He won't let her be dragged down the same road as him.

"I don't think you need to know, nor should you be around me," he answered, scrambling to his feet. Emilie's smile dropped into worry and felt somewhat hurt by his words.

Before she could stop him, the boy a disappeared out of the door way as if he couldn't get out of the room fast enough. Emilie let out an exhale through her nose.

Yet, she was intrigued by the mysterious aspiring fashion designer.

{+}{+}{+}

"She is here."

"Excellent," a woman's voice replied through the phone.

"Tell Emilie that her mother wants her back home immediately. And if there is any resistance, she will be dragged back."

"Of course, Lady Graham de Vanily," the spy said before the call ended.

{+}{+}{+}

Emilie strolled down the hallway with a book in her hands.

It was lunchtime but she was off to the library to return her book. She figured since Nathalie was off to who-knows-where, Emilie didn't have to hurry to lunch.

Emilie's mind drifted off like it had been for the past few days since meeting that boy. The blonde had become more aware of her surroundings and noticed him a lot more around school. She even learned that his name was Gabriel Agreste.

The first week she was here, Emilie had never noticed him. He was always hiding in a corner somewhere or in the back of a classroom. He was very quiet and hardly peeped a word. His nose was always stuck in his sketches.

Emilie has tried to approach Gabriel a couple of times but he had always runaway. She didn't understand why he was avoiding her. The teen supposed the only way she was going to learn more about the mysterious male was by asking her best friend, Nathalie.

Although, Emilie would have preferred getting to know Gabriel from him himself rather than another person. But she didn't have much of a choice.

Emilie would ask Nathalie the next time they see each other.

The blonde walked into the library and scanned the room as she made her way to the desk. Emerald eyes caught the familiar form of her said friend sitting at a table and reading.

Emilie blinked and paused in surprise. She redirected her path towards Nathalie.

"Is this where she goes during lunch?" Emilie wondered. Nathalie seemed enamored with the book but Emilie swore she saw her friend peeking over the book at something. Emilie tried to see where the line of Nathalie's attention ended but only saw a bookcase.

Emilie raised an eyebrow in curiosity as she stood near Nathalie. The blonde knew Nathalie didn't want Emilie that her coming here was a secret. So, Emilie wouldn't ask why. She would just ask her question about Gabriel Agreste, drop off the book and leave to get some lunch.

"Hello, Nathalie," Emilie greeted, making the midnight-haired female twist her neck so fast is may have snapped off. Nathalie's eyes were wide as if she were caught doing a crime.

"E-Emilie, what are you doing here?" Nathalie asked, placing her book down. Her heart thumped in her chest and nervously tried to pull herself together.

"I was returning this book you recommended to me," Emilie explained, "It was a fantastic read. I absolutely loved the adventure and the bonds the characters made. If you have anymore recommendations, I'd love to hear them."

Nathalie calmed down from the slight scare and smiled at her friend. The midnight-haired girl thought Emilie was going to be angry and demand for an explanation for being here.

Yet, it was the complete opposite.

"Maybe...I should tell her," Nathalie thought. Emilie earned her right to know about Nathalie's secret trips to the library (considering Emilie knows where her friend goes during lunch now).

   "Oh, yeah! I wanted to ask you about someone," Emilie remembered, earning Nathalie's attention.

   "Sure. Who do you want to know about?" Nathalie questioned. Emilie had a knack of asking about people around the school. She was a very curious person and was always eager to learn more simple details about others.

   "Gabriel Agreste," Emilie answered, making Nathalie perk up at the name. Out of all the names Nathalie thought Emilie would ask about, she certainly wasn't expecting this one.

   "Oh...um..." Nathalie stumbled over her words as she nervously fiddled with a lock of her hair. As Nathalie tried to figure out what to say, Emilie's peripheral vision caught sight of someone. The blonde looked over at a table in the far corner of the library.

   "Oh! There he is," Emilie exclaimed in a quiet voice.

   Nathalie glanced over in Gabriel's direction before turning back to Emilie with an explanation on her lips.

   "He's a very...unsocial guy," Nathalie started, "A majority of the people here don't like him for no reason—think he's creepy, weird or even scary. They're always making up the stupidest rumors about him. But that's just because nobody actually knows him."

   Nathalie's eyes flickered from bitter to sweet. Bitter towards the people who judged others without actually getting to know them. Sweet towards the boy who showed her kindness in her darkest moment.

   "He's not as sinister as everyone believes him to be. Sure, he's a little cold but that's from being bullied. He doesn't have any friends and likes to keep to himself. He's actually pretty nice once you know him," Nathalie concluded with a soft smile.

   Emilie hummed in acknowledgement. She was too distracted to noticed her friend's dream-like stare. Emilie was scheming a plot for a new friendship.

   "Well, than I guess I'll be the first," Emilie declared, determined.

   Nathalie's breath caught in her throat as she watched her best friend walk over to Gabriel.

"What's she doing?" was the main question swirling around her mind.

Emilie stood near Gabriel and watched him sketch for a second. For a moment, she was mesmerized by yet another stunning design the quiet teen drew. Yet, she noticed he seemed to not be down on earth and in a whole other world.

Emilie didn't want to startle him but she may not have a choice in the matter.

"Hello, Gabriel," the blonde gently greeted, startling Gabriel from his work. The brown-haired teen snapped his head around with a sharpe glare. He was about to hiss at the person who distributed his work until noticing it was Emilie.

She had an innocent smile on her face and had star-filled eyes as she continued to examine the design.

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from me," Gabriel scolded Emilie.

"I do recall you saying something like that," Emilie agreed with a nod of the head.

"Then, why are you here?" Gabriel questioned.

"Isn't it obvious?" Emilie replied with a smirk, "I chose not to listen."

   Gabriel's narrowed his eyes at Emilie, feeling slightly more frustrated by this girl. He just wanted some peace and quiet before he had to deal with...people again.

   "What do you want?" Gabriel sighed, hoping whatever the blonde wanted would be quick.

   "I just wanted to be your friend," Emilie simply answered, earning a befuddled look from the aspiring fashion designer. He watched in stunned silence as Emilie sat down in the seat across from him.

   "You seem like an interesting person," she added.

   Gabriel gave Emilie a suspicious look, not very trusting of the blonde.

   "Is this some sort of trick?" he questioned, scanning for any signs of ill-willed intentions.

   "No. Why would I have any need to trick you? This is my first time going to a public school. I've only been here for a little over a week and would hate to mess anything up," Emilie replied, honestly. Gabriel didn't spot any sign of hostility but kept his guard up.

He couldn't let years of built walls he put up crumble. The moment he does might be his greatest regret and end up hurt all over again. The last thing he needs is another bully.

"I'll still have to decline your offer," Gabriel told her, gathering his stuff and standing from the chair. Emilie watched Gabriel leave the library with a bit of sourness in her heart.

Yet, it did not damper her optimistic spirit.

   She wasn't aware of eyes spying on her.

{+}{+}{+}

And so began Emilie's goal to befriend Gabriel.

"Gabriel!"

   Gabriel groaned when hearing the familiar chirp of the blonde girl. Emilie caught up to him until she was walking beside him.

"What?" Gabriel bluntly asked.

"Nothing much, just wanted to walk to class with you," Emilie answered before showing her braided-hair, "Nathalie just taught me how to braid hair. I absolutely love the look!"

Gabriel raised an eyebrow at the odd girl but didn't say anything. He just wanted to get to class.

Emilie continued to try and begin a conversation with Gabriel. She wanted to learn even the tiniest bit of information from him. Such as his favorite color.

   Still, he wouldn't budge.

   Emilie frowned at his quietness. She was beginning to think that Gabriel was acting like this because his didn't like her at all.

   Maybe the first time they met, he was being polite since she was being nice? Maybe, she was being too pushy and it set off the wrong impression on him? Maybe, she had bothered him too much that it was annoying?

   Or maybe he believes that she was a bully even though that was far from the truth.

   "Gabriel, am I being a menace to you?" Emilie questioned, "You would tell me...right?"

Gabriel blinked in shock, taken aback by the question. He didn't get a chance to speak when Emilie paused and dropped her gaze to the books in her arms. Gabriel stopped too.

"I probably am being a bother. You have told me to go away and leave you alone," she rambled with guilt in her voice, "I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone from now on but if you need my help with anything, don't be afraid to ask-"

"You don't bother me, Emilie," Gabriel cut off the blonde. Emilie shot her head up with hope sparkling in her emerald eyes. Yet, Gabriel shot her down again.

"But I still want you to stay away from me."

{+}{+}{+}

Emilie didn't listen.

"What are you working on this time?"

Gabriel jumped out of his skin and looked over his shoulder at Emilie. She was trying to see what he was designing but Gabriel had closed his book before she could get a peek.

"I told you to-"

"Yeah yeah, stay away from you blah blah blah. I've heard you say it a million times and I'm obviously not going to listen," Emilie said, sitting in the chair across from him.

"You might as well give up. I'm just as stubborn as you."

Emilie had found Gabriel in the library once again during lunch. Emilie didn't really have anyone to talk too since Nathalie was absent from school that day. So, she decided to see what Gabriel was doing.

The brown-haired teen let out a sigh before opening his design book again. He continued with sketching while Emilie pulled the closest book near her off the shelf. She flipped through the pages but instantly grew bored.

"So...what are you drawing?" She tried again to start up conversation. The librarian shushed Emilie for being loud, earning a sheepish look from the teen female.

Emilie looked back when hearing something sliding across the table. She glanced from Gabriel then down to examine the sketch with a small note.

Here, so you don't get us in trouble.

Emilie was amused by the note before examining the beautiful dress. She grabbed the pencil Gabriel was using to sketch and wrote her own note. This earned a raised eyebrow from the Gabriel. She placed the pencil on the book once she was done and pushed it back to him.

   Just as Emilie left the table, Gabriel read the note.

   10/10 Keep up the great work! :)

   It was Gabriel's turn to be amused...considering the design wasn't even done being sketched yet. There was definitely something about that girl. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was a special one.

   He almost considered trying to be her friend.

{+}{+}{+}

   "Where are you, calculator?" Emilie mumbled to herself. She was rummaging through her bag in search for her equation solver machine while walking down the hallway. She figured it would be fine and wasn't expecting to run into anyone since class had just started.

   Emilie had been running late to her next class due to the teacher, Mr. Garnier, keeping the class from leaving.

   "I have a strong dislike with "the bell doesn't dismiss you, I do" rule. Then, what are bells for? That rule should be illegal cause now I'm late for class," Emilie muttered. Then, she found her calculator. Before she could celebrate her find, she accidentally ran into somebody.

   The force of the bump caused the blonde to fall back onto her rump. Her books, notebooks and other school utensils slid out of her open bag along with the calculator.

   "Sorry," Emilie apologized, gathering her things, "I wasn't paying much attention to where I was going."

   "It's fine."

   Emilie shifted her gaze to the familiar voice of Gabriel, who was handing over a notebook and folder. Emilie graciously took her things and stuffed everything in her bag (planning to organize it all later).

   "Thank you," she said, slinging her bag back on.

   Then, an offered hand was in her sight. Emerald eyes switched between the hand and its owner in surprise. She shook it off and gripped Gabriel's hand. The brown-haired male pulled Emilie back onto her feet.

   "What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be in the class I'm going to right now," Emilie asked.

   "I forgot my math book in my locker," he explained, unsure why he answered. It really wasn't any of her business.

   "Ah," Emilie acknowledged before something occurred to her. The blonde rummaged through her bag and let out a frustrated noise.

   She too forgot her math book.

   "Can I join you? I forgot mine too," Emilie said. Gabriel stared at Emilie with with a blunt look.

   "Even if I said "no," you would still be going in the same direction anyway. So, what does it matter?"

   "You do make a point," Emilie agreed. The two teens set off to the locker room on the first floor. The walk was becoming too awkwardly silent for Emilie's liking.

   "So...you're probably wondering why I hadn't made it to math class..." Emilie began.

   "...Mr. Garnier held your class from leaving," only for Gabriel to answer.

   Emilie was shocked, "How did you know?"

   "It's already happened five times to my class," Gabriel replied.

   "That's rough," Emilie said, feeling sorry for Gabriel, "It hasn't even been three weeks of school yet."

   "It's going to be a very long year in that class," Gabriel huffed. Emilie realized that this was the most Gabriel has ever talked to her. She could slowly see the improvements in her friendship scheme starring to blossom.

   She wanted to try breaking Gabriel's shell open some more and decided to test the waters.

   "Do you have a favorite class?" she asked.

   Gabriel immediately knew what Emilie was trying to do. He stopped the conversation from continuing any further, much to the blonde's disappointment.

{+}{+}{+}

"Why don't you just leave Gabriel alone?" Nathalie questioned, "You're probably really annoying him. It's nearly been a month and you're still trying to be his friend."

It has been a month since Emilie's first day and she absolutely loved this school.

She didn't care if she only had one friend, so long as she had a good one. She didn't care if she was a main target for the bullies. She could stand up to them without any fear.

She loved the normalcy and wouldn't trade it for the world.

She even learned that she was a theater nerd at heart and got her Aunt Bianca's help.

Yet, her main goal at the moment was trying to befriend Gabriel Agreste. But he was as stubborn as a mule. Emilie was aware that she was probably annoying the daylights out of the brown-haired teen. She couldn't help continuing to try though.

Emilie knew very well what it was like to be alone.

That feeling like a rock sinking to the depths of the sea's floor—dark and quiet. No one to help you to the surface. No one to talk too. Always cold even when covered with a blanket.

The face she caught Gabriel making sometimes was the same ones she had seen when looking into her mirror back in London.

Emilie despised that feeling and hated to see someone else in that position. Nathalie had been one of those victims. Emilie couldn't just sit still and look pretty anymore. She had control of her own destiny now. She wouldn't let someone else go through what she had.

"Well..." Emilie started, staring down at the books in her embrace, "...he kind of reminds me of you."

"...and me," she thought, not wanting her best friend to catch onto anything.

Nathalie eyes widened and she went speechless. She couldn't deny it. Emilie was right. Before she came to this school, Nathalie and Gabriel had no friends—only bullies. They were picked on, slandered, made fun of and occasionally beaten.

Emilie had changed Nathalie's life in the short period they had met. It's more than Nathalie had done for Gabriel and even herself too.

   Emilie was an extremely kind person and only wanted to help those who weren't able to help themselves.

   Nathalie admired that. She wished she had Emilie's brave spirit.

   "I see," was all Nathalie could respond with. Emilie smiled before remembering something she had to do.

   "Oh! I just remembered I was going to work on my art project. Sorry, I have to go and won't be able to sit with you," Emilie apologized, a bit guilty for leaving her best friend. Nathalie smiled and waved off the apology.

   "It's okay. You can go ahead. I'll tell the teacher where you are and see you next class," Nathalie reassured the blonde. Emilie felt relieved and nodded in agreement, "I'll talk to you later."

   Emilie was making her way to the stairs when she ran into Audrey and her posse. Emilie glanced over at André and gave him a small wave. He sheepishly returned it. He was a theater kid too but worked in the shadows. His girlfriend was unaware of it though.

   "Great," Audrey sarcastically started, earning a glare from Emilie, "I was actually having a decent day until you appeared. Now, it's ruined."

   "The feeling is mutual," Emilie blandly stated. She was about to walk around the three until Audrey stood in her path again.

   "Excuse me? Everybody adores me! They practically worship me like a queen," Audrey snapped before jabbing a finger into Emilie's collarbone.

   "You on the other hand are a nobody, who will get nowhere in life. Nobody likes you except for the ones that are just as worthless as you."

   Emilie clenched her hands into fist and was practically grinding her teeth. She wanted to retaliate in a physical way but couldn't. She didn't want to get in trouble and let Bianca down. Plus, Emilie wanted to be the bigger woman. She was way more mature than Audrey.

Emilie let out a breath before she replied.

"Audrey, you can pick on me all you want but leave everyone else out of this. Nobody is worthless."

   "Oh really?" Audrey tutted, looking at her nails, "And what have you or your little friend's done that's noteworthy? You're all just a bunch of nobodies—small prey that's easy to hunt and kill. I bet you were an obedient little dog at your last school."

   Emilie winced at Audrey's words which had some truth behind it. She had felt more like a puppet being controlled by strings of orders and demands. Still, Audrey's words did hurt. Emilie was too slow to deny it.

   Audrey laughed along with her her lackey, Clara. André just stayed out of the conversation entirely.

   "Face it, Emberly. You'll always be a pathetic nobody. I'm sure your parents must see a huge disappointment when they look at you," Audrey cackled.

Emilie bowed her head when feeling her eyes mist over. She bit the bottom her her lip and clenched her hands to stop them from trembling. Emilie's heart started to sink and doubts flooded her brain.

   Maybe...Audrey was right.

Emilie was never good enough for her parents. How could she ever be good enough and be something if she wasn't perfect? The only time she made people happy was being obedient. Sometimes, even that wasn't enough either.

Now look at her, a runaway still running from her parents because she was too scared to stand up to them.

Even when she did the right thing and stood up to bullies, it seems no one would do the same for her.

She really was pathetic.

Emilie was brought out of her darkening thoughts when a warm grip was placed on her shoulder. The blonde blinked away her unshed tears. Much to her surprise, she saw the last person she would've thought to see.

Gabriel stood next to Emilie with a cold stare.

"I believe the ones who call others pathetic for no good reason are the pathetic ones," Gabriel spoke with venom in his voice.

"Excuse me?" Audrey hissed, glaring daggers at the brown-haired teen.

"Clearly, you have nothing better to do if you have time to bully people. How about you actually go find something worthy to do for someone instead of being absolutely worthless to everybody," Gabriel concluded.

Quickly, he guided Emilie away from a fuming Audrey and her posse.

Emilie was indefinitely stunned at what just happened. It was still processing in her head.

Gabriel stood up for her.

Emilie glanced over at the said guy urging her away from the bullies. He felt eyes on him and shifted his gaze at the emerald-eyed girl, who quickly looked away.

"Are you alright?" Gabriel asked. Emilie could hear the concern laced within his voice.

"I am now. Thank you so much, Gabriel. But why did you save me back there?" Emilie questioned with gratitude and a sunny smile. She couldn't explain it but she instantly felt better.

Gabriel smiled, "Let's just say, I'm returning the favor from your kindness."

The first smile she has ever seen on the usually monotonous face. Emilie thought he had a really nice smile and wished to see it more often.

The two felt it in their chests. It was small and could've been missed if they weren't paying attention. A tiny feeling—a warmth—starting to make itself known.

A flutter.

{+}{+}{+}