aloha - hello + goodbye.

Emerson would like to think of himself as a realist.

His friends, however, find it more fitting to call him a stick in the mud...among other things. He doesn't exactly see it that way considering all of their suggestions will usually place all of them in jail or worse, six feet underground.

Emerson doesn't usually like to speak negatively of his friend group but he will admit that, on more than one occasion, he may or may not have second guessed his choice in whom he associates himself with.

For example, when they all attended high school together, Alex thought it a wonderful idea to spray paint the front of Emerson's two year long bully, Dustin's, locker. He despises calling anyone a bully considering it's just the name that society likes to give to people who take their issues out on others. "Bully" seems like more of a cinematic label to him but, in this case, it's an accurate depiction.

So basically, in the end, Emerson's brand new Tommy Bahama khaki shorts were ruined by bright pink paint and both he and Alex were caught in the act along with being suspended for two weeks. Though he tried to convey to the principal that he was only trying to stop Alex, not participate in such a pathetic revenge plot, he supposes that's not what he wanted to hear because he was sent home immediately after.

Alex isn't a bad friend per say. Emerson would like to blame his psychotic and negative behavior on his dark and venomously vile parents but he knows better than to blame someone's actions on someone else. Even if that person is his best friend. He's also well aware that Emerson is responsible for his suspension but he's chosen to look past it.

He can safely say that not all of his friends follow in Alex's very rebellious and irresponsible footsteps. It's more or less that everyone else somehow gets roped into his schemes.

So that brings us to right about now.

"I can't go." Emerson insists, his cell phone pressed between his cheek and shoulder uncomfortably as he tucks his bedspread underneath his mattress tightly for third time.

"Emerson," Isaac, his long time friend and younger brother of Alex, mumbles quietly through the phone as Emerson's hands flatten out each crease and wrinkle in the white fabric, "We're not going without you. Rhyme is going to be so ticked off if he finds out you're not coming. We've been planning this trip since graduation."

"Without my knowledge might I remind you." Emerson bites bitterly, knowing very well that his friends' reasoning for keeping these long awaited plans from him is so that he couldn't say no until it was too late.

Hearing Isaac's sigh on the other end, Emerson rolls his eyes and stands up straight before spotting a wrinkle in one of his pillowcases. "Please, man?" His friend begs desperately, "This will be our last chance to all be together on a trip before everyone goes off to college or some crap like that."

After fixing the pillow and feeling satisfied with his accomplishments, Emerson takes a seat at his desk and begins fixing the pens in the cup to his right absentmindedly. "You are aware of my inability to fly. It's just not possible for me to attend." He shrugs, using his right hand to flatten down the stray hairs atop his head as his knee bounces nervously at the thought of being thousands of feet in the air.

"I'm aware that all of your little fears are just in your head and that, if you would just trust me, you'll have a great time. So pack and be ready because we'll be there to pick you up at five."

"In the morning?" Emerson's voice cracks, stress flooding every thought cavity of his mind, "I don't think that's going to work for me. I have a thing." He clears his throat, wishing with each and every fiber of his being that he will be able to will up an excuse not to get on that plane tomorrow.

Isaac groans in annoyance, making Emerson frown deeply. "No you don't. So quit making excuses and just please for once do something exciting? We're coming tomorrow so even if I have to shove your stuff in a suitcase myself and drag you out of bed, I will." His voice is cut off by someone's voice in the background, a high pitched feminine complaint belonging to his long term girlfriend, Gwen.

"Look, I know that we don't have much time left but I just don't think I can - "

"We'll be there tomorrow, man, so be ready. I've gotta go, Gwen needs me for something." Emerson is cut off by Isaac's rush of an explanation before Gwen laughs loudly and the line cuts off.

"Isaac." Emerson demands a response with the frustration in his voice, his fist coming down on the dark finished wood of his desk. "I'm not going." He says more to himself to reassure himself and to calm his nerves as he sets his phone down on the desk.

"You're not going where?" A voice speaks from the sill of his window, a breeze brushing the pages of his open notebook along with the dark curtains surrounding it.

Emerson's head turns, taking in the petite dark haired girl squatting outside his window, her own window open widely behind her as she stands on the roof. "Claire, how many times have I told you that walking from one roof to the other can - "

"Be detrimental to my bones and my life, yes I know. But I haven't died yet, have I?" She grins widely, hopping inside of his room with a loud thump, "Now tell me, what you were mumbling angrily about before I conveniently intruded?" As soon as she jumps onto the bed, Emerson's eyes widen largely, his fists clenching.

"I just made the bed." He says weakly, watching helplessly as she rolls onto her stomach, creases being made all around her small figure.

"You really need to lighten up, Emerson." She sighs before getting off the bed and smoothing the wrinkles out mockingly. He doesn't mind as long as it's fixed.

"To answer your precious question, I was upset because Isaac called and he's forcing me against my will to fly with him and the gang to Hawaii." He crosses his arms as he leans back in his seat.

Claire's thin brows pull together as she regards him with a scoff, "The gang? Seriously? We're not Scooby Doo, Em. We don't drive around in a mystery van." She snorts obnoxiously, "And it'll be fun."

"Wait, you're going?" He ask, his heart sinking slightly. Don't get Emerson wrong, Claire has been his friend and next door neighbor since preschool but her going just means he'll have less leverage to say no to hopping on that plane.

"Don't sound so thrilled about it, Emerson." She mumbles, popping a hip, "Please don't spare my feelings in any way." Her sarcastic tone catches him off guard. Claire has always been naturally nurturing and kind, especially towards him.

Emerson shifts in his seat, now feeling slightly uncomfortable beneath her gaze. "I'm sorry, I only meant to say that I really wish I could stay here. But you're going so that makes it even harder to make up some sort of excuse." He huffs, running a hand through his gelled hair before pausing and fixing it carefully.

Claire rolls her eyes, "Well excuse us for thinking you might enjoy a trip to paradise that we've all been saving up for since forever." Her attitude is more than evident.

"I guess you're forgetting that no one included me in these plans and now you're all expecting me to be excited? That doesn't exactly make sense, Claire. And as for saving up? The guys told me it would be for a small road trip or something not a freaking trip thousands of miles away!" He defends, now standing as he paces back and forth in front of her.

"We just..." She bites her lip, clearly attempting to think of a good enough excuse, "We thought that it might be better for everyone that you didn't know. You know...with you having OCD and everything." Her voice gets quiet, the last part coming out unsure.

Emerson is well aware of his friends' disbelief considering his condition. He, however, has researched everything there is to know about the mental illness and knows for certain that he carries almost each and every symptom. "What, so you take the money I worked hard to save up and just didn't tell me what I was investing into? That's great." He says sarcastically, trying his best not to glare harshly at his friend.

Claire blows a long breath through her cheeks, running a hand through her short hair, her eyes on the floor at his feet, "I'm sorry we deceived you. I promise that we had the best of intentions." She steps closer, making him step back with uncertainty, "Please come, Emerson." Her small brown eyes looking up through her short lashes.

Looking back at her, his annoyance and anger dissipates slightly, knowing that he can't say no to Claire. Not after everything she's done for him, "Alright." He sighs, "I'll go."

Regret sinks in as soon as he sees her excited expression, standing on her toes to kiss him on the cheek and jump happily. "Yes! Thank you, you will not regret this, I promise. I'll go tell everyone." Her grin is too bright to take away by changing his mind so he places a fake smile on his own lips and chooses to own up to his agreement.

"Yep. See you later." He waves as she climbs out of the window, leaving it open as if to leave yet another thing for him to be upset about.

As soon as her window is closed, Claire disappears from sight and Emerson shuts his own window, locking and unlocking it repeatedly obsessively. Groaning, he flattens out his shorts and shut his curtains.

What have I gotten myself into? He thinks to himself angrily. I guess he's about to find out tomorrow morning in a dark and early flurry of fear and anxiety. But he can do this. Right?

ⅼ❝ Fear is simply a disease of the soul. It can be captured and casted out. There are simply few who have the courage to do it. ❞ⅼ

Emerson's eyes fly open just a moment before his alarm screams out angrily, his hand reaching for his phone and turning it off. He thinks for a moment about hitting snooze but as soon as he pictures the odd number on his clock, he rejects the idea and carefully folds his comforter over, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

4:00am looks like nothing but darkness and streetlights, the paved lanes outside his house dead like they should be at this hour.

Taking his time to make his bed, Emerson finishes with a satisfied smile and opens his closet doors. He first pulls off his socks, tossing them into the hamper. Then his shirt, then his cotton pajama pants. Following his usual routine, he manages to keep the anxious feeling in his stomach at bay.

Getting dressed in his usual attire, a pair of khaki shorts, an ironed white v-neck and a pair of clean sneakers, Emerson rolls his suitcase down the stairs, careful not to wake up his parents and younger sister, Coraline. Leaving his case and carry on at the door, Emerson shuffles to the kitchen and pulls out a bowl and a packet of instant oatmeal.

After preparing and eating his breakfast, he takes a seat in the living room and pulls out his phone, scrolling through his Snapchats and checking his Instagram feed. His thumb pauses on a photo of Isaac and Gwen, a caption about their trip tomorrow underneath as they both grin happily at the camera. The pristine quality of the photograph doesn't surprise Emerson seeing as Gwen makes a point to have the best feed out of anyone else in the group.

That's something Emerson has never been obsessive over which is a relief considering he can barely take photos with his friends let alone perfect his entire profile.

When five rolls around and the headlights of Alex's 2015 Dodge Charger are glaring through the windows of the Baldwin residence, Emerson's nerves are at an all time high. His hands rub against the tops of his thighs to rid his palms of sweat.

The front door swings open and he immediately launches himself off of the couch to silence his friends. "Alex! Shut up! Cora and my parents are still sleeping...obviously." He sighs, remembering just how early it really is.

"Okay we'll be quiet." Alex attempts to reassure him albeit his tone still remains at a normal volume. Emerson closes his eyes, trying to control himself.

"I'm serious, Isaac." He turns to his friend's brother, "Please keep him quiet."

Isaac gives him a nod, his hand held behind him still connected to his girlfriend's manicured fingers. "Alex. Dude, just shut up and respect his parents." He whispers harshly.

Alex holds up his hands in surrender, his hair still askew and eyes swollen from sleep. "Alright alright, chill. Now where's your stuff, Frat Boy?" He turns to Emerson, referring to his current and usual attire. The old nickname only brings the reaction of an eye roll to Emerson, his finger pointing directly beside the front door.

"How did I miss that?" Alex grins crookedly, having way too much energy for the rest of them to keep up at this time of morning.

"Probably because you're an idiot." Gwen mumbles lowly beside Isaac, earning a snort from him before he clears his throat.

"Right. We should probably go if we're going to make our flight. Claire texted me, she's already out in the car waiting." He tells us.

Shoving his own phone into my pocket, Emerson sighs and follows his friends out the door, looking back one last time at the comfort of his home before closing it and rushing down the driveway.

"I call aux on the way to the airport." Alex hollers, making everyone cringe at the sudden noise. They all groan in reply.

"Please don't play that indie pop crap." Claire mutters to him as she tucks her dark hair behind her ear, several piercings lining the outside of her ears.

Alex's mouth widens, looking back at his friends from the passenger seat. "It's not crap, Claire! It's music magic. It hits me in my feels." His hand rubs his chest as Emerson rolls his eyes at his usual odd behavior.

"Okay forget the music." Gwen insists, setting her backpack on her lap, "Where's Rhyme?"

Isaac shrugs from the driver's seat, squinting through his glasses. His spectacles are something he often complains about but, luckily for him, he's only required to wear them while driving. "He's meeting us at the airport. He knew we would be one over so he volunteered to drive separately."

"How chivalrous of him...as always." Alex mumbles. Something they've all noticed is that all of Rhyme's valiant acts result in Alex's foul attitude. Emerson supposes he doesn't like to be challenged in being a better human being? Either way, he loves Rhyme but he doesn't always seem to like him.

"That's nice of him." Claire agrees with a nod, sipping at her early morning dose of coffee.

"Yeah well Rhyme is always nice. It's one of his many flaws." Alex smirks back at us, making Claire and Gwen scoff together.

"You're just upset that Rhyme is sweet unlike someone I know who only cares about whether a girl is callipygian or not." Claire glares at her friend with an upturned nose as Emerson chuckles beside her, covering it up with a cough when Alex shoots him a glare.

"Look at you using your precollege vocab words. Nice job, Claire." Alex mocks her with his applause.

"Okay guys that's enough." Emerson holds up a hand, "It's way too early for an argument so let's just calm down."

"Emerson is right." Gwen mumbles lowly as she rests her head against the window, her dark brown eyes fluttering closed.

"Babe." Isaac honks the horn once, effectively making his girlfriend jump about a foot in the air, her eyes now wide open, "Save the sleep for the flight. Trust me, I'm doing you a favor here."

Gwen narrows her tired eyes at the seat in front of her, muttering an insult under her breath that shall not be repeated.

This is going to be a long trip.

✭✭✭

I hope you liked the first installment! I also hope it wasn't to boring *sweating emoji*.

If you made it to the end, comment your favorite character thus far!