I became a celebrity overnight.

There was something about having a man murdered right before you that made people take notice of you and hound you with curious gazes and furiously peppered questions.

Already, I'd been asked at least a dozen times, in various variations: "Oh my god, was it scary?", "Were you traumatized?", and my personal favourite, "Are you secretly in a drug ring and the shooter was really aiming at you but missed and so an innocent man died in you stead?"

Students were so imaginative.

When the last bell rang signaling the end of school and the class was dismissed, I heaved a sigh of relief and metaphorically wiped sweat off my brow. Packing my bag, I slung it over my shoulder, then made my way to my extra-curricular activities, already psyching myself up for two more long hours of being interrogated by students and teachers alike.

When I reached home almost three hours later, I dumped my bag on the floor, then fell onto my bed. Mom and Dad still hadn't decided on an appropriate punishment for me, and I was a bundle of nerves at the thought of what it might be. I really couldn't imagine anything worse than them taking away my phone - because now I had Emer to talk to.

Lez hadn't once texted since last night, when she'd sent a message asking me if I was all right, and when I replied that I was, she hadn't answered.

I reasoned with myself that she was probably too busy talking to Sophie, perhaps comforting her - after all, the poor girl had received the biggest shock of us all. However, that didn't stop the hurt that infiltrated my heart.

Several minutes ticked by in silence before I finally worked up the energy to jump in the shower, cleansing the muck and grime of the past day, letting the water wash off the exhaustion of today.

When I got out, feeling much more clean and refreshed, and perhaps already on the road to forgetting yesterday ever happened, I pulled on my clothes, then checked my phone as I was towelling my hair dry, my hopes high for a message - any message, be it from Lez or Emer, or hell, even the dead man's ghost. My phone could have flashed You're next from the prospective serial killer and I wouldn't even have cared much - I was that starved for human interaction.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when my eyes caught sight of it.

Emer: G'evenin', milady.

An uncontrollable grin spread across my face, and I had already thrown down my towel and tapped out a response before my brain registered the first action.

Me: Hey, you

Emer replied barely five seconds later.

Emer: You ruined it :(

My laughter filled the air.

Me: Howdy, pardner!

Emer sent a thumbs-up, followed by: How was school? I saw you on the morning news.

I arched an eyebrow at that. I didn't recall seeing a television in what he called his home, so perhaps he had used his phone or stood outside a television shop, waiting just to catch a glimpse of me.

That latter thought excited me.

Lez's voice filled my head: Emerson and Emerson, sitting in a tree, K - I - S - S - I -

I stomped down on it, blushing so hard it was a wonder my arteries didn't rupture.

Me: Ugh, don't remind me. It was awful, all the kids coming up to me and asking me the same questions over and over.

Emer: Awww

Me: Yeah, I know right. Some even asked if I was involved in a drug ring and was the original target. Kids these days.

Emer: The younger generation can be such a pain.

Me: Tell me about it.

This banter felt so good, a refreshing change from all our previous conversations. This... it was a side of Emer I'd never really glimpsed before in the short time I'd known him; he was all serious-like, grim, as if someone had just died.

I cringed at my own thoughts. Way to be sensitive. His parents had died, and now he was being raised by... what, ruffians? Hooligans? (Although I still stuck by my mafia theory.) Why wouldn't he be like that?

Emer: What are you doing right now?

Strangely, my mind jumped to thoughts of sexts, then I immediately slapped myself. Not actually, since it wouldn't hurt, but a firm, tight mental slap which I was sure would leave a stinging mark. Did I never learn? I had to stop thinking, ASAP.

Me: Just got out of the shower, so nothing much until I started talking to you.

His reply took almost too long to come.

Emer: Haha, me too. What are the odds?

And of course, my mind immediately, explicably jumped to thoughts of Emer in the shower. Drawing his soapy hands over his body. His hair wet and mussed, water dripping off him, glistening on his skin. Was he lying languorously stretched out on his bed right now? Was he clothed? Unclothed?

I needed to seek help instantly.

Me: Gosh, haha. What a coinkydink.

Emer's reply was lightning-quick, and I could imagine him quirking a laughing eyebrow at me.

Emer: Coinkydink?

I groaned out loud, letting my forehead fall against my phone, regretting my decision to let my fingers type out a response without first consulting my brain. He was definitely laughing at me.

Quick, Em, say something not as pathetic.

Me: Deal with it

I added a sunglasses emoji after mulling it over for a second.

Emer: Isn't it such a coinkydink we have the same name? Except maybe you're not as handsome as I am ;)

I nearly choked, I was laughing so hard. If I had fallen off the bed, I wouldn't be surprised.

Me: Handsome? Please.

It felt fun, this teasing. What would have made it better was being able to see Emer's reactions.

His reply was swift.

Emer: Don't be jealous :)

Me: My my, what a healthy ego you have

Emer: Hey, I'm just stating the truth

Me: Lies

Emer: Truth

Me: Why you always lying

Emer: I speak only the truth

Me: You didn't speak it. You typed it. Therefore, it is a lie.

Emer: I miss you

My phone fell from my hand, landing on my bed, which gasped, mimicking my own.

It was reminiscent of yesterday, of how we had been talking, and I'd suddenly blurted out that I missed him. Which hadn't been a lie, but still.

My heart had suddenly learnt how to be a gymnast, doing incredible flips and leaps and splits and cartwheels, contorting itself into a plethora of impossible positions.

Fingers flying fast over the keyboard, I typed out and sent: Well that was sudden

Emer: I told you I never speak lies

Me: Well

Emer: Speechless, Emerson?

Me: Shut up, Emerson.

But I was grinning broadly, the smile threatening to split my face. Several seconds passed, and the phone suddenly jumped in my hand, Shake It Off blaring. I jumped along with the phone, startled by the suddenness, but somehow managed to press my thumb down on the screen to accept the call.

"You wanted me to shut up, Em? Well, too bad." Emer's voice sounded in my ear, bordering on a laugh.

"Too bad, indeed. I could do without hearing your voice ever again." When had I become so bold, so audaciously teasing?

He took up a chant of "lalalalalalala".

"Oh, my ears!" I let out a moan for effect.

"How do you like my voice now?"

"It's awful."

"But hey, I assure you, my face is tons better."

I couldn't help the roaring laugh that flew out of me. "Glad to see your ego is so healthy."

"Is that sarcasm I detect, Emerson?" I could imagine him standing before me, a grin tipping his lips as he said that, the lazy syllables drawn-out.

"Me? Sarcastic? Never."

"Well, in any case, don't forget about Friday."

My breath hitched in my throat. "Wouldn't dare."

"I'm winking right now, for your information." The seriousness with which he said it - I dissolved into chuckles.

"All right, I'm - "

"Emerson?" Mom's voice sounded from outside my door, and before I had time to respond beyond saying "Oh shit", the door was pushed open, and in she came.

I froze, the phone to my ear. As she stared at me with an arched eyebrow, I slowly - slowly - s l o w l y - lowered my hand, bringing it down a careful millimetre at a time. As if the slow movements meant there was no discernible movement.

Well, of course, bad plan, as always.

"Um, hi," I squeaked out.

"Em?" Emer's voice managed to reach my ears, crackling from the phone speaker which was now held a few centimetres away from my ear.

Mom looked more curious than anything else. "Who are you talking to? Lez?"

Love how you automatically assume it's Lez. Love it, how many friends you think I have, Mom. It gives me so much confidence.

"Yeah, it's Lez," I said weakly.

And of course, I wasn't convincing. It was already established that there were many, many things I wasn't good at - and lying was in that extensive list.

It's not technically wrong, I reasoned. It is Lez, but not female. And heterosexual. And also with a different name. And a different voice. And a different face. But still my friend. So really, it is Lez.

Mom would definitely buy that.

She had a frown grooved on her forehead, downturning her mouth. "Really?"

"Sheesh, Mom!" I was as taken aback by the loud exclamation as my mother was. I waved the phone around, feeling emboldened. "Of course it's Lez. Who else could it be?" I even managed to roll my eyes, thinking Emer in silent response to my question.

Mom pursed her lips, not looking entirely convinced. You would have thought not rhetorical question would have done the trick - because, you know, I have no other friends besides Lez, right, Mom? - but apparently not.

Why was I even worried? Why were my palms clammy? Why didn't I just tell Mom Oh, it's my new friend. You know, that sick classmate I told you about? I wouldn't have been lying, and she would have been elated that I actually made a friend. Was it too late to backtrack now?

I let out a heavy sigh. Since honesty was the best policy and all: "Okay, okay, it's not Lez. It's a new friend, all right?"

She had managed to break me down without uttering a word. Either her prowess was just that amazing, or I was weak, easily bending to her will, and pft, of course it wasn't the latter.

Mom looked satisfied by my admission. "Who is it?"

And she wouldn't drop it.

"Em?" I heard again, coming from the phone, a little uncertain. "Should I hang up?"

Holding up a finger - not the middle one, which took considerable willpower - in the universal sign for "one minute", I put the phone back to my ear. "Yeah. Call you back later."

"Oh. Okay. Good night." Did he sound disapponted? It made my heart twist, but I put it aside for the moment.

"Night!" I chirped, then disconnected the call and let my hand fall down to land on the bed with my phone still clutched in it.

Mom was still staring at me, and I was beginning to get unnerved. Why was she staring? Did I have something on my face? Was it my face? "So, who is it?" she asked, with clearly fake casualness.

Oh, shit. Did she suspect about Emer?

Oh, double shit. Why was I so worried about her finding out about Emer? We weren't even dating. We were friends. Friends. Not even with benefits.

Mom, don't worry, I'm a good virgin girl. The male species? What is that?

I cleared my throat, and decided to stick to the truth. Or, as close as possible. "Remember my classmate who got sick on Monday? We became friends, and he's, um, still sick, so I'm talking to him to, um, keep him company."

Mom nodded slowly, although her suspicious squint still didn't do away. Please just look away already. Haven't you ever heard that it's rude to stare?

"You know, Emerson," she began, and oh my god, what was she going to say? "If you are in a relationship, you can always tell us."

Way to be blunt.

After gaping at her for a good ten minutes, or ten seconds, in a sudden onslaught of brilliance, I decided to change the subject, to get her attention away from the preposterous idea of me being in a relationship - me? A relationship? Utter nonsense! - I blurted out, "What about my punishment."

Let me just consult my scorebook. Hmmm, oh look here, with that great contribution, I was already a multimillionaire! I could happily retire now. What a relief.

Mom's brows knitted in a frown. "We decided that witnessing that poor man die is punishment enough for you."

"Oh." Was I supposed to... thank her?

"Well, if you ever want to talk, we're always - "

I bounded to my feet, just about flying towards Mom and already making shooing motions with my hands. My cheeks were most definitely not flaming - whyever would you think that? "Yeah, okay, sure. Go."

"If you - "

"I got it!" It came out a high-octave yelp.

Reluctantly, Mom trailed out of my room, and I stood in the doorway, blocking her reentry, and watched her as she made her way back to her room. When the door opened, I heard Dad's voice floating out, but I was unable to make out words before the door closed again.

Letting out a sigh of relief, I closed my own door, then leaned back against it. I'd escaped a most uncomfortable inquisition.

But it begged the question: Why didn't I want to tell my parents about Emer?

Was it because I regarded him as my secret?

Because he made my heart soar with exhilaration?

Because I wanted him all to myself?

I shook my head and returned to my bed, and when I glanced at my phone, there was a lone message from Emer.

Emer: Good night, Emerson. Rest well. Sweet dreams.

And its companion -

Emer: Friday :)

[A/N: Hello. It's me. I apologize if this chapter is particular horrible and/or uninteresting, but if anyone is even still reading this (like, 6 people??) I love and appreciate all of you! Thanks for sticking with me (y'all deserve pats on the backs) and hopefully you actually enjoy the story and the characters! It's been, like, a month since I first started this, and WOW, over 400 reads and 100 votes! Can't thank you enough! If you truly enjoyed it, feel free to leave a vote or a comment, because they absolutely make my day. xxx]