The Popular Girl

Ah!!! I'm going to be late, I didn't set my alarm! Oh.. Oh okay I'm still on time. Woah, that scared me. Oh, who am I? I'm Emma! I like reading, writing, listening to music, going out, gardening.. Oh I like so many things! But what I like the most is going to school hehe.

On the way to school, a cute doggy came to me. I smiled and petted it, so cute! I wish I could pet it the entire time. The owner was so friendly too, allowing me to pet his dog. I smiled at the owner before running off to school, because I'm actually going to be too late now!

I arrived at school, out of breath. Sakura came to me and said, "Ems! I thought you were dead." 

"Dead?! Me?! I wouldn't die! That's so uncool." 

"Good! Who else would be my bestie!" 

"Bestiesss!!!" We yelled and hugged each other. 

Sakura is such a sweetheart, we study together, we usually eat together, we play games together, we do everything together. We met each other through class, she's such a hard working student too, so our personalities naturally attracted. Speaking of class, it just started! 

I sat down next to Sakura at the front of the class. Susan sat behind me and was playing with my hair. Oh, Susan is another one of my friends! I love her dearly. I looked at her and said, "Morning, Susan!" 

"Morning, Emmami!" 

"Let's have a great day today!"

"Yes!" 

I love life in Varion City. In comparison to my previous life.. No, I don't like thinking about that, I want to stay here in Varion City! My life here is better than anything else. This is the city of my dreams.

The teacher came in and class started. It was art! I love art! I love writing, reading, music- AAA I'm repeating what I said before. Um, well I really really love art! 

"Class, you will be tasked with another assignment," teacher Sarah said.

"Again?!" Jake said.

"Yes Jake, whether you like it or not, you're in school and here we do assignments."

"Urgh, boring!" he replied.

"C'mon Jake, it won't be that bad!" I said with a smile.

"Y-yes if you say so Emma." 

A lot of people get flustered around me and I think that's cute, but there's one boy who has no emotion at all when speaking to me. In fact.. He reminded me of myself a little. What was his name again?..

"Your assignment will be to watch a movie, analyze it and present it to the class! However, you will not be doing this alone, you will be doing this in duos."

"Oh my god, Ems, we can work together!" Sakura said.

"Right?!"

"Too bad, these duos are randomized. Sakura, you will be working with Makoto."

"Eh?"

"And Emma, you will be working with Henry."

"R-right!" 

Henry..

We all sat together in groups, Henry came sitting next to me. I didn't really know much about Henry. He's just that one quiet and emotionless boy. Nothing about him stands out, except for his headband that he always wears. But among all of these people, that's actually the most tame thing to exist. 

"H-hey Henry! Let's do this!"

"Okay."

COLD

I-I'm actually getting scared to talk to him now. 

"Y-yeah, so do you have any plans?"

"Watch a movie."

"Right! What movie are we-"

"You know, you don't have to do anything."

"Huh.."

"I know you don't really want to work with me, I'm not one of your friends. So, I'll make it myself as quickly as possible."

"N-N-No! I'm not letting you do all the work. Jeez, what's your perspective on me?"

Henry looked at me, there was no emotion in his eyes at all. The only thing I saw in his eyes was the reflection of myself. But, something about that made my heart beat faster. Was it fear? Was it because I feared him? Or was it because I feared what he resembled? Was it because I fear the reflection that's in his eyes?

Come to think of it, this scenario.. 

I looked over at Sakura and Makoto. They were in the exact same scenario! Popular girl and a bit more distant boy! It seems I wasn't the only one who was looking at them though, Henry was also looking at them. Then, I fixed my gaze back on Henry.

"Hey, look at me, not them."

"Oh, sorry." 

Honestly, when I think about it. He's the only person here that's actually.. unreadable. 

"Henry, what movie would you like to see?"

"Don't know."

"Surely you do!" 

"Yeah, it's just not your type of movie."

WAIT, I'm sensing something here. He's actually.. considerate?! Maybe I can push this! Think, Emma, think. Why would Henry stare at your friend Sakura and her partner Makoto, and why would he say it's not your type of movie?! What can I discover from his personality.. I'll have to ask.

"What's it about?"

"A game."

"What game?!"

"Super Fry."

"What's Super Fry?!"

"Am I in an interview?"

"Yes!"

"Oh."

"Mhm, you're in an interview. I want to get to know you!"

Suddenly, his deadpan expression changed. His mouth opened a bit. Did I get him? 

"Emma, you're good."

"Thanks!"

"But it truly isn't your type of movie. I don't even know if it'll be my type."

"What's your type?!"

"A good written-"

"No I meant, what's your type of woman?!" I said while getting closer to him.

"WHAT"

Got him.

"Why are you asking me this?!"

"Because I want to know you better!"

"That's a wildly inappropriate question to ask!"

"Like I care!"

"You're wild." 

I'm stirring his emotions, this is perfect. I got a reaction out of him, something I haven't seen yet. This guy is really interesting. But wait, that last sentence.. It's like he's reverting back to being quiet.

"Either way, let's just focus on the movie."

Dang it, he's back to quiet. But, this is good, now that I've already stirred his emotions once, I might be closer to him than before. This is perfect, this is- wait did he just make distance between us. 

This guy! He just moved his chair away from me! I have to move closer. Wait, every time I get closer.. He's also moving his chair to another part of the table! No, he's trying to make distance continuously and he's actively doing it! AAA.

"So.. What movie will we choose?" he asked.

I have an idea.. Although I might get embarrassed when presenting it to the class.

"Let's watch that Super Fry movie!" 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Let's do it."

"Yup."

"Are you imitating me?"

"Sure."

"Bro."

"What?"

"Let's watch the movie together! I'll buy tickets for the first viewing right now!" he said, suddenly having a lot of energy.

"Okay."

Before I knew it, the roles were reversed. So I snapped out of it and said, "Wait! Let me do that instead!" "Nope, too late, already bought them." Henry responded.

What just happened?! Wait, he bought tickets for the both of us. We're going to a cinema together.. Right, we have a date. It's just like in those romance anime! A popular girl and an introverted boy get put together on an assignment and go on a date! 

"Looks like we got a date, Henry! When is it?" 

"Oh, this friday."

"Friday evening?" 

"Yup."

"I'll get dressed up for you!"

"I'll get dressed up for you too then."

Wait, why did his answers change?! He's flirting back? Why is he flirting back? I see, he knows that I expect him to answer bluntly, but because he knows my expectations, he's trying to act differently. Hah, then, let me ask you this, Henry!

"Want to date?"

How will you react now, Henry! If you act bluntly again, then you're falling right into my expectations. But I doubt you'll also accept it! So, Henry, play your move. After I said those words, an odd silence fell upon us, which was later interrupted by his reaction.

"You're too popular for me."

He reacted bluntly- but ouch! That's not the answer I was expecting. I expected him to be blunt, but use my popularity? That hurt! That actually hurt a little. 

"O-oh."

"But, you're interesting."

When he said those words, I felt something swelling up inside of my belly. It felt weird. I was actually left speechless for once. He's the first person in this world that can play with me like this. Other people are so easily readable, but Henry was not. Henry, you may think I'm interesting, but you're really interesting too!

"Then, I'll let you explore all of me."

"Okay that's too suspicious, Emma."

"Heh, you earned it!"

"I know, you don't usually flirt with people."

"Exactly!"

The fact that he said that.. Doesn't that imply that he knows how I usually act? If he knows how I usually act, that must mean he has observed my behavior quite a lot, right? And he's the one calling me suspicious.. 

After working together, the bell rang and our next class was going to begin so we returned to our normal seating.

"Henry! Let's meet after school."

"Uh, is it okay if I just go to sleep."

Relatable. 

"Yeah, it's okay.."

I can't say much myself, honestly. Looking at his eyes, they're running on maybe 3 hours of sleep today. I can actually relate to that because of my own unhealthy tendencies to stay up late.

"Thanks."

"EMSSSS," Sakura said before hugging me.

"Sakura!" 

"I missed you!!!"

"Pf, it was only for an hour!" 

"Still I missed youuu."

"I missed you!"

"So, how did it go with that headband guy?"

"Oh.. Henry?" 

"That's his name?"

"Yeah, it went really great, and you?"

"Makoto is so silent! I couldn't get anything out of him, he was reacting very bluntly."

I understand that, Sakura, I understand that. Henry was being blunt for almost the entirety of our conversation, I managed to mentally tickle him a few times though. Either way, Sakura and Makoto are bound to get together. I mean, it's so obvious they share the same story. 

I looked at Henry while the next period happened. He's not like Makoto, he's not like a stereotypical withdrawn character, he's something of his own. There's something original about him, that's what makes him more interesting than others. 

After school was done, I went home. I don't usually go out, instead, I immediately go to sleep. Though, I was willing to sacrifice my sleep for Henry. But, since he didn't accept the offer, I'll just go doodoo.

And so, days passed until eventually, Friday came by. 

I waited by the cinema, wearing a purple dress and with a white flower in my hair. I tried my best to look good, knowing damn well that Henry was going to come in his everyday clothes. But uh.. That didn't happen.

You know who came?

A FRESH AND NICE HENRY WITH PERFUME, A WHITE SHIRT, BLACK PANTS, A TIE AND SUNGLASSES WHILE IT WAS DARK. Since when.. Since when did Henry look this good?! Wait, what's this feeling in my belly?!

"You look good, Henry!"

"Yuh."

Right, his personality didn't change, only his looks did.

"Tay and Tan told me to wear this, personally I don't like it."

I knew it, it wasn't his choice.

"Well, you look really good!"

"I look like I'm from the mafia."

"Well, the mafia's got style!"

"I hate the mafia."

"Eh… " 

There was a sudden vibe switch, I could tell. Well, either way, it was time to watch the movie! We went towards the counter and asked for a ticket before gathering snacks and heading over to the movie.

And there we sat! In the movie theater, next to each other, eating from the same popcorn. The movie was.. Kind of weird. Honestly, there were a bunch of nerds in the theater and we were the only dressed up people. After all, we were watching Super Fry: The Movie. 

But.. It was full of clichés! God, it was like- Wait, this is my chance. I looked over at Henry, his eyes were fixated on the movie. A scene popped up where the main characters sat together at a lake and talked. My heart was beating, Henry's face.. He's never looked this beautiful before.

S-should I make the first move? He's not made any move on me yet.. I'll just do it, there's nothing wrong with that right? After all, we are on a date.. Dressed up together.. Sitting together.. It's only natural. 

I leaned in and rested my head on Henry's shoulder. His body was relatively thin you could say, but there was a slight hint that he's more sporty than he appears to be. In his presence, I actually felt somewhat safe. 

I felt comfortable, resting on his shoulders. And before I knew it, I wasn't watching the movie anymore, I was looking at Henry's face as he focused on the screen. He really looked cute. 

His beautiful brown eyes which only focused on the screen, his cartoony black hair which I wanted to touch so badly, his sharp jawline which showed his lack of fat. The more I looked at him, the more I thought about how perfect it would be if he were to be my-

"AGHH" 

"BLUH"

"UEW"

People around us were dying. No, not literally dying, but they were gasping for air. It was like a villain attacked our cinema. But it wasn't a villain, no. The perpetrator was someone even more nefarious than a villain.

"WHOEVER IS FARTING, DON'T FART PLEASE, IT SMELLS BAD!!" a poor guy yelled.

Sadly, I was the biggest victim. I got up immediately and closed my nose. This smell was devious! This shouldn't be possible, but it was! I don't know what the hell the farter must've eaten but it sure as hell wasn't healthy. Argh, god! How the hell can someone produce such a nasty scent!!!

I looked over at Henry, who sat there, looking at the screen with a freaking grin on his face. That grin of his.. AGH THIS GUY. He KNOWS what he's done, he KNOWS how terrible his actions were, and that's why he's grinning! How does this guy know exactly what to do in order to break up a romantic scene?!

No matter what I try, this guy finds a way to make distance. It's insane! This isn't supposed to happen in a romance story. Just who is this guy?! There is absolutely no way he's just.. No, like what is with this guy?!

No, I can't let him win. He's trying to disrupt the romance? Well too bad! Without missing a beat, I went right back on his shoulder. But the scent.. The scent was awful. It didn't stop, it just continued on. One second lasted an eternity, and by the time one minute was over I was essentially in a semi-dead state! 

But I held on, I continued to hold on.. And suddenly, I felt someone petting my head. I looked up and saw Henry's eyes focusing on me now. His hand was caressing my hair. He had a soft smile on his face. That's the first time I saw him smile.. Well.. BESIDES FROM THAT ONE GRIN!!!!!

But aside from that.. It was a warm smile. And I smiled back, still suffering through the smell.

"You're stubborn."

"Right?!"

Surprisingly, Henry allowed me to lean on his shoulder. He didn't unleash any more hellish gasses, and not a single sign of resistance was shown again. It's like he accepted me. 

Once the movie was done, Henry and I stood by the entrance of the theater. 

"Welp, I'll be heading home now."

"Wait! Henry! When are we going to do the assignment?"

"Good question."

"W-what about your place-"

"NO"

Huh, that's the most emotion I've ever heard from him.

"W-why not?"

"WE ARE NOT GOING TO MY PLACE"

Why's he yelling?! Wait a second..

"Aaah, I see. You didn't clean up, did you!"

"..."

"Got ya."

"Whatever."

"We can meet up at my apartment then!"

"Sure, when?"

"What about.. Next tuesday?"

"Okay."

So now, it was the weekend. Henry and I planned to meet up again on Monday at my apartment. You might think it's weird, but I don't actually have parents. Don't question where I get the money to pay for an apartment. But, either way, I have one. It's not the best there is, but it's definitely something. 

Ahh, today was saturday. The sun was coming up and I agreed to go shopping with the girls. Again, don't question where I get the money to pay for all of this. Now, I got out of bed and got ready. 

My apartment was tidied up, cleaned every week and not a single bit of trash was in sight. Every morning I would make a sandwich, drink coffee and text my friends. Then, after breakfast I take a shower, dress up and brush my teeth to start the day! 

"Ems!"

"Sakuraa!!!!"

"Oh my god, Emmy!" Lara and Liliana said.

"Hey hey!!"

"Emmami!" Susan said.

"Loco!"

"Hey Ma!" Emily said.

"Hey Mily!"

"Yoohoo, Emem!" Mia said.

"Hey Hey, Mimi!"

The twins Lara and Liliana, Susan, Emily, Mia and Sakura were all here and we could start shopping! We went around the street and talked.

"How's everyone's assignments going?" I asked.

"Terribleee, my partner reeks!" Mia, who was grouped up with Larry, said with disgust on her face.

{"Yeah, my partner reeked too, but in a different sense."}

"Fun! Really fun, I didn't expect a lot from Makoto but.. He's a really nice person once you get to know him," Sakura said.

"Right! You're put up with Makoto, isn't he that really silent guy who sits by the window?" Susan asked.

"Yeah! He's really silent, but sometimes he says something and it's just.."

"Ehh, do you like him?" I teased Sakura.

"N-no! He's just a really fun person to be with."

"What about you, Ma!" Emily said, not even responding to my own question. In fact, all of a sudden everyone forgot I asked first and pointed their gazes at me.

"Uuuh."

"You're with that other silent guy, right? What was his name again?" Lara said.

"Henry!" Liliana responded.

"Y-yeah, he's.. something."

"I bet he's also one of those nerd losers that reeks of snacks," Susan said.

"Hey! Henry's not like that! He's a nerd, yes, but.." 

"Woah, you're getting oddly defensive!" Susan responded.

"S-sorry."

"It's okay. You really have a kind heart, don't you? Emmami!" Susan said before hugging me and lifting me up.

Among the many shops we passed, there was one that really captured my attention. Which one, you may ask? A game shop. For a while, I stopped to look at it. It reminded me of him. He loves games, doesn't he? I wonder if he goes here a lot. 

At first I thought about buying something for him, but knowing Henry, well.. He definitely already had everything he wanted. What should I give him? I'd really love to get into a romance story with him, but he's not like any other character. I have to approach him in a different way.. I have to attack him where it's least expected.

URGH, what should I get this boy? Let's think this through, he's definitely a loner living in a shabby apartment and has an unorthodox way of handling things. I don't know! AAAA

The weekend ended and I went back to school. 

"Hey Ems!" 

"Hey Sakura!!!"

"Hey Emmami!"

"Hey Loco!"

I sat down in class and glanced over at Henry. I'll be meeting with him.. In my home. Well, that's going to be interesting! Oh wait, did I even tell him my address?

"Hey Henry!"

"Yo."

"Uh, we can go straight to my apartment after school if that's okay with you."

"Oh, okay, sure."

"I can't wait," I whispered in his ear before walking away.

HEHEHE that would send a shock down any boy's spine! But, what about you Henry? Did that send a shock through your body? Knowing you, probably not. But right as I was in my thoughts, I felt someone's hand on my shoulder.

"You better have snacks," he whispered in my ear. 

A shock ran through my body. I felt it all the way down to my stomach. I didn't expect THAT. I was about to reply to him with "I am the snack" but I've already been too bold lately, he's probably already anticipating an answer like that. But if I didn't answer that.. Maybe he thinks that means he got me. How do I react?! 

"Don't worry, I do, fatty," I said while turning my head towards him. 

I sat down again and Susan played with my hair. 

"Hey Emmami, you're getting closer with Henry, aren't you?"

"Hm? Of course! He's my partner after all."

"Hmmmm, sure!" 

I walked out of class together with Henry, but it seemed someone was waiting for him by the gate of school. It was a boy with red hair.. Wait, that's that one boy that's getting really popular lately! It's Nello Mortirior! Didn't he save a kid by getting brutally beaten up? 

"Hey Henry!"

"Yo, Nello."

"O! Who's that?!"

"That's my classmate, Emma."

"You can call me Henry's gir-"

"She's my classmate, nothing more."

"Nice to meet you, Henry's classmate! I am Nello Mortirior, please do treat my friend kindly!" 

"I will, hihi!" 

We high fived. This is someone I do vibe with. His expressive demeanor and energy is something I can totally work with. To think Henry's friends with such a person.. Well, it is Nello after all. 

"Let's go to your apartment."

"Yes!"

"Can I come with you?" Nello asked with a smile.

"No!"

"Oh, okay!"

Sorry Nello! But this story is only for Henry and I!

We made our way to my apartment and passed the doggy again. So I had to stop. Come on, I can't resist such cute creatures. Oh, apparently Henry can't either, he's playing with the dog. The owner made a soft smile and I smiled back.

"Let's go, Henry!"

"Okay."

And so we arrived at my apartment! 

"Here we are!"

"It's nice."

"Oh, I have snacks in the cabinet-"

"I was only interested in one snack."

E-eh?

Henry looked at me and pushed me against the wall. My heart started racing. What is this? What is this? I felt my body getting warmer, my legs were shaking from the adrenaline that was rushing through my body. H-he wasn't like this, right?!

"H-Henry- we have to work.."

"I know."

He placed his finger on the side of my stomach and moved it upwards. I can't even begin to explain what I was feeling here. This was something absolutely crazy! This guy! What's he thinking?! I-it's not like I dislike it either.. B-but this is too quick! And then, he grabbed onto my chin. 

"Tell me, where did you hide your cheese nuggets?"

Eh?

"Oh.. I ate those already."

He backed away and dropped onto his knees, visibly defeated. What was that? No way, did he push me against the wall just to ask this?! No. THIS GUY!!! I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!

"I smelled those cheese nuggets.. I thought you had them."

"I ate all of them."

"Why.. WHY DID YOU NOT LEAVE SOME FOR ME?! You knew I was going to come!" he yelled while holding his arms up and looking at the ceiling

No way Henry's showing that much emotion for something like this.

"I can go to the shop and get some if you want-"

"No.. It's okay," he said with a look of sadness.

Why are you so dramatic over cheese nuggets?!

We sat down to work on our presentation. We ate some snacks, worked on the slides, but eventually we had to take a break. I put the TV on and weirdly enough, a romance anime was playing. It was an anime where a girl and a boy were put together for a project and-

What was Henry doing?

Where is he?

Wait

No, I recognize this smell.

I looked over at my bathroom door, it was closed. This guy, no, why do you have to do this for a second time?! This joke is going to end up overused! Stop doing that! Also spare me my life- BLUH.

When he came out of the bathroom, I was already passed out on the floor. I managed to get conscious again. Huh, the ceiling. I guess that's my ceiling, yes. But, what am I lying my head on? It doesn't feel so soft. Then, I saw it. Henry's face, right above me. 

I WAS LYING ON HIS LAP!

Instantly, I passed out again.

When I woke up, I saw that the presentation was done. This guy kept making me pass out just to finish the work himself- wait this presentation is quite nice. And in the notes, he even wrote what I should say. 

Dang it, I didn't have more romance time with him!

The following day, we had to do our presentations. Before Henry and I went, it was Makoto and Sakura's turn. Surprisingly, their presentation went really well. 

"And that was the story of Digbuild: the Movie," Makoto said.

"Hope you guys enjoyed our presentation and thank you for listening!" Sakura said.

Everyone clapped. But later, Sakura looked at Makoto with different eyes than usual. Yup, there was something flourishing between the two of them. Finally! The two love interests met each other. I wonder when they'll finally be together. Probably by the end of the season. 

"Henry and Emma, it's your turn."

Now we had to do our presentation. It went alright. But, it's not what I expected. Henry was introverted, he didn't talk a lot. That's what he usually does. But for some reason, right now, he barely let me talk. He was explaining every single detail about the story, every single piece and every single plotline with its rightful criticism. And what did I talk about? Well, how the movie looked. 

"So despite this movie definitely having its flaws, filled with clichés and predictable dialogue, its strength is found within the faults it possesses."

"I hope you all liked our presentation!" I said at the end.

I looked over at Henry and smiled, he looked at me and smiled back. We did it, we did our- no, we did Henry's presentation. Because ultimately, it was his presentation, not mine. 

I sat down again, Sakura looked at me and gave me a thumbs up before another group went up to present their movie. 

This story was a wild ride, especially with Henry acting so unpredictably. And although I would really love to get into a romance story with him, I have so many questions about him. What is going through his mind? What is his backstory? Who's responsible for him? All these questions.. And I hope to get an answer on them some day.