(Emily, I'm Sorry)
ACT ONE—CHAPTER TEN

1996

The silence was eating away at Emily, how did it end up like this? The team was so happy 24 hours ago, celebrating going to Nationals.

"This is all we have?"

Emily looked up, glancing at the small pile of food and water scavenged up from around the crash site. Even with rationing the supply wouldn't get them very far, Emily however didn't say those thoughts, still holding out hope for a rescue.

"Yeah, we gotta ration." Van stated, crouching beside the pile, "Okay, cut them, and split this water."

Shauna handed a piece to Jackie, "Here, close your eyes and pretend it's bacon."

"I hate to be the one to say this but," Emily started, catching the attention of some of the others, "This isn't going to last us long, even with rationing...and has anyone actually seen the transmitter?"

No one really responded, not wanting to admit that the box that should save them, hadn't been seen once.

"We should look for water, or food, or something," Emily stated.

Jackie shook her head, "We haven't even been stuck out here 24 hours. I don't particularly think it's time to panic yet."

"Jackie, the best time to do all of this shit, is while we still have energy. Before the hunger and exhaustion creep in." Emily argued, and Travis stomped through snatching up one of the packages of food.

"Dude!"

"Travis, what are you doing?"

"Uh, maybe you didn't notice," Lottie started, "But we're kind of in a situation here, flex."

"Don't," Natalie warned, and Emily shot her a confused glance, which she ignored.

"Who died and made him king of snacks?" Lottie questioned, "His dad, Lottie. Literally, his fucking dad."

Jackie nodded, "Nat's right, we should cut him some slack."

Emily didn't argue, she may not have physically lost a parent, but she knew what it was like for one to become a complete stranger.

"I guess it's fine if we all starve to death as long as Travis' feelings are okay." Mari spoke, "Hate to say it, Mari has a point, let's deal with emotional issues after there isn't a chance of starving to death." Ash agreed.

Emily cut her a short glare, and Ash threw her hands up in surrender, "I was just saying.."

"We're not gonna starve to death. Okay? When the rescue team gets here-" Jackie spoke, but Van cut her off.

"If." Van paused, "If it gets here."

"Don't say that." Jackie glared.

An eerie silence fell over the group, Emily certainly wasn't one to want to go home...at least not to her actual home.

Right now though, she would give anything to have an argument with her father about whether or not Emily kissing another girl was an issue. Which was already fucked up in itself.

Emily strayed away from the group, looking around the crash site...well really she was looking for her suitcase.

"What are you doing?" Natalie asked, catching up with the blonde.

Emily sighed, "Do you want the truth? Or a lie that will make you feel better?"

Natalie's eyebrows shot up in surprise, "The truth...I think."

"I'm looking for my pills so that if it comes down to it I can go out with a quick painless death," Emily stated.

"Oh god- wow." Natalie basically froze in place, "That is dark as fuck."

Emily shrugged, "You asked for the truth."

"Are you being serious though?" Natalie questioned.

"Only partially." Emily stated, "I was hunting down pills but there isn't near enough in there to kill me."

"You are truly crazy, Emily Jensen." Natalie shook her head.

Emily nudged her, "I am not crazy. I am perfectly sane."

"That is exactly what a crazy person would say." Natalie argued.

Emily smiled, climbing on top of one of the plane's wings, she held out her hand to help Natalie up, "M'lady."

Natalie accepted her hand with a small smirk, "You're ridiculous."

"Just trying to make light of a dark situation," Emily shrugged, and Natalie smiled, looking at the other girl like she was light of her life.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Emily asked holding eye contact with the other girl.

Natalie sighed, shaking her head, "You are so fucking clueless, Emily Jensen."

Emily narrowed her eyes at Natalie, who rolled her eyes, brushing a strand of blonde curly hair out of Emily's face.

The blonde's hair was more unruly than Natalie had ever seen it, Emily was always taking a straightener to her curls.

Natalie stared into Emily's eyes, moving closer to her, and the other girl's breath hitched.

Realization washed over Emily, and she smiled, never once breaking eye contact, "If you're gonna kiss me, just fucking do it already."

Natalie laughed quietly closing the space between them entirely.

Their lips met in a soft kiss, that Emily wished would never end. It made sense now... the comfort that Emily felt around the bleached blonde.

"Wow," Emily whispered, her forehead leaning against Natalie's.

"I am truly glad that didn't back fire. It would be really awkward if turned out you weren't into girls." Natalie laughed, and Emily playfully shoved her back.

"You know, we should probably get back before the others assume we've gone missing." Emily stated.

"What about your suitcase?" Natalie arched her eyebrow at the blonde.

"Fuck the suitcase." Emily shrugged.

—

"Guys!" Taissa exclaimed, catching the attention of the group, "Guys, there's a lake. There's a lake, I saw it from that hill. It looks about four or five miles away."

"Do you think we can hike it?" Shauna asked.

"It's pretty rocky but yeah." Taissa replied, a smile on her face.

"This is really good news, water is good." Emily smiled, "maybe we won't all die after all."

Natalie elbowed her right in the ribs, "Hey! What was that for?"

"Shh," Natalie glared.

Emily frowned at Natalie, and the other girl shook her head."

Jackie stood up, "Uh—we can't, we can't just leave."

"We've got two days of water." Taissa informed her, "Tops. And then what? Just sit around and die?"

"What if the rescue team comes?" Jackie pointed out, not wanting to give up hope."

"Do you think they're taking their time on purpose?" Taissa questioned, "if they knew where we were, they would—be here already."

"You don't know that." Jackie stated.

"What do you think coach?"

They all turned to the man, "I—I don't know. I mean you'd have to leave me behind I guess but whatever."

"We could make you a stretcher." Taissa stated, and Jackie scoffed, "Okay."

"Seriously, if we take turns carrying it." Taissa further explained.

"No. Seriously, this is bullshit. I say no. Okay? No way." Jackie argued.

"Jackie—this could be our best bet." Emily pointed out quietly, and Jackie glared at her.

"Let's put it to a vote." Taissa suggested, "All in favor of waiting here."

Jackie raised her hand confidently, followed by Laura Lee, Lottie, and Mari.

"All in favor of the lake." Taissa raised her own hand, followed by pretty much the rest of the group.

Emily raised her hand, there was no way she was sitting around and waiting  for death to knock on the door.

"Then it's settled. Grab your shit."