Wednesday morning dawned bright and crisp. Emma spotted Layla by the lockers, her friend's familiar face a welcome sight after a restless night.

"Morning, Laylay!"

"Hey, Emma!" Layla studied her friend's face. "You're looking chirper this morning. You ready for the big day?"

Emma's brow furrowed in confusion. "What big day?"

"Lab project day, duh!" Layla's eyes widened in disbelief. "We have to present our projects to Ms Ford this morning, you didn't forget, did you?"

The color drained from Emma's face. "Oh my God!! I totally did!" Her voice rose in panic. "Mason and I were meant to meet up and finish it last week, but we--" She trailed off, the words catching in her throat as memories of their argument surfaced. "Well, we didn't, and with everything that's happened since then it completely slipped my mind!"

"This is why Ms Ford shouldn't have made you work with that doofus!" Layla's protective instincts flared. "I knew he wouldn't do his fair share! What are you going to do?"

Emma slumped against the lockers. "It was my fault this time, Laylay, not his, and I'm just going to have to take the consequences."

"Emma!!" Layla's voice echoed down the hallway, causing several students to turn their heads. "What are you going to do? If you don't do the presentation then Ms Ford will give you a failing grade!"

The warning bell rang through the corridors, its shrill sound matching Emma's rising anxiety. "I'll... just... explain that I missed the work due to personal reasons. It's the first time I've ever missed a deadline in chem class--" The final bell cut through her words. "There's the bell-- it's not like I have any other choice at this point."

In Ms Ford's classroom, the air was thick with nervous energy as students shuffled their presentation notes. Emma rushed to Mason's desk, her words tumbling out. "Mason, I owe you an apology: I completely forgot about finishing the project--"

Ms Ford's authoritative voice cut through the classroom chatter. "Simmer down, everyone! I know it's presentation day, but do try to contain your enthusiasm. We've got a lot of projects to get through, after all." She adjusted her glasses, peering at the class. "Everyone ready? Then here we go. And the first pair are..." She consulted her notes. "Mason and Emma!"

Emma's heart stopped. "Uh, Ms Ford, I--"

"What Emma is trying to say is that she lost her voice, Ms Ford," Mason smoothly intercepted, rising from his seat. "Would it be ok if I present our work by myself?"

Ms Ford's eyebrows rose skeptically. "That depends. Did you both contribute to the project?"

"Oh, yes. Emma only got sick a couple of days ago."

Satisfaction crossed Ms Ford's face. "Then go ahead, Mr. Nieves. Emma, I hope you get better soon."

Mason nodded graciously. "Thank you." He cleared his throat and began with confidence. "Thermal decomposition or thermolysis, is the process whereby..."

The rest of class passed in a blur until the final bell rang. Ms Ford's voice cut through Emma's daze: "Thank you again, everyone, for your excellent presentations. Particular congrats to Mr Nieves and Emma— a thorough and thought provoking effort, well done. Class dismissed!"

As students filed out, Emma caught up with Mason in the hallway, her heart pounding. "You really saved my neck back there, Mason. Thanks."

"Anytime." His smile was genuine. "I figured you might need some breathing space."

"I did. I'm sorry you had to finish the project on your own."

Mason shrugged, adjusting his backpack. "Don't worry about it. There wasn't that much left to do, to be honest. Like I said in my texts, Emma, I'm not trying to hurt you. The truth is I--"

"I get it," Emma interrupted softly. "You're not my enemy."

"So, can we still be friends?"

Emma studied the familiar features of his face, remembering all they'd been through. "I--I think I'd like that. But I need time, Mason. I can't just change the way I see you overnight."

"I understand. I'll give you some space. Take care, Em." He disappeared into the crowd of students, leaving Emma standing with Layla, who had witnessed the entire exchange.

"Huh. Guess he's not such a jerk after all." Layla's admission came reluctantly.

Emma managed a small smile. "That's what I've been trying to tell you all along, genius."

"Hey, I'm a big fan of proof by observation. Now I see it, I believe it." Layla fell into step beside her friend as they walked. "It seems only fair that he should save your chemistry grade in high school, given that in middle school, he almost made you flunk."

"It's not just about the grade."

"No?" Layla glanced sideways at her friend. "What else is it about?"

Emma's voice softened. "He helped me out in spite of everything. He wasn't trying to get back together. He didn't want anything from me in return. He just helped me because that's what he's like. He's a good person, Laylay."

"You're getting all that from one science presentation?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm getting that from almost three years of dating him. This isn't just a recent development. He's always been like this."

"Are you saying that--" Layla's question was cut short by the chime of Emma's phone.

"Who is it?" Layla leaned closer as Emma pulled out her phone.

"It's Liam..." Emma's voice trailed off as she read the message.

"Hey there :) it was great hanging with you the other day. Thanks again for the invite."

Emma's fingers hovered over the keyboard before responding. "You're welcome. Thanks for joining us."

His reply came almost immediately: "So at lunch today, everyone was raving about this thing called the Fall Ball. I'm sure your social calendar is booked up months in advance, but if you're free... Would you like to go with me? ;)"

Emma stared at the screen, Mason's kind gesture and Liam's flirtatious invitation creating a confusing swirl of emotions in her chest.

----

The evening sun cast long shadows through Layla's bedroom window as the three friends gathered for what Layla had dubbed their "emergency summit meeting." Emma sat cross-legged on the bed, while Layla had claimed the desk chair, spinning it occasionally with nervous energy.

"I call this summit meeting to order!" Layla announced with mock solemnity, putting on her best official voice. "First on the agenda, your date to the Fall Ball! So, what are you going to say to Liam?"

Emma hugged a pillow to her chest, her face betraying her uncertainty. "I don't know yet... I'm still in shock that he even asked me!"

"Hence the summit meeting!" Layla stopped spinning to face her friend. "We'll figure it out together."

"Um, I think this is a decision I can make on my own, Laylay." Emma's tone was gentle but firm.

Layla gasped in theatrical offense. "Are you denying the legitimacy of the summit meeting?"

Emma rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress a smile. "It's my love life, not a democracy! You don't get a vote."

"Dictator! Dictator!" Layla's dramatic proclamation sent Emma into a fit of laughter.

The door creaked open, and Hayley poked her head in, her glasses reflecting the warm evening light. "Who's a dictator?"

Both girls waved her in, and Layla immediately brought her up to speed. "Emma, she's not letting us vote on her date for the Fall Ball."

"You have a date, Emma?" Hayley's initial excitement quickly faded as Emma explained.

"Liam asked me, but I haven't given him an answer yet."

The change in Hayley's expression was subtle but unmistakable. "Liam?! Oh, Emma, are...you sure that's a good idea?"

"See, this is why I didn't want you to have a vote!" Layla threw up her hands. "You hate him for some reason."

"I never said I hated him, I just--"

"Nobody's getting a vote!" Emma's voice cut through their brewing argument. She softened her tone. "This is my decision guys. I'd love to hear your thoughts, but I'm going to make up my mind on this one."

Hayley settled onto the window seat, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "That's fair, Emma. What do you want to do?"

Emma picked at a loose thread on the pillow. "To be honest, I'm not sure. I like Liam, and I'm flattered by the offer, but I don't know him very well at all. Maybe rushing into something with him isn't a good idea."

"I don't see the problem." Layla examined her nails with studied casualness. "If it doesn't work out, you can always dump him."

"But sometimes you might dump someone because you think you're over them, and then it turns out that you're not and you've made a terrible mistake!" Hayley's words tumbled out with unexpected intensity.

"We're talking about Liam here, not Mason, Hales." Layla's eyes narrowed.

"But isn't this about both of them?" Hayley pressed. "Mason and Crystal won't be dating forever! If they break up, wouldn't you want to be free to be with him, Emma?"

"But that might never happen!" Layla's voice rose slightly.

"Woah, guys!" Emma held up her hands. "Calm down! One at a time, please. Layla, you first."

Layla took a deep breath. "Mason is seeing someone else. But Liam is single right now. So you can sit around waiting for a second chance that might never come, or you can move on. You already know what I think the right decision is."

"Yes, I do. Hayley?"

Hayley fidgeted with her glasses. "Like you said, Em, it's your choice. I shouldn't have tried to convince you either way."

"Thanks for your input, guys." Emma released a long breath. "I think I've made up my mind. I'm going to see how things go with Liam. Hales is right, I still do have feelings for Mason, but I had my chance with him. It's time for me to move on."

"If that's how you feel, then it's the right decision." Hayley's voice was quiet.

Emma reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "I'm going to text him now."

"Hey Liam :) I'd love to! Can't wait! X"

His response came almost immediately: "That has made my day :) looking forward to it x."

Emma set her phone down, a mix of excitement and nervousness crossing her face. "It's going to be weird to start dating again after all this time. And Liam is so different from Mason!"

"Oh yeah?" Hayley leaned forward. "In what ways?"

"He's just...smoother, I guess. More confident." Emma's gaze grew distant. "My first date with Mason, he was so shy and awkward. I can't imagine Liam getting awkward about anything."

"Ooh, tell us about your first date with the M-bomb!"

"C'mon, Hales," Layla interrupted, "I'm sure she doesn't want to go there."

Emma stood up, gathering her things. "Yeah, Hales, sorry but I'd rather not talk about it. Anyway, thanks for talking to me about this, guys. I should head home. See you tomorrow!"

After Emma left, the room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Layla was the first to break it.

"I'm sorry things got a little heated back there. I didn't mean to snap at you." Her voice was heavy with remorse.

"It's okay, Laylay."

"No, it's not. I shouldn't have gotten mad." Layla moved to sit beside Hayley on the window seat. "I respect your opinions, Hales. I don't really understand what you've got against Liam, and I disagree with you, but I do trust you. I know you must have good reasons for how you feel about him."

Hayley's shoulders slumped. "He didn't have the best reputation in middle school, but people change. Maybe I'm just being prejudiced. Emma likes him, so I'm gonna try hard to get on with him in future, for her sake."

"I think she'd appreciate that."

Another silence fell, this one charged with unspoken words. "So...everyone is getting dates," Hayley finally ventured.

"...yeah." Layla's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Laylay..." Hayley turned to face her friend, her heart pounding. "Do you wanna go to the Fall Ball with me? Like, as my girlfriend?"

Layla's answer came not in words but in a gentle kiss, the last rays of sunset painting them both in golden light. When she finally pulled back, her smile was radiant. "I'd like that, Hales. I'd like that very much."