Home is any four walls that enclose the right person

Helen Rowland

"I'll call Emily to go downstairs. You make yourself comfortable, Finnick." 

Ernest offered him cookies and a glass of warm milk, and set it on the coffee table. He was standing calmly beside him, clearly just home from school. He was still wearing his uniform and backpack.

"I'd usually serve people coffee, but Emily says you are.. schalkhaft, as we call it."

"What does that mean?"

"It means mischievous in German, Finnick. What are you doing here?" Emily answered, popping up from the stock room near the kitchen.

"Oh Emily, I didn't know you were still looking for our tripod. Why don't you try the attic?"

"Don't worry, Kuya. I'm looking for something else. I'll take care of Finnick, you and Rene go over your thesis." She shook the dust from her hands and legs before washing her hands. "And get some rest too. You've been pulling all-nighters for a week now."

"Yes, yes, I get it. Just tell me if you need anything."

"Thanks Kuya." 

Emily wiped her hands and sat beside Finnick, already lying down on the couch. She was dressed for home, a school t-shirt and pajama pants. Apparently, she and her partner Annika already filmed the day before. Apparently, her family had a two-day trip to Balesin on the weekend.

"Where's your mom and dad, Em?"

"Ah, they had another party to attend. It's the anniversary of their alma mater and it's their batch's turn to sponsor it."

"You didn't come?"

Emily's face suddenly broke into a scowl, and she almost roared "Why do you think I'm here, at home, Finnick?"

"Calm down, Emily. Jeez. I'm just asking." Finnick was already tense, and he looked like he was going to apologize profusely.

Emily's face softened, broke into a smile, then a laugh. "You know I'm not mad, Finnick. I just like seeing the look on your face." She took a cookie for the table and started nibbling. "Yeah, Mom and Dad didn't take us since they'll be out until midnight. They want us to rest after a long week, anyway."

Finnick blushed in embarrassment. Clearly, in all their years of friendship, he still hasn't learned anything about how Emily teases him constantly. They have been friends for six years already, since she transferred into Alexandrian Academy's elementary school. Finnick was the troublemaker, and Emily was the peacemaker. Yet, somehow they were able to build a friendship, probably from all the times she had to bring him to the Guidance Counselor every week.

The first week they were in the same class, Emily reported Finnick for being to loud. Finnick declared to the whole classroom that Emily was doing that because she liked him and wanted his attention. Emily proceeded to drag Finnick to the admin office. They have been teased together ever since then. But, that also started a friendship that stood the test of time, Finnick's attention span and Emily's patience.

"So, what brings you to our humble abode today, Mr. Guevarra?" Emily asked in a playfully dignified manner.

"I just wanna hang out, Em. What's wrong with that?"

"You never come to my house to hang out.  You either come here to vent or to eat my mom's sacher torte. No in-betweens."

Finnick was about to speak, but he faltered. He closed his eyes and stayed silent. Emily looked on, as if expecting a response, but none came.

"Finnick? If there's a problem or anything, tell me. It's just me, alright? You're safe."

Finnick opened his eyes again, but he still wouldn't talk. He stared blankly into space, and his hands slightly fidgeted.

"If you don't want to talk about it, I understand. But please, this kind of thing worries me."

"I know, Emily." Finnick took Emily's hand and smiled. Emily smiled back. Somehow, they both found security and peace in each other's presence. They shared so many memories and kept so many secrets, they both became each others' confidants.

"I don't know how to put this, Emily."

She sighed deeply. I know what this is about. In fact, I feared it already. He looked into the other boy's eyes, filled with concern and confusion.

"Finnick. There's nothing to fear. Remember what I promised? I won't do anything to hurt you with what you said to me."

Finnick smiled a little bit. He lifted his head a little and faced Emily. "Well, we're both the same after all."

"I know things have been tough at home, but you told them the truth."

"I'm not worried about that Emily. I'm just worried how they'd react if they found out about something else."

"Something else? Finnick have you been hiding something from us again?"

"I never hid the freelancing, you guys just didn't know where to look!"

Emily looked at Finnick, in a very familiar way. A way he's known since Grade School, a look that doubted his words and actions.

"But that's not it. No. I'm just worried if a crush can mess up the balance I've tried making at home."

Emily became curious. Finnick has a crush on someone? That's rare.

"Who is it?"

"Will you believe me if I said it's Kline?"

"You like Matthias?" Emily might have said it a bit too loudly, but it didn't matter. It was her house anyway.

"N-no. Yes? No exactly? I don't know, okay. Look, we spent the afternoon filming and now I see him differently."

Emily nodded, and let him continue. "You know, he's witty, he has a certain charm. And he doesn't look bad himself. Might need to let go of the jacket but otherwise, he carries himself well."

Finnick drank his now tepid glass of milk before facing her again. Emily gave a reassuring look.

"Finnick. Don't worry about this. This is just a crush, this won't upset anything. It's harmless." She smiled and put her arm around Finnick's shoulder. "Besides, crushing on the smartest guy in history of the school? You, my sir, have good taste."

"Thanks, Em." Finnick beamed. Even if his heart felt heavy, he knew he could trust his best friend. Someone who wouldn't betray him, or give up trying to understand him.

"Now.."

"What is it?"

"Someone's telling me you've been visiting the Institute across the street recently? Does it have to do with a certain Silvestre?"

"Oh, you mean Chelsea, yeah Emily's madly in love with her." Ernest suddenly interjected, as he grabbed leftovers from the fridge.

"Kuya!"

"Hey, you said it yourself."

"Emily, a word of advice. If you want someone to notice you, talk to them. Ernest and I became close when I helped him with his Math test." It was Rene, who helped Ernest bring up some snacks.

"Well, Kuya Rene, at least I talk to her regularly. You'd barely talk to Kuya when you were jealous over his old best friend."

"Ernest, what have you been telling your sister."

"Nothing, honey. It's nothing. Help me get these things up there, please."

Finnick and Emily laughed on as the two argued pettily.

There might have been things looming overhead, but right now, with Emily by his side, he thought he could accomplish anything.

Maybe, even getting closer to Matthias.