Chapter Text
The first time Alyssa Greene met Emma Nolan, she was six years old. Alyssa was playing with the Barbie dolls that her first grade teacher had kept in the room when she called the class for attention. A small, pale, blonde girl stood at the front of the class. She had light brown eyes that were scanning the other students nervously.
“Everyone, this is Emma Nolan. She just moved here from Indianapolis. Can you all say hello?” A chorus of greetings came from the class. Their teacher continued, “I want you all to be nice to her and welcome her to our class and our town. It can be hard being a new student, so be respectful.”
Some of the kids probably didn’t know what the word ‘respectful’ meant, but Alyssa did; her mother was always telling her how she was the smartest girl in her whole class and a natural born leader. Most of the kids went back to playing after their teacher finished her announcement. Some of them continued to watch Emma. Emma looked around the room before locking her eyes on one of the windows. She just stood staring at it for a moment.
Alyssa set her chin determinedly and stood up from her spot on the play rug before marching over to the new girl. Emma jumped when she noticed the other girl near her.
“Hi!” Alyssa chirped happily. “I’m Alyssa. Do you want to play Barbies with me?”
Emma nodded shyly and Alyssa led her over to the play area. Emma didn’t say much for the rest of playtime, but Alyssa didn’t let it her discourage her; she kept sending friendly smiles over to the fair-haired girl.
At the end of the day, Alyssa gave Emma a wave goodbye, who echoed it, albeit a little reluctantly before boarding the bus.
“Who was that, honey?” Mrs. Greene asked as Alyssa ran over to her.
“That’s Emma! She’s my new friend.”
Mrs. Greene grabbed Alyssa’s backpack and they started toward the car. “That’s nice, sweetie. It’s always good to make friends.”
Alyssa skipped a few steps ahead before turning back to her mom. “We’re gonna be bestest friends!”