Wear - Chapter 27

The next day, Emma and Wyatt take Jackson with them to Savvy Threads. Jackson didn’t really want to go, but Emma insisted that he should at least try doing anything other than laying in bed. When they get there, Emma greets Matilda and Emily. “Go on” Emma says to Jackson, “at least be nice to Emily”.

Jackson sighs and says “What’s up, Emily?”.

Emily responds by nervously waving a hand in the air while wearing a fake smile. “Uh… hey?” Emily says.

“Somehow, that’s exactly the response I expected” Jackson says.

“Look, Jackson” Emily says, “it’s not that I hate you or anything… but I also don’t recall us particularly getting along super well. Like, we haven’t really spoken all that much to each other”.

“Oh thank god” Jackson says. “The feeling is mutual”. Jackson then looks at Emma and asks “Can I go now?”.

“No” Emma says, “try actually getting along with people…”.

Jackson groans and then says “Fine! I don’t even know what to talk about here”.

“Sucks that you and Aeris… broke up” Emily says, trying to find something to talk about. There was a long awkward silence, then Emily says “This is awkward”.

“Yeah, I’m waiting outside of the store now…” Jackson says as he points his thumb at the door.

“… Anyways” Wyatt says, “any job opening for here, Matilda?”.

“Oh, yes” Matilda says. “We’ll have to schedule a time for you to talk to Dylan about the job, that way he can interview you and stuff. If he decides you can take the job, you can work as my assistant”.

“Hopefully it works out then” Emma says.

“It’ll be cool and all having a familiar face to work with” Emily says, “but I also imagine it’ll start being a little awkward staying here”.

“Why’s that?” Emma asks.

“I dunno” Emily says. “I don’t really think I’d have much to talk about. So if you do get the job here, don’t be surprised if it’s constantly quiet”.

“Anyways” Matilda says, “Dylan should be here tomorrow morning before noon. If you want to stop by to talk with him then, you’re free to come”.

“Tomorrow morning, got it!” Wyatt says.

As the two of them leave, Emma waves at Matilda and Emily. “Thanks again, Matilda!” Emma says. “And see you later, Emily!”.

“Yeah” Emily says, “take care”.

“I’m glad to see you two are getting along” Matilda says to Emily.

“Can we go back finally?” Jackson asks as the two of them leave the store.

“Yes, we can go back” Wyatt says.

“Good” Jackson replies. “It’s cold out here”.

“You could’ve stayed inside, you know?” Emma asks.

“Yeah, but that involves talking to people” Jackson says. After the three of them get back to the dorm, Jackson asks “So, how do you plan on keeping Emma hidden in the dorm for so long?”.

Wyatt shrugs and says “It’s been working so far”.

“Well…” Jackson says, “I know she doesn’t have a place to return to, so make sure you don’t let anybody else know that we’re keeping Emma here. If the school finds out, they’ll probably be furious”. Immediately after that, a loud knock is heard on the door of the dorm. “Do… you usually get visitors?” Jackson asks.

“N-no… not really” Wyatt says. Wyatt stands up to answer the door, but the door suddenly swings open.

“Wyatt!” Darren says as he opens the door. Darren then notices Jackson and Wyatt sitting in a room with Emma. “Oh, I’m sorry…” Darren says as he awkwardly closes the door.

“No, wait!” Wyatt says, “it’s not what you think! I can explain!”.

“Yes, please do explain” Jackson says. “Knowing you, it won’t be a very good explanation”.

Darren opens the door again, then walks inside the room. “What’s going on?”.

“Well…” Wyatt says, “Emma doesn’t have a place to stay, so I’m keeping her here”.

“Uh-huh…” Darren says. “You know this is the boy’s dorm, right?”.

“Y-Yeah” Wyatt says.

“So… is she your girlfriend?” Darren asks.

“Y-Yeah…” Wyatt says.

“And there it is” Jackson says, “the perfect explanation for a misunderstanding!”.

“So that’s why you’re keeping her here!” Darren says.

“Wait, no! I-” Wyatt says.

“Look, I get it” Darren says. “I won’t tell a soul”.

“I don’t think you are getting it…” Wyatt says in frustration. “So how’d you know which dorm is mine?”.

“Oh, that’s easy!” Darren says. “I knocked on every door and bursted into everyone’s room shouting your name like an idiot!”.

“… Really?” Wyatt asks.

“No…” Darren says. “I asked Ms. Weber to look up your name of the dorm list… did you honestly think I’d do that?”.

“Pfft- I like this guy!” Jackson says.

“Ayyy!” Darren says as he makes a finger gun gesture at Jackson. “So, you are?”.

“Jackson Lonny” Jackson says. “I’m in the same class as Wyatt… and in the club too, I guess”.

“Oh yeah, aren’t you that laibah kid everyone was talking about?” Darren asks.

“Yep” Jackson says.

“Oh… so how many of us here are laibah?” Darren asks.

“In this room?” Wyatt asks. “I’m the only human here at the moment…”.

“Oh, so you’re a laibah too?” Darren asks as he looks at Emma.

“Y-Yeah…” Emma says. “I believe I already introduced myself to you before. I’m Emma Frey”.

“Darren Forray” Darren says as he forces Emma to shake his hand.

“What’d you wanna come here to talk about?” Wyatt asks.

“Right” Darren says, “so around this time, people in high school and stuff usually come to colleges like these to see what their possible future college looks like. Earlier today, I ran into a certain someone who also wanted to see you”.

“Me?” Wyatt asks.

“I told him to wait by the gate and I’ll bring you to him” Darren says, “but seeing as to how it’ll be dangerous to keep going in and out with your girlfriend over there, I’ll try bringing him to you”.

“Wait, who is it?” Wyatt asks. However, Darren leaves without answering. After a long silence, Darren comes back with a rather big surprise. “K-Kemal!?” Wyatt asks. “What are you doing here!?”.

“Kemal?” Jackson asks.

“So this is your brother?” Emma asks.

“Brother!?” Jackson asks. “Holy hopping hell, there’s two of them!?”.

“What’s up, Wyatt?” Kemal asks.

“H-how’d you get down here?” Wyatt asks. “Is mom okay? What are you doing all the way out here?”.

“Whoa, slow down there” Kemal says. “Let’s see if I can answer these questions first. Umm… I took the city bus, mom is fine, and I’m here to check out what kinda school you go to”.

“So mom and dad are doing fine then?” Wyatt asks.

“Well, dad is still a grumpy old man, but yeah” Kemal says. “In fact, they’re both better than fine now. Dad got a promotion, mom got a raise and we’re financially stable for the first time ever. In fact, they’re doing so well that I’m finally able to leave my job and come to school”.

“W-What?” Wyatt asks.

“I’ll be coming here next year” Kemal says. “I’ve gotta look out for my little brother, don’t I?”.

“But you’ll be a year lower than him…” Jackson says. “It’ll be more like he’s watching out for you”.

“Same difference” Kemal says.

“N-no… no it is not…” Jackson says.

Darren laughs and says “See? Isn’t this nice? We’ve already got a group of friends ready for ya when you start coming to school, Kemal!”.

Kemal laughs and says “Yeah, I like the sassy one!”.

“Sassy?” Jackson asks. “SASSY!?”.

“This situation seems kind of awkward…” Emma says.

Kemal leans in close to Darren and asks “Who’s the girl?”.

“That’s Wyatt’s girlfriend” Darren says with a snicker.

“What!?” Kemal panics.

“Uh…” Wyatt tries to think of something to say.

“She’s a laibah too” Darren says.

“Uh…” Emma says, now feeling uncomfortable.

“No way!” Kemal says. “So you’re going to be my future sister in law!?”. Kemal starts furiously shaking Emma’s hand saying “I’m Kemal Bogan! Nice to meet you!”.

As Kemal wildly shakes Emma’s hand, her arm seems to go limp as she nervously laughs. “I-I’m Emma Frey~” Emma says nervously.

“This. Is. Hilarious” Jackson says.

“Can you stop?” Wyatt asks. “You’re making her nervous!”.

“Oh!” Kemal says as he comes to a sudden stop. “Sorry…”.

“I-it’s f-fine…” Emma says. Emma then thinks about the words Kemal said, “Future sister in law” and laughs nervously again.

“This room is kinda cramped, ain’t it?” Kemal asks.

“Gee, I wonder why” Jackson says. “Couldn’t be the fact that it was designed to only hold two people at a time, yet here we are with five people…”.

“Is there anyone else I should meet?” Kemal asks.

“Oh yeah!” Darren says. “Wyatt actually has a bunch of friends now!”.

“Really?” Kemal asks.

“I know, it’s surprising isn’t it?” Darren asks. “He was always so quiet and awkward when we were all just little kids!”.

“Can I meet them, Wyatt?” Kemal asks.

“No!” Wyatt says. “Please, no! You’re already making things awkward enough! Just… slow down for a minute, will ya?”.

“Aw, are you embarrassed of your big brother?” Kemal asks.

“That’s… one way to put it, yes” Wyatt says.

Emma starts giggling and Jackson says “I can’t believe there’s someone weirder than Wyatt… yet, here you are!”.

“Can we keep it down?” Wyatt asks. “We don’t need someone calling any of the staff to our room and getting into trouble”.

“Yeah, especially since you’re keeping a girl here” Darren says.

Kemal whistles and says “Didn’t think you’d turn out to be such a rebel”.

“Rebel?” Wyatt asks. “I-I think you’re getting the wrong idea, because-“.

“Hey, it’s of no consequence to me” Kemal says. “You do you”.

“You do you… now that’s a quote” Jackson says.

Wyatt take a sigh of relief and says “It’s good to hear that mom and dad are doing fine though. At least I don’t have to worry about trying to support them after college now”.

“Yeah” Kemal says. “Probably the most freedom we’ve ever had in our lives, to be honest”.

“Maybe I can actually look for other career opportunities now…” Wyatt says.

“You mean… like Matilda’s suggestion of being a teacher?” Emma asks.

“Yeah” Wyatt says, “maybe I should look into that after all. I was worried about getting into a job that was too far from home, because I was sure mom and dad would need my help by the time I graduated”.

“Yeah” Kemal says, “but now that they’re finally getting the support they need from their own jobs, we probably don’t have to do that after all. In fact, mom is the one who paid for me to come see you. Which reminds me, she also wanted to me pass on a message to you”.

“A message?” Wyatt asks.

“She says good luck” Kemal says, “and that she wants you to stay and school and not worry about her or dad”.

“Can you pass on a message from me when you get back?” Wyatt asks.

“Like what?” Kemal asks.

“Tell then I said thanks” Wyatt says.

“Screw that sappy stuff!” Kemal says, “I’m telling them about your girlfriend! Bwa-ha ha ha ha!”.

“Wait!” Wyatt says, “please don’t! Dad will-“.

“Dad won’t do anything” Kemal says. “He may have his dumb irrational fears, but you know mom and dad worry most about us. If it’s someone you can trust, I’m sure dad’ll put his stupid fear aside”.

“Fear?” Emma asks.

“Our dad doesn’t exactly like laibah” Kemal says. “But I’m sure he’ll make an exception for you. After all, Wyatt’s never had a girlfriend before!”.

Kemal starts laughing loudly and Wyatt says “Can you please stop making everything more awkward!?”.

“But seriously” Kemal says to Emma, “don’t worry about what that old man would think. I won’t tell him about you”.

“Thanks” Wyatt says.

“I’ll make Wyatt do that himself!” Kemal says.

“You-” Wyatt says.

“But” Kemal interrupts, “I’m sure the old man would be fine with you. He’ll put aside his prejudice since you’re someone Wyatt is close to”.

“And if he doesn’t?” Jackson asks.

“He’ll have to” Kemal says. “Otherwise, our mother will beat him into submission until he does”.

“W-What is your mom like!?” Emma asks.

“She’s pretty soft hearted, really” Kemal says.

“D-does she hate laibah?” Emma asks.

“No” Kemal says. “You’d probably enjoy meeting her, actually”.

“M-meeting them!?” Emma asks.

“Uh-oh, you’re making her nervous again” Darren says.

“I wish I had a video camera” Jackson says. “This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all week”.

“Can we maybe stop?” Wyatt asks. “Let’s not worry about anyone meeting anybody’s parents!”.

“I-I… don’t think I’d mind meeting your parents some day” Emma says nervously.

“See?” Kemal says, “she’s fine with it!”.

“You’re an enabler, aren’t you?” Jackson asks.

“So… what makes you think dad would change his mind for Emma?” Wyatt asks.

“Oh… right” Kemal says. “I never told dad about Darren being a laibah, but I did tell mom a long time ago. Turns out she told dad almost immediately and he’s known about it all along. However, dad never really got angry. He did tell me that involving myself with too many laibah would drag me into trouble like it did with Darren, but all that trouble wasn’t Darren’s fault. He knows we get along with laibah well, and he doesn’t hate it. He’s just constantly worried that we’re getting into fights”.

“And if he knew Wyatt was dating one?” Jackson asks.

“Yeah…” Kemal says, “I always thought he’d get so mad about us being friends with laibah, that he’d probably pop a vein. However, he’s surprisingly okay with it. I’m sure as long as Wyatt stays out of trouble, he won’t have any problems with accepting Emma”.

“See?” Darren says, “you’re practically all set up then! There won’t be any issues if you two get married!”.

“M-m-married!?” Emma panics.

“Pfft- HA HA HA HA HA!” Jackson laughs out loud. “Man, this is really helping me cheer up!”.

“Are you scared of marriage?” Kemal teases Emma.

“N-no! I-” Emma says. “I can… I mean- I’m fine if- ah, uh…”.

“I think you broke her…” Jackson says.

“Whoops…” Kemal says. “Were we not supposed to talk about that yet?”.

Wyatt sighs and says “You’ve pretty much already talked about everything I’d rather not bring up all at the same time…”.

“Well, better out than in, I always say” Kemal says.

“Pfft- HA HA HA HA HA!!” Jackson laughs even harder. “BETTER OUT THAN IN! ISN’T THAT SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXCUSE FOR A FART!?”.

“Is it?” Kemal asks. “I mean, honesty is important”.

“It’s official” Jackson says as he slowly stops laughing, “you’re idiots”.

Now Kemal makes a finger gun gesture at Jackson and says “That’s pretty mean”.

“I like you guys” Jackson says. “You say some silly stuff, AND you embarrass both Emma and Wyatt. This is quite the show!”.

“Aw, that’s nice” Darren says. “We get his approval!”.

“Doesn’t seem like much of an approval” Kemal says, “but I’ll take what I can get”.

“You guys are an absolute riot…” Jackson says.