AT THE BEACH IN BEVERLY HILLS, Emberly was sitting on her beach towel, her face in her journal writing. The football team decided to head to the beach to the beach for their football practice today. She had joined them and a few others since she wasn't doing anything this weekend. She wasn't cool with the football team but Olivia couldn't hang with her today and Spencer had also joined the practice so that was part of the reason she joined, to keep an eye out for him in case anyone tried to do anything. 

At least that's what she told herself. She really had wanted to see if Layla was coming. She could tell Spencer had taken a liking to the Keating girl. It bothered her. When Spencer had dated his last girlfriend, she never had a problem with it but maybe because she wasn't in a front row to see their relationship. But knowing that Spencer liked Layla and she was seeing it, it was different. 

Taking a glance up from journal pausing in her writing she watched as Spencer ran across the beach, jumping up and catching the ball that was thrown at him by Jordan. So far it seemed like things were okay. 

Spencer who was across the beach and was talking to Jordan, looked around his eyes stopping on Emberly who was looking down at the journal she was writing in. He didn't know why but he felt a sense of relief wash over him knowing she was also there. 

"Hey, I'ma catch you later." Spencer tells Jordan before running off towards her direction which caused Jordan to turn around watching him head towards Emberly.

"So..." Spencer grunts as he lays on the beach towel next to Emberly causing her to lift her head and look at him.

"Hey." Emberly laughed.

"This is what rich kids do at 5 P.M. on a Tuesday." Spencer says.

"It won't take long before you get use to this and want to do this everyday." Emberly says closing her journal. "But, it's not all fun and games. We have to get work done, too." She turns and points at a group of kids behind them. "Look, the student council's here. They're prepping for the big football booster party this week, and this year, the pressure's on because everybody is coming to meet our new star player. You." Emberly smiled causing Spencer to laugh.

"So, how's it living with the Baker's? Jordan not still being an ass is he?" Emberly asks. 

Last weekend Jordan and Asher had gotten-well tricked Spencer into getting drunk and the next morning he couldn't be on his best performance when the booster's had come. It was a shitty thing to do and Emberly was ready to quickly handle the situation but Spencer told her not to. She listened to him knowing that he would be able to handle it on his own, but that still didn't stop her from wanting to beat Jordan and Asher. 

"I think we're cool now." Spencer answered.

"That's good. If he's be an ass call me, I have no problem going over there and kicking his ass." Emberly says. Spencer laughed at her before he started gathering his things getting ready to leave. 

"Your leavings already?" Emberly asks watching him. Why was she feeling a bit sad watching him leave? Spencer was really the only person she could hang out with and be comfortable with. All the other kids she didn't really know them so of course she wasn't comfortable hanging with them.

"It's getting late." Spencer answers.

"What are you talking about? It's just getting started. Beers, a bonfire, s'mores, and JJ even got his guitar out." Emberly says nodding her head towards the blonde boy as he sat in a chair strumming his guitar.

"Sandcastles and John Mayer sing-alongs." Spencer says causing her to giggle. "Ok. It sounds tempting, but, uh, I got business to take care of."

"Business? Very mysterious." Emberly gave a playful smirk. 

"That's how I like it." Spencer smirked back tossing his backpack on his shoulder looking down at her and then he began walking away on his way. 

Emberly looked at his walking figure watching him with a smile on her face. He looked over his shoulder once more at her, their gaze on one another for a moment. Emberly being the first to break it as she continued writing back in her journal. 

***

EARLY THE NEXT MORNING Emberly had met up with Olivia for a morning run. It was Olivia's idea for them to do regular runs. Emberly had a love and hate relationship with runs. One moment she loved them, the next she hated them. But it was also a necessary thing she had to do when she loved to eat anything and everything. 

"I don't understand why we had to run so far." Emberly says, a thin layer of sweat on her body as she and Olivia entered the Baker's house. They were just returning back from their run. They would have been back already but they had run longer than usual this morning. 

"Stop being a baby. We only did a little bit more than we usually do." Olivia tells her heading towards the kitchen.

"Really? Next time please stick to our regular run's" Emberly tells her, "I'm getting in the shower first." Emberly  runs upstairs hearing Olivia call out from behind her.

Emberly was all laughs as she ran down the hallway going to the guest bathroom. Without pausing she swung the door opened and her eye met a naked wet Spencer who was just getting out of the shower. 

"Ooh!" Emberly shouted as her eyes went down and widened but she quickly looked back up as she used her hands to cover her eyes so she didn't see anything.  "So sorry! I- I thought no one was in here." Emberly says stuttering through her words. A faint pinkish color was coming onto her cheeks.  "I swear. I didn't see anything."

"Go-go- Good." Spencer also stuttered with his words covering himself with the towel in his hands. 

"Much." Emberly added. "I'm- I'm gonna go." Emberly stutters turning around but she bumped  into the wall hitting her arm on the door. "Ouch."

"Are you okay?" Spencer asks her.

"Yep. Yeah. I'm fine."

"You sure- you don't need an- ok." Spencer stopped talking as Emberly quickly closed the door.

She rested against the door letting out a sigh of relief as she uncovered her eyes. She was mentally screaming at herself. Why didn't she knock first? Why did she just bust in there? Who bust into a room without knocking first? But usually the restroom was empty. Everyone has their own bathroom. 

"You could have jumped in there with him, you know?" Olivia's voice comes from the side of her.

"What?" Emberly asks looking at Olivia who was on the side of her. "Why didn't you tell me Spencer was in there?"

"I  didn't know he was in there. Before we left he was waking up so I assumed he would be in the shower when we got back which is why I called after you but you weren't listening." Olivia laughs. Emberly slapped her forehead shaking her head at herself.  "Did you see anything?" Olivia questions. 

"What? No. I didn't see anything." Emberly quickly answered. Not wanting to rewind that moment back in her head again. 

"You're red, you know? You totally saw something." Olivia says. 

"I said I didn't." Emberly answered. It must have been loud because in the next second the restroom opened and both girls panicked rushing into Olivia's room before he could see them. 

"Stop." Emberly says shoving Olivia before the restroom door came opened. Both girls panicked rushing into Olivia's room before Spencer could see either of them. 

"He didn't see us, did he?" Emberly asks looking at Olivia as both girls leaned back on the door.

"I don't think so." Olivia replies.

"Okay." Emberly nods her head. 

Outside the door Spencer stood there a bit confused now fully dressed. A towel in his hand as he looked at the door that just hit him with a gust of air. 

A few seconds passed and the girls were still standing against the door. Olivia pressed her ear against the door listening as she heard steps descending farther and farther away from the door.

"I think he saw us." 

"Shit." 

After a few moments passed the girls decided to head out and take their showers and  get dress. Once they were both done they then head downstairs for breakfast. Olivia continued to tease and mess with Emberly the whole time about the shower incident with Spencer. 

When they headed downstairs Spencer was already down there seated on the couch. Emberly glanced up at him for a quick second but when he looked at her she quickly looked away and that caused her to bump into Mrs. Baker. 

"Sorry, Mrs.B." Emberly quickly apologized heading into the kitchen. 

"It's ok. Morning girls. " Mrs. Baker says before walking past the two girls. 

Spencer laughed a bit at her clumsiness continuing to watch her go around the kitchen with caution, not wanting to bump into anything else. He admitted when she first busted in the restroom on him he was flustered at the moment but thinking about it now it was just funny. Something he could tease her about late.

***

THE DAY WENT BY FAIRLY QUICKLY and before you know it was night. Emberly had finished getting ready around 10 minutes ago as she stood at the door with her mother and Mark as they waited on Evelyn to finish.

"Evelyn, hurry up. We're going to be late." Mark yelled looking down at his watch on his wrist, dressed in a black tux.

Emberly had gotten her dress the other day. When shopping for one she tried to keep it simple but when attending events like this there was no such thing as simple. She wasn't self conscious of her body she just rarely liked to wear dresses. But when did, she tried to look her best. The baby blue spaghetti strap dress fit over her slim figure perfectly as it came to a stop a little over her knees which revealed a bit of her thigh from the small slit in it. A pair of white heels covered her feet. Her loose brown curls were now slicked back into a low ponytail. She put on some pieces of silver rings on her fingers and a simple necklace wrapped around her neck. She opted for a simple and natural makeup look, not putting on too much. 

"I'm coming." Evelyn yelled from the top of the stairs as she walked down. She was wearing a long red sparkly dress. Her curls were pulled into a bun that sat nicely on the top of her head and her makeup was done nicely.

"Finally, the princess comes to greet her peasants. Can we go now? We've been waiting for almost an hour on you." Emberly says annoyed walking towards the front door.

While Emberly liked to keep it simple, Evelyn on the other hand liked to go all out making sure the attention was on her even if the party wasn't for her. Mark walked ahead of them opening the door allowing the girls to walk out first where the car was waiting in the front for them.

"I did not take an hour." Evelyn argued as the driver opened the car for them to get inside.

"Yes, you did. Acting like this is the most important thing of your life when it's not even for or about you." Emberly says getting inside the truck first taking her seat on the left side. 

"Didn't say it was. Sorry, most of us don't like going dress as a bum." Evelyn snaps.

"Bum? Please. Not like most of us going dressed as a sparkly tampon." Emberly retorts. 

"Girls! Please don't start this." Mark pleaded as he followed them getting in the car. He was ignored as both girls as they continued to bicker back and forth all the way until they arrived. 

***

15 MINUTES LATER THE EMERSON FAMILY finally arrived at the booster party. When the family had entered the building, they all went their separate ways. The parents agreed to meet back up with the girls later allowing them time to mingle with their friends. Emberly left Evelyn to go find Olivia. She headed to the stair where all the mingling took place. 

"Emberly. Wait up."

Emberly heard Olivia's voice from behind her causing her to turn around as Olivia and Spencer came towards her. Olivia let go of Spencer's arm greeting Emberly with a hug. 

"Look at you. I'm surprised you came in a dress." Olivia says. 

"Well, sweats were the first option but they're not formal so." Emberly says turning to Spencer who looked her up and down.  "I can't tell if I look bad or good depending on your face."

Spencer cleared his throat straightening. "Sorry. You look good." He was not just staring her down. 

"Thanks. Not so bad yourself. I can't believe your wearing a suit. This might be the first time I've actually seen you in suit." Emberly says.

He could say the same to her. This was his first time seeing her in a dress that probably explains why he was so shocked to see her in a different attire. "Shall we?" Spencer asks holding up both of his arms. Olivia hooked her arm through his left, Emberly hooked her arm through his right before the trio descended down the stairs.

"Leave it to Beverly Hills to keep it simple." Olivia says.

"Nothing in Beverly is ever simple. There's always going to be something more to it." Emberly says as they descended down the stairs. When they hit the bottom of the stairs Olivia began pointing out people to Spencer but she was interrupted by a voice.

"Spencer, thank god, your here." Layla comes towards the trio stopping in front of them. "David Shea was asking for you.. What?" Layla asks noticing the look she was receiving from Spencer. 

Emberly rolled her eyes annoyed. Layla was like a fly that wouldn't stop buzzing and every time you wanted it to get away from it kept coming even more. Why did the appearance of her keep making her annoyed by the day? 

"I just didn't know you'd be here." Spencer says.

"I'm stu-co president. We sponsor all the booster events." Layla says then looking to Olivia and Emberly. "Oh, uh, sorry, if I interrupted you guys."

"I mean, hey, why stop now?" Olivia asks. 

Layla glances at her not sure what to say as she look back at Spencer, "Well, you look great in your suit." Layla compliments him.

"Thank you."

"And when you have a minute I know the boosters are dying to meet you." Layla says.

"Can't wait." Spencer says.

"Ok." Layla says and with that she leaves.

"I'm going to go and find my mom, dad, or Jordan. Bye." Olivia says quickly slipping her arm from Spencer's and walking away leaving Emberly and Spencer alone.

Emberly couldn't even mutter a word to her before Olivia was already gone. She knew exactly why Olivia did that and she was going to make sure to have a take with her later about it. 

"So... who should we go talk to first?" Emberly asks looking at Spencer. "Because there is a long line of people just waiting to meet you."

Spencer looked at her nervously as she began leading him to different types of people. 

Thankfully her memorizing skills were good because if not she had no idea how she would have introduced Spencer to the boosters. She took him to all the ones she remembered meeting before and let them conversate with him for a moment before she led him to someone else. They gave him feedback, advice and everything else.

For a moment she had stepped away to go to the restroom but when she had returned back downstairs Spencer was talking to Mr. Addams, Asher's dad. Just from the looks of it, Emberly knew it wasn't going well. 

She already if Asher was an ass, she knew it had to come from his Dad.

"What are they feeding you over at Crenshaw? All you boys down there seem to be running sub 4.5 40's." She watched as Spencer turned towards Asher's dad.

"You boys?" Spencer asks offended at the way Mr. Adams had just referred to them.

Seeing how this could quickly turn into something bad, Emberly quickly made her way over to intervene before anything else could be said. "Sorry. Mr. Adams but I need to steal Spencer away for a second." Emberly spoke sticking her arm through Spencer's pulling him away. 

She walked with Spencer over towards the lit outside patio area that was away from everyone else. When they stopped outside she looked at him letting go of his arm, letting out a small laugh. "Asher, an ass, his dad is also. Guess you can say apple doesn't fall from the tree." Emberly says as Spencer looked at her.

It was silent for a moment as he took in her appearance. This was new to him seeing her all dressed up, and introducing him to people. The Emberly he knew didn't like to socialize with anyone other than people she was close with.

"You're staring again." Emberly tells him. 

"So what's the story between you, Olivia, Evelyn and Layla? What's that all about?" Spencer suddenly asks. He was trying to ignore the fact that he had been caught staring at her so he asked the first question that was in his mind. Not to mention this was something he had been curious about.

He had taken notice of the way Olivia and Emberly were closer and Layla and Evelyn were close but also how all girls liked to keep a distance from each other. And when they were around each other, it was all subtle eye rolls and looks. That could only mean one thing and that was girl drama. 

Emberly paused for a moment. Those mind reader powers of his were annoying at times. "That was out of the blue. Umm, let's see. When we moved here Evelyn and I met Olivia and Layla. We got close and it was all good until we just slowly began drifting apart. Olivia's overdose was the last nail in the coffin to break us apart. I stayed with Olivia, and Evelyn stayed with Layla and... nothing more."

"You and Evelyn?" 

"We don't have a relationship like you do with Dillion. We've never been close. It's not that I want it to be that way but it's just how it is. Family is important, so I hate that we're not close. I mean she's my twin, there's no one else I want to be closer with than her, but beside our looks you wouldn't even know we were sisters." Emberly explains.

She and Evelyn were raised to understand how important family was. It was something that their Dad reminded them of everyday before he passed. She hated that she couldn't talk to Evelyn, the way she would talk to Olivia. And Evelyn couldn't talk to her the way she would talk to Layla. Their best friends knew more about each other than the sisters did of each other. 

"I'm sorry. I just dumped that out of you when this is supposed to be your night." Emberly says. She never talked about her feelings much nor did she tell them out loud. She liked dealing with them on her own. It was good that she got it off her chest but it also just brought up the reminder of how her and Evelyn were.  

Seeing that he brought up a topic that shouldn't have been asked, Spencer regretted his question. He should have just kept his mouth close. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel relieved to know how she was truly feeling. Though they talked with each other everyday he knew some things, the things that were harder on her. She would never come out and say it even if it was bothering her. He always had to force it out to speak about her feelings. 

He knew it wasn't his place to force her to talk or act as a problem fixer, but he wanted to know. Now he did.

Silence filled the air between them as Emberly stood off by herself quietly as she looked at the city lights below them. She hated being emotional and vulnerable like this.

The expression on her face was unreadable as Spencer slowly took a step towards her. "You ok?" He asked. 

"Yeah. It is what it is." Emberly says giving him a small smile. "Sorry. What about you? I know the move has to be a lot for you." Just like that she had adverted the attention off her feelings and onto him. 

"Yeah, it is was. And I thought when we were little you were exaggerating about how hard it was here. I go back to Crenshaw everyday after school, or whenever I'm free to visit my moms and Dillion. I try to make an excuse for coming back everyday but truthfully I'm worried about them. I'm worried about Coop. And then  I come back here and Coach gets onto me for leaving. It's like it's hard finding my balance here and struggling to go back and fourth." Spencer explains.

"Your Spencer James, not Superman. I mean I get it you want to take care of everyone, and do everything but you can't do that. Your only going to stress yourself out." Emberly tells him.

The same way he could read her, she could read him as well. She knew him all too well. He liked to worry about others and everybody else before taking care of himself. Sometimes that was a good thing but other times it wasn't because he forgets to take care of himself.

"Yeah." Spencer nods his head.

When did we get this close? Emberly noticed the distance between them had gotten closer until they were a couple feet away from each other. Her gaze met his until they dropped onto his lips and then quickly raised back up meeting his eyes. What was this? This weird un-describable  feeling she felt. As she watched Spencer slowly lean towards her, she began feeling the beating in her chest louder than it usually was. She felt like she wanted this but another part of her told her she couldn't want this. It was wrong. 

And like she had snapped out of a spell that was holding her hostage she cleared her throat making Spencer take a step back. "Um, we should get back to the party. People are going to start wondering where their star player went off to." Emberly offered a smile trying to clear the tension in the air between them. 

"Yeah." Spencer agreed. 

Emberly gave him one last smile before she walked past him going back inside. She took a deep breath as if she couldn't get enough air even though she was just outside. She had to compose herself because what was that? What just happened there?  Maybe someone was controlling her, because that wasn't her. She never thought about possibly kissing Spencer and she didn't need to start now. 

A few minutes passed and Emberly was chatting with Olivia while their moms talked with each other before a scene broke out with Coach Baker and Mr. Adams. Hearing the commotion everyone stopped what they were doing looking at the two. 

"Why should you be sorry? He's the reason you got hurt him and his son!" Mr. Adams yelled. 

"What are you talking about?" Coach Baker asks.

"Talking about how Jordan was behind that contested permit, and now your Crenshaw boy is bringing his anger about the situation on our field, injuring my son!" Mr. Adams says. 

Spencer walks forwards standing beside Emberly also watching the incident in front of them unfold.

"Dad, will you-" Asher started but Mr. Adams cut him off. 

"Hey." Mr. Adams says stopping Asher from talking. "That's right! Jordan Baker's the one that gave Chatsworth the tip."

"Are you serious? "You're the reason I can't go home at night?" Spencer asked looking at Jordan.

"Face it, coach. That boy doesn't belong here, and neither do you."

"Call me boy one more time." Spencer tries to come to Mr. Adams but Coach Baker quickly grabs him and stops him. And just like that the party was over.