The first thing I take off is the heels. Stepping on the ground with the full length of my feet feels so pleasant I even welcome the chill that comes with it. I take off the skirt, the shirt, and smoothen them before putting them in the locker assigned to Emmie and I.
When I turn around to pick up the shoes and put them away in their box, I come face to face with Emmie who is also coming to hang her uniform inside the locker. But unlike me, she still has the heels at her feet, showing a half nakedness that appears more sensual than casual, with her lacy-bordered dull maroon full bra and underwear.
Upon meeting my gaze, she twirls around with a soft giggle. I shake my head with a smile, and ignore the soft squeeze at my side while going to my bag.
I take out my clothes and wear them over my faded blue bra and panties. It is only then that Emmie takes off the shoes she has apparently taken a great deal of liking to, and comes to take her clothes out of her bag after putting them away.
"Let's go."
"Okay, Max~"
We don't leave immediately. We make a stop by the store first.
"We will be waiting for your call, Manager Silina."
The older woman nods at us. We smile politely at the other salesladies, and leave. We don't linger in the brightly lit mall either. It is only when we step outside that we see how late it is already.
The sky has already turned dark, and the rush hour has passed. The road is still full of vehicles of those leaving for night activities or those coming back late after some small overtime or some stop somewhere.
Most on the sidewalks are relaxed, fully enjoying their period of freedom from any obligation. There are even some of the same age as Emmie and I, probably setting out to play for some change of pace before going back to dive in the waiting mountain of assignments, if they don't forget them.
And that reminds me, I'm done with mine. I have been looking around for longer than necessary, so Emmie pulls me out of my thoughts with a question.
"Max, are we not going home?"
I shake my thoughts away, and nod.
"Let's go."
"Mm."
Emmie holds onto my arm, pressing it against the side of her chest, and we walk to the bus stop.
"Say, Max, Liz will not be home tonight right?"
"No. She will be at the hospital."
"Then why don't you stay with me tonight? You can sleep at my place. It has been a while since you last slept over."
Saying that, Emmie shakes my arms with a cute look, making me smile.
"Alright, I'm sleeping at your place tonight."
"Yay!!"
I shake my head, then remember something.
"Will Helene be home?"
"This… I don't think so?"
I think about it, then shake my head. Unlike some parents, Helene is easy to be around.
"It doesn't matter. Let's go."
Emmie's face brightens up. And as if afraid I will change my mind, she drags me into the bus that stops just as we arrive at the stop, making me laugh.
Looking at her back, I smile inside. When together, with her antics and her vibrant energy, Emmie has a way to wipe my mind off the troubles dotting it like dark spots. Even if they come back when the silence returns.
We find a double seat toward the back. The ride is neither long nor short. The red lights actually make it take twice as long as it should have taken.
When we arrive at our stop, we get down, and walk for another five to ten minutes before reaching the spot where I met Helene not long ago. Looking up, the light at the apartment is on, meaning that my question that got an uncertain answer earlier now has its confirmation.
"Let's go! Helene is back!"
Emmie pulls me. Seeing her, it would be difficult for anyone to imagine that she had been depressed just not long ago. What they say is certainly true, that work is the best medicine for the troubles of the mind.
Upstairs, Helene must have heard us coming, because she opens the door just as Emmie takes out her key to open it. Her soft motherly smile shines with a friendly glow as she looks at us.
"Welcome back, girls."
That is what she says, but she actually focuses on her daughter first, searching her face for the depression that had been on it before, with her heart obviously hanging in the air behind her façade.
"Mom! I thought–"
Helene cut her daughter off with affection in her eyes.
"I meet with my friends every week. I don't necessarily have to go today."
I smile at the exchange. The broken pieces of the situation have not broken the heart of Helene. Neither have they broken Emmie's.
Emmie pauses, then smiles brightly too, before raising the hand she is holding mine with.
"Max will be sleeping over tonight, mom! Liz will be at the hospital all night."
"Sorry to bother you, Helene."
"Don't say that, Max. You know that you are always welcome here. You are not a stranger at all."
With that, Helene moves out of the way.
"Come in, and tell me about your day. You came home late today."
"You won't believe it, mom. We went to look for a part-time job after school."
"Oh? That must have been Max's idea, right."
"Humph! Couldn't it have been my idea?"
"You are right. It could have been your idea too. So, did you find one? Should I expect you to grow up suddenly and not want me anymore?"
"Mom~"
"Haha…"
"But we did find one. We searched at the mall, and we found a brand store where we passed a test they gave us. We will be starting soon."
"Then I must come support you girls sometime."
"Of course. But you should just come to cheer on us. If you want to spend money, I'd rather you give it to me directly."
I return from washing my hands to find Emmie in the kitchen with Helene. The latter doesn't mind the bother, smiling as she moves between the pots and the plates.
I unconsciously smile. Even though I have Liz, she is a sister, the soft umbrella above me. It is different here, as I'm reminded of my mother.
Helene looks up to see me, and she smiles at me, with all the affection her big heart is capable of, and waves me over.
"Don't stand there, Max. I need your version of the story before Emmie distorts everything."
"Humph!"
"Hahahaha… Coming~"