Chapter 2

The sunlight had shifted by the time Emma and Maya left the café, casting long shadows on the pavement. Emma’s mind was still slightly distracted, but she tried her best to stay present as they made their way back to campus.

“So,” Maya began as they strolled through the crowded walkway, “we need to pick up some art supplies for class, right? Unless, of course, you’re planning to submit another plain essay.”

Emma chuckled softly. “Maybe I will. It worked last time, didn’t it?”

“Yeah, because you’re a natural writer. But don’t think you can pull that off every time.” Maya gave her a playful nudge, her grin infectious. Maya was like that—someone who brought out Emma’s lighter side, even on days when everything felt overwhelming.

As they neared the small convenience store just off campus, Emma glanced at her phone. A text from her mom blinked on the screen.

Mom: "Don’t forget the dinner on Sunday. Grandpa’s expecting us."

Emma sighed. Family dinners were never just dinners. They were mini boardroom meetings disguised as family time, where everything was about the business. Her grandfather, while warm toward his grandchildren, always subtly probed into what they were doing, trying to gauge who might be his successor someday. Her mom and uncle would always find ways to bring up their latest achievements, with that undercurrent of competition running through every word.

“You good?” Maya asked, noticing Emma’s silence.

“Yeah, it’s just... you know, family stuff,” Emma shrugged, slipping her phone back into her pocket.

“Family stuff always,” Maya teased, but then she softened her tone. “I don’t know how you do it, seriously. I can’t imagine living in that kind of environment, with all the pressure.”

“Honestly, you get used to it,” Emma replied. “But sometimes I wish it didn’t feel like everything was always about proving yourself.”

“Hey, speaking of proving yourself, I heard Aaron might ask you to join his study group for finals. That’s huge, right?” Maya grinned mischievously.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Please, Aaron’s not thinking about study groups. He just wants a better grade, and he knows I’ll probably do half the work.”

“Still,” Maya winked, “might be nice to have a little distraction.”

They entered the store, the familiar scent of coffee and new books filling the air. Emma grabbed a sketchpad, even though she wasn’t sure she’d use it. Maya, on the other hand, was already gathering various paints and brushes, her arms loaded with supplies.

“I swear, you buy more art stuff than you actually use,” Emma said, shaking her head.

“Hey, it's about the inspiration,” Maya responded. “You never know when the creative bug is going to hit.”

They spent the next few minutes wandering the aisles, Maya occasionally nudging Emma to comment on some random item or person. It was a routine they’d developed over time—drifting from place to place, conversation flowing easily between them, always with some undercurrent of humor.

But as much as Emma enjoyed Maya’s company, her thoughts kept drifting back to her family, the constant pressure, and the upcoming dinner. She wasn’t ready to deal with it all, but she knew there was no way to avoid it.

As they paid for their supplies and walked out of the store, the breeze had cooled, signaling the approach of evening. Maya’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it out, glancing quickly at the screen.

“Looks like I’ve got to meet with my group for that project. You want to join? Or are you heading home?”

“I’ll pass. I think I’ll just head home,” Emma said, feeling the familiar weight of her routine settling in again.

“Alright, see you tomorrow, then.” Maya waved before heading off toward the campus library.

Emma watched her go, then slowly turned in the direction of her home. It wasn’t far, and the walk gave her time to reflect. Her mom was probably already preparing for another long evening of work, with their housekeeper, Mrs. Maria, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.

Their home was spacious and comfortable—suiting for a family that was well-off, though not on the same level as her uncle or her grandfather. Emma had grown up in that house, where every corner was infused with a mix of warmth and subtle expectation. Her mother was the perfect embodiment of their family’s values—sharp, independent, and always in control, running the branch business like a well-oiled machine. Yet Emma couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to life than simply living up to those same values.

As she entered the gates of her neighborhood, the familiar sight of her home came into view. It was large but not extravagant, fitting for a family that held status but wasn’t over the top about it. Mrs. Maria greeted her warmly as she walked through the door, the scent of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.

“Your mother’s in her study,” Mrs. Maria informed her with a soft smile.

“Thanks, Maria. I’ll be in my room,” Emma said, dropping her bag by the stairs and heading up.

Her room was her sanctuary—a mix of art supplies, books, and notes from school scattered across her desk. She sat on the edge of her bed, thinking about the dinner on Sunday and everything that would come with it. The competitive nature of her family was something she had grown accustomed to, but sometimes it all felt like too much.

As the evening stretched on, Emma lay back, staring at the ceiling, wondering what her future held—both in her family’s world and beyond.

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