In the days that followed, Emily experienced a profound sense of peace and serenity. Parts of her personality that had previously been subdued now felt unlocked—it was a transformative shift. She felt lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders; life suddenly made more sense. The constant weight and guilt of the secret she had been carrying, now that it had been illuminated, seemed to ease. She moved through her days with a newfound happiness that was evident to everyone around her.
Emily’s ability to access and channel Daniel’s memories and experiences became markedly easier now that she wasn’t actively questioning or resisting this side of herself. With knowledge came understanding, and consequently, acceptance and appreciation. Though she didn’t fully comprehend the Daniel side of her consciousness—whether they were two separate entities or merely facets of a single, evolving personality—she found comfort in the idea of having a more experienced ‘friend’ always with her, in a manner of speaking. She began tapping into his knowledge almost instinctively, seamlessly blending their personas as needed. By embracing Daniel’s (pre-trauma) traits, Emily found herself becoming more outgoing and adventurous, but also more in touch with the joys of childhood. By letting go of resistance, it seemed she could experience both the wisdom that came from Daniel's life and the unburdened innocence of her own youth.
However, with these newfound traits came occasional deeper emotional undertones. Emily would sometimes feel pangs of nostalgia and sadness, especially when a memory of Daniel’s life surfaced that she could no longer fully grasp or experience—memories of old friends, family long gone, challenges, and his chronic health as it tore his reality apart, the pain of time and opportunities lost to his disease and trauma. These moments were fleeting but poignant, adding layers to her evolving identity.
Interestingly, since encountering Daniel's essence in her dreamscape, Emily hadn’t actively sought him out. Perhaps she hadn’t felt the need to, sensing that part of her consciousness subtly churning within her—like a hidden mechanism quietly operating in the background, supporting the larger whole. There were times, especially in moments of high adrenaline or intense emotions, when she felt an inner voice guiding or nudging her. This voice, not entirely her own yet not entirely separate either, provided comfort and confidence where she might otherwise feel uncertain. It felt almost like a conscience, or a steady hand on the wheel—sometimes even like an older sibling looking out for her.
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Emily’s bolder, more outgoing nature caught her friends off guard. While appreciative of this change, it also occasionally puzzled and intrigued them. Lucy, in particular, found herself both challenged and fascinated by Emily’s new energy. This shift sometimes led to a friendly rivalry, with Emily now occasionally matching Lucy’s vivacity—and in moments of childhood exuberance, could even surpass it. Lucy loved these moments, her own competitive streak spurred, but she couldn’t help notice that some of the hesitation and caution that defined Emily had subsided. It wasn’t that Emily had become a full-blown extrovert, but the shy, reserved side of her seemed to have somewhat receded, presenting a more confident and daring version of herself.
The typically nonchalant Nate found himself inspired by Emily’s newfound confidence. Where he once hung back, content with whatever the group decided, to his own surprise, he now felt more comfortable suggesting games and activities that reflected his own interests. Emily’s tomboy streak resonated with him, and they began to sync more naturally, often backing each other up when deciding on games or activities.
In turn, Emily also started sharing more of her intellectual interests with Nate—something she had been hesitant about before. Nate didn’t just listen but showed a curiosity that deepened their bond as he engaged with her. Whether it was a discussion about the mechanics in a video game or the science fiction book Emily had just read, they found themselves connecting at a deeper level as their friendship only grew stronger as they began to understand and appreciate each other’s worlds.
During one lunch break, Emily’s friends gathered around, discussing their weekend plans. Lucy mischievously suggested a daring adventure—sneaking into an abandoned building after school. To everyone’s surprise, Emily jumped excitedly at the idea, adding her own twist and showing an enthusiasm that was previously uncharacteristic of her. Thankfully, Lily and Nate were able to talk them out of the categorically insane plan, much to Emily's amusement. As they laughed it off, Emily felt a gentle tug of caution from Daniel, as if that part of her too found the situation amusing but nevertheless was relieved by their sensible decision.
“Who are you and what have you done with Emily?” Lucy teased, gesticulating wildly to make her point. “Did some radioactive spider bite you or something?”
Emily laughed it off, feeling a warm sense of belonging. “Just growing up, I guess,” she replied with a mischievous glint in her eye, though a part of her felt a flicker of unease about hiding her dual reality from her friends. The laughter around her was genuine, but beneath it, Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that one day she may have to share her transformation with her friends—perhaps not by choice.
However, amidst the amusement, there were moments where curiosity and concern were evident. Emily began to notice Lily hanging back periodically, her usual quiet nature tinged with something that looked almost like worry or confusion. This was unsurprising to Emily—Lily had always been the most perceptive among them, often noticing things others didn’t.
One afternoon, as the group was getting ready to leave school, Lily lingered behind, her gaze fixed on Emily with an intensity that made Emily pause nervously.
“You’ve really changed, Em,” Lily said softly, her voice both curious and concerned. “It’s like you’ve become a different person. Is everything really okay?”
Emily felt a flicker of unease, an inner voice nudging her to be cautious with how much information she divulged. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just…trying new things, growing up, you know?” she replied, trying to keep her tone light. But Lily’s eyes didn’t waver, seemingly piercing Emily as she searched her face for something more.
Emily, sensing her friend’s internal conflict, gave a small, reassuring smile. “I’m still me, Lil. Just…a bit different now, I guess.”
Lily nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. “I just hope you know…you can talk to me, if you ever need to,” she said, her voice almost a whisper, as if offering a lifeline.
“Thanks, Lily,” Emily said, touched by her friend’s quiet strength. But even as she said it, she couldn’t shake the feeling that one day, Lily might be the one she would need to lean on the most.
As they walked home together, Emily couldn’t help but wonder if her friends were truly okay with these changes, or if they were just going along. The thought nagged at her, but for now, she chose to focus on the fact that, despite the shifts in her identity, they were still there, by her side.
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The often unconscious recall of memories and experiences sometimes had consequences that were amusing—at least for anyone who wasn’t Emily. Daniel’s memories of coffee intrigued her. She had thought more than once about helping herself to a cup but stopped due to the potential awkwardness of a young child consuming coffee. However, Daniel's memories made it seem irresistible—the aroma of coffee, the chocolate syrup, and steamed milk from coffee shops that didn’t exist in this universe.
One day, she decided to give it a try. Sneaking into the kitchen, she climbed up on a chair and cautiously helped herself to some leftover coffee, still warm, on the kitchen counter, imitating the steps she’d seen her parents take countless times.
“Okay, pour some out—not too much—OW, that’s hotter than I expected,” she grumbled to herself. This didn’t smell half bad, to be honest. Excitedly, she took the first sip and realized memories and reality don’t always align. The bitterness hit her like a wave, and she grimaced, spitting it back into the cup. “Danny, how did you ever like this?” she thought, shaking her head.
Determined not to be defeated, she decided to improve the taste. She rummaged through the kitchen, adding chocolate syrup, a dash of cinnamon, a few marshmallows, some milk, and a metric ton of sugar. The result was a concoction that looked like something out of a mad scientist’s lab—but oddly, didn’t taste quite as awful.
Her parents walked in just as she was guzzling the concoction. “Emily, what on earth are you doing?” her mother exclaimed, eyeing the bizarre mixture with horror.
Emily’s eyes went wide at being caught, and she accidentally snorted the coffee, starting a fit of coughs that almost unleashed a string of profanities from Daniel’s memories. Her parents, semi-laughing, semi-concerned, confiscated the cup and patted her back to help her breathe. She made a face, causing her parents to break out laughing. “Just… trying to see what the fuss is about,” she admitted sheepishly.
The peace was short-lived as moments later, Emily experienced the invigorating power of caffeine firsthand. She felt a rush of pure energy course through her, her heart beating like a drum, the contrast in the room sharpening, and a tingling sensation spreading through her extremities. She had never felt anything like this before—her limbs tingled, her heart raced, and her senses seemed sharper, more alive. Feeling like a force of nature, she shouted at the top of her voice, “I FEEL AWESOME! OH MY GOD, THIS IS AMAZING! THIS IS…ROCKET FUEL! NO WONDER YOU GUYS LIKE THIS!”
Her inhibitions lowered dramatically as the caffeine surged through her system. She started talking rapidly, her movements becoming more animated. Soon, she was bouncing off the walls—literally. She dashed from room to room, unable to sit still, her mind racing with ideas and thoughts. The floodgates of Daniel’s memories opened wider, mixing with her childlike excitement. Songs that Daniel was fond of started spilling out. “This is amazing! I feel like I could… jump! Jump! Go ahead and jump!” she sang, mimicking Van Halen as she jumped up and down on the couch.
Sarah chased after Emily, struggling to keep up and now somewhat more concerned. “Emily, calm down! You're going to hurt yourself…” she called out, panting and wheezing as she finally caught up to her daughter. Wiping her brow, she muttered to herself, “They never covered this part of having a child in any book I read.”
Just as she managed to get a hold of Emily, her daughter suddenly wriggled out of her grasp with a burst of energy. Switching gears to Michael Jackson, Emily half-crawled, half-slid right between her mother’s knees. “Oh, come on, Mom! Just beat it, beat it!” she sang out, before darting off to run literal circles around her father.
“Emily, stop! You're going to knock something over and hurt yourself!” Thomas exclaimed, trying and utterly failing to grab her. A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth—he was clearly enjoying part of the chaos—but it quickly disappeared under Sarah’s pointed glare.
“Take on me… take meeeeee onnn!” Emily sang, effortlessly dodging his half-hearted attempts to catch her. She paused just long enough to strike a playful pose before continuing her whirlwind performance. “Oh, this body can move so fast, can’t it? Tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition…” she belted out, channeling Dolly Parton as she danced across the room.
Her parents watched in astonishment as Emily’s hyperactivity escalated, both feeling woefully ill-equipped to deal with the situation. “We need to calm her down,” Sarah said, pressing her hands to her head in a mix of exhaustion and exasperation.
Thomas nodded, though not without a hint of reluctance—he was clearly enjoying the spectacle far more than he probably should. “Yeah, yeah… let’s get her to drink lots of water. And maybe some exercise to burn off the energy in the backyard…she’ll crash… eventually.”
After much cajoling and persuasion, they somehow managed to coax Emily into downing several glasses of water before herding her outside. “Emily, I dare you to run 20 laps in the yard. Can you do it?” Thomas baited her with a mischievous look gleaming in his eyes.
“Twenty laps? That’s it?” Emily retorted, a mischievous glint in her eye. “CHEWY, PUNCH IT!” she shouted, channeling Daniel’s love for Star Wars as she furiously ran in circles around the garage, imitating laser blasts and starfighter sounds with abandon.
Thomas, utterly perplexed, wondered aloud, “When did she watch Star Wars?” Not that he minded his daughter’s taste—he was actually rather proud—but it still left him a bit confused, especially since the remakes hadn’t even been launched yet in this universe.
Emily continued to run for a good thirty minutes, trying to climb trees and exploring every corner of the yard, all under the watchful eyes of her concerned but slightly amused parents as they shadowed her. “Nothing’s gonna stop us now,” she belted out, channeling Starship, much to her parents' bewilderment.
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Thomas, more perplexed than ever, asked, “Emily, where did you learn these songs?”
“I don’t know, but I love them!” Emily exclaimed, still buzzing with energy as she skipped across the yard.
After what felt like hours of nonstop running and singing, Emily felt a deep heaviness settle over her all at once. Her feet now felt like they were made of lead—every step requiring more effort, and the energy that had fueled her antics just minutes ago was quickly fading. She slowed to a jog, then a walk, and finally, she stopped altogether, standing in the middle of the yard with a confused expression.
"Ah…here it finally comes," Thomas commented with a knowing smile, exchanging a glance with Sarah, who let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Emily’s vision blurred for a moment, and the world around her seemed to spin for a second. Without thinking, she sank to the ground, curling up on the cool grass, a pleasant contrast to the heat and grime she felt embedded in every fiber of her being.
As she lay there, the adrenaline draining, she felt a wave of grogginess wash over her like she had never felt before. With her eyes half-closed, she murmured to herself, "Oh man, Daniel, we got a bit carried away, didn’t we? But I see why you like this stuff.”
“We got carried away? What do you mean we?” she heard a little voice nudge her in amusement.
The last thing she remembered was her father gently scooping her up. “All right, my little Starship, let’s get you back…” he said softly as Emily nuzzled into his shirt, her adventure for the day at an end.
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Emily’s request for a bike left her parents pleasantly surprised. Thomas decided to take her to a local bike shop he had frequented in the past, aiming to find something that fit her well without breaking the bank. As they stepped into the shop, Emily’s eyes sparkled with excitement. The rows of vibrant bikes, each gleaming under the store’s lights, seemed to beckon her. The scent of rubber, oil, and metal filled the air, and Emily felt a subtle thrill within her, realizing that the excitement wasn’t just her own—Daniel seemed to share in it too.
“I want a bike with bright colors and gears and proper brakes, and we’ll need reflectors and a helmet, and…” Emily’s voice bubbled with enthusiasm as she darted from bike to bike, her father chuckling as he trailed behind her.
“Hold on, kiddo—let’s take it one step at a time,” Thomas said, gently steering her back. “You’re a bit young for gears and all those extras just yet. Let’s start by finding a bike that fits you and is safe, okay? We can talk about fancier bikes when you’re older.”
“Way to burst my bubble, Dad,” Emily thought with a hint of disappointment, but she quickly found herself drawn to a row of brightly colored children’s bikes. “Okay, let’s…find one that suits you,” Thomas said, picking up a pink bike adorned with rainbow-colored streamers dangling from the handlebars.
“That one…really…Dad?” Emily remarked, slightly taken aback by the overly festive bike. “It looks like it has hair coming out of its sides…and pink isn’t really my color.”
“All right, all right…you choose,” Thomas sighed, putting the bike back.
Emily scanned the shop, searching for the bike that felt right to her. Her gaze settled on a bright white bike with a red chain and flame-like stripes racing down the frame. It even had a bell. Instantly, she knew this was the one.
“This one, Dad!” Emily exclaimed with a grin, running her fingers over the frame. “It looks fast.”
Thomas smiled, touched by her enthusiasm. “Oh, it’ll be fast…once you get the hang of it. But first, let’s make sure it’s the right size. Hop on and see how it feels,” he said, lifting the bike down from the rack.
Emily climbed onto the bike a bit awkwardly, feeling the firmness of the seat beneath her. She gripped the handlebars, placing one foot on the pedal, as waves of emotions surged through her. This felt…right. It felt instinctive. “I really like this, Dad…I really do.”
Thomas gave the bike a gentle push, guiding Emily as she tested its balance. “Great—it looks a little big, but you’ll grow into it soon enough.” With a knowing smile, he added, “What do you want to name it? Every bike needs a name…”
Moments later, Emily and Thomas were walking out of the shop with the bike Emily had christened “Wolverine,” inspired by a unit in a video game Daniel used to love. “What was it called… Tiberian Moon? Tiberian Conflict? Twilight…?” Feeling a wave of revulsion from Daniel she quickly followed up with “No, definitely not Tiberian Twilight… ew.”
They also picked up a helmet and pads, of course. “Wolverine!” Thomas laughed. “I love that name. It reminds me of a comic book series…”
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“Come on, kiddo—no training wheels? That’s a bit ambitious,” Thomas said, his concern evident. “You’ve never ridden a bike before…”
“Yeah, Dad, I can do this, I promise. Just pedal fast and go straight—I’ve seen plenty of people do it,” Emily replied confidently, drawing on Daniel’s early memories of biking. It took a bit of convincing, but eventually, they struck a deal: her father would let her try without training wheels, as long as he held the bike for safety.
Excitedly, Emily donned her new helmet and climbed onto the bike, a bit more gracefully than she had at the store. “Okay, Danny—let’s show him how it’s done,” she thought, feeling a pulse of encouragement from within.
“Alright, Em, start pedaling slowly. I’ve got you,” Thomas instructed, his voice tinged with nervousness. He walked behind her, his hands steady on the bike as Emily familiarized herself with the mechanics—gripping the handlebars, testing the brakes, and learning the push and pull needed to turn the pedals.
‘Oh boy, Daniel,’ she thought as she began to understand the bike’s mechanics, ‘knowing how to bike is one thing, but actually doing it is so much harder.’ In that moment, she was grateful for her father’s support. “Maybe I should’ve gone with the training wheels…” she gulped inwardly.
But within moments, she found her rhythm—channeling her dual consciousness to quickly master balance, braking, and basic turns. Daniel’s memories of riding a bike seemed to flow into her more easily than she’d expected. ‘Huh—I’m tapping into those memories without even trying,’ she thought, a bit surprised.
“Wow, Em… you’re doing great—I’m really impressed,” her father panted as he jogged alongside her, clearly in awe of his daughter’s quick grasp of biking. “You might be riding solo sooner than I expected.”
“Oh, I can ride alone now, Dad,” Emily responded with a gleeful grin, her voice loud with newfound confidence. “Watch this, Dad!” With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she stood up on the pedals, pressing down hard with all her weight. The bike lunged forward, slipping from Thomas’s cautious grip. “Come on, Wolverine!” she shouted excitedly, reveling in the rush of wind through her hair and the exhilarating sense of speed. As the world blurred past her, she triumphantly thought ‘I can do this! No, I AM doing this…,’ her heart soaring.
“EMILY, WAIT, STOP!” Thomas’s voice rang out in alarm as he jogged to keep up. But Emily was in her element, feeling the mastery over the bike as if it were an extension of herself. “Don’t worry, Dad, I got this!” she called back jubilantly, her voice carrying over the wind that whistled past her ears. The thrill of speed was intoxicating, and as she drew deeper into Daniel’s memories, her pedaling grew even smoother, her control more precise, her balance perfect.
Unfortunately for Emily, her exhilaration caused her to overlook one critical skill—turning. Her confidence morphed into overconfidence, and as she approached a sharp bend, she leaned into the turn with a bit too much zeal. The bike wobbled dangerously, and before she could correct her course, Emily found herself catapulted from her seat. “Ohhh sh—” were her final words as she soared through the air and crashed headlong into a nearby bush in a flurry of limbs and leaves. Thomas’s voice, thick with panic, reached her as he raced toward the tousled heap of bike and bushes.
Face down in the bush, her feet comically sticking up in the air, Emily was initially stunned. Then, uncontrollable laughter bubbled up from her, and she couldn’t hold it back. “Oh, that stings, but gosh it was fun!” she thought to herself, attempting to wiggle out of her awkward position.
Thomas rushed over, his face a mix of concern and irritation as he helped her up, checking her over for injuries. "Just a few scrapes, Dad—I’m fine," she managed between giggles. Thomas’s brow furrowed deeply, his concern now mixing with visible frustration. As Emily caught sight of her father’s expression, she realized she was in for it—he didn’t find the situation quite as amusing.
"Emily, this isn’t funny. You could have been seriously hurt," he scolded, his voice tightening at the seriousness of the situation, his hands emphatically on his hips, his face a mixture of fear, relief, and irritation. “It’s great that you’re learning so fast, but you have to remember you’re still learning. You’ve got to listen to me in situations like this. It’s fine that you’re so bright, but you’re still a kid.”
Emily’s laughter slowed and stopped as she absorbed her father's words, realizing the seriousness beneath his tempered praise. “I know, Dad. Thanks for helping me. I’ll be more careful next time…I’m sorry for…that,” she promised, her voice more subdued and chagrined.
Thomas sighed deeply at his daughter’s attempted apology, the lines of his face softening as he attempted to find a balance in his response. "I have to admit, it’s pretty impressive how quickly you’ve learned to ride...but we really need to work on your turning next. Safety isn’t just about speed, it’s about control," he added gently. "We’re going to practice some more, slowly, especially those turns. And you’re going to listen, okay?"
As they walked back, Emily felt a twinge of guilt for causing such a stir but also pride in her new skill. ‘Okay, Daniel, that was fun…but let’s not scare Dad like that again, okay?’ she thought to herself, already planning how she would master those tricky turns.
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Emily's integration with Daniel's memories occasionally led to moments where advanced knowledge slipped out unexpectedly, often confusing or amusing those around her. One evening, Thomas was setting up a 'new' desktop computer, visibly struggling with its bulk—a stark contrast to the sleek tablets Daniel remembered.
"This thing weighs a ton! Why can't they make these lighter?" Thomas grunted as he heaved the monitor onto the table.
Instinctively drawing from Daniel’s technological insights, Emily responded, "Yeah, like the GeForce 4060 GPU... it was so heavy that it could bend and break the motherboard... uh—" She paused abruptly, catching herself mid-sentence. “Let’s keep the jargon in check, Daniel,” she murmured under her breath, feeling a reproachful pulse within.
Thomas, finally setting the monitor down, raised an eyebrow in bemusement. "GeForce what now? Emily, where do you come up with these things?" he chuckled, shaking his head.
"Just something I read in a comic book about a supercomputer some villain had... it was a very powerful device," Emily quickly backtracked, adopting a tone of childlike innocence.
Thomas laughed off her explanation, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "Kids and their wild imaginations these days."
Emily smiled, but inwardly, she made a mental note to be more vigilant. Knowledge from Daniel's universe was slipping out too easily, especially when she was excited. 'Stay in the moment, Emily... and you too, Daniel,' she thought, striving to better manage the blending of their insights.
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The blending of her two consciousnesses was less controllable during times of significant excitement, such as her first Halloween since merging with Daniel. She chose a zombie cat costume, which was both adorable and slightly unsettling, aligning with Daniel's forgotten ‘fusion’ fascinations and Emily’s love of animals.
Sarah had unsuccessfully tried to steer her towards a more typical costume such as a ghost or a princess—anything but this monstrosity. A resolute, well-placed temper from Emily had prematurely ended the discussion, sealing the deal on the zombie cat ensemble.
As Emily set out trick-or-treating with her parents in tow, she could feel the excitement bubbling up from both herself and the part of Daniel reliving a cherished childhood memory. The evening was filled with a mix of intrigue and joy as she moved from house to house in her zombie cat costume. Some neighbors smiled warmly, finding her costume adorable, while others seemed a bit puzzled by the concept of a zombie cat child. The thrill of watching her candy stash grow with each stop only fueled her enthusiasm, and her cries of "Trick or treat!" grew louder and more exuberant.
Not all homes were equally generous, though. At one house, a woman dropped a single mint candy into Emily's bag and gave her a stern look. Without thinking, Emily glared back and quipped, "Oh… I’m sorry… I guess the recession hit here too?"
“Emily! We do not speak like that!” Sarah hissed, shocked and embarrassed as she pulled Emily back. Meanwhile, Thomas offered profuse apologies to the clearly irate homeowner. Despite the scolding, Emily couldn’t help but smile when she heard her mother mutter under her breath, “A single mint… what a cheapskate.”
Unfortunately, the thrill of trick-or-treating, combined with Daniel's reawakened joy for Halloween, led Emily to overindulge in candy. The consequences were swift and unpleasant—she spent the rest of the evening battling nausea.
As Emily leaned over the bathroom sink, feeling embarrassed, disgusted, and queasy, Sarah stood beside her, rubbing her back. "Let it out, kiddo," she said gently.
In a moment of discomfort and delirium, Emily blurted out, "Ugh, I had one too many beers again, didn’t I…" Channeling Daniel’s memories, she quickly realized her slip and hastily added, "I mean bars… chocolate… candy bars…”
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As Emily lay in bed, the events of the past days swirling in her mind, she felt a mix of exhilaration and caution. She had gained more experience in balancing her identity with Daniel’s memories, and life had certainly gained more depth—and even vibrancy—since she had embraced the Daniel side of herself. Though they were ultimately one person, it was comforting to have this “big brother” aspect of her consciousness guiding her. She didn’t fully comprehend the mechanics of it all, but she appreciated the companionship.
She recalled Daniel mentioning how their consciousness would continue to merge and evolve in ways he couldn’t predict. “The future is going to be eventful,” she thought with a smile. Sitting up in bed, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slipping into a meditative state. “Hey, Danny, it’s been fun so far, and I like this new relationship we have with each other—or with myself… or… you know what I mean. Let’s just be a bit more careful, okay? I don’t think people… Mom and Dad too… are ready to find out about us just yet,” she mused to herself.
With a deep sigh and a smile, she threw herself back onto her bed. A sense of agreement pulsed within her, and she knew that their journey together was well on its way. With a contented sigh, Emily drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever the next day would bring with her unique blend of experiences and knowledge.