"He just keeps popping up, doesn't he?" Grace asked wryly, as she twirled her paintbrush over the black construction paper. "First, when you were confronting, Tay. Then at your house, and now at the bar."
   Bobbing her head, Emma flicked her own paintbrush, causing a spray of silvery blue to splatter against the half blank canvas. "Pretty much." She grinned wickedly at her friend before adding, "with several things, he keeps popping up."
   The bright blush on her friend's face was worth the connotation.
   Laughing, she slung her right arm around her friend, and continued painting with her left hand. "Listen, girl." She instructed while creating a wavy quarter moon. "Isaac's my problem, okay?"
   Biting her lip, she concentrated on making a family of clouds. "And no matter what happens, I always come out on top." Turning she winked at her.
   Grace berated herself as she blushed hotly once more. Shrugging awkwardly, she leaned into Emma, pushing her away slightly. "I know how you end up, Em." She murmured.
   Frowning, Emma quickly finished her squiggly lines and stood up. Wrapping the paintbrush in a napkin, she tossed it in a pile. "See ya around, Gracie girl." She called over her shoulder before heading out as quickly as possible.
   Forcing herself from thinking about what was going on with her best friend, only friend, she climbed into her aging low rider.
   Fitting the key in the ignition, she pondered on what could be bugging Grace this time. There was no sarcasm or malice in her voice when she made that comment. Just out and out wariness.
   Looking up, she waved at her staring from her bedroom window, then started the engine and peeled out of the driveway. Spraying asphalt like Grace's parents warned her not to.
   Rounding the corner, the unmistakable notes of "The Sound of Music" started playing in her car.
   Gritting her teeth, Emma hit the "send" button on her cell phone. "What?" She answered tersely.
   "Bad day?"
   She nodded absently to herself as she stopped at a four-way stop. "Yes, as a matter of fact I have had a bad day so far." She glared at the receiver. "And it seems to be getting worse."
   "Want to come over for a party then?" The voice coaxed smoothly. "All your favorite people are here. Jack, Jim, and Jose."
   "Fine." She bit out before hitting "end" and making an illegal turn.
   Heading south, she pressed her foot harder on the gas and nearly made herself dizzy from the rapid passing scenery.
   Taking one final sharp turn, Emma screeched to a stop in front of the falling apart house.
   Swallowing the lump rising in her throat, she grabbed her keys, and locked her car up as tight as she could, considering the crowd she was about to join.
   "Ah, there's our little girl!"
   The obnoxious and boisterous voice never failed to raise the hair on the back of her neck.
   "Thanks, Dad." She returned coolly, taking a proffered drink and lifting the frothy concoction to her lips and taking a huge swallow. Knowing she was already regretting her decision.