Chapter Text
The cold breeze of a Winter's afternoon was flowing all around as Norman stood outside of Grace Field Academy waiting on his two best friends, wrapping his own coat around himself to prevent getting a cold. Norman had always been prone to getting sick especially during Winter.
As normal, almost like it became a routine he was the first person out and waiting for Emma and Ray to show up. Yet today would be the last day of this routine for a while seeing it was now officially their Winter’s break.
This routine naturally became a thing from practically the first day they all became friends. Norman had been friends with Ray since the start of high school, they had always been in the same class and became friends quickly, hanging out in and outside of school. Two years later though he met Emma, that day sure had been an interesting one to say the least.
Over a year ago, it had been a normal day of school like any other one. Getting back into the rhythm of school days again though that had never been a trouble for Norman. It had been about ten minutes before his class would start. He was waiting around, he usually would talk to Ray during this time but unlike usual Ray wasn’t there.
He wasn't too surprised though, it was only the first week of school. Ray always had struggled getting back into the school routine.
Hmmm. He did say he was busy yesterday, I wonder what he was doing.
Leaning his cheek into his own hand, he messes with his pencil, leaning it back and forth tapping one side of the pencil off the table after the other.
If only I had this class with Vincent, he is always on time no matter wha-
The sound of hands slamming down on his table causes Norman to jump awake from his thoughts as he quickly looks up to see Ray with a bored look on his face quickly turning to a slight smirk.
‘’Wow Norman sleeping in class? Wouldn't expect that from you.’’
‘’I wasn’t sleeping and you know it, just thinking.’’
‘’Heh, well you better get out of your thoughts because I want to introduce you to someone’’
‘’Huh?’’ Looking behind Ray to see a girl with wild orange hair, beautiful orange hair. Norman stood up to introduce himself properly. ‘’Hello my names Norman, you must be a friend of Rays?’’ Putting his hand out to her. ‘’It's wonderful to get to meet you, although I haven't seen you around before?’’
Ray snickers looking at Emma frozen in place, elbowing her in the ribs looking back over to Norman. ‘’Yep she's definitely a friend although more of a sister if you ask me’’
As if she was being awoken from her own thoughts she brightens up, taking his hand shaking it. ‘’Ah! Hi I’m Emma! I'm going to be part of you and Ray’s class from now on so i hope i get to know you!’’ Pausing her own introduction to elbow Ray back. ‘’Me and Ray are pretty much cousins, although people say we act more like siblings than anything else.
A soft smile showed in the corner of his lips, she sure was something.
Ever since that day there was always constant bickering between those two but they all grew to know each other well
A frosty breeze went by causing Norman to shiver, disrupting him from his thoughts. Hearing the sound of the two arguing over something again becoming louder and louder form behind him he looks up to see his two best friends walking over to him.
Noticing his attention was now on them Emma ran up to him with Ray following slowly.
‘’Norman! Can you believe we are finally done with exams, ahhh I won't be able to take anymore ever again!’’ Emma letting her body rest finally with an exhausted look on her face.
‘’Well good luck we still have next years exams too’’
Emma lifts her head to stare down Ray ‘’Don't remind me.’’
Normans put his hand to her shoulder patting it to give her some form of comfort. ‘’You won’t have to worry about those for another few months, you will be fine.’’ Giving her his little smile.
‘’Normaan how do.. you do it’’ Emma sounded like she was almost sobbing from the thought of ever taking an exam again.
‘’Norman can teach you his secrets later, we gotta start heading home before Yuugo starts messaging me’’ Dragging Emma along so they can finally get moving
‘’Why would he be messaging youu.. Isn't he MY dad?’’
Ray just stares at her in utter disbelief. ‘’First off your phone is ALWAYS dead, second did you already forget we're staying at your house for the holidays?’’
‘’It is true Emma you should charge your phone more.’’
‘’It's not ALWAYS dead! At least I make sure I check it once a day! Like right now it's not dead-’’ Trying to show her NOT dead phone only to realise the battery already died. ‘’This doesn't count this was bad timing..’’
Earning a eye roll from Ray ‘’Yeah okay, bad timing.’’
‘’And you’re staying over? Why would you be staying ove-’’ A sudden burst of energy out of nowhere came and she grabbed Ray's arm, shaking it wildly ‘’The holidays! I forgot about the party! It feels like it's been forever..’’
‘’HEY! Get off of me! I cant believe u out of all people forgot about now being on holidays’’ Shoving her off she bumps into Norman's arm.
Turning to him she grabs his hand, ‘’Aaaa Norman can you believe it! It's almost Christmas and New Years Eve already!’’
More focused on her touching his hand he gives her a nod ‘’Y-yep! I can't believe it either.. T-Time sure does fly by!’’
‘’Speaking of which Norman do you have any plans for the holidays?’’ Looking up at him
Ray now looking at Norman as well seeming interested in what his answer will be ‘’Well I don't really have plans for the holidays probably just going to relax and do whatever over the break’’
‘’EHH? But what about celebrating with family? Or going to see people?’’
‘’Ah! Well it's just me and my father around here and I have no interest in spending more time than needed with him’’
‘’Hmmmmmmm.. Alright then would you like to come over to my family's New years Eve party? From the sounds of it I doubt you will be busy so!’’
‘’Huh? New Year's Eve party? B-But wait! Isn’t that just a thing for your family’’
‘’Well yeah but you can come too! Rays going to be their as well of course’’
‘’Yeah Norman you should come it will be so much better with you there.’’
‘’SEE! Even Ray agrees you have to come now!’’
The corners of his lips rise into a smile. Spending the holidays with his best friends sounded way more enjoyable than spending his time at home. ‘’ Alright sounds like a plan!’’
Emma now jumping from pure excitement not hearing a phone ring ‘’YAY! This will be so fun you won't regret it!’’
‘’Hey Emma! Yuugo is calling me’’
Stopping right on spot she turns to grab Ray's phone, picking up the call ‘’Hi Dad! Yes we're on our way home, NO! Were not turning all the way back into town just for drinks you can get them tomorrow!’’ Waving at Norman then signalling for Ray to follow her she started running in the direction to her house’’
Waving back to her with a soft smile still stuck to his face, Ray walking ever so slightly faster puts his hand to Normans shoulder leaving him with a final comment ‘’Good luck dealing with Yuugo.’’
Good luck..?