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Trina stared at the screen intently, following all of Kai’s moves. She was finally understanding the game, and despite herself, she was really getting into it. So much so, that she was ignoring her companion, who just looked at her in amusement. She was so focused on Kai, she didn’t even notice a newcomer approaching the table, who seemed to have eyes only for Gio.
“Doug! How’ve you been?” The girl greeted, taking off her coat.
Startled, Gio straightened up and smiled at her as Trina continued to watch the game while taking gulps of her beer.
“Oh, you again.”
“That was not a very nice greeting,” the stranger pouted, who was still being ignored by a distracted Trina. “It’s a good thing that you’re cute. Mind if I sit?”
Gio looked at Trina, who was still immersed in the game. Then shrugged and scooted over. He could use the company since Trina’s mind seemed to be elsewhere at the moment. “Fine, but please don’t rob anyone tonight.”
“I’ll try my best,” Emma smiled, sliding in beside Gio.
“And my name’s not Doug. It’s Gio.”
“Gio. As in g period, o period…?”
“Short for Giovanni.”
“Nice to meet you, Gio,” Emma smiled, her attention drawn to Trina, who for a second stood up and clapped. “Who’s the football fan?”
“This is my friend, Trina Robinson. The QB is a friend of hers.”
Gio saying his name brought Trina’s attention back out of the game, just to see Emma’s smile widen.
“Wait, no matter what you look familiar! You’re a friend of Cameron Webber, right? He’s shown me tons of with him and Joss!”
“You know Cam?” Trina blinked, the game now flying out of her mind at the mention of one of her best friends, who she had missed seeing a few weeks ago.
“Yes. I’m Emma Drake Scorpio. I grew up with Cam and reconnected when he went to Stanford.”
“Oh, right! Joss told me that you were back in town,” Trina gave a tense smile, kind of not happy with Emma because of the way she had thrown shade at Joss, even though Joss did deserve it, but still, Joss was her bestie and she was going through a hard time and didn’t need that right now.
“Do I detect a bit of tension?” Emma arched a brow, noticing that the smile didn’t reach Trina’s eyes.
“Well, she told me how you threw shade her way about Cam. I know, she may have deserved it, but Dex had just died and she’s grieving and she really didn’t need that right now. Besides, she was happy for Cam. They both had made peace with what happened.”
Emma winced, hating that already she was making bad impressions. But maybe things were salvageable. “I didn’t know about Dex. When I found out about what happened with Cam...I was so mad at her. When we were kids, she had this crush on Cam...even teamed up with Spencer to try to come between…”
“You knew Spencer?” Trina’s eyes lit up at the mention of the man she had loved and lost. It didn’t hurt to talk about Spencer anymore. In fact, she loved talking about him nowadays. If Emma could tell her stories about Spencer...maybe she could forgive the confrontation with Joss.
Emma blushed and chuckled. “He and Cam used to fight over me. Two eight-year-old boys competing over an eight-year-old girl who just wanted everyone to get along. Wait...you were Spencer’s girlfriend! You’re the one…”
“He died protecting,” Trina sighed, giving a nod, the game and her beer forgotten.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up any sad memories…”
Trina’s smile was small, yet sad. “It’s ok. I’ve gotten to a place where talking and thinking about him makes me more happy than sad these days. God, I loved him so much...I don’t know if it’ll ever be possible to love like that again. Which is why I kind of understand Joss right now. She’s in the place I was in last year. So I’m kind of protective of her.”
“I understand. I’m sorry. I didn’t know about Dex…”
“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her when you see her next. Anyway, you weren’t the only one who gave her smoke. Spencer was so furious with her when all of that happened. I do think he knew more about what was going on than I did. Joss has the tendency not to tell me everything in her life, whereas Cam was an open book to Spencer. So I’m guessing that he had more inside information and that’s why he was so angry with her.”
“Yeah. Joss had done Cam really dirty. But I won’t go into that now. All of that is in the past and Cam has moved on and is thriving. Did Joss tell you that I had introduced Cam to his new girlfriend? Gretchen?”
“She mentioned that. I saw a few pics on Cam’s Instagram, but sadly I missed them when they came through for Christmas.”
“I have more pics if you want to see,” Emma took out her phone and brought up the pictures she, Cam, and Gretchen had taken earlier that year. “I don’t think he posted these on his Instagram…”
Trina took the phone and smiled, her eyes lighting up with real joy. She was so happy for Cam that he had found love again and was thriving. “He looks so happy and in love. I am happy for him. He deserves this.”
“Yes he does,” Emma smiled and put away the phone. “I am sorry about Spencer. Cam said that the love between you two was out of this world. That Spencer was a better, happier person with you.”
“He was. He could still be a brat and self-entitled, but he was sweet and warm and kind. Compassionate. He loved his baby brother to near obsession...and most of all, he loved me. He showed me what it was to love and be loved so completely...I’ll never forget him. Not ever. No matter who comes and goes out of my life. They will never hold a candle to Spencer Cassadine…”
Emma felt her heart ache for Trina. She then turned to find Gio looking rather disappointed and found herself feeling sad for him as well. Something told her that he had developed a crush on Trina. She couldn’t blame him. Trina was stunning, loyal, and sweet. No matter what Spencer Cassadine had found himself head over heels in love with her.
“Well, I’m glad that I had gotten the chance to meet you, Trina. I have tons of stories about Spencer and Cam if you ever want to meet up and hear them.”
“I’d love that, thank you,” Trina happily accepted the offer, just as news of Kai’s injury hit the bar with shouts of disappointment. “Oh my god, Kai!”
Suddenly, Emma’s phone vibrated. Frowning she looked at the text and sighed, to see that it was Cameron.
C: Did you meet Trina?
Emma: Yes, but I haven’t told her anything yet. Maybe we shouldn’t...she seems to have healed…
C: You need to tell her! She needs to know that Spencer had shown up at my dorm, alive, well, but in trouble. In fact, it’s imperative that you get both Trina and Joss out of Port Charles as soon as possible. Cyrus Renault has big plans that can mean big trouble for everyone!
Emma: Alright, alright! I had just met her, so give me time.
C: Hurry.
Sighing, Emma watched as Gio comforted Trina over whatever was going on with the QB. She didn’t know how she was going to tell Trina and Joss that they had to leave Port Charles and that Spencer was alive and well, but it was news that she couldn’t put off any longer. Hopefully, she’ll be believed and can usher Joss, Trina, and the cute Gio to safety before Renault’s plans come into being.