Smarter, Not Harder

Emma walked out of her Economics class, and her friend Bryony did a double-take, frowning. "Hey... weren't you just over there? How did you...?"

"Nope! Must've been someone who looked like me!"

"It was definitely you. We were talking right before. And you were wearing a different top."

Emma's smile faltered. They scanned the crowd for the Other Emma, but she'd gone.

"Let's go," Emma grabbed Bryony's arm and steered her towards the canteen. "There's something I have to tell you."

Once they were sat with a pizza slices and diet cokes, Emma leaned forward, eyes flicking over the other students sloping up to the counter. Good. He's not here.

"You know that guy? Dark. Nice skin. Bit preppy. An Italian name. Russo or something?"

"Mhm. Kinda, yeah. Wasn't he the one they shipped to the nuthouse?"

Emma pulled back, scowling. "Yeah, but you're not supposed to call it that. We were talking, and I thought he was kinda nice and then he just acted like he didn't know me. This was right before his... episode or whatever."

"Right, so he went off on one and that's why was off with you. It was like, the first sign, right? Then they put him in hospital."

"At the time I remember thinking it was like he was, you know, a different person. Not just a figure of speech, really a totally different person."

Bryony's eyes widened above her straw, and the sugary dregs gurgled. Her curls practically vibrated with intrigue.

Emma picked at her pizza. "I didn't think anything more of it. When he... went away... that explained it. Like you said. But then just now..."

"...We saw another Emma," Bryony finished in an awed whisper.

The two of them churned this thought around.

"Where is he?" Emma asked, ignoring her plate of congealed grease and cheese.

"Maybe he's still in that hospital."

"Right. So... if I say anything... what might happen to me?" Emma looked genuinely frightened.

Bryony looked thoughtful. "First, check your classes. See if there's anything you've been signed up for."

"What do I do?"

Bryony shrugged and swiped the other pizza slice. "Go home, babe. Let your double do all the hard work."

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Word count excluding title, subtitle, and authors notes: 366

Submitted on Monday 9th August at 23:28

A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 232 day streak since 1st January.

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

The story behind the story: This one is a companion piece to I'm Not Crazy. I need a light-hearted palate cleanser once in a while.

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed!

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Here's an oldie:

A recent Top Story (only one so far in August, I must be off my game):

My look back at July:

My reflections on the recent nonet challenge:

Here's my current Dollar Challenge:

And now for something completely different:

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Thank you again!