The Hecking-Feldman-Chen-Liao family arrive at the Oberoi house in San Sequoia, due to a late minute change in plans*, and head inside. While Emily’s moms go to chat with Rani and Arjun, Emily greets Kiran, who’s wearing a Kurta pajama outfit. “Hey Emmy,” Kiran says, and their eyes go wide as they take in her outfit. “Woah, you look beautiful.” They say, pushing their glasses up their nose and smiling, making Emily feel tongue-tied. She panics as her brain freezes and she eventually stutters out. “Oh, um, thanks Kir. You-you look good too.” Emily says and Kiran smiles. “Thanks.” They say. Emily opens her mouth but is interrupted by a guy around her and Kiran’s age calling out to Kiran. “One sec, Rahul!” Kiran calls back, grinning. Emily feels a stab of jealousy but tries to push it away. “Emmy, I’ll be back okay? And I’ll bring Rahul so I can introduce him to you.” They say, and Emily nods. “Sure.” She says.
Emily watches as Kiran goes up to Rahul and the two joke around. Rahul pokes Kiran’s arm before Kiran reaches over to poke him on the forehead, and Emily can’t help but feel jealous again as Kiran smiles at him. Does Kiran like him? She wonders, and she sighs. Even gameplay wise, she must’ve been in a mood because she asked her ma, Tess, for advice on feeling like no one likes her. “Emmy, of course not.” Tess says. “A lot of people like you, me and mom especially.” She says, giving Emily a worried look. “Nooboo, would you want to go home? I can make hot chocolate and we can snuggle on the couch and watch a movie.” Tess adds. “No, it’s okay ma but thanks.” Emily says, feeling a bit sheepish now. “Okay, but let me or mom know, okay?” Tess says, and Emily nods.