Emma's Chance

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1

Do you have your lunch money?

And all your books.

- Yeah.

- Okay.

Have a good day!

I can think of a hundred things

I'd rather have happen to me

than be dropped off by my mom

in front of the entire school.

Like walking to school in those?

Excuse me.

These are the most comfortable shoes I own.

Yeah, I'm sure.

Hey!

Please tell me one of you guys

has figured out the extra credit problems

- for geometry already?

- Here.

I got it from Eddie.

Who got his from Sarah, who got hers from...

It doesn't matter.

All I know is my source is good.

I have a 98% in the class.

Thank you.

- Why are you thanking her?

- Well, now you'll owe her.

On second thought, I should probably

just figure it out for myself.

Even though I'm failing.

You can be so weird sometimes, Emma.

The sooner you realize getting ahead in life

requires work-arounds,

the sooner I can invite you

on one of our family trips.

You're taking her to Greece?

I thought you were taking me.

I am.

- Nobody likes a goody two-shoes.

- Hey, now!

All I know is, you better not miss

tonight's game for a little extra credit.

No, Emma's not gonna miss.

She knows we need her.

Yeah, you need me there

while you guys all drool

over Jacob Murphy

and his stinky, wet jersey?

Like, he and everyone else on that team

are, like, the biggest show-offs.

You girls coming to the game?

Jacob!

Emma was just telling us how awesome

of a job you're doing this season.

What, you've been to our practices

or something?

No. But I am feeling major basketball vibes.

A winning streak is in your future.

Well, you know it.

Nice.

- Don't worry, we'll be there.

- Awesome.

- See ya.

- Bye, guys.

Later, Emma.

I'm dying.

I'm dying for you! What was that?

Okay, Jacob is your extra credit.

You are coming to the game tonight.

Has to be worth more than this.

- How 'bout 375?

- Yes!

I got 375. 375, will it be four?

Final call going once, 375 could it be four,

going twice. Sell it.

Jacob Murphy is such a babe.

Can you believe he scored a three-pointer

at the last second?

Will you stop obsessing over your grades?

Come on! Let's have fun!

Just let her go.

Basketball vibes, baby.

That's what I'm talkin' about.

- Great job. Nice game.

- Thanks, man. Thanks.

This guy killed it.

Yeah, thanks for comin', girl!

What are we standing around for?

Let's get out of here, man! Come on.

I gotta go. But good game!

Emma.

I'm so behind.

Well, I mean, hey,

let us take you home at least.

No, my mom's gonna be here,

like, any minute.

But thanks, though.

She can be such a downer.

Guys, we can still have fun

without her. Right?

Yes. Yes, we can.

All right! You guys wanna grab

a bite or somethin'?

- Yeah.

- You know it, man.

- Who's driving?

- Not me!

- Me! I'm driving.

- What?

Emma! Come on!

She'll be here soon, I swear.

Liar!

- Get in!

- Come on, we'll take you home. Let's go!

Okay, fine.

What are we doing?

Conquering our fears.

You don't even need me.

All right, you good?

- How do I get out of the car?

- You crushed that last basket, man.

I'm always ready.

- All right.

- All right, let's do it.

All right. Anyone have a flashlight?

Already on it, girl.

- Mind blown.

- Yeah.

Here we go.

Why do I always go first?

- You ready for this?

- You ready? Ready?

- Let's do it.

- Ready.

- It only counts if you stay on for 10 seconds.

- Cat.

- Want a boost?

- Thank you.

Easy-peasy.

How can this be safe, Cat?

- Come on. Nothing's gonna happen.

- It's cool, guys. She's got this.

It's not like they're gonna

buck her off or anything.

I mean, they might.

I heard the horses are old and weak.

Nicki? Nicki, what are you doing?

Maybe she stepped in manure.

Someone should go in.

Catherine?

I can't climb the fence in these!

All right, ringleader,

come prepared next time.

"Let's go to a ranch in my heels."

Nicki!

Nicki!

Nicki?

Nicki?

That's not funny.

Come on, let's go.

I found one.

What? No, Nicki, you don't have to do this!

I'm riding this one. You'll ride that one.

Nicki!

Nicki!

You wanna tell me

what you're doing here, young lady?

Breaking and entering private property.

Putting yourself

and high-risk animals in danger.

"High-risk"?

Yeah. Apparently, the horse

in your little stunt the other night

was recovering from a wound.

Emma, what in the world were you thinking?

This is nothing like you.

You're an honors student.

You have great attendance.

But lately, I mean, you know,

this is the third time this year

that you have been in my office.

And you are very lucky

that the owner of the ranch

called me instead of pressing charges.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, I have figured out a punishment

that suits the crime.

Three days a week, starting tomorrow,

you are going to work at that ranch

doing whatever they need.

No absences, no tardies.

And if you're responsible,

and I get back a positive report,

then we can pretend that none of this

ever happened. You got it?

For how long?

Thank you.

Emma?

You sure you don't wanna tell me

who else was with you the other night?

I hope it was worth it.

To say I'm disappointed in you

is an understatement, Emma.

Mom, it's not what you think.

You realize you were illegally trespassing

onto private property?

You not only could have hurt

one of those horses,

you could've been hurt yourself.

It wasn't like that.

Well, how was it like?

I mean, yes. I know you're gonna

make mistakes once in a while, but...

To allow yourself to be put in that...

Go to your room, please.

I need to think about how long

I need to ground you for.

I'll call you when dinner's ready.

Mom!

Go.

You know that time that you broke into

your uncle's garage

and took his scooter so that you could

take your friends on a joyride?

I'm trying to remember how old you were.

Fourteen.

That's right.

Emma, dinner!

Listen, honey.

I'm sorry this happened to you.

But facing the consequences

of your actions is...

It's a part of life.

If this was your first mishap

it would be one thing, but, hon,

your grades have been slipping,

you've been skipping classes.

And these friends of yours

keep getting you into trouble.

There's nothing wrong with my friends, Mom.

I made a mistake

and I said I'll never do it again.

Okay? I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all of it.

As for being grounded,

I think it should last as long

as you're working at this ranch place.

That means no study dates with your friends,

no basketball games, no school activities.

But what about the dance?

You know, when I was in school,

we danced to live bands,

not that hippity-hoppity DJ stuff.

Look, if you're doing everything

you're supposed to be doing

with this community service thing,

then I will consider the dance.

- You know I love you, right?

- Yes.

And I'm only doing this for your own good.

Yeah, I know.

Could've been worse.

Thank you, Mom.

I was talking about your lecture, darling.

Emma. Emma? Emma, wait up.

I'm sorry. I mean, we should have never

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