Emma's POV “Are you sure about that?” I asked my mom as soon as she flashed her diamond ring in my face. She's been head over heels in love with her new man, and while they get on my nerves sometimes, especially on the days I caught them making out in the living room, one thing I can't deny is the fact that they are good together. “Yes honey.” She replied beaming. “What's wrong?” Mom looked concerned, she probably sensed that I wasn't so cool with it, but I didn't want to be the party pooper. “Oh no. Don't get me wrong. I just wanted to make sure that you are certain about it.” I replied to her. “Besides, is it an old people's thing to not propose in public. Why did he slip the ring under the duvet?” I teased her. “Please!” She said, laughing. Before Mark, my soon to be step dad, it's been a really long while since I saw my mom so happy. She was a workaholic. A lifestyle I think she picked up after my dad. It was a great save from alcohol, but I still didn't have her to
Emma's POV “What was that, mom?!” I asked as soon as I walked in. I was a little surprised to see that she was at home. I mean, what if I was bringing my non-existent boyfriend home for some quick after school make out sesh? “Sit down, baby.” I had mixed feelings about her calling me baby. Sometimes, it made me feel like the center of her world which I was, other days, it just made me feel small, like it did now. “Trust me, I was going to.” I almost passed out in the morning, I'm not trying to again. “You don't have to sound that way, Emma.” At least she called my name. That was also a good and bad thing. She only used my name when there was something serious to say. “I'm all ears mom.” I replied to her, sitting and crossing my legs at whatever manner of travesty was about to present itself again. I couldn't also wait to get back to fantasizing about him, Kevin… He'd break the news to you. Before I had the time to ask who ‘he’ was, a tall handsome man walked out of
Emma's POV As soon as I finished checking out all the fancy things Mark got me, I settled to stalk Kevin. At least I now knew his name. I searched the name up on all my social media, but I was never really good at stalking things, so I couldn't find him. Plus there's a very huge chance he wasn't going to be using his real name. I searched Kayla, this time I was determined to find her. The occurrences for Kayla wasn't as much as that of Kevin, plus the ‘23’ she had written on her bag must definitely mean something. I added it to ‘Kayla’ in my search, and her name popped up. Apparently, she has done a bit of modeling. Her page looked so full and classy. They must be rich people. I searched all her followers and in no time, saw Kevin. I held my breath unconsciously before clicking on him. As soon as I did, I couldn't hold back. I looked at all he's ever posted, and all the ladies, especially. He seemed to roll with only cute model girls. I didn't think I stood a chance. The least I
Emma's POV “There's no way I'm making it out of the door.” I replied to him. I was heartbroken. If not for the fact that the stars never aligned in my favor, mom wasn't supposed to be off work. But Mark decided his sperm bladder couldn't hold on any longer. Ugh! Life sucked! “That's okay.” Kevin texted back. I felt bad for him, and for me. “We could make the best of here though.” He added, with a winking emoji. Now that was exciting. At least he wasn't giving up on me. “That's perfect. What do you say we do?” I was brimming with joy. I was really good at online games and riddles, so I did not have to worry about him trashing me at it. “I'd love to see more pictures.” I was surprised. That definitely wasn't what I was expecting. “Okay.” I replied. I was really still on the fence about it, but it was HIM, KEVIN! “...without clothes.” He added. My heart flip-flopped in my chest. I was excited and scared at the same time. “Why should I trust you?” I asked him.
Emma's POV “Hey.” Kevin texted, about an hour after they got in.My nerves calmed a bit. “What's up? How was today? Didn't see you much?” There were a million other questions I wanted to ask, but that could suffice for now. “It was a lot.” He replied. He was still typing, so I held my breath hoping he would explain the ‘a lot’ part. “Hey, it's Kayla.” I got another text. Now I was torn, and curious. Why was she texting me? “I stole your contact from Kevin.” She admitted. That was cool. I'd love to be friends with her if Kevin and I were ever going to amount to anything. “Hi Kayla. Didn't see you much today. What's up?” I replied to her. Kevin was still typing, there must be a whole lot he wanted to say. Why didn't he just call? I didn't want to send any text so I wouldn't interrupt his thought process, so I decided to wait it out. “There's something I think you should know.” Kayla said next. “What is it?” My heart was beating twice as fast as it normally did. “Kay
Emma's POV “What was that, Emma?” Mom demanded as soon as I walked in. “What are you talking about?” I asked her, weakly. She noticed I didn't come in with as much strength as I stormed down. “What's wrong, baby?” She asked again. “Everything.” I replied “What does that even mean?” She continued probing. I was walking to my room, ready to shut the door behind me, but she was hot on my tails. “I want to be alone.” I said. That never worked, I wasn't expecting it to. “Emma, I know a lot of things are wrong with us. And I promise to fix it as soon and as fast as I can, but please, please, what's wrong? I can't stand seeing you like this.” She was already tearing up. I hated myself more. I was her only child after my dad left us. I always promised myself that I wasn't going to cause her pain after I watched my dad walk out on us almost six years ago. Al she did was work her ass off, except the brief alcoholic phase, but all she had been to me was an angel. I can'
Kevin's POV I wasn't proud to tell anyone why Mom had moved us across the country. But it was supposed to be a fresh start. I promised I wasn't going to get entangled, which is also partly why we were attending a private school. A lot of the girls there were unlike what they appeared. Meek in school, but quite raw and crude beyond the four walls of Royal Province High. Unfortunately, though, the whole thing was beginning to look like rinse and repeat. I can't deny my attraction to most girls, and I am so stupid that I always play along with it. “Do you agree, Mr Holden?” The gruff voice interrupted my musings. “Yeah.” I replied. I had no strength to deny anything. There was no point. I had a record. It's why we moved uptown. “We would like to have your statement now.” He said. Monica was instructed to go out and wait while they took my statement. “We want to know what happened.” The kind woman across the desk, seated next to ‘Gruff Voice’ said. “Monica and I, well
Emma's POV “Mom!” I screamed as soon as Kevin jumped off my mom's moving car. It was a day that would never leave memory. A lot of fucked up things were happening. Just when I thought the day had ended, that had to happen. And in fact, it was the worst of all. Mom helped me with Kevin. After we got him tucked at the back, she jumped on the driver's seat and turned right back, headed for the hospital. It was about to be far too messy and we all knew it. Just when we thought we were done with the police. Hopefully, Kevin would be graceful enough to admit that he jumped out on purpose rather than let my mom take the hit. I was thinking up so many ways it could end, and none of them were good. The only good part was that we didn't have to worry about money. As soon as we got there, Kevin was wheeled in and we were told to wait at the lobby. None of us insisted on going in with him because we both knew he wouldn't be so keen on seeing our faces first when he's revived. I stalke
Chase's POV “You say this is a smart thing to do?” I asked Kayla. “What do you think?” The poor girl was probably too tired of being in my drama. “Never mind.” I said. “I'll just do it later, I don't want the pressure.” “That means me.” She put a hand on her chest and nodded in understanding. “I get it.” “Don't take it that way.” I said, holding her close, “It'd just be too much for you, and I don't want that.” I said. “I get it.” She said, “I'll see you later then.” Kayla stayed in the dorms, so she wasn't gonna be going out with me. We've kinda restricted ourselves to just school, and sometime, I visited her dorm. She never came to my apartment. Said it was still too raw on her. “Take care.” I said, and let her go. We were done for the day, and it was already almost evening. I decided to stroll back to my place, since there was nothing to rush home to. “What's up?” A bold girl said, looking at me and batting her eyelashes. That was literally the last atten
Kevin’s POV “Hey.” I said as I let Emma in. “I wasn't expecting you here.” “I could go if it's not convenient for you.” She stuttered, buckling under the pressure of my piercing, unfriendly green eyes. I left Emma's the night before, feeling really shittyFor over a month, I'd been trying to make her see reasons to let go of the animal she once called her man.Emma was clearly still with him, in her head at least, all the jokes I made, all the stories I told, all the giggles weren't in the least entertaining to her. She took a break to even call her mom, and still didn't come back feeling any better. I gathered what was left of my dignity, pressed a kiss to her forehead and let myself out. I thought I had made a stupid decision till I saw her at my door. But I wasn't gonna be cowered easily either. She'd treated me unfriendly too, and I wanted to let her know. “I work round the clock, nothing is ever really convenient, I just make time for stuff.” I replied to her. I saw
Emma's POV “I thought Kevin said he was gonna be staying over at yours last night?” Casey asked as we made our way through the teeming crowd of students. Everyone was hurrying off to class, but Casey and I were yet to catch the buzz and rush, and we might never, cause I never saw Casey follow the crowd. She stood out, and did it quite well. “Plans change, don't they?” I smiled, trying to evade the conversation. “Emma, you know you do not have to wear that mask with me. It's old and rumpled and I can really already see through it.” Casey said, and stopped walking. “We're gonna be late!” I screamed at her as she paused in her tracks. A guy on skateboard hit her, and she quickly flung curse words at him. “Em, you look miserable.” She said, “What went wrong, really?” “Why do you care so much?” I snapped at her. “Matter of fact, I think that's the wrong question. “Who do you care about, really? Kevin or I?” I asked, looking straight in her eyes. Casey was rough on the e
Chase's POV “How are you now?” I called Kayla later at night. It'd been three weeks since I stepped into the Harvard campus, and not one day in those weeks passed, without being a reminder of how miserable I was. I didn't want to keep a stack of enemies, girls who'd resent me for life, so I had to make sure I ironed shit with her out. “Do you really care, or is this some courtesy call?” Kayla's voice danced somewhere in between icy and sexy. It wasn't all daggers and spears, but she wasn't candy and sweets either. At least she wasn't so mad anymore. “I'm sorry, I should've known better. Should've treated you better.” I said. “Do you mean to say these words to me, or you're just projecting?” I asked. “I do, Kayla. I know you deserve honesty, and that's all I've been trying to be with you. You of all people should know it hurts.” “I can try.” She murmured, I like the fact that I was breaking her ice. “Thank you.” I said, taking a deep breath. “Is that all?” Sh
Emma’s POV “Why were you so lost?” Kevin asked after drinking the water handed to him. “Is something bothering you?” He asked. “It was just me in my head.” I deflected, brushing past his naked torso to get out of my little kitchen. “I saw that.” He smiled, “I'm just saying I want to be let in.” He added. “You're tired, Kev. You should get some rest.” I fell into my favorite chair. “Not too tired for you, Em, obviously. Let me in.” He said. Kevin looked so tempting, so sweet, and he was nice to top it off. “I'm just confused, Kev.” I confessed. “Although I really do not know if this is what you're supposed to be doing, you ought to be resting.” “Emma there's nothing like supposing when you're right here. I'm here, you're here, you're bothered, Em, I'm automatically all ears. Don't spare me and don't spare yourself.” “You're too nice for your own good.” I said, smiling sadly. “I don't think that's true.” He replied to me. I was only too grateful that he coul
Chase's POV “I deserve whatever tone, really.” I replied to Kayla. She'd been avoiding me so purposefully since that morning. At first, I was cool with it and deemed it as necessary, but then, it became too glaring too obvious. “I don't think you want to be seen talking to me.” it's the last thing she said before looking back at the professor who was scribbling some jargon. I decided to wait the class out. If I wanted to break the ice, I'd have to do it properly. Kayla and I took all our classes together, how I ended things might not have been the appropriate way. “Thanks man.” I said to a guy who made way for me as I squeezed through to get Kayla. “I used to run back in middle school.” I said as I caught up with her “What has that got to do with me?” She asked in a really icy tone “I'm just saying you can't outrun me, even if you wanted to.” I said, smiling. “Point taken.” She said, and branched off abruptly, and I immediately caught up with her “Kayla, ple
Emma's POV “Last I heard, he said he was gonna be back today.” Casey offered unasked as I stared at a couple making out in the hallway.. “Jeez, Casey.” I exclaimed. “Take it easy on me.” “Don't act like you don't miss him.” She laughed. “Do I need to affirm it every two seconds?” I asked, sarcastically. “No. I was just giving an honest reminder.” She said, “Well, it was unsolicited.” I shot back at her. “I guess I'm just gonna be excited on your behalf.” She said,, stubbornly. “Why do you want me for him so bad?” I asked her. We were on our way home, and so I felt if I could hold her up till I got to my apartment, I wouldn't need to admit to how I'd been counting down the minutes till Kevin's plane landed in Massachusetts. It's why I hated being close to anyone. I get too attached, for my own good. As expected, I held on long enough till we got to my apartment, so I didn't have to admit anything to her. “I'll talk to you later, red head.” I took a handful
Chase's POV “How was your night?” I asked Kayla as she emerged from my room. I forgot to offer her some change of clothes, for which I felt bad. “Not bad.” She smiled. Kayla looked as pretty, both in bed and out of bed. She didn't have the ugly morning face I'd seen on so many other girls. “How do you feel now?” I asked. “Better.” she beamed, “Thank you for having me over.” “That's alright.” I said. “I made coffee.” “Oh, I used to drink that.” She sank into the char next to mine. “You didn't look like you caught much sleep yourself.” She said, pointing to my droopy, but sharp eyes. “I tried.” I admitted. “What's up?” She asked, looking concerned. “You might wanna grab your coffee.” I deflected. “I'll get it for you.” I said instead.. She sat still, and I took it out of the coffee maker, and poured it into some tea cups. “This looks strong.” She said, taking a generous sniff of it. “And smells strong too.” “Is it too much?” I asked. “It's just h
Emma's POV “Are you trying to say I can't have both you and Kev at the same time?” I asked Casey as she showed up to my apartment the morning after Kev left. “Hi baby.” She smiled widely, exposing her pretty set of teeth and additional piercings she'd gotten. “How was Chicago?” I asked her, slapping her across the butt playfully. “It was great.” She looked like she was half drunk, cause she was smiling way too much. “You look like it.”I replied. Casey headed straight for my bed and bounced on it. “That took all morning.” I said sadly. “Well, there's another morning in about twenty four hours.” She laughed. “There are at least eight more piercings I see in there.” I joked at her smile. “It's just two.” She laughed. “Eight is the number of guys I fucked there. What have you been up to?” “I don't know, really.” I replied to her. “It's been here and there.” “Tell me about Chase.” She bolted up, smiling. “Wait, is that his name?” She asked. “Yeah, Chasi