Chapter 3

I couldn't believe what just happened. Emily Watson likes me? As in, Emily, the girl that didn't want anything to do with me before, actually likes me? Wow.

I needed someone to tell that to, because keeping stuff like that to myself was really hard for me.

I could confide in Brian. So I would tell him.

I returned to the classroom and tried to study Emily's behavior, but as usual, she didn't even acknowledge my presence. Did she really tell Rose to tell me that she liked me?

Then I started to have doubts.

During lunch, I approached Brian sitting with his Science Nerds and told him I wanted to see him. He excused himself and we went to a separate table to talk.

I told him everything.

"Wow. Emily? I mean, are you really sure of this?" He asked, scratching his head.

"Yeah I am. I can't possibly be lying about this, can I?" I asked him.

"Okay, but if I said I was totally surprised, I'd be lying." He confesses.

"What do you mean?" I asked in total confusion.

"I mean, I've noticed the way she occasionally stares at you, smiling... I don't really know."

"Well, I didn't notice that." I said, almost blushing.

"Wait a minute. What about Adam? You said he's dating Emily, and that Emily was rude to you when you approached her. I hope this isn't a setup by Rose."

"I... Wow, somehow I didn't think of that. I guess I was too exited."

"You gotta confront Rose about this." He said, and I agreed.

"Okay. I will." I told him. I decided to see Rose after the last period.

The day was annoyingly slow. But at last, last period came and went.

I rushed out of the classroom to find Rose entering the combination of her locker, ready to retire for the day.

"Hey Rose." I said as she looked at me, obviously surprised to see me.

"Oh, hi Danny." She said.

Only my close friends called me Danny. And I wasn't even friends with this girl.

"Hi, I just wanted to ask a few questions about, you-know-who." I whispered the last part.

"Aww, you're shy to mention her name. That is like, so cute." She cooed.

"Oh, yeah - "

"Oh my gosh, she's like, walking towards here like, right now." Rose exclaimed and suddenly, Emily appeared.

She looked exhausted, weak and only looked towards me when I said, "Hi."

"Oh hi Daniel." She said, smiling a little. She smiled at me. She smiled at me?! Well, maybe she does like me after all.

She shoved Rose to the side and they talked for a few minutes, facing me when they were done.

I guessed, by the reaction on her face that she would have said something really sweet when the evil Adam arrived.

"Hey beauties." He said, ignoring me.

"Hi" Rose said.

"Adam..." Emily said, looking at the ground.

I didn't see anything interesting in the ground.

"What's going on here?" Adam asked, slipping an arm across Emily's waist.

Why was he always wanting me to know Emily was his property?

"I was...just leaving." Emily said.

"So let's go then." Adam replied, taking her hand as they walked away.

Emily turned and followed Adam outside the door, till I could see her no more.

"Okay, that was weird. So like, what's up?" Rose said.

"Can we go talk in the library? Its much more quiet in there." I suggested.

"Alright." She agreed.

On getting there, I started -

"You know, all of this is just weird."

"What do you mean?" She asked, surprisingly serious.

"I mean, I know Emily's dating Adam. It's so damn obvious. And it's so weird that she likes me, if she really did, why not break up with Adam? Then it would make more sense. And the last time I and Emily talked was when I tried to be friends with her, but she just shut me up and never talked to me again. And now you're telling me she likes me? Sorry but I don't believe you. I was really happy at first but after thinking it through, I think you've got more explanation to do." I blurted.

Rose sighed, which I guess is what she did when confused or frustrated. "I think Emily's the one that's got more explanation to do."

And then she left.

What is up with these sisters? I wondered as I walked out of the library, into the school bus, ready for home.

Getting home from school was an hectic one. Apart from the humps and bumps on the roads, the noise of the other students boarding the bus was really uninspiring.

But still, I couldn't get Emily out of my head. My feelings for her was getting real intense. But I just didn't get it, why did she always make it seem like she was enslaved to Adam? She's obviously not happy with him.

"Gosh!" I wondered aloud, shaking my head.

"What's wrong Danny?" Judy asked, beside me.

I had totally forgotten there was someone like Judy around. But I knew Judy well, I couldn't tell her because she'd just laugh and tell me I was jealous of Adam.

"Nothing. I'm fine." I said.

"Yeah of course. What else would you say? You'd better tell me cause if you don't, you know what comes next." She threatened.

She was going to call me George. I hated the name because I was named George after my father. And I didn't like him. I did not like my father.

"It's not cause of some girl, is it?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

She really knew me. But I still couldn't tell her. I knew Judy too well.

"No, I'm just having a slight headache. Nothing to worry about." I lied.

"Better. You know what I would have done if you didn't tell me."

I shook my head in frustration. She laughed.

★★★

The next day, a Saturday, came pretty quick. It was a bright, sunny day. I woke up from a deep sleep to do my house chores and freshen up. When I checked the time, I realised I had woken up later than usual, so I decided to do the house chores first.

Flinging the duvet from my weak-from-sleep body, I lifted myself out of bed and stood upright. I stretched for some minutes to loosen up my muscles, and walked out of the room.

I walked on to the living room and met Judy eating breakfast, already dressed up.

Normally I would have met my Mom and Dad there, watching television but they weren't there. Only Judy was, munching on some innocent chunk of bread.

"Hey Sleepy head." Judy teased and I made a face at her.

"Where are Mom and Dad?" I asked, walking up to her.

Judy stood up, sighed and touched my shoulder. "Bro, life is short you know, and this would have happened anyway so-"

"Just tell me where they are!" I blurted, already impatient. Why was Judy talking like this?

"They're gone." Judy said, matter-of-fact ly.

"Uh?" I panicked, feeling uneasy.

"Haha haha, man you're so easy to fool!" She said, laughing hysterically like someone possessed.

I shook my head.

"You're such a pest. But seriously where did they go?" I asked again.

"They both went to Mom's friend's baby shower, and Mom said not to wake you cause she wanted you to have enough rest. You such a baby." She said with a chuckle.

"Whatever. So why are you all dressed up?"

"Well, I might as well take advantage of the fact that Mom and Dad aren't home, so I'm going to a friend's birthday party."

"Male or female?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

"And how does that concern you? Busybody." She jeered. Male it is then.

"Oh well, let me clean this place up." I sighed.

Five minutes later, I was done and Judy was all set to go to her party. "Make sure the house is spotless before I come." She said.

"Yeah of course, because you pay me to do it, right?" I said sarcastically.

"Oh whatever. Just don't miss your dear sister too much. Bye."

And she was gone.

"Like I need you here." I mumbled, locking the door after her. Then I sat, watching television for some time. And then I got bored of sitting so I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and took my bath.

I returned to the living room and was about grabbing some popcorn to watch a movie when I heard the doorbell ring.

It must be Judy. What did she forget now?

I walked up to the door, unlocked it and opened it.

"Judy what- " I stopped, speechless with what...no, make that, who I saw at the door.

My blood suddenly ran cold.

It was Emily.