Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Bay and Emmett are the creation and property of Lizzy Weiss and ABC Family. Lyrics from "The Reach" belong solely to Miranda Lee Richards. All of this is for entertainment purposes only and no copywrite infringement is intended.
You are so far away thinkin' you should roam
Friday, May 18, 2018; 8 p.m. - Emmett
There's no denying it - the ocean is extraordinarily beautiful. Especially at night. No matter how long he's been out here, it still takes him by surprise. How had he lived for so long without enjoying this view? Breathtaking. Spectacular. There's something about living by a beach that just makes life more worthwhile. He can't put it into words. It's just a feeling. He still remembers being scared shitless on his first night here. Back then, he had wondered how he was going to make it. If he was going to fail. If LA would become one of his biggest regrets. And he missed her. He missed her so much.
But then he stumbled onto the beach - this beach in fact - one night and in an instant, he felt better. Calmer. It sounds cheesy, and maybe it is. In fact, he pictures the scene in some awful rom-com. The camera pans out and we see the tragic hero alone on the beach at night. The moon is glistening off of the water. He is thinking about something. What exactly the audience will never know. It probably has something to do with his girl. Doesn't it always? He thinks he has lost her forever. And then! Gasp! Shock! We see someone sit down beside him. It is his lady love. She's here. There's some predictable dialogue where they are waxing poetic about how they both knew each other was 'the one.' They look deeply into each other's eyes and kiss. And all is right with the world.
If only life was that simple.
But that is why we have movies and television and books. Fiction gives us a world where we can make everything better. Or worse. Or maybe just a balance between the two extremes.
Just then a brutal wave crashes into the rocks. It should frighten him, being out here alone, so close to the water. It doesn't though. He wishes he could stay here all night, but alas, he has plans.
His phone buzzes right at that very moment to remind him, as if he could forget.
What time should I expect you? I can't believe we graduated! Can't wait to celebrate. - Skye
He would never admit this to anyone, but the last thing he wants to do tonight is celebrate. And he wants to celebrate least of all with Skye. And that makes him feel worse. Skye has been a lot of different people to him out here. First, an acquaintance. Then a friend. A girlfriend. An ex-girlfriend. A classmate. A colleague. A friend again. And now, whatever they are. Friends with benefits sounds so cliché. And makes him seem like an asshole, even though Skye is one hundred percent on board with the arrangement.
After breaking up with Bay, Emmett threw himself into his work. He had meant what he said. He needed to focus. It wasn't about wanting Skye - or any other girl. It was about his dream. But he's only human. So, somewhere in the beginning of sophomore year, he found himself becoming drawn to Skye as more than a friend. He had always known Skye had a crush on him. Subtlety was not the girl's strong suit. So, they began a relationship. It was nice. Sweet. They had similar interests. Had similar career goals. Emmett even found himself loving Skye. Not in love with her though. But loving her, none the less. And then something happened. He began to drift away from her. Emmett hadn't understood why. Or maybe he had and he just didn't want to admit it to himself.
The breakup was particularly ugly. Skye accused him of using her, first and foremost. Perhaps he had. She said some other things that are not worth mentioning now. What followed was months of not speaking to each other. Of course class with her was super fun. Emphasis on not. If awkward had a presence, it would have been sitting right in between Skye and Emmett.
There is that old adage however of time healing all wounds. Luckily for Emmett, that was true. And so in September of this past year, the start of their senior year, Skye and Emmett began anew. As friends of course. That was all Emmett wanted. Funny enough, the transition to being just friends went smoother than he imagined. It was as if nothing had changed. As if they had never experimented with being anything more. But then what do they say about assuming? Oh, yeah. Don't. Otherwise, you make an ass out of you and I.
Assuming he and Skye would remain 'just friends' was a big mistake on Emmett's part. Had he even the slightest notion that something would happen - or could - he would have been more guarded around her. But he hadn't been. It snuck up on him. The primal need to just be with someone. He had been so good, so focused. He didn't realize how tired of it he was. He just wanted to be in the moment for once. And Skye offered that to him.
In hindsight, he should have pulled back when she kissed him. Should have said no. Should have made up some excuse. It would ruin the friendship. It would get awkward. He didn't though. What followed was him and Skye embarking on a purely physical relationship. Any other guy in his position would have been elated. A no strings attached relationship? Okay, the term relationship being used loosely. Still, who would complain about that? Who would contemplate giving that up? An open invitation for sex without commitment.
Apparently, Emmett would.
He was bored with the whole charade. He wanted more, but not with Skye.
He knows who he wants the more with. He always has.
His words hit him like a freight train.
"This doesn't have to be forever. Maybe in a couple of years when I'm done with school..."
Well, he's done with school now.
He's roamed the greener pastures only to find that the greenest pasture is back in Mission Hills.
Maybe it's crazy, but he can feel her.
He extends his arm out into the dark night, willing her to do the same.
And he feels her.
He knows what he has to do.
Sorry, not going to be able to make it. Heading back home for a bit.