The paragraph in italics is a flashback.
Chapter II
Weeks later you got a call from Caleb, in which he told you he was coming to visit you in a few days. Although he didn't mention Hanna was coming along. It's not that you have any problems with her, in reality you are kind of friends and you talk from time to time. But it's because she reminds you so much of Emily that hurts, she's the only friend of hers with who you didn't cut off the ties with after your break-up. Probably the fact she is dating one of your best friend helped a lot. On the other hand, she's the last thing that connects you to Emily and, even if it hurts, you want to keep her close.
You are now sitting with Hanna at a bar near your house, Caleb gone to get the coffees. She is scrutinizing you and you're feeling a little uncomfortable. You've always felt this way around her and the other two girls. At first you understood their mistrust, they wanted to protect Emily, but then, after working to get their trust, you didn't understand them anymore: you loved Emily and you wanted to protect her, too. In the end you stopped trying, accepting the fact that you couldn't make them trust and like you. From that moment things got better little by little.
"So, got some news?"
"Uhm, nothing big. What about you?"
She ignores your question and she just stares at you with a raised eyebrow. And because of her doubtful expression you understand she knows. Of course Emily told her, it's obvious.
"You already know, so why ask?"
"I was curious to see if you would tell me."
She shrugs and you simply nod, even if you aren't sure she's telling you everything. You're not really certain you want to know, so you don't say anything.
"Have you asked yourself what she was doing here?"
You shake your head. You haven't. You just thought she was visiting the city or she was attending a course here. But you didn't really think too much of it, you just wanted not to think of her.
"She's applied for a few jobs not so long ago. She chose where to go, she told me a few days before you met. And I didn't know how to tell you."
You start shaking your head. This can't be happening, no. No. She's not implying what you think she is. She looks at you, you can see how hard this is for her, you can see the sympathy in her eyes.
"She chose to come here".
Everything seems to freeze. She has said it. Emily is transferring here. It cannot be possible. You've moved to San Francisco to get away from her and now she is here. It seem there's no escape. You can't hide from her. It doesn't matter how much you run, she always catches you.
"Here's your coffees. Sorry for the wait, but I had a few people ahead of me."
You take yours, thanking Caleb. You can't bring yourself to look at him in the eyes. He's like Pru, he can read you easily, just by looking at you in the eyes.
"I have to tell you something."
His voice is serious, so you are forced to look at him. You put a neutral face and nod. You can see the conflict is eyes: he's happy, but he's concerned about something. He's tense and you start to worry.
"Did you kill somebody? Do you have to go to prison?", you try to joke. Hanna smiles and sends you a grateful look while Caleb relaxes and smiles a little.
"Not yet."
You smile and you see him looking at Hanna who gives him an encouraging smile and puts her left hand on his arm. You didn't notice it before, but you surely do it now. An engagement ring.
You've already been in a few jewelries, but you haven't found the right ring yet. You don't have huge claims, you just want it to be perfect. It has to be perfect: it's for Emily. You've been planning your proposal for quite some time now, but you are really going crazy in trying to find the ring that you want. It has to represent the simplicity and the uniqueness that Emily is and it has to convey all the feeling you have for her. Passion. Devotion. Love. Pure love.
"I'll never find the one. It's freaking impossible!"
"Keep calm, okay? You will find it."
You simply nod and take a breath. You aren't going to freak out, you're going to keep calm. You'll find it and it will be perfect. You are grateful Caleb came with you, even thought he found the ring for Hanna last week. It wasn't on purpose, but you've decided to propose at the same time, so you thought to help each other out. You don't know who will propose first, but you don't care. You just want it to be perfect, no matter how long you will have to wait to have it that way.
You are ready to give up and leave, accepting that the ring you're searching for isn't here, when you see with the corner of your eye a set of rings you didn't notice before. You approach it and you look at them very closely, one by one. And it's when you seen one of them that you smile happily and your heart fills with joy. It's very simple with a small diamond. It's the one you wanted. It's the perfect one.
"That's the one!"
Now you understand his concern. He doesn't know how to tell you because he's afraid about how you will take it. And in this moment you feel guilty because he waited so long to ask her just because of you. He knows how bad it hurt when Emily rejected your proposal and he waited over a year. You feel guilty, but you also feel grateful. Because he did it on his own, showing how much he cares about you.
"We're getting married."
You smile widely and you see the relief in his eyes.
"Congratulations. I am very happy for you, guys!"
You really mean what you said, you are really happy for them. It is just that you can't shake Emily off your head. She said no while Hanna said yes. You feel the hurt all over again. But you won't let Emily take this, too. This isn't about you, or her. This is about them.
You stand up and you hug the both of them, whispering a little "Thank you" in Caleb's ear. He smiles, understanding what you are referring to.
"And there's more: I want you to be my best woman."
You're dumbstruck. You didn't expect this. You've always though he would choose Toby or Lucas, but never you. He has an amused look, he seems to know this would have been a big surprise for you. You look at Hanna, who has the same entertained look her fiancé has, then right back to him.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, Paige. You've always been by my side, I can't imagine someone else in that role."
"Then yes! Oh God, I am your best woman, I am so happy! I can't believe it."
You hug him tightly, smiling so big that it hurts. You're so happy and honored to be his best woman that you can't really describe how you're feeling right now.
"Thank God you said yes. I've told him so many times not to worry, but it never worked out."
You and Hanna laugh hard while Caleb pretend to be mad, but he can't contain his happiness and he soon joins the two of you. After you stop laughing, you make small talk about everything until it's time for you to leave for work. Caleb promises you that you will see each other again before returning home, in Santa Barbara. After your goodbyes, you part ways.
The day passes quickly and work doesn't tire you as usual. You haven't felt so happy about something in a long time and you feel like nothing can't touch you. But it is when you arrive to an empty house that, remembering what Hanna told you, you understand that Emily still can touch you.
And in that moment you fall to the ground.
Author's Note: I know this may seem a bit heavy but it couldn't be divided in two parts, in my opinion. I wanted Hanna to be the one to drop the bomb about Emily, because I didn't see anyone fit in that role better than her, not even Caleb. It had to be Hanna.
I hope you liked this second chapter and Caleb and Hanna's attendance, because I'm planning on writing some more about them in this fic, but we'll see.
Thanks to the guests who left a review.
Let me know your thoughts.
See you next week,
Meek.
