Chapter 3

Around an hour or two later Paige came knocking on my door. I hoped that she would leave me alone for the night, but I know that was too much to ask of Paige Kyleigh Mikelchuck. I loved her dearly, but sometimes the girl didn't know when to butt out. I ignored her hoping she would either get the hint, or think I was asleep.

"Emma Michelle Nelson, I know you're not asleep, and I don't care whether or not you want to talk about what's going on. You better answer this door before I go and get Sean to come over and take it down!" Unfortunately, Paige knows me too well. In addition, I know that she will hold to her word, so I got up and let her in.

"Paige, hon., I know your just trying to help me, but I really don't feel like…."I never got to finish. Paige was on a mission, and there was no stopping her now.

"Em, why in the world didn't you tell me? Me of all people. I know what its like, I could have helped you through it. Not that you didn't make it fine through on your own, its just it helped me to have someone to talk to. Emma, why didn't you freaking tell me? I would have been able to help you. What made you think that you couldn't talk to me, or even your parents? Yea, Sean told me that you have told them. Why not? What are you going to tell them now that you're going to have a baby? What are you going to do with your life?" Paige was screaming at me, acting like it was all my fault.

"Paige, it's not like this was what I wanted! I never wanted this shit to happen, to anyone, let alone me. I don't know why I didn't talk to you. However, I don't know why your acting like you were perfect after what happened to you. Because you sure as hell weren't." I said and Paige's face turned from anger to pain in such a short amount of time, I'm sure it was a world record. "Paige, I didn't mean that the way it sounded." I couldn't believe that I said that, and so meanly to add to it.

"I know hon., but, you're my best friend, and like my sister. I only wish I could have helped you out. Emma, I love you with my whole heart. Just know that I'm here for you no matter what." Paige said, pulling me into a hug.

"Thanks Paige. Oh there's someone at the door, you better go get that. I'll be up in like 10 minutes." I said, turning to wipe me smeared make-up off.

"Oh okay. By the way, that would just happen to be Sean, I invited him over for tonight, since he never got to go to the store. You and him are going to eat together, alone. I've already cooked everything up. So you don't have to worry about any of that." Paige said with a cocky smile.

"You love to butt in don't you love." I said laughing.

"I just can't help myself, when love is in the air, I'm up there helping it along the way." Paige said laughing, going up the steps.

Ten minutes later

I was walking up the stairs when I saw him sitting on my couch like he belonged. It was perfect, somehow without realizing it, this is what I've always wanted.

"Hey there stranger. Whatcha up to?" I asked, sneaking up behind him.

"Oh hey Emma. Wow you look beautiful." He said, looking me up and down. "Those monkey pants really bring out your eyes. And that wife beater. Whoa."

"Funny mister. Shut it, I'm in control of the food tonight." I said laughing, showing him to the kitchen.

"Ah, I wouldn't want you to mess with the food now would I?" he said, trying to make a joke, but not succeeding.

"Hey, watch it buddy" I hadn't felt this content since, oh about grade 7.

"Emma, lets cut to the serious part. What are you going to do? How are you going to tell your parents? I mean, I don't want to put a damper on this evening, but I'm worried about you. I've always wanted better than the best for you, which is why you should let me kick his ass. He so deserves it." Sean said, talking to me, but not really talking to ME. If you get what I'm saying.

"Yea, Sean, he does deserve it, but I know that if you were to get a hold of him, you wouldn't stop till he had to be put in the hospital. And I need you with me, not in a jail cell, locked away, even if it was for me." I said, looking into his eyes, holding his hand. 'Somehow this wasn't how I pictured our first night together again.' I said to myself.

"Fine, but if he touches you again, or comes near you or Paige, he's done. Got it?" The anger in his voice scared me, and so did the look in his eyes. I think he realized it by the way I jerked my hands from his.

"So, um, lets eat. Paige is a really good cook believe it or not. The girl knows what she's doing in the kitchen." I said, hoping he wouldn't say anything else about it. But lately, the things I've been hoping for haven't been coming true, so I wasn't about to get my hopes up.

"Emma, what's wrong? You've never been this uptight with me, except that one time. Oh shit, Em. I didn't mean to scare you." Sean said, thinking of the other time he had seen that look on her face. They had been horsing around in her living room, her mother was gone for the day, and Emma wasn't really a big fan of staying home alone. They started to wrestle, not really taking it as a big deal, Sean pinned Emma down, with her arms over her head. The look in her eyes made him stop immediately. He wasn't sure what he did wrong, but he knew it was something, because he had saw each one of her trademark looks, each one but that one. Later he found out why. The whole Jordan incident. It made him want to kill the bastard. He never ruff-housed with her after that. She didn't even have that look in her eyes when he slammed the locker right beside her the day they ended it for what they thought was good. Boy that was way off base.

"It's just, the look in your eyes, and the sound of your voice, it was so scary, you've never sounded like that, not around me at least, it scared me. Like you were going to hurt me instead of him, like you were going to take out your pain out on me." I said, playing with the napkin in my lap, trying to avoid his eyes. I wasn't counting on him coming and getting on his knees to find my eyes though.

"Emma, I could never hurt you. Ever, I know I have in the past, but I'm done with that. If I ever hurt you in anyway that I don't realize, then you can hit me in the nuts, okay? I love you way too much to screw up this time. I'm never going to hurt or leave you." He said, holding my hand, looking so deep in my eyes, it hurt. Then the bitch had to come and walk in. Who let her know he was in town?