Forbidden love
Chapter 2: The Rumour
Date: 14th January 2019
It was a typical Thursday morning, every morning Emma got 3 wake up calls. The first had happened at 7am, by her twin siblings scuffling around their room. They were trying to get everything ready for school but still she refused to get up until the alarm sounded.
At 7.30am she heard a second wake up call, the oh so familiar noise that alerted her that her time in the comfort of her own bed was up.
Beep Beep Beep Beep
And finally at 7.35am the third.
"Emma time to get up" her mother shouted upstairs, by now she was ready to get up and face the day. She sat up, rubbing her eyes and stretching, it didn't help when she opened her curtains, and she squinted at the sudden flash of sunlight.
She was looking forward to the fact that it was Thursday and that she would get a break after dinner at the coffee house.
Emma was in a cheerful mood and felt that today would be a good day.
She strolled over to her closet and picked out some dark blue plain boot leg jeans and a magenta pink top. She sat on her bed and brushed her long blonde locks into a ponytail, making sure every tendril was tucked away. She applied a small amount of foundation and concealer to cover a spot and took a quick glance in the mirror, before, suitably satisfied with her appearance, she went to head down stairs.
On the landing she passed her little brother Ross attempting to put his jumper on backwards, she smiled and bending down removed the jumper and putting it back on him the right way. She tucked his shirt into his pants and smiled at how cute he always looked.
"Thanks Emmy" he said, giving her a big smile before running off downstairs for breakfast.
The main task in the morning was to get the twins dressed, fed and ready to leave at 8.30am. This wasn't easy at all, as since starting Kindergarten the twins had insisted on trying to dress themselves. While Rachel realised this was an essential part of their development, she couldn't help but see it as a burden in the morning rush, as the twins took twice as long to get ready by themselves as they would have with help, and that didn't include time spent correcting clothes, such as back to front jumpers. Emma was always happy to help with this, as the twins didn't seem to mind a little help from her, while her mum cooked breakfast and made packed lunches.
At 8.30am exactly Rachel left the house, mouthing a "Thank you" to Emma as she made her way to the car, proud that she'd made it through yet another morning rush.
Emma and Ella were old enough and lived close enough to the school to walk. Nevertheless, they were always accompanied by their twin cousins, Erica and Jack Bing.
At 8.45am the four teens left for school. Ella chatted happily to Erica, Erica may have been shy in school, but when it came to family she felt a lot more confident and more sociable.
While Emma and Jack were talking, Emma noticed that Jack seemed a little distant today. She hoped he would confide in her, but as usual Erica did all the exposing.
"Jack, did you tell Emma about what happened?"
Jack suddenly went a bit stiff.
"What happened?" Emma asked, with a hint of concern in her voice
"It's nothing" Jack said, picking up the pace slightly and glaring at his twin sister as if to tell her, I told you to keep your mouth shut.
"Come on Jack" Erica loved tormenting her twin brother as he and Emma had when she was little, "it's not nothing" she smirked. "Well if you won't tell her then I..."
"Fine!" He said angry and exasperated he gave in "I'm grounded, ok" he snapped, and then looked at his sister
"Happy? I told her, ok"
"Tut tut Jack, it's a little more than that, isn't it, your grounded for 2 weeks with no gym privileges and mum has told you to stay away from her" she looked at Emma as she said the last part.
Jack was getting angry now "For the last time, it wasn't her fault!"
"That's not what mum said" Erica was loving this.
"I don't care what mum said" mum hates them remember?
Erica nodded; "Anyway you should tell her what happened, so it can be avoided next time".
Jack clenched and unclenched his fists, then looked at Emma who was looking a little timid and worried now. Jack saw this and relaxed and gave her an, its fine smile.
"What happened?" she asked, knowing he wouldn't react the same to her as he did to his sister.
"We had a sub teacher, they called him in at the last minute so I didn't know, so when I skipped class he saw me later that day and asked where I'd been. I tried to say I was ill, but he was having none of it, he said he was going to call my mum. I didn't think he would, but he did. Jack looked down sadly now. Mum was furious and demanded an explanation and of course I didn't have one, so she grounded me and warned me to stay away from you. She said if I ever skipped school again she'd send me to England".
Emma was a very understanding person; she put her arm around Jack and gave him an understanding look. Unfortunately this gesture of affection didn't go unnoticed as they were approaching the school.
"I'm sorry Jack" Emma said sincerely
"It's not your fault, its mine, for choosing to cut class, but in future I wont be able to as I don't want to risk being sent away".
Emma understood fully, "its fine, the last thing in the world I would want is for my best friend to be sent away to England".
"Friends?" Jack asked just to check.
"Best friends" Emma grinned back.
"And Jack?" Emma said as she went off to her locker, "Its only food remember" they both laughed and went their separate ways.
During 2nd period when Jack walked into Science class everyone in the class went silent and stared at him, this was extremely unusual behaviour. Everyone then started to whisper in the others ear. "That's him, he's sick" they whispered. Erica despite her morning argument with Jack was very concerned for her brother at this moment. She walked up to him and pushed him out the door. As Jack was pushed out he heard a boy shout "You going to date your sister now as well?" the class erupted into laughter.
Jack had never been more confused.
"Erica what's going on?"
"Jack its bad, real bad, someone's stated a rumour saying you're going out with Emma!".
Jack went silent, he didn't know what to say "...what...how...when?"
"This morning, apparently someone saw Emma put her arm around you and started this rumour. Everyone's saying it's sick and disgusting".
"But she's my cousin; we are just best friends nothing more".
"Exactly that's why they think it's sick, even though your not blood related they see it as if it's a form of incest".
"Oh my god!" Jack slumped down the wall and covered his face. "Things couldn't get any worse".
"You think?!" Erica stated
"But we've been friends for years and no one ever said anything?"
"Yeah, but Jack, come on, even you must have noticed in the last year you too have been inseparable, you blush every time I tease you about liking her. You two have even been more touchy lately. Jack, the whole world can see you like her and that she likes you. What you need to accept is that it is sick and you need to back off a bit and not go there. There are some things you just cannot have and she's one of them".
Jack knew his sister was right.
"I can't just stop spending time with her though, she's my best friend!".
"Well maybe you need to get some more friends Jack and not spend every lunch with her or touch her in public".
"I guess" Jack said exasperated, the thing was that Jack was perfectly happy just having a few minor friends and Emma.
"She's. Your. Cousin, don't forget that" Erica stated before she walked back into class.
Jack felt horrible. How was he supposed to tell his best friend that they needed to cool it a bit? Erica was right though he'd never admit it, he did like her and he did suspect she liked him. Erica had a point though, he shouldn't go there. It can only cause more trouble than its worth. He could kill the person who started this rumour. He had to talk to Emma. But was dreading it.
Jack took his usual seat in class, trying to avoid looking at anyone. When the Science teacher walked in she was accompanied by the principle and the substitute teacher who had rang Jacks mum on him.
"What's he doing here"? Jack asked his sister. He noticed the sub was staring at him.
The principle began to speak, "Now class, I will be quick as I know you're all eager to get back to learning".
The class gave a groan at this.
"I will let this man introduce himself".
"Class my name is, Mr. McLane and I will be taking over the permanent position as Home ect teacher, Mrs. Bakery has decided to work supply, to spend more time with her new born daughter and I have happily been accepted as her replacement. I only have two rules that I value, attendance and behaviour. Stick to those and you will stay on my good side".
"Well thank you Mr. McLane, thank you for allowing this intrusion Mrs. Hawthorn". At that the principle and Mr. McLane left.
Jack slumped his head on the desk; this day couldn't possibly get any worse.
At the same time, Emma was in Advanced Math class, one of her favourites, she sat happily doing equations when her one of her best friends Melody passed a note forwards to Emma's desk. She took it thinking it must be important as Melody and Emma loved this class and always worked hard with no interruptions.
Emma checked the teacher wasn't looking, but he was busy writing equations on the board, and then opened the note, it read;
Em-
Did you hear? There's a big rumour going round that you and Jack are dating.
Because you are so affectionate with him, I don't believe it, but maybe you should back off a little just to be safe.
Just thought you should know.
Mel-
Emma stared at the note, she couldn't believe what she was reading, she turned around to Melody, who mouthed, "sorry" to her. Emma turned back around and re-read the note just to make sure she had understood it. She started to wonder who could possibly start such a rumour. Sure she spent a lot of time with him, but they were best friends, Mel had a point though, in the last year they had spent a lot more time with each other than usual.
Emma never admitted it to anyone, not even Jack, but she did like him and if he wasn't her cousin she would have pursued it by now. He was though and she was sure he wouldn't reciprocate her feelings and would never want to date his cousin. But she didn't think others had noticed. She started to worry that if others had noticed, had Jack? She needed to speak to him, but in the mean time got back to work to distract her. It didn't work; she was distracted for the next half an hour and was so thankful that it was dinner when the bell rang.
Emma walked into the cafeteria and noticed people looking at her, it made her feel very uncomfortable. She hated having any sort of attention, positive or negative and was tempted to eat outside. She soon found Jack and Erica. Erica looked at Emma but didn't say anything; she just nudged Jack saying, "Go on".
"We need to talk" they both said together, that happy bouncy tone of friendship, seemed a million miles away at the moment.
"Yeah..." Jack said avoiding her gaze. This hurt Emma a lot; he can't even look at me she signed bowing her head and trying not to cry.
"Can we go somewhere private?" He asked her; already making his was to the cafeteria doors.
She managed a small "sure".
But as they left everyone started to speculate and gossip, inclining that they were going to make out or other more crude things. Ella and Erica were so embarrassed but both felt really bad for Jack and Emma.
When they were alone at a bench on the far point of the school grounds behind a wall, Jack sighed; this wasn't going to be easy. Emma sat down next to him, not daring to make eye contact or touch him.
"Emma I presume you know what's goin..." but he stopped mid sentence when he heard a soft whimper. His heart instantly broke.
"Oh Em, please don't cry" but Emma didn't look at him and continued to cry.
"Why are you upset?" he asked and instantly regretted it as it should have been obvious.
"You ...wont...even...look...at..me" she said between sniffles.
Jack felt horrible, she was right, no matter what happened he shouldn't have refused to face her. He had inadvertently made her feel like he was ashamed of her.
"I'm really sorry Em" he went to put his arm around her, he wanted nothing more than to pull her to him and let her cry on his shoulders, as he stroked her soft blonde hair. He was surprised when she shrugged him off.
She took a few deep breaths then began to speak, "Please don't touch me like that, that's what got us into this mess".
The words stung Jack terribly as he loved Emma's touch.
"Your right Em" Jack said bringing his hands back to his lap.
"Emma we have been too affectionate over the last year" Jack would never tell her he actually loved it and if anything, wanted more. "And now we have gone too far, people are gossiping, speculating and formulating what will happen next. They think it's sick."
Jack was going to regret his next sentence as even he didn't even believe what he was about to say.
"Well... maybe...there...right."
Emma went silent.
Her crying stopped and she just sat there. She couldn't believe he had just said that. And it proved her theory that he would never reciprocate her feelings.
"Emma?" Jack dared to ask.
Nothing.
Emma didn't know what to say. She didn't think there was anything left to say. She got up to leave but before she walked away she turned and looked at him. He looked devastated. But the look on her face, he would never forget, she looked furious and combined with her tear streaked face, his heart was breaking.
"I'm going home, good bye Jack and stay away from me".
Her words stung like a knife stabbing through his heart.
"Emma wait..." Jack shouted in a futile attempt as she walked away.
"Just forget it, you're right its sick!" She shouted back.
Jack knew how stubborn she was and knew better than to go after her, he hoped she would come around but he feared he had just lost his best friend.
Jack sat on the bench for the rest of lunch, crying a bit and thinking of her. He was soon joined by Erica and Ella who consoled him.
Emma walked home, trying to stifle her tears until she got back; she needed her mum now more than ever.
When she walked through the door Rachel, who had been reading a fashion magazine was amazed to see her eldest daughter back at 1pm. She would usually have been angry, but when she saw Emma's face she knew instantly that something was wrong. Emma closed the door and Rachel stood up and opened her arms. Emma ran straight into them. She let all her emotions run free and cried her eyes out. Rachel held her and stroked her hair like she had done when she was a child trying to console her 15 year old daughter. When Emma had calmed down enough to speak she said the words Rachel knew she would hear one day, "I love Jack mum". Rachel knew instantly the Jack she was referring to. Emma knew her mum wouldn't judge her and always felt she could confide in her.
"Does he feel the same way?" She asked.
"I don't know, during this last year we've been naturally getting closer and now everyone has noticed and started a rumour at school, Jack said he agreed with everyone that it was sick. Do you think he really feels that way?" She looked up at her mum, if anyone knew about tough love and hardships it was her.
"Honestly? No, I think it's just an act, because he's too worried about what other people think, but that's men for yah, he will come round one day". Emma smiled at this. "But I will tell you one thing Emma, you can't choose your lobster, they choose you, and if you two decide to date, a lot more people are going to talk, you will have to be strong and believe in your love and not care what others think". Emma felt slightly better now.
"Thanks mum, I love you" she said hugging Rachel
"I love you too dear, And Emma?"
"Yeah?"
"If school calls, I'll tell them you're sick" Rachel said winking at her, "You go rest your head, I presume you've had no lunch?"
Emma shook her head; "I'll make you some orzo risotto then"
Emma smiled, it was her favourite.
That night Emma was writing in her diary about possibly the worst day of her teenage life when she heard a faint knock on her bedroom window. She knew who it was and went over to the window, she saw him on the ladder below, but she wasn't ready to talk to him. Not yet, so she closed the curtains and went to bed.
Chapter 3: Girl's Day Out
