Their time on the couch was the first time they had explored each other's mouths to such an extent, a few breaks were needed to separate their intimacy. Despite sore and numb lips and loss of breath, they continued unrelentingly, disregarding any source of reality around them. However, they both jumped at the sound of the front door slamming shut.
Norma leapt from the couch, straightening out her dress. She strode over to see who had come in. At the same time, Alex's phone rang, conveniently getting him out of any family situation. He fled to the kitchen to answer his call, murmuring in a low hum.
To Norma's surprise, Dylan and Emma stood at the front door, beaming at her, bags in hands. They were glowing, unusually perky. Dylan was smiling; Emma had her arm tightly around his waist. It was a rare sight to see them both so radiant, and in a way, she could relate on some level. However, she wanted to keep her relationship with Alex on the backburner, to keep it to themselves for now.
"Hey! How was the trip to…?" Norma greeted lightly, not even knowing the details of their trip. They hadn't called, written, emailed, anything. It had been about a week. But her stomach knotted, knowing that they probably wanted a break from her and White Pine Bay in general. Dylan slipped off his jacket, revealing his turtleneck sweater. The turtleneck symbolized the whole situation, which was now becoming blatantly obvious. They hadn't really announced their getting together, but they didn't really have to. Dylan cleared his throat as they all moved to the living room.
"Well, we drove up to Portland," Dylan explained, awaiting Norma's reaction. The three sat down on the couch, feeling oddly formal. But Norma hugged Emma and further questioned Dylan with such enthusiasm, he laughed softly and rubbed his temple.
Alex appeared from the kitchen and joined them in the living room. Norma sprang up to stand with him. Alex cleared his throat awkwardly and tucked his phone into his pocket. "I'm needed at the station," he informed her, lowering his voice to an almost incomprehensible level. He leaned slightly forward to whisper in her ear, disregarding Dylan and Emma that watched intently and perplexedly on the couch.
"It's Bob. He's been found in the harbor. They want me over there in 15." They're eyes met in a horrific understanding. "I've got to go, but I'll see later maybe?" His voice broke sweetly, and he avoided her eyes at all costs. Norma grinned and folded her arms self-consciously. She had no idea why she was shying away. They had just spent so much time together, and she was acting as though they had just met.
"Yeah. See you soon." Alex took this as his sign to leave, and hurried out the door. As soon as the door shut, Norma slowly whirled around on her heels to face Dylan and Emma who sat bemusedly, eyeing her with suspicion and amusement. Emma giggled to herself. Dylan smiled in reaction, brushing a strand of hair gently out of her face.
"What's so hilarious?" Norma snapped. She was embarrassed. Not of him, but that they had found out before she had time to tell them first. They were obviously making some assumptions and inferences about what he was doing here. But Norma was always very open about her relationships. Maybe I can lie my way out of this questioning period, she thought.
"Why was the Sheriff here?" Emma interrogated, all with a giddy smile on her face. Norms exhaled deeply while formulating the best answer she could put together.
"He-he, well, there was a strange noise coming from somewhere in the house. I was alone and paranoid, so I called Alex over to investigate," she fibbed. Despite her lie being flawlessly executed, Emma and Dylan shared a knowing look.
"Did he find out what it was?" Dylan asked, trying to hold back his smile, which was playing across his lips.
"No, as a matter of fact he didn't. It's a mystery. I can't figure out what it could have been," Norma retorted innocuously, running a hand through her hair nervously. She coyly made eye contact with Dylan, who stood up to stand in front of her.
"Normally I'd commend you on your amazing ability to lie, but I can see right through it this time," Dylan chuckled.
"How could you tell?" She sighed.
Emma then stood next to Dylan, smiling widely. "It's in the eyes. We could just tell." Norma threw her hands up in the air.
"But it's not a big deal right now, okay? We're getting to know one another. We've gone on one or two dates. Nothing serious."
"Okay, as much as I'd love to talk about my mom's love life, I've got to pick up a few things and get some gas. Want anything?" He turned to Emma and licked his lips.
"No, no, I'm good," Emma replied. After Dylan had left, Emma and Norma dropped back onto the couch.
"So how long has it been going on?" Emma pried, propping her chin on her hand. Norma knew she was eagerly in wait of details. Although her and Emma had grown closer over the past year, she wasn't ready to divulge any personal details. That wasn't the nature of her relationship with Alex. He was nothing like George or Shelby. He was very, very different.
"About a week. He's a decent guy. I'm not used to that, it scares me almost."
"It scares you?"
"I mean, I don't want to mess anything up."
"Yeah, but who does?"
"I just feel like we're still at that stage where we're unsure. I'm not sure if I'm ready for commitment of any kind, and he's not sure if he wants to… God, it's so frustrating. You think it gets easier when you're older, but let me tell you, it doesn't." Norma rested her head back on the couch, pouting like a child.
Emma smiled sadly to herself, and then perked up. "Personally, I think you should ask him out. Make an effort on your part and just do something fun." Norma rolled her eyes.
"Maybe if he didn't keep everything to himself, I'd know what he likes."
"You don't need to know. Just guess and go for something regular."
Norma snorted at that and stood up. "Thanks for the advice Emma. But could you just ask Dylan what he likes? Maybe get back to me so I can get some ideas?" Her face brightened red. Take pointers from Dylan? How was Alex having this effect on her? She felt inexperienced, and perhaps she was. Her musing was interrupted by a text from Dylan. She unlocked her phone as she headed toward the kitchen, reading and re-reading the message just to make sure she had read it properly.
You have to come to the gas station right now. An ambulance is coming but you need to get over here. Hurry.
Please review what you hope to see next! I already have a storyline regarding the text message to Norma, but tell me what you think about Normero. A double date with Emma and Dylan? Or maybe a steamier scene? Let me know! Your input matters.