Chapter 24: Consequences

Ethan kept glancing at the front door of the school, waiting for Laurel to arrive. Ever since Sutton got back to town it seemed like Emma was avoiding him. It had only been two days, but in all of their video chats and phone calls, she'd seemed distracted. He'd been understanding. She'd been through a lot in the past few days, but he felt like there was more to it than just the tornado that was Sutton. Emma seemed to be pushing him away again, and he couldn't understand why.

Moments later, Laurel rushed through the door, probably looking for Justin. Ethan knew he had a narrow window, so as she passed he caught her by the arm.

"Hey," she exclaimed. When she realized who it was she relaxed a little, "Oh Ethan. What's up?"

"How's everything at home? Are they still getting along?"

"Better than Sutton and I ever did," Laurel answered, "Doesn't she tell you all of this?"

"She's not a very open person," Ethan explained, "And for the past couple days it's almost like she's avoiding me. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."

"You do realize that most of their animosity toward each other stems from what happened while she was gone, right? You kissed her at Homecoming."

"And she orchestrated a whole devious plan to hurt her for it," Ethan explained.

"Exactly," Laurel said pointedly, "she wasn't mad about Homecoming Queen or that she was better liked. She was mad that she took you away from her. One of the few people in her life who hadn't let her down stole her boyfriend. You and I both know that she is very good at getting what she wants and she's even better at keeping it. When she couldn't have you, she lost it."

"Did they tell you all of this?"

"They didn't have to," Laurel explained, "Sutton's my sister. I know exactly what makes her tick. When she told me that she wanted revenge and then I found out about you and her, it didn't take a lot of brain power to figure out where it had all started."

"So why are they okay now? I mean, we didn't break up."

"My guess is that she apologized and from what I heard through the door to her room last night, Sutton realized that she never loved you the way she does. Look Ethan, I'm sure she will talk to you as soon as she can. Last night she got a call from her social worker and then she had a stand off with my dad. By about 8 o' clock she was drained. If you want me to when I get home I'll tell her to call you."

"Thanks Laurel," Ethan said.

Kristin sat next to Emma as her new social worker stared in awe at the story Emma just told, "You took her place so she could follow a lead on your birth mother, while you were running from Nevada police."

"It wasn't my finest moment," Emma admitted, "but all of the charges were dropped and she's back safe and sound."

"What about your knee? I assume that happened while you were pretending to be her."

Emma nodded. Kristin was worried about that aspect of it. How were they going to explain to the hospital what had happened? How were they going to prevent fraud charges? Kristin only had one saving grace on that note.

"My husband works at the hospital where she was treated. He might be able to dissuade them from making a big deal."

"When was the injury?"

"Four days ago," Kristin responded.

"Well then we might be able to fix this. What exactly did you do to your knee?"

"I tore my ACL playing tennis," Emma responded.

"So the visit was a necessary visit," the social worker inferred, "Did you have any follow-ups?"

"I had a consult with an orthopedic surgeon the next day. He told me I needed surgery."

"Alright," the social worker responded, "this is all very good. The fact is that medicaid will probably cover the costs for her. We just have to figure out how to transfer the claim to them instead of your insurance."

"So I won't face fraud charges," Emma clarified.

"Hopefully not. Besides the recent run-in with the law your records clean. I'll do my best to keep that from happening. Now moving on, we need to get you placed in a home. I assume besides her twin sister there are still no living relatives."

Emma didn't answer right away. Kristin knew that she'd spoken to Annie on the porch that morning. She assumed Emma knew about Annie, so why wasn't she saying anything? Emma finally sighed and answered, "That is correct."

"Alright. And you have been staying at the Mercer's for the past few weeks."

"Yes," Emma answered sounding a little sad that it was coming to an end. Kristin was sad too. She liked having Emma in the house. She had liked getting to know Emma. She couldn't believe that was about to change.

"As you probably know by now, Emma, it takes a little time to place you in a new home. If the Mercers are okay with it, I'll allow you to stay with them one more night while I find you an official home."

"Really?"

"It's not exactly protocol, but you have been living with them for a few weeks now and you seem to be okay. One more night isn't gonna hurt anyone. Besides, it'll give me time to find you a good home in the area."

Kristin saw the smile light up Emma's face. Things were looking up for her finally, and Kristin was glad that it was working out that way. Emma had been dealt such a bad hand that it was nice to see her get a good one for once.

"Now we have to talk about enrolling you in Arroyo, correct?"

"I guess that's the other complicated subject, isn't it?"

"Yes. You see, technically what you and Sutton did was plagiarism and I'm pretty sure the school is not gonna be happy about that. How do you pose we fix this one?"

"I don't know," Emma responded, "We weren't trying to cause all of these problems. They just sort of happened."

"I know, but you and Sutton are gonna have to face the consequences of those decisions. Now I've spoken to the principal at Arroyo. I told him that there is a new student, Emma Becker, that needs to be enrolled in Arroyo and that she needs to meet with him personally. He can meet with you this afternoon. My suggestion is that you and your sister walk in there and accept whatever punishment he decides to give you. Okay?"

Emma looked scared. She looked like a little kid who'd just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She had made some major mistakes recently and she was now going to have to face them. Both her and Sutton were about to face the music and Kristin knew it wouldn't be pretty. Finally Emma nodded her head and answered, "Okay."

"She asked to speak with Emma...alone," Alec heard Ted explain.

"Didn't Emma tell you guys what she said?"

"Emma and I aren't exactly on speaking terms and Kristin didn't ask."

"What about Sutton?"

"She went racing down the hallway when she found out it was Annie outside. When she came back Emma and her were arm and arm smiling with each other."

"So you have no idea what happened on your front steps," Alec clarified.

"I only know that Annie was gonna ask Emma if she wanted to live with her," Ted explained, "but I don't know whether she asked and if she did what Emma's answer was."

"It's okay Ted," Alec pacified, "Look Annie said she wouldn't say anything. We gave her what she wanted, so she'll give us what we want. All you need to do now is make nice with Emma. Try to get on her side. Get her to trust you again."

"I don't think it's that easy," Ted stated, "Your doubts made me the bad guy with everyone. I don't know if Sutton even trusts me anymore."

"You and Sutton have always been close. I'm sure one lapse in judgement won't change 17 years of bonding."

"So you just want me to befriend Emma and hope that it will get Sutton back on my side as well."

"We need them against Annie. If you can get them back on your side you will have more leverage with them if Annie decides to spill. Ted, this has stayed buried for 17 years. I refuse to let all of our hard work go to waste."