A/N: Hi guys, hows everyone coping? I've been really struggling to write recently, so I'm very glad I've written so many chapters ahead. Thank you so much to SPQR-Alan and gutzwillriley for reviewing, it means the world hearing that you guys like it. I never thought anything I wrote could do so well, and I'm really in shock how many of you like it. You're all the best! Thank you ~ Emma
"You better have good news, I told Niomi I didn't want dessert just so I could catch you alone." Liam dropped his tray down on an empty table, eagerness written in his eyes.
Rory followed suit, looking over his shoulder to see where Emma and Niomi were queuing for some chocolate pudding, laughing as they talked. He couldn't help feeling a little proud of her—making friends outside of her books. "News about what?"
"Aw come on, don't keep me in such suspense!" Liam gripped his hands into fists for dramatic effect. "The only time you were even seen after you two went outside was when you left in a cab, and I quote, 'looking really damned pleased' with yourself."
Rory ran his tongue across his teeth in a failed attempt at stopping the smug expression that must have covered his face.
"You did it didn't you?" Liam leaned over the table, eyes wide and mouth agape. "You two totally hooked up!"
"We made out, we did not hook up." Rory caught himself, realising it was the first time in his life that he'd made an effort to clarify. He'd never lied to his friends about what he's done with girls, but maybe sometimes he'd let them think it had been more than it was. It wasn't about that with Emma, it never had been and he wasn't going to pretend that it was.
"Same difference isn't it?" Liam said, chucking a chip into his mouth.
Rory laughed. Of course Liam wouldn't think hooking up involved sleeping together. "Depends where you're from, I guess."
Niomi and Emma's voices started to fade back into hearing range as they came over. Liam dropped the subject and went quiet. Not suspicious at all.
"How can you not like movies?" Naomi said, carrying on their conversation—clearly not noticing Liam's shifty behaviour.
Emma shrugged. "They have a long history of doing books a great injustice. Besides, they're always so predictable. There's no time for misdirection."
"So I'm guessing a movie double date is off the cards." Niomi cast her a sideways glance as Emma choked on her water.
"Alright, we've not even been on a date yet, let's slow down." Rory chuckled, passing Emma a paper napkin. She looked so sweet when she blushed.
"You never told me I had to leave the house more as part of this 'relationship' arrangement," Emma said with a small smile. "I thought it just meant less time doing work and more time binge watching TV shows."
"Speaking of which, Liam and I are training tonight, am I still gonna drop you home after?" Rory asked. He'd been so tempted to just skip the whole thing and spend time with her, but he couldn't let his swimming slip.
"We could go to the library and do some homework until they're done?" Niomi suggested, turning to Emma.
"I can't, sorry, I'm visiting my mum today." Emma tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He tried not to let his disappointment show.
Of course seeing her mom was more important than spending time with him, but after waiting so long every moment with her felt rare and precious. "You want a lift?"
"No, I can take the subway, I wouldn't want to interrupt you guys."
"I've got a meeting with Mr Bloffis after school anyway." Liam piped up, though Rory was unconvinced by his claim. "You wouldn't be holding us up."
"Okay, yeah a lift sounds good. Thank you." A polite smile shone on her lips. What a shame he wouldn't get to kiss them until later.
Everyone seemed to want to get away from school. It was Monday after all, but Emma hadn't quite expected so many people to be rushing past her. She kept looking around for Rory but she couldn't see him in the crowd. As she made her way to his car she felt someone grab her hand. Her hand shot to her necklace, but once she saw the ocean blue eyes filled with mischief she just glared at him.
"You know, sneaking up on your demigod girlfriend is a good way to get yourself killed."
Rory only smiled at her. "It's all worth it just to hear you call yourself my girlfriend."
"Urgh." She screwed up her face. "Are you a New York pizza, because you're so cheesy it's disgusting."
His laugh was warm and light, like a summer's day in England. She couldn't help but smile back.
"Damn, I was gonna suggest ordering some this evening to accompany the physics homework we didn't do yesterday."
"Shit! I forgot my textbook." She smacked her palm against her forehead. Of all the days, it would be the one where she'd hold Rory up. "I'm so sorry, would you mind waiting? I'll be two seconds I promise."
"No sweat, I'll meet you at the car."
She bolted for her locker, trying to squeeze through the river of people who wanted to get out. After a few corridors the school was practically deserted, making it easy to dip around corners and reach her locker. As she approached the right hall she stopped dead in her tracks.
"God you're so bipolar! You shout at me for flowers I didn't send and now you're pissed I've not been chasing after you?"
She'd know Austin's voice anywhere. Judging by his tone and words, she guessed that he was alone with Betty and that was not a conversation she wanted to interrupt. She moved to the corner, feeling a sense of deja vu. It was the exact spot she'd watched them fight over the flowers from. She knew she should just go and leave the damned textbook, but something kept her locked in place.
"I don't care about the flowers, Austin, I care about you!" Betty shouted. Not shrieked or squealed like she normally did. No, this was real emotion.
"You just want to make sure you've got someone to go to Winter Formal with." Austin crossed his arms over his chest. "That's all this is. You just want to protect your image. God, you're such a narcissist."
"Wow, didn't know you knew such big words." The hurt was clear in her voice. "Here's another one for you; asshole."
"Here we go again, back and forth as always." Austin sighed.
"Then say it. Say you don't want to be with me. Say you never did. Say it was all for show." Betty's voice cracked. She must have been on the verge of tears.
"I could date anyone in this school. I proved that by dating Emma. If I didn't want to date you, I wouldn't have even bothered with you."
Emma felt a hot flush of anger rise to her cheeks. Of course that all she was to him. Another trophy in his cabinet.
"Then be with me. Be my boyfriend again. I don't want to play games, I want to be with you." Betty's pleading made Emma's heart sink. The way she let him talk to her was awful.
"Do you? Do you ever actually know what you want?" Austin shot back. "You say you want me, then you're chasing after McKenzie because he's the shiny new kid. Because everyone fucking wants McKenzie."
Emma bite her lower lip hard at the mention of Rory. Better that then go and break Austins nose.
Betty became quiet. "Everyone including Emma? You can brag about how you dated her and then dumped her, but I know the truth. Is that what this is about, that you still want her?"
Yup, she should go. She should really go. This wasn't just being a fly on the wall. This was eavesdropping. She knew it was wrong and yet her anger tied her to the spot.
"If I say no will you stop begging for me back like a hopeless wreck?" Austin's voice was cold in a way that sent shivers down Emma's spine. "I mean at least be honest, you only started to miss me when I started to date her."
"She's not right for you and you know it! She's a freak." Ouch. Emma bit back a low laugh at the word that used to hurt her so much. Now it was merely a joke. Not that Betty knew that. "I've been there for you whenever you needed me. I've always wanted you. But yeah, sometimes I have to distract myself when you decide you want to be single for a while. I have to do something while I wait for you to call me back. But when you do, I can't stay away because I need you. I love you."
Alright, definitely time to go. She spun on her heel and started to walk away as quietly as possible, her anger dissipating in her pity for the other girl.
"I know your parents' relationship is fucked up, but you don't love me." Emma wanted to close her ears. She was moving quickly, but a voice travelled far down empty halls. She hated hearing Austin rip Betty into pieces the same way he could so easily have done to her. She never thought she'd pity the other girl as much as she did then. "Fine. We can give this one more shot, but if you're gonna act all crazy again, I swear this is over for good."
His last words were barely audible as she turned around the final corridor and sprinted to the doors.
~l~l~
It was strange to pull up to the care home in a car. She only ever walked. With Bahram on the rise, Emma had been seeing her mum less—only once a week or so—though she'd be lying if she said it wasn't also because of Rory. The thought sent a streak of guilt through her.
Rory turned the engine off. "When should I pick you up?"
"Don't worry about it, honestly." She shook her head. "I'll text you when I'm home."
She reached for the car door, but a hand on her arm stopped her.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
She grinned and rolled her eyes, leaning over to press her lips against his. Such a simple gesture and yet her heart still fluttered. "Better?"
"Much." He smiled his classic arrogant smile. If she didn't have somewhere to be she'd have wiped it off with another kiss.
"Thanks for the lift." She swung the door open and climbed out. "See you later."
"You too," he called, as she shut it.
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder as she watched him drive off, her heart swelling. It still didn't feel real.
Once he was out of view she turned and jogged in.
The care home smell hit her nose as she spotted Anna at the reception desk. Anna had always been one of her favourite carers. With her chocolate coloured skin and a warming presence, Anna was one of those people who did everything they could to make you feel at home.
"Hello Emma." Smile lines crinkled around Anna's dark brown eyes. "How was your weekend."
"It was good, thanks. Went to a halloween party on Friday." Emma couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"No alcohol there I hope." Anna winked at her.
"Alcohol? What's that?"
Anna passed her the sign in sheet and Emma scribbled her details down as she'd done a hundred times before. As she went to write her name she froze looking at the line above. Thomas Peterson. She tried to swallow the hard lump in her throat as her mouth went dry.
"Everything alright, sweaty?" At the sound of Anna's concerned voice, Emma regained her composure.
"Urr, yeah. Sorry." She shook her head as she finished filling out the book. "Lost in thought."
"Well your mom was in for a shower, but she should only be a few more moments." Anna smiled warmly as Emma passed the sheet back. "Feel free to wait in her room."
Emma nodded before turning and walking down the hall. Once out of sight she paused, closing her eyes and preparing herself. She could do this. She cursed herself for not hearing alarm bells when her mum had asked to see her on a certain day, she never did that.
Emma took a deep breath and slowly walked the rest of the way. Maybe if she was slow enough her mum would be done before she got there, but when she turned into the room her heart sunk in her chest.
"Finally." He sat in an armchair by the window and folded his newspaper. "You took your time."
"I didn't know you'd be here." Such a stupid, nonsensical response.
His face told her as much, each feature laced with disgust. "That's no way to greet your father, now is it?"