PART 5
LIKE WE USED TO BE
Sean was holding Baby Jack and tickling him. The baby grinned and laughed and Emma couldn't help, but to smile at Sean in open admiration.
[i]He knows more about babies than he lets on,[/i] Emma thought as she pushed the stroller.
Emma: So. . . like, for the project, what are we supposed to do for living arrangements? An apartment or house?
Sean: Definitely a house. Who wants to live in an apartment?
Emma: I completely agree. Finally, something that we can both agree on. (She gave the tiniest hint of a smile and Sean looked at her and smiled at her. When he looked at her, Emma quickly looked away.)
They continued to walk in silence and Sean continued to play and make funny faces at Baby Jack. Emma pushed the stroller with one hand and held the packet of papers with the other. Suddenly, a gush of wind swooped down on them and the packet of papers flew out of her hands and onto the ground. Furiously, Emma bent down and started picking up the papers and Sean put Baby Jack on the sidewalk and started helping Emma. There was one piece of paper between them and when they both moved to get it, their hands met briefly. Emma's hand unwillingly lingered on top of Sean's longer than she wanted to. They looked up at each other and held each others gaze for a long while, but then Emma removed her hand.
Emma: Um. . . thanks for helping with the papers.
Sean: (shuffled around a bit) Yeah, um, no problem.
Emma: C'mon, Baby Jack, (she said, trying to link hands with Baby Jack, but then he started crying again. With all the papers in her hands, it was hard for her to pick him up.)
Sean: Here, I got it.
(He said as he swooped Baby Jack in his arms and shooed him quietly. To Emma's growing surprise, her baby brother quieted down, and she looked less than happy.)
When they walked into the house, Sean pulled the stroller into the house and then followed Emma into the living room.
Mrs. Nelson: Have fun?
(Emma and Sean looked at each other and shrugged.)
Sean: Ah, sure. I'd better go.
Mrs. Nelson: Thanks for helping with Baby Jack, Sean. You were really good with him. And good luck with you guys project.
Sean: (cracks a smile) Thanks.
(He stands there uncomfortably, wondering if he should let himself out. Emma purposely looks in the other direction. Her mom nudged her.)
Mrs. Nelson: Emma, don't be rude. Show him to the door.
(Sean put his hands in his pockets as Emma grudgingly stood up. They walked to the door in silence and then stood on the porch. Emma crossed her arms and Sean looked around uncomfortably.)
Emma: (meanly) Well, bye!
Sean: Wait! (Emma looked shocked and even Sean looked shocked at himself.) I mean, um, when are we going to finish the project? Tomorrow?
Emma: No.
Sean: Okay, then when?
Emma: Why do you care? It's not like you'd wanna be married to me anyways? Besides don't you have more stuff to steal around school.
Sean: Oh, don't even start with me. I (he worked hard to keep his temper in tact.) Look, I just do, okay? (he said lamely) I need to get good grades to keep up my student welfare.
Emma: Student wel - (She abruptly stopped. Although she was curious about what he was talking about, she dind't want to give in to Sean's charm. She shook the feeling off, mad at herself for admitting that Sean still HAD a charm over her.) Well, then good luck.
(And she walked back into her house, leaving Sean on her front porch by himself. Rolling his eyes, he started walking home, his bear arms twigging in the semi-warm air)
Mrs. Nelson: Emma! Oh dear, is Sean gone yet?
Emma: Why?
Nrs. Nelson: (she held up his neatly folded hoodie) He forgot his sweatshirt. Here, go run it to him!
(Emma snatched the hoodie from her mother and ran out of the door.)
Emma: Sean! Sean! (she urgently called)
Sean: Come to apologize?
Emma: (taken aback) Apologize? You should be apologizing to me for -
Sean: For what?
Emma: (she looked into his eyes and saw the tiniest glimmer of sincerity) Nothing. Look, here's your hoodie my mom washed for you. You left it behind.
Sean: Um, thanks for bringing it to me.
Emma: Yeah. (Noticing a hair or something on his face) Umm. . .
Sean: What?
Emma: You have something on your face. (Sean tried to wipe it off, but he misses it)
Emma: (against her better judgment) Here, let me. (She softly touched his face and removed the hair. Her hand lingered there and she didn't know why. Sean noticed it, but did nothing to remove it as he was reminded of all the thing he liked about her - her warm attitude, her smell. Likewise, Emma was reminded of Sean showing her the fun side to life. Sean put his hand over Emma's and the two of them stared into each others eyes. Sean leaned in slowly as though he was about to kiss her, but Emma pulled away.)
Sean: Emma, I -
Emma: I should go.
And she turned away and walked slowly to her house, wishing that she'd done nothing of the sort.
