The final two days of the holiday were spent taking shots at deciphering Alyssa's mood swings.
"What the hell is wrong with her? Did you say something to piss her off?" Maero asked frantically and stared at his sister from the doorway. "ME? I didn't say a word to her. She wouldn't speak to me at all after the derby. She's been a mess like this ever since. I've tried speaking to her, but she's like a rock, she ain't crackin' for anyone!" Emmalyn came back, nudging Maero. "Well, whatever the problem is, it involves Matt and I pity you." He told her. Emmalyn groaned audibly, "I love Alyssa, but I won't be able to have a wink of sleep if this keeps up."
"That's your problem. Not mine and I wish you luck with that." Maero stated, gently pushing Emmalyn towards the Swindle. "It's your sister!" she mouthed back at him. She was truly dreading the ride back to Stilwater University. When Alyssa was in a cheerful mood, her driving was far from harmless, Emmalyn was not going to discover what it would be in other emotional conditions. "Hey, 'Lyssa, how about I drive. You look tired." She suggested, praying that her friend would agree. Without a word she handed over the keys and clambered to the passenger's side. Emmalyn sighed quietly, relieved that her life had a greater chance of being spared.
The car ride was filled with silence. Alyssa was quietly sobbing; her eyes were blood shot red. "Sweetie, it's going to get better. I promise." She weakly assured as they retreated from the Swindle. She had no idea what put Alyssa in this mood. Alyssa sniffled loudly and Emmalyn did not know if this was a response or if she was ignoring her cliché words of comfort.
The very second the girls entered their dorm; Alyssa whizzed past Emmalyn and dashed to the bathroom literally in a state of panic. "Alyssa, you need to tell me what's wrong with you." Emmalyn shouted at the bathroom door. She was above aggravated. A minute passed before she heard the toilet flush and Alyssa emerge, she appeared somewhat better. "Alyssa, what the hell is wrong with you? Can it be that bad?" she griped, sauntering after her friend into her bedroom. Her words fell on deaf ears. Alyssa began to unpack as if Emmalyn wasn't in the room. "Fine! Whatever. Talk to me when you feel the need." She threw her hands up in frustration and began to leave Alyssa's room.
"Wait!" Alyssa squealed and Emmalyn paused right at the threshold. She was twirling with her thumbs frenetically, making Emmalyn anxious. "Matt... he left me Saturday night." She spoke weakly. Her voice was desperately hoarse. Emmalyn's stiff stature waned and she ran over to Alyssa, embracing her tightly. "I'm confused. I thought you two were getting on really well. Why would he do a thing like that?" she interrogated and brushed hair from her friend's face. Alyssa struggled to find the correct words. "He walked out on me, because…," her voice faded." Emmalyn tilted her head closer, "Because of what?" "I'm two and half months pregnant. He wasn't ready for fatherhood. We had a fight and he walked out."
Emmalyn froze on the bed. The first thought to her mind was Maero's reaction. "Have you talked to him since?" she questioned. Alyssa nodded, "I don't even want to see his face." "You know Maero's going to have a conniption!" she reminded. "I know! I know! But he won't do anything 'till I say so and besides, I'm keeping hope that he'll come 'round." Alyssa sighed and cried even harder. Emmalyn hugged her, "I hope Matt comes to his senses."
The hum of a tattoo gun bounced from the warehouse walls. The two men sat on their respective chairs, all was quiet. The piercing of the needle somehow calmed Maero, usually making him erotically drowsy. However, this particular night he was more than alert. "Whatever you're running from, I suggest you stop." His low voice booming. Matt stopped briefly and glimpsed up, "Huh? What are you talkin' about?" he reacted. He was obviously caught off guard. "I'm talking about the issue that you're running from. I know you Matt. You can't run for long and whatever the situation is, you won't be able to hide for long." He warned.
Maero frankly did not know what was occurring in his midst, but he did know when Matt was skirting around an issue. "Yeah, you're right." He concurred, continuing etching the ink into Maero's skin.
The passing week felt as an eternity and astonishingly, there was an awkward stress between Alyssa and her. "You have to tell Maero. That's if he doesn't already know." She pleaded that Friday afternoon. "Not yet Emma, he's busy recruiting and tightening up the patrol. The Ronin are still starting little squabbles."Alyssa lazily responded, lying on her bed. Emmalyn scanned her friend, her lower abdomen beginning to protrude ever so slightly. She knew it wasn't long before her tiny frame wasn't able to conceal its latest project.
"I'll tell him. Now stop your worrying, please." Alyssa begged, her fingers tracing her abdomen. She slumped in the chair as she was truly unable not to worry, however persuading Alyssa to tell Maero was tiring at best. The duo sat silently in their positions, it was the first time that Alyssa had ever stayed over the weekend.
Emmalyn's ears perked at the sound of heavy footsteps entering the front room. There was only one other person that had such access of ease into their dwelling. "I'm going to leave you two now." Emmalyn announced, curtly exiting and passing by Matt, whose appearance was browbeaten. She nodded in acknowledgement, quickly shuffling to her room and shutting the door. She could hear muffled voices snapping back at one another in the other room.
"I'm sorry! I know that doesn't make the situation better, but it's a start. I know I fucked up. Just talk to me." Matt pleaded. Alyssa was silent. "You wanted me to leave you alone, and I did." Was her reply. Matt was huffing heavily, becoming frustrated with Alyssa's stubborn stance. "I don't. If I truly did, don't you think I wouldn't have come here? Please, 'Lyssa you know that I love you and to be honest I'm afraid of fatherhood, but I can't just ignore it." The entire room became deafening. The silence was immediately broken with the sounds of two pairs of shuffling boots. The sounds trailed into the living room, followed by the door opening and shutting. Emmalyn was completely alone.