Chapter 7: Emily

Emily sat under the tree, away from everyone who crashed and now Emily is more angry than embarrassed. Not to mention she didn't even call Ben about their anniversary night. There was so much going on, she completely forgot about Ben. And once Emily remembered, she tried to call him multiple times, but Alison is notorious for giving off the death stare. She is too scared to rock the boat because this was a life-time opportunity that a normal girl, like her, doesn't get to have. It wasn't like she had choice either.

She continued to sit in the cold breeze and flashbacked to the very first day she met Ben. They've known each other for years because of swimming camp, but never really got to know each other until 6 months ago when they shared their first kiss. It was so sudden. They were talking about the Olympics going to be in Beijing and Michael Philips was a shoe in for the gold medal. Ben disagreed and said some other guy that Emily couldn't remember. One thing led to another and before they know they were arguing about who is going to win next year's Olympics.

It was dark outside and everyone was still eating, having a good time after a long day's hard work. Emily was getting really upset and she pushed Ben. He let out a small sigh as he pushed her back, this time a little bit too hard. He didn't mean to push her that hard, but it was too late. Emily pushed him to the ground so hard, she lost her balance and she fell on top of him. Emily had never been this close to a guy and she always imagined her encounter with a guy would be a little different.

They looked at each other's eyes and she saw a different side of Ben that she never seen before, a vulnerable, sensitive side that attracted Emily almost immediately. She kissed him gently on the mouth and he kissed her back as some inter-galactic force coming from the starry sky, suddenly was going up and down her spine and her whole body trembling. Their little encounter was rudely interrupted when it suddenly started pouring rain outside and they both ran inside, this time holding hands.

Back to reality, there's this sudden fury that Emily has and she needs to take it out on Alison. With one big sigh, Emily finally got up from her safe rendezvous when a mysterious figure stood behind and scared her out her bathing suit. No really, the top of her bathing suit is missing. When she turned around, she saw Ben smiling and holding her top as Emily's cupcakes were exposed to the world. She was infuriated and grabbed it out of his hand as she quickly put it on before anyone could see.

The cold, chilly early November night finally caught up to Emily and without realizing it, her whole body starts to shiver. Ben stopped smiling for a moment as he took off his jacket and wrapped it around Emily's timid body. He hugged her tight once realizing that his jacket wasn't enough; he kissed her on top of her forehead and they both kind of just look back at the craziness of the party crashers. Emily relaxed more and she couldn't feel her legs anymore, so they sat down on rocks nearby.

She leaned in towards him and grabbed his right hand tightly; still shaking from the cold. "Ben I'm really sorry that I never called," Emily said as a tear was strolling down her cheek. "I mean everything that had happened I just never had the time, and with Alison giving me these If-you-even-glance-at-you-phone-I'm-going-to-kill-you stares…I'm just really sorry!"

Ben started laughing like it was some kind of joke to him, "I understand and forgive you. Sometimes you can't win with that conniving bitch breathing down your neck." He took a sip of his beer that Emily didn't notice before. Her mouth went dry and it was if Ben just punched Emily in the stomach with those words that she never wished on anyone else.

"What did you just say?" Emily let go of his hand and turned her body away from him.

"Look, I didn't mean to call her a bitch, but I call it as I see it. She's very conniving and manipulating. I'm just telling you to be careful. You and your loser friends aren't that smart to notice that, get out while you can," He laughed out loud and slapped his knee as if what he said was the most hilarious thing in the world, obviously not.

"Don't say that about Alison, she's really not like that at all. I've seen a different side of her, a side that you don't know at all," Emily exclaimed and got up from the rock. Alison was talking on the phone when she noticed that Ben, whom she did not invite, was arguing with Emily. "I hate it when you drink; you turn into this notorious jerk.

"Aye, it just comes with the package babe," He said with the most disgusting smirk on his face. Emily realized she doesn't want to be near him so she started to walk away, but didn't like the idea of being alone again as he grabbed her. "Come on, why don't you kiss me under the moonlight?" He forced his tongue down into Emily's throat and suddenly she found the strength to break free and slapped him across the face. And with that, Ben looked really hurt and Emily couldn't help but feel bad. Her mouth was open, but her throat was so dry she couldn't say anything. He walked away, pissed as ever and left Emily. She didn't realize that Alison was standing right there and she suddenly felt really embarrassed. Alison didn't say anything, but just hugged tightly.

They both sat on the same rock, watching everyone else having fun. Emily's mouth quivered, her body shaking from the cold and it was if her eyes weighed a ton and she couldn't really open them. Tears filled her cheeks of frustration that she couldn't open her eyes right. Alison sympathizes her and had a look in her eyes that looks like pure kindness or satisfaction. "He told me how you're just using us, and that you're not to be trusted," Emily finally said, ashamed that those words uttered out of her mouth.

Alison's expression never changed and was unfazed by the unkind words that Ben had said. Her bright red lips formed into a mischievous smile that even the darkest nights you can see it miles away. "Don't listen to that freak, he's probably just jealous that I get to have you this weekend; the weekend of your anniversary and he's just acting out on you," Ali said without care in her eyes. "You know what; why don't you get back at him, make him cringe with jealousy."

Emily was shocked that Ali even said that. Why would she make him even more mad, this night couldn't be any worse than it all ready has. "Are you serious? Why would I do that? I know what he's capable of."

"Exactly, make him as angry as a flesh eating werewolf on a full moon," Ali said as she looked up onto the sky and Emily realized that tonight was indeed a full moon, and Ben obviously the man-eating wolf. Alison looked away and her gaze followed a guy sitting next to Noel, who was downing on that beer like it was water. "You see that guy, his name is James Freed; now I want you to go talk to him and when he least suspects it, kiss him. Hard."

This was obviously Alison's amusement, but Emily knows that if she doesn't do what she's told like a smart girl, then that's the end of Emily and Ali's new friendship. Emily held her breath and took slow, steady steps, and within each step, Emily remembers the last time Ben had completely lost his mind.

A few months ago, Ben and Emily were just going out for some cupcakes at the new restaurant, Leon's Cupcakes. Emily ordered the organic soy latte cupcake and Ben ordered a calorie filled chocolate chip cupcake with cream cheese frosting that had salted caramel grazing over it. It was sunny, yet not too hot to eat a fresh out of the oven cake. Emily wanted to eat outside because it was just too beautiful not to. Ben of course didn't want to, but didn't want to argue in front of their schoolmates parents, who were too noisy for their own good.

Emily bit into her cupcake and hummed the taste of the delicious, warm feeling in one small bit, while Ben almost ate half of his without blinking. A few minutes later, his cupcake was gone and the evidence was all over his face. He went inside to clean up when a very handsome, young man stood in front of Emily.

"Excuse me, sorry if I'm interrupting but I somehow forgot where I am and I need directions to go to Philly. It's kind of an emergency," the guy said. Poor guy, Emily immediately felt bad for him. His soft, curly black hair breezed so easily under the sunlight and his eyes glimmered. His muscles were just oozing out of his polo. Even his smile was full of warmth and care, wonder where does he have to go. Then Emily noticed his shirt had a college logo on his left shoulder. She could barely depict the saying, maybe Hollis, but before Emily could ask any more questions, Ben came back.

"Who do you think you are talking to my girlfriend, creep," he said and pushed him. The parents that were surrounding them all gawked at his horrid behavior, and Emily couldn't make them stop. The guy didn't step down either and pushed him back as well, which only made Ben more angrier, big mistake. Ben's face became red and his right fist was suddenly in the guy's face, leaving him a huge bruise on his left eye. Everybody around them all gasped with fear and dismay as Ben lunged at him for more, but the guy dodged him. Finally, a cop came and broke up the fight. Luckily Ben didn't go to jail, but other guy did because he was an adult fighting with a minor, which was not his fault.

Ever since that day, Emily avoided going to Leon's Cupcakes because of the fear that Ben might go all "Smash, Hulk," on somebody. In a way, Emily is just trying to keep everyone safe, including herself. And now, she's about to wake up a sleeping beast that's just a few feet away.

Before Emily even realizes, she smelled beer oozing out of James breath and she felt frozen in time. Not knowing what to say and standing there while James, Noel and the others were anticipating what Emily will do next. Her throat being completely dry and her stomach doing hurdles, she finally made the move that Ali would improve of. She leaned in quickly before James rejects her and locks her lips onto his. His breath reeks of booze and Emily tries very hard not to hack up her lunch. This is completely insane, never had she kissed a guy outside her boyfriend. How will Ben react to this? Why would she care? Ben and Emily are over, right?

Suddenly, footsteps were lurking in the background and a glass bottle nearly hit both Emily and James. Emily turned her head and was shocked to see Ben hovering behind her, how did he get there so quickly? And without a blink, his right hand grazed over James right cheek, but thankfully he missed. Emily still being in the middle, Ben almost punched her but she was saved by James, making him her hero for the night.

"You're such a slut, kissing my best friend!" Ben yelled and as he tried to punch James once more, James dodged it and this time grabbed his right arm as he pulled it behind Ben's back, almost breaking it. There were in that position for what felt like ten minutes and two seniors came by to break up the fight. Ben looked over at Emily and nearly spat on her favorite shoes. He gave her a devious smile and held his middle finger as he was grabbing his private. "You're a whore, Emily!" He said drunkenly.

"And you're a monster, we're done! Don't ever talk to me or you'll regret it," Emily herself couldn't believe the words that she was saying. But even she knows that he'll come running back and she'll accept him once more. Such a vicious cycle and there was no way out. Her tears rolled down in the corner of her eyes as she sees a shadow lurking in the corner. That shadow was of course Alison, and Emily was relieved that it was.
Alison came to comfort Emily in her bedroom. She cried non-stop and telling all her secrets between her and Ben to the most untrustworthy person. But Emily didn't care because Ali seemed like she was looking out for her, like a true best friend would.