Chapter 24 – Unbelievable
Gabi's POV
The house had been under a lot of tension that past couple of weeks, Emma and Liam were not speaking and if they did it ended up in a fight. Troy and I were giving them space but as my last chemo round came and went, I was beginning to smile bigger and I wanted my kids to be happy as well.
I loaded the dishwasher as the early October air drifted through the house as the windows and doors were open today. Two weeks had passed since Troy and I arrived home. We were going to be starting one last round of chemo next week, a powerful few drugs four days in a row to knock it all out and then I would being radiation for six weeks, four days a week. Just like Liam had done.
"Hey there pretty lady," Troy entered the kitchen as I smiled, "What's up?" I asked him, "Nothing, it's just," he paused with a smile, "In possible eight weeks we could get the cancer free signal." I laughed, "Almost a full year of this shit,"
"I know right? Then what five years of pills?"
"Yea, to help my hormones,"
"How thrilling," Troy said with a smirk, I smiled as I shut the dishwasher and moved the dishes around. "So I was thinking early February or March for Peru." I smiled, "Sounds perfect, we just have to be home on your birthday and Liam's birthday," I said, Troy shook his head, "Can you believe that he is going to be seventeen in a couple of months?"
"You should be more concerned that your daughter is turning 15 in two months," Troy cringed, "Yea, that isn't cool," I smiled and I walked around the kitchen as I was prepping dinner and everything tonight "Liam has basketball try-outs, along with Em," Troy said as he shuffled through the mail, "Right," I said with a nod, "Why so early?" I asked, Troy looked up, "I don't know, volleyball and football are almost over,"
"But they aren't," I said with a frown, "The football team only has one left, what they are really doing for the basketball team is workouts and open gyms but they have started this week and are almost everyday after school,"
"Oh, well, I don't remember you doing a lot of those," Troy snorted, "I did plenty of them with my dad,"
"You did do a lot with your dad,"
Troy came over and kissed my forehead, "Wes is hanging out with his friends on this lovely Friday night and Alli is going to my mom's house to play with Jenni and her kids."
"Oh?"
"And Lo is going with her,"
"Did you set up what I think you set up?" I asked with a grin, "Yes ma'am," he said with a grin, "I set up a date night…just for us." I laughed as he circled his arms around my waist, he kissed the back of my neck, "And we don't even have to leave home."
"I think I like the sound of that,"
"I can agree," Troy squeezed me tightly as I wrapped my arms around his torso. "I am making you a special dinner and we can do whatever we want after that," Troy declared, I squeezed his arm, "You are the best,"
"I know I am," he said with a grin, I kissed him softly and I rested my head on his chest. "You will always be the best,"
Liam's POV
I stretched out as I flipped the bag in my book and I glanced up at Alexa. I was beginning to work her down to let me tell at least Emma, she was scared of her dad's reaction but I wasn't sure. It was going to be fine in the long run, my mom used to always joke with Aunt Taylor that Alexa and I were going to date one day. It's not that strange. We sat on the rooftop, a hidden secret that my dad shared to me.
He knew I had a girlfriend and was respecting the space for now but I knew he wanted to know. So did my grandfather so we had to be even more careful at school now. I always had somebody watching me even if it was a teacher, a random student; everybody knew that I had a mysterious girlfriend. Alexa looked up at me as I was still looking at her. I smiled as she smiled, "How are you today?" I asked her, "I'm good and you?"
"Good,"
She laughed as I shut my book and I opened my arms, she sat in my life as I kissed her temple. "So I am thinking we tell Emma this weekend,"
"Already?"
"Come on Lex," I said quietly, "Please,"
She hesitated but nodded her head, "Okay,"
"Good," I said with a smile, "If Emma knows we can slowly start telling my people,"
"Your people?" she asked, "My family," I corrected, "Then my dad,"
"Why are you so scared of telling your dad?" I interjected, "Because he will freak out Liam, he already freaks out knowing I talk to somebody. I can not even imagine there being somebody."
I rubbed her shoulder, "Lex, we have to tell him so I can take you out on a proper date," I leaned forward as I dug around in my bag; I then pulled out a piece of paper for her to open. "Not my best work but I can't be very public,"
She took a big breath as she opened the paper, "Homecoming?"
"Oh Liam,"
"I know, it's stupid and I just,"
"Yes,"
I looked up at her, "Yes?"
"Yes! It's three weeks away and we are already looking for dresses, please, yes!" she wrapped her arms around me as I laughed, "Awesome,"
"But we have to tell your dad,"
She slumped her shoulders, "Fine, after we tell Emma,"
"Okay," I stroked her head, "I mean if we can, we can have my parents their as a buffer because they won't react as badly,"
"Whatever, I am just not ready for this,"
"It's going to be fine, we have been dating for what two months?"
"Yea," she said with a whispered, I smiled as I pulled her hair away from her back. "I have basketball open gyms,"
"I'm going," she announced, "I am thinking about playing basketball,"
"That's awesome,"
"Emma's going,"
I stiffened, "I know,"
"Are you guys still not talking?"
"I'm not sure she is going to talk to me for a while," she frowned and rubbed my shoulder, "She'll come around,"
"I hope so,"
Emma's POV
I sat in the library during lunch as I worked on my report as I groaned frustrated coming up with yet another wrong answer. I pressed my fingers into my eyes as I was exhausted and I wasn't sleeping. Food was so gross anymore I couldn't remember the last meal I had actually eaten.
High school sucked. It wasn't how movies and TV shows painted it to be. It wasn't anything to get excited about. The teachers piled on homework, the kids were rude, you were slammed into lockers, your brothers ignores you, you have to be perfect, and it's all about the future. It makes me nuts and I miss how simple life once was able to be.
I curled my legs up to my chest as I rested my head into my knees. I was so tired and I had to make it through an open gym after school. My parents had so many expectations for high school because Liam could handle it all. My dad wanted us to stay active and I wasn't playing soccer right now. I just wanted to sleep all day.
"Emma, are you skipping lunch again?" I looked up at the library, one of my only friends in this big school of almost 1500 kids. "Yes, I am not that hungry today. I was trying to study,"
"I see," she said, "How is Alexa?"
I shrugged, "We are fine I guess. She has been busy doing stuff, she bragged earlier about how she got a homecoming date. She won't tell me who but that she got one and I don't know, I miss how our relationship used to be."
"Have you told her?"
"Of course. She kind of dismisses it. She is getting the high school dream,"
"No such thing," Mrs. Darcy said back, "She is probably struggling like you,"
"She would have told me, she doesn't keep much to herself,"
"And you do,"
I slowly nodded my head as I looked forward, "I always have."
Liam's POV
I laughed as I passed the ball, I then ran around and we dunked it in. The guys laughed as we high fived, we were sharing the court with the girls today as I scanned the crowd to see Alexa in Laker basketball shorts with a grey t-shirt on. She was laughing with Emma who could barely muster a smile.
My grandpa came out of the locker room along with the girl's head coach, Coach Keegan, they separated as they blew whistles and everybody was circled together as we talked about the upcoming tryouts and what everybody needs to do to qualify. I looked at my grandpa as I had already qualified. I had spent most of my summer in the gym and any other time I needed away doing basketball things. I was so ready for this upcoming season.
I stretched out and we began to do sprints and laps around the gym. I watched as Alexa took charge of the girls group and Emma lagged behind, the group almost lapping her as I frowned watching her. She was slow and every move looked like it hurt. I tried to catch up but I couldn't maneuver around some of the guys. We laughed as we pushed each other back and forth as we were trying to have fun in the preseason nonsense.
Emma stopped for a minute as my eyes traced her thin figure as she was really winded. She held onto the wall supporting her as I ran out of the group and my speed picked up but Emma kept going.
I trailed behind her as were supposed to be running two laps. Coach Keegan and my grandfather were watching and pointing people out. I kept going as I looked around and suddenly the room stilled as I looked up, Emma was sprawled on the ground, "Emma!" I screamed, I ran up to her as Alexa had stopped and was leaning over her, "Move, move," I instructed as I got closer, Alexa looked at me and I moved to Emma's side.
My grandfather and Coach Keegan were running over as Emma was passed out cold. "Emma, Emma," I said shaking her shoulder, "Come on Em," I laughed, "This isn't funny Emma, wake up,"
"Liam, move," I gripped her hand, "Come on Em, wake up," I felt my chest grow tight as tears were in my eyes. "Emma, this isn't funny, come on," Coach Keegan checked her pulse and I zoned out as I heard the words ambulance and 911. The athletic trainer came over and I was pushed aside, they were trying to coax Emma out of the state she was in but she was out cold.
Alexa touched my shoulder as I brushed it off and I looked at Emma, so pale, lifeless.
Gabi's POV
Troy laughed as he kept cooking dinner, it smelt so good, and Troy kept telling me this story about his last team out to LA to visit the Lakers. I laughed again as my cell phone began to vibrate.
I looked at it to see Liam calling me; I picked it up as Troy turned to look at me. "Hey,"
"Mom," his voice was frantic and upset, "Liam, what's wrong? Are you okay?" my heart began to beat faster as Troy set down the spoon he was holding as he looked at me, his blue eyes looking into mine. "It's Emma, something is wrong with Emma,"
Liam was a mess on the other end as he was trying to hold himself together and to tell me what was going on. "Liam, take a deep breath, what happened?"
"I don't know, we were running and the next thing I know she had passed out on the gym floor and she wouldn't wake up, they called an ambulance and she just left for the hospital," I pushed out of the seat as I went moving, "Brie, hey,"
"Emma's hurt, she is going to the hospital," my voice shook as the words alarmed Troy. That was his little girl; he quickly shut off every stove and grabbed his keys. We were both in the car as I was shaking. "Liam didn't say what happened?"
"He doesn't know, she just passed out in the middle of the basketball open gym." I started to cry as Troy rubbed my knee, "It's okay," he soothed, "She is probably fine,"
I buried my face into my hands as Troy cursed, as he had to slam on his breaks. Jack called Troy as they talked for several minutes and then we were in the hospital parking lot. "Liam and my dad rode up with her, Liam won't leave her side."
The numb stage had set in as I walked into the hospital gripping Troy's hand. We went to the front desk but I saw Liam first, I let go of Troy as I went over to him, he looked up at me and I opened my arms to his 6'1 frame as I hugged him. "I'm so sorry mom, I was watching her and the next thing I knew she was on the floor."
"It's okay, it's not your fault,"
His voice shook as he sat down in the chair as I sat next to him, Troy went to the counter as he looked at me, "Are you alright?" I shook my head, "I need to see Emma,"
"I know, we will, in a few minutes. They are assessing her and they will bring us back to her in a few minutes," I nodded as he kissed my forehead, "She is going to be fine," he whispered into my ear, "Okay?" I nodded my head as he looked into my eyes, "Mr. Bolton?" Troy turned around to see the nurse, "Come on Brie," he lifted my hand as Liam stood, "I want to come,"
"In a minute okay?" Troy said Liam nodded as he sat down next to Jack. We walked back as they led us to a room; Emma was still in her shorts and t-shirt, an IV hooked to her arm, a blanket up to her chest as she was still passed out. "She hasn't woken up yet but it's extreme dehydration with a lack of nutrition."
I blinked, "What?"
The doctor looked at me, his eyes hard, "Your daughter hasn't had something to drink in at least 48 hours and her eating? Do you know the last time your daughter ate?" his eyes were so accusing as Troy moved in front of me, "Excuse me, our daughter sits and eats every night,"
"Oh and after that?"
Troy frowned as he crossed his arms over his chest, "I think I would like a different doctor on my daughters case,"
"Oh it's my fault that she has extreme dehydration and hunger?"
Troy clinched his fists, "She is 14, and she doesn't tell us half of anything so how about you help us fix this vs. accusing us of things we have no idea about. I understand things happen in this world but not in my house, I love that girl in that bed and that is my daughter, so before you start accusing, let's fix this and make things better and maybe talk to her. Then we can start accusing people."
The doctor swallowed, "She is going to need over night fluids and then to eat a healthy meal before leaving. Then we will monitor her situation at an outpatient clinic for eating disorders."
"What?" I asked again, "An eating disorder?"
"If she hasn't eaten then it's called an eating disorder,"
"She has been eating!" I protested, "I pack her a lunch everyday, she takes her breakfast with her," I paused short of everything I was saying, "Oh my god," I sat down in a chair, "Oh my god," I pressed my hands into my face as Troy looked at me, "Brie,"
"Troy, it's my fault, I haven't been watching enough, and we have let things slid. She has come home late from study sessions and made herself dinner to take up to her room, she hasn't sat down and actually eaten with us that often lately, she makes excuses some nights of not being hunger, oh my god," I pressed my hands over my mouth as I looked at her, "It's only been going on for a month or so,"
"Good, not too much damage. What hurt her in this situation was the dehydration."
I got up as I rubbed Emma's hand; tears were in my eyes, "Why though?" I asked, "Mr. Bolton here explained it pretty well, she is a teenage. The pressure of high school and the pressure of peers to be perfect, they being to stop eating and sometimes they don't even realize it."
Troy rubbed his jaw, "So we let her get rehydrated and then we watch her eat every meal,"
"Pretty much,"
"Oh Em," he said down as he pulled his chair closer, "I'll give you guys space,"
Troy watched her as I looked at her breath. I breathed in her sweet scent as I kissed her forehead. This is the only part I hated about being a mom. That feeling of missing all of the signs and letting down the one person who needed you the most.
"Mom?" I looked up as Emma was stirring out of her sleep, I smiled as I came closer, "Hey sweet girl," I went over as she cringed at my touch, Troy looked up from his spot as he came over and touched her other hand. "What happened?" she asked, she swallowed and cringed as Troy wanted to just go all out but I looked him in the eye and shook my head.
"You passed out from dehydration," I told her quietly, her brown eyes met mine and she closed them, "I'm sorry,"
"You had Liam scared to death,"
She frowned, "Liam actually cared?"
"What is going on between you two?"
"Ask him," she said picking at the blanket, "He is the one who ignores me half of the time."
"Well, he wants to see you to make sure you are okay,"
"I'm fine," she said, "When can I go home?"
"Tomorrow," I announced as I looked at her, she gawked at me, "For what? Dehydration?" she asked, her voice rising, "And for not eating,"
She let her lips fall into a flat line, "Emma Grace," Troy's voice tore apart as I looked at him, he backed away and shook his head, Emma looked over at me as it was rare to see Troy upset. "What is wrong with Dad?" she asked looking at me, I pressed my lips together as I felt a knot in my throat, "Emma, why are you starving yourself?"
"I'm not!" she cried, she looked back at the door, "I'm not, I am just not hungry and I'm stressed out,"
"Emma, why aren't you eating?" I asked her again, she looked at me with helpless eyes, "I'm not hungry mom, I swear," she closed her eyes as I saw tears, I cried myself as I laid down next to her as I wrapped her in my arms. She pressed her head into my neck as she began to cry, "I'm sorry, I don't know, I don't know what's wrong with me,"
"Shh…it's okay, I'm sorry," I told her, "I'm sorry,"
Troy's POV
I gripped the wall as I took a few breaths to calm down. I had failed as a parent. I had so many jobs to do in this world but one was to make sure my kids stay healthy and I couldn't even do that. I pressed my palms harder against the wall.
I closed my eyes and I dropped my hands from the wall as I went into the waiting room where my Dad and Liam were. My eyes glanced up as Liam looked at me, it had gotten dark outside since I had last been out here. "She is awake and she is going to be fine," I assured, "She is just getting fluids for the evening and then we will go home tomorrow."
"Can I see her?" I tensed as I didn't know what Emma wanted, I knew Liam wanted to see her but she was still snippy with him. "Give me a couple more minutes to talk to her and then you can come back before you head home."
"Got it," Liam said, I turned back around as I went back to Emma's room where they were admitting her. The smell of the hospital was all too familiar lately, the squeak of the floors under my shoes was still there, and nothing changed in any hospital, it was always the same, scrubs, doctors being paged, nothing was different.
I stood outside of Emma's room as I looked in; Gabi was holding her, as Emma appeared to be crying still. My heart broke in twenty pieces, as I didn't know what had come over her. She was perfect; she was beautiful, she was so much like her mother I didn't understand. I walked into the room as Gabi looked up at me. She knew what I was feeling; we both felt the same things. I lay down on the other side of Emma as I wrapped my arm around her and Gabi.
Her cries were more of hiccups now as her hand found my arm and rested on it. I looked across at Gabi as she took her other hand and laced her fingers through mine; a sort of smile crossing her face, trying to tell me everything was going to be just fine.
Emma was asleep as Gabi looked at me, "Are you okay?" she asked; I shrugged my shoulder as my eyes traced Emma's face. My daughter was harming herself and I didn't know why, I didn't understand. Gabi got up and she came over to the chair I was sitting in, "I failed her Gabi, I failed you, I failed her, I just," I looked straight ahead as her eyes were sad as they looked at me, "Troy Bolton,"
I looked up at her as she shook her head, "You never failed me Troy, not once have you failed me. Just because I got sick means nothing to how you do things. Emma, we both failed. We failed together because we missed key things that just never clicked in our heads. It's going to be okay though. We are going to be fine, Emma is a strong girl and I just think she is having trouble adjusting to the new world she was thrown into."
"High school isn't that bad,"
She pressed her forehead to mine, "Just because your high school experience wasn't bad doesn't mean hers won't be," I wrapped my arms around her as I breathed in the scent of Gabi who was still fighting her own battle. "How are you feeling?" I asked looking at her; she blinked as if it all came rushing back. "Exhausted," her eyelids grew heavy as I kissed her forehead.
"How about you go home and sleep, I'll stay with Em,"
"Are you sure?" she asked, hesitant, she looked over at Emma's sleeping body as I nodded, "I'm not going to be able to sleep anyways, just go home and rest." I told her as I dug the keys out of my pocket. I slid them into her hand as she looked down at me, "Are you sure?" she asked, "Unless you have to stay,"
"I mean, I feel bad for leaving," she looked at Emma again, "But I have to go make sure Lo and everybody is okay right?"
"Right," I agreed, she came over and back to me as I stood up, I kissed her softly, "I'm sorry about date night,"
"It's fine," she said, I kissed her forehead as I hugged her, her arms wrapped around me as well, "Just be her dad tonight okay?" I nodded my head, "Okay,"
Gabi gathered her stuff and kissed Emma's forehead before leaving the hospital room. I scooted my chair closer to Emma's bed as I let out a long breath, my thumb stroked her hand as I watched her sleep for a long time, the night began to pass by as the nurses kept coming in and out of the room changing her fluid bags. Emma would twitch and move her head and around two in the morning I looked out the window.
My body leaned against the hospital window as she coughed; I turned my head to look at her as she opened her eyes. "Is mom here?" she asked, I shook my head as I went over to sit next to her, "No, she left about four hours ago,"
Emma closed her eyes, "I'm sorry Daddy," I picked her hand, "I'm not mad at you Em, I'm not upset with you, you have no reason to be sorry," I whispered as I sat back down next to her. She closed her eyes tightly as a tear leaked out of her eye, "You are disappointed in me," she said, her voice caught in her throat, I eased myself onto the bed as I pulled her into my lap. "I am not. I'm worried and I'm not sure where we go from here but I love you, you are my Emma," she began to cry as I rubbed her back, "It's okay Emma, everything is going to be okay,"
She held onto me as I tried to get her to fall back asleep but she wasn't. She shifted as I let her go, as I looked at her, so young.
"So, I was thinking for your birthday in December we could take a trip out to LA and go see your friends out there for a couple of days if you want,"
"I would love that," she said quietly, "I miss California,"
"I know you do," I told her as I rubbed her arm, "You were the only one I was worried about when we moved," I said to her, "Liam was going to be fine with the move because he could play basketball at a higher level, Wes didn't really care, the girls were too young to notice. You, you had great friends and loved school."
"I did, it was easier out there."
"California life is just easier," I told her, "That's why I lived there so long,"
"Didn't you play in New York when I was a baby?" she asked, I laughed, "You were just born when I was traded, that is a long story though. You still lived in California though because I was there for only half a season,"
"Then back to the Lakers,"
"The only time I didn't wear the Laker purple,"
"Do you miss it?" she asked me, "Everyday," I responded, "But I love all of the time I am getting to spend with you everyday and all of the time that I have spent with you guys. Plus with mom,"
"Is that almost over? I hate that she has to go through all of that," I smiled, "We are so close, so close to the finish line,"
She was quiet for a while as I hoped that she had fallen asleep but she didn't. "I didn't mean not to eat," she said quietly, I looked at her, "I just was never hungry. I am really stressed out lately with school and it's just so much more than middle school was. It's such a fast change and I feel so overwhelmed so I study during lunch. In the morning eating food made me nauseas so I let Wes have it or one of my friends. Then during dinner, I was either working on homework or I just was busy so I haven't eaten I guess," she pressed her hands to her eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt you Dad because I saw your face, you were upset,"
"I was upset with myself," I corrected her, "I should have seen this and I didn't." She looked at me as I sighed, "I am your dad, and I should notice when you aren't eating as much and when was the last time you actually drank something?"
"I normally am always drinking water but recently with my fight with Liam, I just, I am in a fog,"
"What are you guys fighting about?" she shrugged as tears welled up in her eyes, "I don't know anymore,"
"Well tomorrow you two need to work out whatever the hell is wrong because I want my happy household back that I am used too."
"Okay,"
She was quiet again as I looked out the window, "I am sorry Dad,"
"Don't be sorry Emma,"
"It won't happen again,"
"No, it won't." I paused as I didn't want to do this now but Gabi and I had already discussed our further actions. "You'll eat breakfast every morning before you leave the house, Grandpa will make sure you have lunch everyday, and you'll eat dinner with your mom and I every night." She stiffened, "I don't want a babysitter at school,"
"It's just for a little while Em, we just have to make sure you are eating. You have to gain our trust back and I get what you are saying to me and we will work on it okay? I love you Emma, I want to trust you right away but we have to ease into it okay?"
She nodded into her head into my chest, "Get some rest Em, we will talk more tomorrow okay?" she nodded her head as I kissed the top of her head.
Liam's POV
"We can't tell Emma this weekend," I told Alexa as I talked to her on the phone, "Is she okay? I meant to call her but I haven't,"
"Well you should because you are her best friend and she hasn't been eating apparently and passed out from dehydration."
"Yea, we should definitely wait until she is feeling better,"
"Apparently she is going to be on lockdown for a while,"
"So your parents are pissed?"
"No, they aren't pissed or anything but I don't know, I haven't seen my dad. He is still at the hospital with her and my mom just left to go pick them up."
"I bet that hurt your dad,"
"Probably,"
"How is your family?"
"Wes, Lo, and Alli don't really care that much, I mean they care but they aren't like hurt."
"She wouldn't see you?"
"No," I said flatly, "She wouldn't see me."
"I'm sorry Liam,"
"It's not your fault Alexa,"
Emma's POV
My mom hugged me tight as she whispered into my ear about how much she loved me. I knew how much she loved me because it never went unnoticed. I knew that the weeks to come weren't going to be fun for any of us. My dad was signing the discharge papers and making appointments to see the doctors again. I hugged my body as I had meant everything I said to me dad. I didn't mean to do it. I was just…never hungry.
I ate my meal in the hospital this morning but only wanted to puke after I ate it. I hated the feeling of nausea and didn't understand how my mom had been surviving that for the past several months. I didn't want to be in this situation but I also wanted to please my parents endlessly, so I ate.
My mom left the room and she went up behind my dad as she wrapped her arms around his waist, her head laid between his shoulder blades. A smile crossed her face at the simple touch between the two.
I wanted love like that. I wanted to be loved by somebody so much that it hurt. My dad turned around as he smiled and kissed the top of her head. He said something to her as he smiled. She laughed and he hugged her tighter. I looked away as if I watched more then suddenly I would be dragged under a wave of emotions. Waves. I missed surfing and I missed the water. Sticking my toes in the warm sand. How calm the ocean can be one minute and tearing with waves the next. It was where I belonged.
"You ready to go?" I looked up to see my dad looking at me, his blue eyes that all of the boys had, even Allison and Lo. I was the only freak in the family with brown eyes. All of them had blue besides my mom. The brown eyes on her though looked beautiful. Mine just looked like a pile of poop. I nodded my head slowly as he smiled, "Good," he passed by squeezing my shoulder as he picked up the single bag from the one night stay. We all walked out as we walked side by side. My mom came to the other side as I was itching to get away.
I made it to the car and we all got inside for a stiff ride back to the house. Saturday was upon us and I just wanted to lie in bed all day. My dad put the car in park as the garage door began to shut behind us, my dad looked back at me, "Lunch will be ready in about an hour," I wanted to start crying. I only nodded my head as I went inside the house; I looked two rooms down to see Liam's door firmly shut. I moved quietly to his door, as I wanted my big brother. I took the small steps towards the door and my fist gently knocked on the door.
"Yea?" his voice, the same voice that I listened for everyday. I opened the door as I never let him see me yesterday, which I had found out crushed him. He looked up from his desk as his eyes looked me over carefully as if I was going to break in front of him, which I just might. He gently set his pencil down as he got up, "I didn't think you wanted to see me," he spoke; his words were hard, bitter. I felt tears lump in my throat.
"I'm sorry Liam," he nodded his head, "Okay,"
"Liam," I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat, "I just want my big brother to hold me like he used to because I'm tired and upset and I don't know who else to go too," he looked up at me as his eyes softened just like my Dads. "Oh Em," he opened his arms as I stepped inside of them as he hugged me tight. I clutched his shirt, as I loved Liam. He was my other half and I hated when we fought.
He was all I had out here even three years after the move. He lowered us down into his bed as I lay with him like we did when mom found out about her breast cancer, like we did every time there was a thunderstorm, like we did when scary things happened. We were just brother and sister. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch the past couple of weeks, I just," I paused, "Since high school started I feel like we aren't the same anymore. You are hiding things from me and I wish you weren't. I just want to know, I want my Liam back because I miss what we had."
"What do you want to know?" he asked, I took a deep breath as I looked at the wall, my eyes not leaving it, as the question feared me. "Who is your girlfriend?"
He hesitated and he was going to say something when Wes and Allison burst into the room. They were laughing as they tackled me. I laughed as I hugged them, no one could be sad around them, as they were full of joy. I wrapped my arms around them, as I loved my siblings.
Liam's POV
I knew our choice was a solid choice as I looked at Emma who was hurting and didn't know what was coming next in her life. I was not going to throw this curve ball at her right now because I didn't want to hurt her any further. Emma had fallen asleep on me as my dad came into the room.
He frowned as he looked at the two of us, "It's lunch time,"
"Do we have to wake her up?" I asked, my Dad sighed and nodded his head. "Yes, we do."
"But if,"
"I know you want to protect your sister Liam but we are only harming her more if we let her get away with it." I slowly nodded my head as I shifted Emma and she groaned. I laughed as she looked up at me. "Lunch time," I announced. My dad stood in the doorway as he looked at me for a long moment and then down to Emma. "Come on Em," he said. She rubbed her eyes and I knew she was battling an inner emotion but she wanted to please her dad. I hesitated, "We will be up in a minute," I told him. We locked eyes as he pressed his lips together. "Five minutes,"
His went upstairs as I looked at Emma, "What's up?" I asked her. Tears overwhelmed her eyes as she pressed her hands to her eyes, "I'm not hungry Liam,"
"You need to eat Em," she shook her head as she started to cry, "I feel sick when I eat and I have so much more I need to do before school on Monday,"
"Emma, slow down," I told her quietly, "Close your eyes and just take a big deep breath." She did as I told, "Just eat whatever mom makes you and then I can help you with your homework okay?"
She nodded her head as we both went upstairs, as mom had just made her a simple sandwich with an apple. She sat down and picked at it as mom was feeding Allison and Lauren while she was at it. Dad was helping Wes and I watched Emma who struggled as she looked at the plate of food in front of her. "Emma," Dad's voices made us both look at him as he watched her.
"You can't watch me eat, I,"
"Emma," his voice was softer as he leaned against the counter in front of her, "I just want you to eat the food. I know you don't want it, I know it sucks, I know, I am sorry yet, you are my daughter and you are going to eat it. You can sit here for two hours but most of it okay?" she nodded her head as he squeezed her shoulder. I looked back at Mom, as she was tired. You could see how tired she was.
Every passing minute I was glad we hadn't told Emma yet.
Gabi's POV
"You need to rest, I know supermom is calling your name right now but you are also still on your post week chemo run," I looked at Troy as I wanted to fall over, "Hm?" he laughed as he came over and he kissed the top of my head.
"Emma finished her food and you can go and rest okay? You need some sleep,"
"I know, I am just, I am so tired," I admitted, he smiled and hugged me. "It's been a pretty long couple of days." Troy said as he rubbed my lower back, "Go get some rest," I nodded as I put down what I was doing and I went into the bedroom. In two weeks I would get a four days worth of chemo and a week later I would get a round of scans to see where everything stood.
After the scans come back we will talk and then start radiation. It will probably run right through Christmas but it would still be enjoyable. I crawled into bed as I lay on my stomach, my head resting on the pillows as exhaustion took over.
I finished making lunches as I looked at Emma who had yet to touch half of her food. Liam and Wes came racing through the kitchen grabbing their breakfast as they were running behind. Emma looked up at me as she was only in a sweatshirt with a pair of jeans, not Emma fashion.
"Emma," Liam's voice broke through as I looked over at Emma, "Go ahead to school, I will take her," I said, Emma looked up at me as I shrugged my shoulders. She buried her face into her hands, as the past couple of days had been a big battle. She was battling us on every single step of the way but she normally always did as told it just took longer. I had no idea how lunch was going to go.
"Mom, I want to go with Liam,"
"I'm sorry Emma, you aren't finished." Liam hesitated but then ushered Wes out of the kitchen as Emma looked at the food again. I put down the rag as Troy was getting Allison and Lauren ready to go. I stood up as I went over and sat down next to Emma as I rubbed her back, "What's wrong?" I asked her, she stayed quiet as she started to cry. I stayed firm on my ground. When her tears turned into sobs I wrapped her into a hug.
"Emma, talk to me,"
"You won't understand," her tears blubbered as I kissed her temple, "Try me Em," she pulled away as she pressed her hands to her eyes, she took several deep breaths as she tried to get her tears under control. "I'm sorry," she said as she wiped at her eyes, "Just talk to me Em,"
"When I eat in the mornings I feel sick, nausea and I hate feeling that way," I nodded as I fixed her hair, "I hate going to school because Alexa barely talks to me anymore and school is hard, I can barely get my homework done, I have a D in one of my classes and several Bs. I don't know if I even have an A, I can't sleep at night and I have no friends. Liam won't tell me a lot of things anymore and I hate high school."
I felt my heart sink as she told me all of these things, "Oh Em,"
"I spend my lunches in the library and my free period anywhere I can hide because I get pushed around in the hallways. I just don't like it here anymore," I felt my heart shatter as I wrapped her into a hug, "I'm so sorry Em,"
"I feel like I got left behind and I don't know how to fix it," she started to cry as I rubbed her back and I held her tightly. I was so busy with the cancer bullshit I barely noticed that my daughter was falling through the cracks and nobody was paying attention. Troy was too worried about me and Liam was off the radar right now for reasons he wouldn't say. My head spun as I pulled back and I wiped her tears away.
"Let's fix one thing at a time here okay?" she nodded as she rubbed at her own face as well. "First thing, we are going to at least get nutrition in you in the morning okay? I completely understand the nausea; I do, so like the deal I made with your dad just nutrition okay? We are going to get you a shake, a smoothie, something to just get in you, it helps and if that doesn't work we will look for something else alright?" she nodded her head as her eyes were puffy.
"We will talk about the rest of all of that later, let you calm down, I am sorry about Alexa, it's been a rough few months on the whole family. I can only imagine outside of the family. It's going to be okay though, I promise," she nodded as I hugged her again, "You don't have to bottle all of that up and let it explode Emma, you can come to me and your dad,"
"It was kind of hard when it started because you were barely alive and Dad was a mess and from then it's just been crazy," I bowed my head slightly, "I'm sorry Emma, I'm so sorry,"
"I'm sorry," she said, I squeezed her arm softly as I wasn't going to cry in front of her but it's all I wanted to do. I took a deep breath as I looked at her, "How about we go and get some Starbucks before school? I'll let breakfast slide for the morning but tomorrow we start," she nodded her head, "Then we can go to school and talk more later alright?" she nodded her head as I kissed her forehead. "I love you Emma,"
"I love you too Mom," she hugged me, "Do you want to change or anything?" I asked her, she nodded her head as she disappeared upstairs into the bathroom as I let my body slump forward. "Are you okay?" I turned around as I saw Troy, I shook my head as Troy came over and wrapped me in his arms. "I have been such a bad mom,"
"You have not," Troy redirected, "That was a lot, these past couple of months have been a lot." I heard Emma coming back downstairs, "Go take Emma to school and then we can talk okay?" I nodded as he kissed the top of my head. Being a mom sometimes was hard.
Emma's POV
After the morning with my mom I felt a little better but it was also hard to get through the day. Liam had seeked me out later as I went to find Alexa. She was standing at her locker and I smiled at her, "Hey,"
"Hey, are you feeling alright?" she asked looking at me, I nodded my head, "Yea, I am fine. It's been a tough couple of days though." I admitted to her, I hesitated, "Do you want to hang out during lunch?"
She hesitated and she shook her head, "No, I can't." she said with a shrug, "I have to do something,"
"Oh…"
"I'm sorry Emma,"
I shrugged, "It's whatever,"
I turned away as my chest hurt, "Emma!" I looked up to see Bentley seeking me out; I smiled, "Hey Bentley,"
"I haven't seen you in forever,"
"We were together last week,"
"True but still,"
I smiled, "I'll see you later Bentley," he nodded as he wondered to his group of friends as I found Liam, "Hey!" he turned around as he smiled, "What's up?"
"Do you want to hang out during lunch," he frowned and he took a breath, "I can't, I am playing basketball in the gym,"
"Oh…okay,"
"I'm sorry Em,"
"It's whatever," I said as I turned away, I went and sat in the library as I did my work and I nibbled on the lunch my mom had packed me. I knew I needed to eat it all but my stomach wasn't hungry. I kept eating at it thought and I flipped the pages in my book.
Troy's POV
"My dad called, he said that he can't find Emma in the school." I looked at Gabi as I stuffed keys into my pocket. "Be easy okay? You know she had a rough morning,"
"I know, I am just going to go make sure she ate,"
"Okay," she said, I kissed her as I walked to the door, "If she didn't eat don't make a scene just wait until home, it's going to be okay, this is going to have to be a slow process,"
"Alright,"
Emma's POV
I finished the last of my lunch and I shoved my books away. I deposited the lunch box into my bag and I swung my backpack over my shoulders, I was going to go and watch Liam play basketball for a little bit.
Walking through the high school, I passed the noisy lunchroom, and to the gym. I opened the door and was met with cold still air. My eyes glanced around as I frowned, Liam didn't play basketball in here. Nobody had been here. I looked at Grandpa's office as the door was shut tight and the lights were off.
Anger seethed through me as he was lying to me. He was with his stupid girlfriend. I tore through the school as I began to look everywhere. I looked at everybody to see if I could find him.
Liam's POV
I laughed as I kissed Lex again as she wrapped her arms around me. "How is Emma really?" she asked me, "Fragile," I responded, "One thing might break her in half," I replied as I looked past Alexa. "God, I was ready to tell her,"
"It's okay, we can wait a couple of days. She will regroup,"
"Good,"
The door scraped as I looked down at the stairs, Alexa moved off of my lap as somebody skipped up the stairs. I looked up as my Dad appeared, I felt my eyes go wide as he looked over and he did a fast double take.
"What the hell," his eyes narrowed at me as Alexa scrambled up, "Liam, what is this?" Alexa tried to make it to the stairs but my dad stopped it, "Alexa, you stay,"
She stopped and he looked at me as I swallowed, I stood up and adjusted my jeans, "Liam," his voice was stern as I winced, "It's probably exactly what you think it is," I mumbled, hoping to play it off as he say it. "What I think this is and what I hope this is, is too very different things,"
I rubbed my eyes as I looked at him, "Alexa and I are dating," I admitted, Alexa looked like she shrunk ten feet as my dad looked at us closer. "Since when?"
"August," I muttered, "Why doesn't anybody know? Is this why you are blowing off Emma?"
"Dad, it's really none of your business,"
He laughed, "Bullshit Liam, it's all of my business." He ran his hands through his hair and he looked at Alexa and me. "Go, now, you and I will discuss this when we get home. Understood?" I nodded as I got up scooping my backpack up and grabbing Alexa's hand.
Emma's POV
I paced through the school as I passed the theater department, I was pushing through the thick crowd as I stumbled and then ran right smack into Liam. "Why did you lie to me?" I yelled as I took a step back and I felt my whole body drop.
Alexa and Liam were holding hands. Not like a friend helping through a crowd, holding hands, fingers laced together, a couple. I looked between the two of them as I felt tears cut into my eyes. "Are you shitting me?" I yelled, my voice rose as I began to shake. "This is what you have been hiding from me? You have been hiding the fact that you are dating my best friend, the only friend I have, you took her from me." I paused as I looked at Liam who winced.
"Why, why did you do this? Why didn't you just tell me? That is my friend!" the hallways were quiet as I was crying, tears mixing in, "Am I the only person who doesn't know? Did you just hide it from me?" Liam looked at me, his face blank of emotion, "TELL ME!" I yelled, he flinched, as Alexa stood back, "Emma, I didn't mean to,"
"Bullshit, are you going to tell me that it didn't mean to happen and that it was completely by accident, it was a freak thing and that you like her and it wasn't meant to hurt me and blah, blah, blah right? Was that about to come out of your stupid mouth?"
Liam moved his lips to say something as I cut him off, "Well don't let it because you are such a coward Liam, such a coward, I thought you actually cared about me for once and that you might actually talk to me at school but you are too busy getting into my best friends pants to do anything!"
"That's enough!" Liam said, "That's enough? That's enough?" my voice shook as I pushed him, "You are such an asshole Liam, I hate you, I hate you," I pushed him, I then stopped as I looked towards Alexa.
"This is why you are blowing me off? To spend time with this phony, you are such a fantastic friend! Thanks for all of your support you are such an awesome best friend," I began to cry harder, "Are you happy now because you have made a fool out of me at school,"
"Emma, stop!" Liam said, "Why should I stop? You obviously do not care how I feel about anything, I can't stand you, just get out of my life." I began to sob as Liam reached out to touch me as I screamed, "No, NO do not touch me!" I yelled, I moved away as I crashed into the wall and then somebody grabbed me. I screamed and tried to get away but they only held me tighter.
"Shh…Shh it's just me Emma, it's just me," Dad's voice entered my ear as I crumpled over in his arms as the bells rang, students began to move, "Liam, go, now," after it seemed to be clear my dad wrapped me in a hug as he pressed my head into his chest as I cried. "Calm down, it's okay,"
He moved us and we sat down on something, "Emma, breathe," I looked up at him as he shook his head, "Are you okay?" he asked, I shook my head, "Why did he lie to me Dad? Why didn't they tell me? Did you know?"
He shook his head, "I had just found out three minutes prior to you,"
"Why?"
"I don't know Emma,"
I dipped my head as my Dad rubbed my back; I leaned into him, as today wasn't my day. "I know this isn't what you what to talk about but did you eat lunch?" I nodded my head, "Yea, I ate in the library. You can ask her,"
"I believe you," he said as he rubbed my back. "Can I go home? Please?" he nodded his head, "Yea,"
Troy's POV
Gabi looked at me as she was expecting a story, "Liam and Alexa are dating and have been for two months and Emma found out and it wasn't pretty," she raised her eyebrows as I shrugged, "She went ballistic,"
"Are you serious? Liam and Alexa?"
"Dead, I found them in the rooftop,"
"Good lord, does Chad and Taylor know?"
"No idea, I was going to call Chad and ask,"
"Wow, Emma freaked out?"
"I guess they have both been blowing her off and well, she was going to crack at any moment,"
"Yea, she was,"
"I have never heard her cuss for one and she did…several times. She also didn't know I was there but that is a different point and she was just so angry with him."
"Things are changing and she isn't happy about it,"
"I know, she said she ate her lunch and I told her I believed her because that's what she needed."
"Do you?" I hesitated; I then shook my head, "No,"
"So we don't know,"
"She did," Troy, said with a nod, "She said the library saw her eat and the library told me it was true."
"Good,"
"I hate not trusting her,"
"It's okay,"
I nodded as I reached for my cell phone, "I am going to go and call Chad, to talk to him,"
"Yea, that should be good,"
"Oh yea,"
I went out on the deck as I called Chad, I leaned against the railing as he answered, "Hey," Chad answered, "What's up?"
"Did you know my son and your daughter are dating?"
The other end of the line was blank as I looked at the phone and then pressed it against my ear, "Chad?"
"They are WHAT?"
I cleared my throat, "Dating, Chad, the same thing we did in high school,"
"Your son, Liam Bolton, is dating my daughter, Alexa Danforth?"
"Yes…"
"You are kidding right?"
"Uh no, I caught them in the roof top Garden together,"
"WHAT? I know what you and Gabi did up there! I can only imagine what the hell your son is doing to my daughter!"
I frowned, "What?"
"How long have you been hiding this from me?"
"I just found this morning but apparently it has been going on for a couple of months,"
"How do you not know this?" he asked me, "How do you not know this?" I questioned, "I have been a little busy the past two months to actually make sure my son wasn't doing anything to my best friends daughter,"
"I can't believe this bullshit, if he hurts her,"
"Easy Chad, that is my son,"
"That's my daughter!" he argued, I sighed, "I'll talk to you later Chad,"
I hung up the phone as that went over very well. This week is just unbelievable.
Alexa's POV
I walked into the house as I set my backpack down and walked into the kitchen to stop dead in my tracks. My dad looked up at me as I swallowed, "Alexa Raine,"
"Yea?" my voice squeezed as he shook his head, "You have some serious explaining to do to me,"
"I'm sorry Daddy! I just, I knew you wouldn't react,"
"I wouldn't react?"
"You wouldn't react right! You would get mad and defensive and be so angry,"
"I'm sure as hell angry Alexa because you didn't even tell me! You have been sneaking around doing God knows what with that Bolton kid," I snapped backwards, "That Bolton kid?" I asked him, "The one you treat like your first born son? The one who you drove all the way to Colorado to get a couple of weeks ago, the one who you quite possibly love more than me, that one Bolton kid?"
He swallowed as I had touched a nerve, "Yea, the one that has been sneaking around with you,"
"We weren't sneaking around! We have just been talking and we really like each other Dad,"
"I bet he does because he is a junior, a junior who I know enjoys girls, the basketball captain, the highest royalty in the school and I know how his Dad was who was the same way in high school so no, hell to the no, you aren't dating him."
He walked past me as I felt my jaw drop this was unbelievable.
Liam's POV
I sat in my truck for a couple more minutes and I quietly snuck out. I went inside as I tried to get to my bedroom quietly but no luck, "Get up here, now," his voice so alarming, I cringed as I went upstairs as Mom and Dad were waiting for me. I shared a glance between the two of them as my mom shook her head.
"This is unbelievable Liam,"
"I'm sorry," I pronounced, "I didn't mean to hurt anybody,"
"Well you have!" my Dad barked, "You have hurt your sister, you have lost our trust as you don't tell us these things, I don't understand what has gotten into you lately!"
"I'm sorry," I pronounced again, "I hate that I hurt Emma, I have never seen her that upset with me before, or anyone for that matter. I understand, I screwed up okay,"
"Yea, you screwed up," my mom said with a nod of her head, "It doesn't matter anymore, what is done is done and you get to live with the choices you have made. Your sister is devastated because the two people she wants and needs most right now are hiding things from her. If you would have just told her,"
"We were going to, last week,"
"Last week, when she landed in the hospital?" he asked, I nodded, "Yea,"
"So two months into this relationship you were going to finally tell her, you don't think that would have crushed her then? I mean, really,"
"I'm sorry,"
"We have heard that you are sorry, I want to know why you were such a god damn idiot!"
"Like you weren't an idiot in high school?" I responded quickly, the words left my mouth and it was a slap across the face for my dad. He shook his head and turned around to leave, "You can go to your room now,"
This is just unbelievable.
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