"I didn't… I-" Emma stuttered. She had no idea what possessed her to tell Gunner that she loved him.

"Cupcake, I'm not… there yet. I really like you, like a lot, but-" he began to speak but she cut him off.

"I'm not there yet either! I'm sorry; I really don't know why I said that. I was just in the moment, you know?" She suddenly felt cold and uncomfortable being naked during this conversation, both physically and emotionally. She pulled on a t-shirt and panties before crawling into bed, waiting for his reply.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. It's okay. We both have strong feelings for each other that, you know, one day might become something more."

"Yes," she agreed. "I'm sorry if I freaked you out."

"No worries." Emma was glad Gunner was not completely freaking out. She felt like most guys would if someone they knew for a week said they loved them. "Listen, I'm like completely tired now and I have to get up early tomorrow, how about I call you later? We can just talk or whatever."

"I'd like that," she sighed as she lay down completely. "Goodnight, Red."

"Night, Cupcake."

The next day at school, Norman approached Emma before she could run away. "Emma, please just listen to me," he begged her as she tried to turn to the opposite direction.

She sighed and faced him, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.

"I know you've been avoiding me, and my mom said-"

"Your mom said? What, did she tell you to apologize to me too?" She got her answer when he didn't say anything. She shook her head in disbelief and finally walked away. She knew Norman could be oblivious sometimes, but that was ridiculous. It hurt to even look at him anymore. Her head told her to get over him and focus on Gunner since he actually cares about her, but her heart still cried out a little bit for Norman. Unfortunately, she didn't know if that would ever change.

Emma got through the rest of the day by keeping her head down and her thoughts to herself. She got home and decided to make dinner for her dad. He had been working really hard on perfectly stuffing the woodchuck he found a few days ago and would often eat late in the night. She cooked up some fish and chips, partly because it reminded her of living in England and partly because it was the only thing she knew how to make. She made two plates and carefully took them down to the basement.

"Hi Dad," she greeted him. He had his glasses on and was intensely focused on sewing up the belly of the woodchuck. Good, he's almost done, she thought.

"Emma, I was wondering when I'd see your face around here." He finished the last stitch then set down his work. "Don't you have spring break coming up? I figured we could go back to England to see some of our relatives for a bit."

Spring break? Emma had totally forgotten about the week she would have free from school. An idea suddenly popped into her head.

"Actually, can I visit some friends in California?" She held her breath in anticipation of his answer.

"California? Who do you know that lives there?"

"Just one of my friends. They, uh, used to go to school here for a little bit but went back to California."

Her dad rubbed his chin. "Where exactly in California is this?"

She had to think for a second. Actually, Gunner had never told her where he lives. "It's like in the middle-ish…"

Mr. Decody raised his eyebrow. "Is anyone going with you?"

"Just me. Please, Dad? I've never been to California before and I really want to see my friend again." She gave him her puppy dog eyes that he had never been able resist before.

"Alright, alright," he sighed as she let out a cheer. "You have to call me when you cross into California then you have to call me again once you get to her house." Emma didn't bother correcting the gender of her friend. "I need to talk to you every day you're there so I know that you're safe." She looked up at her dad's eyes to see that he was completely serious. It was then that she remembered she was all that he had left. Her mother had left them and all of his family was across the world in England. The sad part was she wouldn't have much longer here; she will probably die before he does.

"Of course, Dad," she assured him, giving him a light hug. He held on a few seconds longer than she expected before letting her go.

"How's school going, Cupcake?" Gunner asked when they talked later that night.

"Oh, well school itself is okay…" she hesitated.

He caught it. "What's wrong?"

"It's just… Norman."

"Norman? Dylan's brother?" he questioned.

"Yeah, he's just being really rude to me, and-"

"You still like him?" Emma could hear an edge to his voice.

"No! No, I mean, not like how I like you," she defended herself quietly.

"I see." Gunner didn't say anything else, making her nervous. She could feel the distance between them.

"Seriously, I don't like him anymore. I did once, but then I met you and saw how a relationship should be. I'm really glad you opened my eyes."

"I am too," he said almost silently.

Emma had to change the subject. "Well about school, my spring break is coming up in a couple of weeks. I think I'm going to visit family in England." She wanted to keep her trip a secret.

"Are you from there?"

"Yeah, we moved to America a few years ago."

"Really? Wow, I'd never be able to tell. Do you have an accent?" She could hear him becoming less agitated and more interested.

"I do but I changed it so I wouldn't stick out so much in Oregon."

"Aww, come on. Say something for me, Cupcake."

"Maybe another time," she teased. "Are you in school?"

"Nah. I…graduated last year." His grin was apparent in his voice.

"How old are you?" Emma felt silly asking her boyfriend how old he is, but it was probably important information to know.

"I'm 18. I'll be 19 this summer. What about you?"

"I turned 17 a few weeks ago," she smiled.

"Ah, well happy belated birthday."

"So, what will you be doing in early March?" she asked curiously. She couldn't tell him she was going to visit him but she needed to make sure he was going to be home at that time.

"I'll probably be home doing little jobs here and there."

"Where exactly do you live? I might want to send you a postcard or something." She would pry it out of him if she had to. She didn't want to be aimlessly driving around a state as big as California.

"San Marcos, it's not too far from San Diego. It's cool 'cause there's always something to do if I get too bored."

"Nice. Maybe you'll show me around some day?"

"Definitely."

Emma smiled and imagined the look on his face when she turned up on his doorstep in a couple of weeks. "I can't wait. I have to go now. I miss you, Red."

"I miss you too," he cooed into the phone. "Bye."

Author's Note: I know this chapter is a lot shorter than the previous ones but it's kinda a filler chapter. The things in it are important but everything else I want to write has to go in the next chapter. Anyway, I hope you liked it.

I'm so excited for 2x04! Not just for Gunner/Emma but also the whole Dylan thing :)

[Update: Ah Gunner said "No worries" in the episode! I'm so glad I named this chapter that haha]

Thank you so much for all the reviews so far! They all make me so happy and I'm glad that you like my story. Reviews make me write faster so please review ;) haha