Chapter 6- House Arrest.
Walking into the clubhouse Emery was bombarded by hands and questions, first to reach her had been Happy, who grabbed a hold of her face not to gently and simply looked into her eyes saying 'who do I need to kill, give me a name' she chuckled at him, 'don't worry Hap I'm okay' she patted his arm as she moved forward being grabbed by her father 'what happened? Why didn't you call?' she gave a heavy sigh, before calling loud enough for everyone to hear 'Okay, everyone just back off, I appreciate the concern but really I'm not a flower!' she looked around her family catching Gemma's eyes as she smirked in the corner at Emery's outburst. 'I got into a fight with Rita at school, she came into the bathroom looking for a fight I didn't really have a choice' she looked down
'well?' Piney spoke up 'did you kick her ass, cos it sure as hell looks like she got a few hits in'
'don't worry pa Rita looks a hell of a lot worse, Em smashed her head off the bathroom sink, you should have seen it ' Opie announced proudly as the others turn to Emery pride emanating from all of them.
'She's Samcro alright' Clay announced, 'Jax said you needed to talk to the club?'
'yeah, when Rita came after me she said she was delivering a message, I think the idea was for her to beat the shit out of me, didn't quite work out for her though, so Rodrigo paid me a visit tried, to restrain me whilst she kicked the crap out of me' she looked to Jax who was practically shaking with anger as she continued 'I managed to get away and ran outside then Ope scared him off, I don't know if they were acting on Alverez's orders or just tryna play billy big ball's at school' she shrugged.
'We'll look into it' Clay replied 'for now a prospect will be with you at all times' Emery groaned inwardly
'Really? I can take care of myself Clay' she whined
'I know you can baby girl but it'll keep my mind at rest' her dad piped up running his thumb along the cut on her cheekbone as she hissed at him. 'Jax, you and Ope meet her after every lesson, I don't want her walking around by herself' he ordered as Jax and Opie simply nodded 'sure thing, we won't let no-one touch her' Jax confirmed.
Once home Emery got to making tea for herself and her dad, she turned the music up, dancing and singing along as she cooked spaghetti bolognese, she remembered the times she used to cook with Gemma watching her every move and getting excited every time Gemma would let her do something, she and her dad had eaten at the Morrow's house every night up until Emery was 14 and started cooking herself, her cooking wasn't brilliant to start with, but was bearable now, though she wouldn't ever say she was a good cook. After tea her dad headed over to the clubhouse for church, practically begging her to go with him since he didn't want to leave her on her own. After practically forcing her father out the door promising to keep a gun by her side the whole time, and her knife in tucked into her slipper boots, he was gone she went upstairs to start running a bubble bath and finish her essay. Sitting in the almost scolding bath, she finally felt her muscles relax allowing the pain to spread through her from her previous fight with Rita, she could feel the strain all through her shoulders and her face, she just hoped and prayed she could cover the bruising that was forming on her cheek with make-up in the morning.
After her bath, Emery wrapped her hair up in a fluffy green towel wrapping herself up in another, brushing her teeth quickly and checking her shoulder in the mirror to find a blacky blue bruise forming. She walked into her room, towel drying her hair on the way, Once changed into some pyjama shorts and a dark tank top she sat on her bed and began writing in her journal, she'd always wrote about things that happen in her journal, sometimes she wouldn't write she'd just draw pictures, like the picture's she'd drawn of Opie and Jax sat laughing on the roof of the clubhouse when they were 16, she'd drawn pictures of all the club member's, one of her personal favourites had been Bobby dressed up as Elvis Presley, the only one she could never draw was Happy somehow she just couldn't get his eyes or mouth right, Jax had said it was probably because she saw him different to everyone else since she was the only one to ever really be on the receiving end of his soft side. Hearing her phone go off, she looked to see her dad calling,
'hey angel, sorry but Clay needs me for some club business, so I'll stop at the clubhouse tonight, Jax's gonna head over once he's done here' his voice sounded over the phone
'okay pa, no worries I'll be fine no-one needs to come round I don't need a babysitter' she whined, hearing Jax in the background shouting 'suck it up Red! I'd be giving you a lift in the morning anyway' rolling her eyes she agreed before telling her dad and everyone to be careful and saying goodnight, slipping the DVD into the player Emery got herself comfy on the sofa with a blanket, a glass of coke and a box of mint matchmakers whilst she waited for Jax to come round.
Unlocking and opening the front door, Jax walked in to the dimly lit living room to find Emery lying on her side, knees tucked up in a foetal position fast asleep on the sofa, whilst the credits to Pretty Woman played on the tv, switching the dvd off and turning the tv over onto some horror film he went and grabbed a beer before sitting beside Red on the sofa. Looking at her so peacefully asleep, he couldn't help but feel like besides his mother she was the most important person in his life, was she more important than Tara? He thought but he already knew the answer was yes, but should she be? I mean surely he should care more about the girl he practically claimed was the love of his life than his best friend right?, looking at her now he couldn't help the wave of guilt that swept through him, looking at the cut and the bruises forming on her cheek, he should have been there to protect her, she should never have gotten hurt. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that things were only gonna get worse in terms of violence the more involved in the club he got but he didn't mind, he would stick with his brothers, he was born into this life, to him this was normal so he'd take care of anything or anyone that came at his family because Samcro take care of their own, and in some way's he knew that Red thought that exact same thing.
The sun streaming through the windows woke her, panicking she quickly reached for her phone the time said 6:30 she was awake half an hour before she needed to be, she didn't remember falling asleep especially since she didn't even manage to set an alarm. Once relaxing she realised something heavy was on her she looked down to see the top of Jax's Blonde head, where it rested on her hip, his arm thrown over her legs, he must have fallen asleep watching tv, smiling to herself she started to stroke his hair which came just above his shoulders, 'hey, Jax' she called softly not wanting to startle him, 'Jax, wake up' she called a little louder shaking him a little, this time she was greeted with sleepy blue eyes as he looked up to her, 'oh, sorry, morning Red' he croaked, his voice thick with sleep she couldn't help but smile at him
'You don't have to apologise, just get your heavy head off me' she replied, playfully pushing his head off her
'it's all brain darlin' he smirked at her 'though you wouldn't know about that' he nodded at her as she playfully slapped him, going with the mood he quickly sat up and dragged her below him pinning her to the sofa he began tickling her, she stifled her giggles forcing her mouth shut, he watched as her grey eyes got brighter and brighter as her face got redder and redder, 'Alright red what's with you, trying to stop yourself from breathing?' he looked at her confused, managing to get a hand free since he was distracted she covered her mouth before speaking
'I don't wanna breathe my morning breath on you' she replied, was she blushing? He couldn't help but chuckle, well it started with a chuckle but turn into a full on belly hurting laugh he more embarrassed he could she her getting as she giggled along at his laugh,
'seriously?' he raised an eyebrow at her whilst trying to get his breath back, 'wow you really are a girl' he smirked down at her, pulling her hand away from her mouth, she slapped him again playfully smiling up at him, 'you know I don't care about that Red, your my best friend' he said giving her a genuine smile 'besides I've smelt you after a dance class' he crinkled his nose is mock disgust as she gave him the finger. He let her push him off her as she stood up letting the blanket fall off her, she was wearing a dark tank top and grey pyjama shorts. Turning to face him her red hair falling over her shoulder she pointed to the coffee pot, 'I'm gonna go get ready, could you put some coffee on?' he just nodded at her, 'thanks, ill shout when I'm out the bathroom, you can take a shower if you like' she said as she began walking upstairs towards the bathroom, stretching her arms across her shoulders as she went.
After drying himself off he walked to Emery's room where he could hear her music playing, without even thinking to knock he just walked in, she was sat at her desk in front of her mirror trying to cover the bruise, a cup of coffee set down next to her, she smiled into the mirror at Jax's reflection before starting to apply some black stuff to her eye lashes,
'I put a top on the bed for you, it's one of your old ones' she spoke still concentrating on her make-up, she was wearing a white and blue summer dress, with white ankle socks and black heeled boots, she'd left her hair flowing in its natural soft curls. He couldn't help but feel like it felt completely normal for the two of them to be getting ready together, they'd gotten ready before when they were kids but now it felt so much different, her leaving clothes out for him, him making her coffee it all seemed very domestic. Once both were ready they headed out to school together.
Friday soon came around, and as she got ready for school she couldn't help but have that Friday feeling, it helped that she would be spending girl time with April and Donna that night away from school and also that Samcro was having a party to welcome two new prospects to the charming charter, rumour was that both were also transferring to the school as of Monday. Sitting at her usual table with April, Donna, Tara and Opie she began to talk excitedly with the girls about what they were gonna wear that night, with Tara pretty much ignoring them reading some medical book instead, and Opie quite literally wanted to stab himself in the eye with his spork. As she was talking to the girl's about the party, Jax came wondering over 'hey Red, me and Ope have got some stuff to take care of so were gonna split when lunch is over'
'Okay, no worries I can get the bus back, or even walk' she smiled at him,
'You know you can't be alone, I can ask your dad to come get you?' he gave her a stern look
'I can give her a lift back' Donna chimed 'If you want I can take you too Ape, then we can go to yours get your stuff for tonight, stop at mine whilst I pick up my stuff, then go to yours to get ready Em?' the girls just beamed at her 'that'll be great if you don't mind Don' April asked as Donna just nodded and smiled in response
'Do you wanna come get ready at mine with us for the party Tara?' Emery asked as the others turned instantly to look at Tara,
'no' was her answer blunt and slightly aggressive, but Emery was used to this with Tara she didn't know what she'd ever done to piss of the young brunette, she'd never been horrible to her or anything she looked at Jax who just rolled his eyes and shook his head as she shrugged at him
'Okay, forget I said anything' Emery muttered as Tara just gave her a pointed glare, 'look what the hell is your problem Knowles?' Emery spat at her
'My problem Trager is that you keep trying to sink your nails into my boyfriend' she argued back, feeling her rage bubble up inside her completely she let go not even hearing the bell ring and the other students leave that café, all except for those on the table who put their heads down trying not to witness the awkward confrontation, all except Jax who watched the whole thing,
'you have got to be kidding me, Jax and I are friend's nothing more and if you don't like it then you can swivel, I'm sick and tired of your pettiness grow the fuck up! You're 18 yet you're acting like a jealous 12 year old!' she took a deep breath as Tara piped up standing to tower over the table at Emery
'you think I don't see the way your all over him, the way you smile at him, and touch him, the way you cling to him on his bike' she spat
'well as flattered as I am that you watch me that much Tara its borderline creepy' her voice was dripping in sarcasm ' I am no different with Jax then I am with Ope, their my best friend's and practically family, you don't see Donna going all little miss psycho'
'In all honesty I don't really give a shit about your bullshit, Jax if she's going to that party tonight then we're not' she looked to him, his eyes widening
'what? Look Tara I love you, I do but this is a club thing I can't not be there' Emery couldn't help but feel guilty her outburst had put Jax in an uncomfortable position but she knew Tara had done this on purpose, because usually if she pulled this card Emery would back off and not go so her and Jax could, but she was sick of being pushed around, trying not to step on her precious toes if she was gonna have to deal with the looks and the bullshit Tara put her through on a regular basis she was sure as hell gonna start giving her a reason.
'You heard me', Tara said 'if she goes we don't' she spoke again as if thinking Emery hadn't heard since she hadn't spoken up about staying home
'no Tara, if you don't wanna go that's fine, but I'm going, and so is Red' he said finality in his voice
'so you're choosing her?' Tara snapped her anger obvious in her tone as Jax just shook his head in disbelief, and without letting him speak anymore she got up and stomped off to her next lesson at least that's where she assumed the brunette was going.
Emery just looked down as Jax looked at her 'I'm sorry, she just, she gets under my skin and I just lost control' she looked up to him grey eyes meeting blue ' I'm sorry I'll apologise when I see her'
'no Red, you didn't do or say anything that wasn't true, don't beat yourself up about it' he turned to the rest of the group 'see you all later, come on bro we gotta go' he smiled to Opie, after everyone had said their goodbyes the boys walked off to their bikes as the girls went to their respective classes.
Later on that night the girls had all headed over to the clubhouse to get ready in Emery's room, 'okay girls if you guys can set your stuff out im gonna go see if I can snag us a couple of beers' Emery chimed as she left her room in search of beer, walking into the bar area, there was two new people who she'd never seen before sat at the bar, one was facing her way and in her opinion he was pretty fit, he had a short mohawk with tattoos on either side that if she had to say what they looked like she'd have to say a weird lightning bolt of some kind. The second had his back towards her, so she could only make out his prospect cut and his light brown hair which was shaved quite short on each side and the back, with the top being longer and it was brushed back.
'you okay baby?' Gemma called to her
'erm, yeah I just came to see if I could get some beers for me and the girls, also who are they?' she nodded in the direction of the prospects
'sure no problem hunny, oh their just the new prospects to the charming charter, one with the head tats is called juice, the others Ryan, come on I'll introduce you' she chatted away as she began practically dragging her over to the prospects at the bar. Walking over a huge grin spread across the lad Gemma had said was called Juice's face, 'hey' he held his hand out for her, hesitantly she shook it 'im Juice , this here's Ryan' he gestured to the boy sitting opposite him. That was the first time Emery got a look at him, she couldn't help but stare he had beautiful green eyes, that she could only describe as emerald with a slight stubble, she'd say he was definitely older than her possibly Opie's age but she wasn't sure, not realising how long she'd been staring the boy cleared his throat as she shook her head blushing slightly,
'sorry I'm Emery' she spoke slightly embarrassed that people had witness the awkward exchange as she looked around to see Gemma smirking at her, in that moment she wished she was dressed better her hair was shoved up in a messy bun with a pencil sticking out, since she'd been doing some art work whilst April showered, she had on a baggy Samcro hoodie and paint splattered jeans, in that moment she well and truly wanted to climb under a rock and hide, possibly for the foreseeable future. 'Nice to meet you' Ryan's deep voice rang out 'you been decorating or something?' he asked looking her up and down causing her to blush more, should she say she was doing homework, she didn't really want to say she was in high school when this boy was probably older, 'erm no I was just doing some art wor-' she was cut off as a commotion came flying through the door, looking she saw her father being held up by Jax and Chibs, he was slack in their arms, instantly fear gripped her 'what happened?!' she screamed.