Emilia’s pov
I hum a tune as I flip the fried eggs on the pan expertly. I turn off the cooker, dish out my food and drop it on the countertop. I sit on a stool and begin to stuff food into my mouth.
Its been two weeks since liam left. Two weeks which i constantly try to forget about him, reminding myself that he dosen’t care. No calls nor text messages. I guess I have to erase the feelings I have for him. Its been hard, but I think its getting pretty easy now, more because we are back the way we were before, always joshing each other.
Becky and harry seems to be doing just fine, and sandy hasn’t yet reconciled with Dylan. She doesn’t bother anyways, always saying she’s mapping out a plan, and I’m trying to get over Liam’s absence. it hurts that I can’t. The news has nothing to say about him. He seemed to have disappeared after he left that night. My apartment and the constant comments from his girl crushes all over Boston are the only things reminding me of him.
I shrug and get off the stool, rinsing the dish in the sink. I barely use the dishwasher or washing machine or coffee maker I plan on giving all of it out. I don’t want anything reminding me of him. The only thing I’ve got is his beanie. I don’t hold it close to me anyways. I place the dish on the drainboard and wipe my hands on the napkin. I step out of the kitchen and pick up my bag from the couch before walking out of the apartment.
Madam Chloe decided to take me back and I couldn’t be any glad. Can’t believe she’s changed for good. The cops never showed up, guess they were convinced I’m not his accomplice. I get out of the gates and walk to the sidewalks to wait for sandy. I fiddle with my strap as I wait, the morning breeze caressing my skin and fluttering my hair.
She pulls up minutes later with her usual screechy sound. I wonder why the road officers hasn’t arrested her yet. I roll my eyes as I got into the backseat.
“Hey girls” I greet as I strap in my belt.
“What’s up birdie” Sandy grins as she drives out. Becky’s engrossed in her phone, I’m happy she’s back with Harry. She has an hair extension on and its suit her just fine. I couldn’t believe she wanted to turn gay weeks ago.
I huff and poke her from the back seat and she laughs.
“Jeez Becky aren’t you tired of always texting him…. give him a break”
I roll my eyes as she giggles. I lean forward and increase the volume of the radio. Music blares out and I lean against the headrest as sandy nods her head to the music. I stare out of the window as cars roll past us. My eyes comes in contact with the huge signboard which was displaying Liam’s photo. I stare at it till the car roll past it. I sigh and fiddle with my strap. Another one comes into my view and I look away, mostly because he seems to be staring right at me. His pictures seem to be all over Boston. They all wanted him, he’s a criminal, a criminal the cops refused to report the crime he’s committed.
“Sandy…. How’s your plan on getting Dylan back going” i ask to stop my stream of thoughts. She grin at me through the rearview mirror.
“Perfect babe… you see I know for one Dylan loves me. I called his secretary last week and she told me Dylan has been acting different recently, always shouting orders at the office and barely coming to work… I feel sorry for him though” I arch my brows.
“Sandy… that obviously means he hasn’t gotten over you. why hasn’t he come to apologize like he always do before” I ask as Becky drops her phone on the dashboard. Sandy shrugs.
“I think he’s just respecting my decision. He was kinda right though. I ask for too much, and he couldn’t give, he had to let go. I just hope… he’s fine” She sighs and focus on the road.
“Sandy… don’t you think you’ve given him enough time already. you could stop by at his house and sort things out. its obvious you guys still want each other back” Becky says and I nod.
“Yeah sandy….. it’s better you do that before its too late. There are desperate girls out there you know and if you don’t get back to him someone else will. And its Friday you know. You’ve got the weekend to do so”
She spares me a glance through the rearview mirror and run her fingers through her hair, while the other steers the wheel.
“Yeah I think I need to but the truth is I’m nervous. its one thing when we’re just quarreling and another when we already split up” I chuckle.
“Sandy…. nervous? jeez I never knew you’d ever say those words. I flip my hair dramatically and we laugh. She pulls up at the pizzeria and kill the engine.
“But really guys, I’m about to do something real crazy, Dylan hasn’t been able to get over me for quite a while now… I just hope it hasn’t change” Becky scoffs as I unstrap my belt.
“Really Sandy!, I think you need to get your head closely examined. Dylan loves you!, it’s in the way he stares at you, the way he acts when you quarrel with him and seriously! Harry’s always telling me of how he’s gradually depressed cos you guys aren’t a thing anymore what other signs do you want huh!” Becky blurts out and she bits her lower lip. I look at her and then back at Becky again.
“Look sandy…. you fixed my relationship, I won’t watch while you’re so heartbroken and trying to act like you aren’t hurt. I know deep down you want him to apologize first but come on girlfriend you’ve got to bite back your pride for once!” I mentally chuckle at Becky’s words. who ever knew she’d be giving relationship advice. Sandy sighs lowly and chuckles. She raise her gaze to meet Becky’s.
“That’s kinda true Becky… I’m taking the bulls by the horn…. tonight is gonna be a long one” She smirk at Becky and grin at me. I smile back.
“That’s the spirit girlfriend” Becky says and we laugh and exchange high fives before filing out of the car. I walk ahead of sandy and cross the street towards the pizzeria, a huge smile on my face. I’m glad things are going right now. Becky seems to have abandoned her usual doleful mood. I could remember how she’s always bickering whenever she’s in her ‘Not so good moods. I open the glass doors and step into the airy restaurant. We seem to be growing well. The restaurant always swarming with workers in need of a quick snack before returning to their busy life.
Madam Chloe is planning on opening another restaurant. It seemed like her change of attitude made everything else change. The workers were more happy and willing to work now. I smile at Nick behind the serving counter before stepping into the changing room, sandy and Becky trailing behind me. I frown at the girl sitting on a chair with her head hung down and sniffing. she looks up on hearing the door close and I watch her clean off her tears.
“Sam?” I call in concern and walk to her.
“Pardon my clumsiness guys” She smile wearily and bent to pick up her bag. I held her arm as she try to leave.
“Are you okay?” I scrunch my brows into a deep frown. She brush her cheeks without replying.
“You could trust us you know…” Becky says and walk towards her.
“Yeah… we keep secrets pretty well” Sandy steps forward and zip her mouth, throwing the imaginary key to Becky who threw it out of the window. She chuckles and we smile. She sits on the stool again and we hover around her, with my hand on her shoulder.
“I know this might sound pretty weird…. but, I’m not straight” She mutter and we exchange looks.
“You’re gay?” I ask lowly and she nods. Becky widen her eyes and look away. I bite back my laugh.
“We don’t mind sam…” Sandy says reassuringly and we nod. She looks up at us before returning her gaze down to her hands on her laps.
“Well… I and my girlfriend had a big fight last week, the criminal being the cause” She pause and my hands stiffen on her shoulders. Liam? sandy spares me a long glance at my change in mood.
“Liam Paige?… why?” Becky tries to ask casually. she shrugs.
“You know he’s got a lot of girls dying to get close to him… and well I happen to be one of them. I’ve always fantasized about having him all to myself, stuffs like that…” She trail off and look up at me. I nod slowly, trying to remain calm.
” I voiced it out that day, told her I wouldn’t mind having him to myself. I didn’t know when I spilled it out but she didn’t take it lightly. We had a big fight and she left my apartment that day. Her line has been switched off since and when I called at her apartment her neighbours says she’s moved out” She sniffs as she falter on the last part. I suck in my breath as sandy and Becky looks down at her, a bit surprised. Sandy was talking to her but I was barely listening.
I suddenly realised I’m not the only one who wants liam. A thousand girl do to and I’m one of them. I don’t even stand a chance in his life. He seems too famous to be for me alone. The truth hit me right in my gut and I run my fingers through my hair forcing my self back to present.
“Thanks guys I appreciate” Sam says as she got off the chair. I force a smile.
“Its nothing sam” Becky says warily.
“I kinda love the way you guys are, you are just a perfect trio” She smiles sadly and sandy chuckles.
“Yeah we are sam… and there isn’t room for another” Becky blurts out.
“Becky!” Sandy glares at her. Sam chuckles and pat Becky’s arm.
“I understand becky, three of you look good together four is gonna be much” She gives us a glance before walking out of the room. I release a breathe I didn’t know I was holding.
“Jeez who would ever have thought of cute sam being gay! I thought she was attracted to guys!” Sandy shrugs as we begin to change. We were done in minutes and I stuff my casual clothes away.
“Emmy…. sandy calls” I stare at her.
“You good?” She arch her brows and I chuckle.
“Ofcourse I am sandy…. its nothing I’m not hurt by her words” I smile at them and walk past them out of the room to hide my teary eyes.
••••••••••
I stare at Nick as he close up for the day. Becky and I had to wait behind cos sandy was with madam Chloe in her office recording the day’s sales. She dosen’t have evening workers anymore and closes the pizzeria once we were out. Becky phone rings and she tells me she’d be back before walking out to pick the call. I lean against the counter as i watch Nick wipe the table.
He’s been nice to me lately and has been trying to give me the head on that he’d soon ask me out but I’ve been playing it cool. He drops the towel once he sees I’m alone and strides to me.
“Hey…” He smiles warmly at me as he leans beside me.
“Hey Nick” I say and force a smile. I’m really not in the mood.
“You sound bored” He archs his brows at me. I chuckle.
“I’m just tired” I lie and fiddle with my strap.
“We could hang out later tonight to eat dinner then maybe we’d go to the boutique I saw you in that day and we could shop.” I suck in my breath.
“Thanks Nick I appreciate the offer but I’m fine… gotta go”
“Emily…”
“Nick!… don’t you just get it i’m not interested okay!” i blurt out, a little too loud. He looks at me, surprised at my outburst. I straighten up as sandy walks towards us.
“Bye!” I tell him curtly and walk up to sandy. I just want to be alone for now, I don’t want any guy making me think again. I’ve barely been able to stop thinking about liam, I don’t want extra stress.
“I saw that” Sandy grins as we walk out of the pizzeria.
“Yeah I know you did sandy so shut up” I roll my eyes and walk ahead to Becky who was leaning against the car as she laughs.
Sandy’s pov
I plump down the couch as Becky giggle at her phone. She’s been always engrossed in her phone ever since she and harry got back together. I sigh as she sits on the couch opposite me absentmindedly.
I pull of my shoes and stretch my toes. Its good to see Becky smiling once more. She’s always been the depressed one, complaining about guys only wanting to bed her. its good she’s seen one who wants more than that, Harry.
My mind suddenly drift to Dylan and I clamp my lips tight. I miss him, his smile, his touch, the quarrels. I don’t know what he’s done to me but I don’t wanna stay away from him. He’s the one who’d popped my cherry, and since then I’ve been crazily in love with him. I rake my hands at my hands and get off the couch. it’s tonight or never. I need to see him, I need to see if we’ve truly broken up. I know Dylan and I know how much Dylan couldn’t resist me. I stare at Becky as she types away on my phone before walking out of the living room. I step into my room and walk to my closet. i threw it open and rake my eyes at my dresses. I ran my hands along, searching for the perfect dress. My eyes settle on one and I take it off. I shut the closet door and drop the grey coloured dress on the bed. I selected a pair of black heels before walking into the shower cubicle to shower. I emerge minutes later and dry off my skin. I dress up in the clothes and sit at my makeup table. I grab a hair dryer and blow it dry before curling the edges. I comb out the curls as it bounces down my back. I apply little makeup, while trying not to get nervous. I was done minutes later and satisfied with my look I get off the chair after putting on my heels. I grab my grey pearl purse and walk out of the room. I walk to into the living room and Becky looks up on seeing me. She whistles and click her fingers.
“Damn sandy is that back side yours only!” She grins and get off the couch. I chuckle.
“Yeah its mine… and maybe Dylan’s” I smirk and she laughs
“How do I look Becky!” I ask her expectantly. She walks around me before stopping in front of me.
“Dylan is going down tonight” She says and I laugh.
“Just what i wanted to hear girlfriend bye” I give her a quick hug and hastily walk out of the apartment.
“Easy on him sandy” Becky says and I giggle. I walk down the stairs and out of the apartment. I got into my car and ignite the engine. I select a rap song and tune up the volume till its hitting my ears and filling the small car. I tighten my grip on the steering and suck in my breath.
“Okay Sandy… you are a crazy bitch…. you can do this” I nod slowly and grin before stepping on the gas.
Emilia’s pov
I got out of the cab with two bags of groceries in my hands and walk into the compound. I had told Sandy to stop me at a grocery stall so I could get some stuffs i’ve run out off. I wave at Nana in greeting before walking up to my front porch. I slip the key in the lock and twist it. It didn’t make clicking sound. I frown and push the door a bit, it was ajar. I tighten my hand on the knob Huh!. someone had forcefully got into my apartment. My mind reeled as I look around. Who would have got into my apartment!. A thief? Panic settles in the pit of my stomach.
My mind drift to liam and I shake my head. Nope, liam wouldn’t break a door just to get in, he has his ways. I release my tight hold on the knob as I felt a strong feeling of déjà vu. I suck in my breath and open the door wider, I step in as I look around the sitting room in fear, as I imagine a thief springing up on me.
Everywhere seems normal. I close the door softly behind me. This is crazy, who’d break into my apartment for pete’s sake. I walk stealthily towards the kitchen, ready to scream if I saw anyone. No one. everything exactly the way I left it. I relax a bit but didn’t let my guard down. I search my room and the bathroom. No one.. I itch my hair, could it be I didn’t lock up well. I walk back to the living room and move the couch so the trapdoor was revealing. I open it and walk down the steps. I look around the room. It was the same as liam had left it. I huff, maybe I forgot to lock up well then. Besides Nana would have seen if anyone had entered. I went up the stairs and close the trapdoor. I walk into the kitchen and drank a cup of water to calm my nerves. Breathe Emilia, nothing’s wrong. I shrug. I’d just make tea then.
I stir the cup of tea before raising it up to my lips, taking a small sip. I sit on the window sill in my room as I look up at the dark sky, without stars. The chilly night air giving me bumps on my skin. I couldn’t sleep tonight, knowing that Sandy would soon fix things right with Dylan, Becky would probably be having face time with Harry, and I’m the loner here.
If I had the chance to set things right with liam, I would. I get off the sill and drop the cup on the bedside table. I return my gaze outside the window as I keep staring. I could remember the times we had cuddled, the little moments I had felt safe. It was surreal, like I was in a totally different world. I tuck back my hair as it flutters.
I pause as I perceive a faint scent. I tighten my grip on the window sill as my breath caught in my throat. This scent… I know it. My heartbeat accelerates and with a sinking feeling in my stomach, I turn slowly as my eyes stop on the figure in the doorway. The usual smirking face. Deep blue orbs piercing mine. I felt weak at the knees as I blink slowly.
“Liam…” I croak out.