Chapter 2: They Know Each Other

Chapter 2.

2: They Know Each Other?

            When we entered the building everyone we passed greeted us by name. I smiled and quickly walked to the cafe with Emerson. Together we walked up to the counter.

            “Good morning Mr. Phillips, Ms. Daniels.” The petite woman smiled at us. “The usual?” She asked, I had never been here but I had a usual? Interesting. “Two caramel lattes with cream.” She explained not waiting for an answer before preparing our drinks.

            “Don’t worry Laur, they do this to everyone, promise.” Emerson whispered in my ear. I trusted him, but this was still weird and all very new to me. Our drinks were on the counter and ready before I could answer. “Put this on my bill would you Margret?” Emerson asked.

            “Of course Mr. Phillips. Have a nice day.” She said as Emerson grabbed our drinks and ushered me to the elevators down the hall. We entered the large elevator with our drinks. ‘Good mornings’ and ‘Mr. Phillips’ and ‘Ms. Daniels’ were coming from everyone riding with us. This was too weird. Everyone was being so formal. Emerson pressed the button for the top floor after everyone else had pressed their floor.  

            The rest of the ride up we were silent. Once we stepped off I looked around the floor. White marble tiles, gold sofas, all exotic plants, where did my dad work? Emerson led me to the front desk I had to check in at. “Good morning Ms. Daniels, Me. Phillips. Are you ready to see your dad Ms. Daniels?” The man asked me.

`           ”Um, yes I am.” I answered glancing at the clock. It was eight forty five; crap I don’t think my dad had time for me to be late.

            “Good, he has been waiting for you. He’s in his office, Mr. Phillips can show you the way.” He said before returning to his computer.

            “Thank you Steven.” Emerson said before placing his right hand on my lower back, pushing me towards my dad’s office and way from Steven the man at the front desk.

            We walked down on corridor and then turned left. My father’s door was painted red. It read “Mr. Daniels” on the front of a gold plaque to the left of the door. I knocked once before turning the cold gold handle.

            “Hello blue eyes!” My dad greeted me in a cheery tone rising from his black leather desk chair. I came around the desk gave him a hug and rose up on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek.

            “Daddy, I’m sorry I’m late. I kind of got caught up.” I said pointing to Emerson, who was filling the doorway, I smiled sweetly. My dad was full of surprises though.

            “Oh that’s quite alright sweetheart. Come in Emerson.” He said smiling. Emerson stepped inside closing the door behind him. He crossed the room and sat in one of the armchairs in front of my father’s mahogany desk.

            “I really didn’t mean to keep her for long Thomas, I just couldn’t take my eyes off your beautiful daughter.” Emerson addressed my dad. I was surprised at how comfortable they were. Emerson even called my dad by his first name. I went and took a seat next to Emerson; still blushing about him thinking I was beautiful.

            “Oh that’s alright son, but don’t worry about not being able to see Laur more often. She’ll be around a lot more.” He said smiling at me. I was utterly confused right now. I had no idea what was going on at the moment. I looked from my dad to Emerson and back. No one spoke a word.

            “What do you mean Daddy? I’ll barely see Emerson, I go to school in New York…We live in New York.” I pleaded hoping someone would give me answers.

            “Well blue eyes, I’m stuck in a rut.” He sighed loudly before continuing. “Commuting here everyday has taken quite a toll on your old man. Laur, if I want to keep this job you’ll have to move to Vermont and attend school with Emerson.” He really didn’t want to do this to me; his eyes were full of sadness. He did so much for me. This would be easy.

            “Ok Daddy, when should I start packing?” I said adding a bright big smile at the end. I was convinced I would do this for my dad. His eyes lit up, but his face was in shock.

            “As soon a possible. I already got an apartment for us, I knew you would do this fro me; you’re such a thoughtful girl Laur. Perhaps if it isn’t too much to ask of you Emerson, you could go back with her and help pack our things. I’m tied up with work until late, it would be a big help.” he said looking at Emerson with pleasing eyes, a look no person could turn down, ever.

            “For all you’ve done for my family sir, how could I say no? If that’s alright with you Lauren?” Emerson switched his gaze over to me. I couldn’t believe these two. I had to do this, for my dad.

            “Don’t you have school?” I asked Emerson wondering why he wasn’t in school new, and how I could have missed that earlier.

            “Four day weekend. It’s a Vermont thing.” He said turning in his chair to face me.

            “Oh, okay then. So you’re free today and tomorrow?” I asked.

            “No, free all weekend. I’m happy to help out.” He said happily.

            “Well let’s take my car back. We can stop by a store to get moving boxes; hopefully we’ll be done by the end of the week. Daddy would you arrange for a moving truck to come Sunday? Oh and withdraw me from school, then transfer me to Emerson’s school?” I was fully prepared to dive head first into this move.

            “Wow, I’m impressed blue eyes. You really have this all figured out don’t you? Well either way I’m proud of your sweetie. I’ll take care of the truck and your school, if you were wondering we’d keep the house in New York so you can stay there when you would like to. You two better get going the sooner the better. Thanks for this Laur, I’ll call you when I’m heading home.” He said. As if on cue Steven opened the door.

            “Sir, your meeting starts in ten minutes.” Then the door closed.

            “Well I’ll see you late Daddy. Love you.” I said standing to go kiss his cheek once more. I then turned walking out of the office through the door Emerson was holding open for me.

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On the drive home Emerson and I talked about what color I would paint my new bedroom, what new furniture I would need to shop for, and how we would manage to pack my whole house in four days.

We pulled up to the gate and I got out to punch the seven-digit security code into the keypad. We stopped and got boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and permanent black markers on the way home. I drove up the half circle gravel driveway to our grand house; at least Emerson didn’t gawk this time.

“Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up.” I said as I unlocked the front door kicking it open with my foot. I dropped the supplies on the bench in the front hall. I decided I would give him a quick house tour then start working. I walked him through every room on both floors.

“Now that’s done lets get to work. We need three piles, stuff to take, stuff for storage, and stuff to give away. I’ve never moved before or moved and remember doing it, but I think that’s our best shot to not take too much.” I said confirming my mental checklist.

“Sounds like a plan. We can start with the front hall.” He said walking away towards the supplies we earlier set down. He uncapped a marker and labeled a box ‘front hall’. Sighing I followed his lead and began to take down photos of me and my parents that lined our walls, the fake plants we bought to replace the real ones we couldn’t keep alive, the softball trophies from last year dad insisted we show off. The holiday wreath hanging on the front door, everything I had become accustomed to over the years.

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Emerson didn’t talk much while we packed the house. He stayed in the guest room to avoid the long drive home every night. Everyday we did the same steps just in a different room. We got up at six every morning, I cooked breakfast and then we ate until seven. He then lugged my heavy stereo to the room we had to pack up; I put my iPod on shuffle, and we packed in silence until lunch. Once we finished lunch we packed again until dinner, then ate with my dad. Eventually we went our separate ways at midnight, one o’clock.

I handled separating all the items, while Emerson (shirtless) took apart furniture and moved the boxes into the garage once they were full. He didn’t ask anything, just did what he was told. Emerson allowed me to wallow in the memories in silence while we worked.

By Saturday afternoon we were finished. The house was pretty much bare. We left almost all the furniture since we were keeping this house. We just packed clothes, linens, and memories. Everything else dad told me to buy. When he came home for dinner Friday evening he handed me a little black credit card, it had no limit. Told me to go with Emerson to the mall and buy everything that makes a house a home, no questions.

Emerson decided we were going to watch girly movies in my room until one o’clock in the morning on Saturday after we were done. I picked all the movies I would watch with my best friends on our last Friday of the month PJ parties. Probably some of the best chick flicks of our lifetime were in the stack I carried up the staircase. The stack was so high I could barely see over the top of it.

“Emerson? A little help?” I asked, suddenly I heard footsteps racing down the hall towards me. Then I heard him stop and laugh.

“This isn’t funny! Give me some help!” I yelled.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize how many chick flicks you actually owned.” He said taking the stack from me. Over the last few days I’d learned a lot about Emerson. Although he didn’t talk, he enjoys talking. He likes being alone and doesn’t care he’s the most popular guy in his school. He honestly thinks I’m the most beautiful girl he'd met, he secretly is in love with Taylor Swift’s songs, and he’s caught in his parents divorce. He’s a great dancer but apparently only when he’s with me. He’s sensitive, sweet, and a genuine gentleman. I think I’m in love, sigh.

“Come to my room with those.” I said walking towards my gigantic bedroom. He followed obediently.

“I’ll put one in and you go change into some proper pajamas. Remember to knock though I have to change too. Now go.” I said after he had put the DVDs down on my bed. He exited the room and shut the door behind him.

I ran to my closet and went straight to my pajama drawer. Thank god I left two pairs of sweats in there. I went with the light grey ones, I found a hot pink slim fit t-shirt I forgot to pack. I quickly threw off my clothes and onto the floor of my walk-in closet. I slipped on my PJs and popped ‘The Last Song’ into my DVD player.

Emerson knocked on the door just as I was going to get settled on my king sized bed. I groaned as I walked the length of the room to open the door.

“Was I interrupting something Lauren? I heard groaning or maybe I mean moaning, who knows with you.” Emerson said, smirking.

He strolled in like he owned the place, like it was his room. Clearly by the colors and bedspread it wasn’t. He plopped down making himself comfortable, only problem was, that is my side of the bed. Of all the boyfriends, best friends, my mom, even my own father, when you’re on my bed the right side are always mine. Emerson yawned, placing his hands behind his head. “Laur, are you coming anytime soon? Cause if not I think I’ll take a nap, your bed is really comfy.” He said not even looking at me.

“Well I’m not coming if you insist on sitting on my side the whole time.” I said crossing my arms over my chest. He laughed not moving an inch.

“I’m serious Emerson! I can be very stubborn, so I suggest you move or we could be here all night.” Finally he groaned and rolled over twice.

“Thank you.” I said before settling in under the blankets and grabbing the remote off the nightstand.

“Are you ready for two hours of girliness and probably one and a half of those hours will be spent either crying or laughing?” I asked with a serious face.

Emerson turned toward me; “I’m ready to be cuddly blue eyes, if that’s what you mean.” Immediately I snuggled into his chest where I fit quite perfectly and pressed play happily.

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We had watched about seven movies when I finally declared that I was tired. It had been a long crazy week. I was completely drained of energy. On top of that I had school next week. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to any of my friends. Madison my best friend since forever, freaked out when I told her. She swore she was coming with me. Not to mention the high pitched squeal she let out when I told her about Emerson. I think she momentarily died and came back to life.

“Hey Laur, are you okay?” Emerson asked sincerely. He was looking at me with wide eyes I had my hands tightly wrapped around his mid-section. This wouldn’t have been so weird if he wasn’t shirtless. A tear fell down my cheek thinking about Madison. Emerson wiped away the tear and said softly “Tell me about her.” He didn’t say a name but I knew whom he was talking about. I shut my eyes for a second and took a deep breath. He stroked my hair and whispered things in my ear like “you’re safe” “I’m right here” and “don’t worry blue eyes”.

I looked up into Emerson’s eyes. His green-brown eyes burned with an emotion I hadn’t seen yet. I thought it was desire, but it was hard to tell. Finally I was ready to tell him.

            “Madison has been my best friend since I could remember. When I moved to New York after my mom died…” A tear fell again; Emerson caught it with his finger.

“She was my first friend. One day kids started making fun of my accent, my clothes, everything. She stood up for me. She scared them off while I just sat there with my head down taking it.” I glanced up at him before I continued.

            “I had no idea why or how she did it, but I looked at her like my savior. From that moment on we were best friends. She was prettier, smarter, more friendly, the total package, but I didn’t care.” I said slowly, smiling to myself.

            “Now I’ve never seen this Madison, but I find that hard to believe.” Emerson said looking down at me.

            “What’s so hard to believe?” I asked confused by his statement.

            “That she was prettier, smarter, and more friendly. Really Lauren you need to stop putting yourself down.” He tipped my chin up to look at him before he looked into my eyes and said, “you’re beautiful Lauren, and if I have to tell you that forever to make you believe it then that’s what I’ll do. Now go to sleep. It’s been a long week, but I’m not leaving you, you’re warm.” He said still searching my eyes.

            For once in my life I didn’t understand something I really wanted to understand. Some moments I knew everything Emerson was thinking, but others I felt worlds away from his thoughts. I smiled slowly to myself; the idea of sleeping here with Emerson all night was funny to me. The girl who didn’t need or want a boyfriend since she knew the difference between girls and boys grew up.

            That girl now slept in warm beds on cold nights with gorgeous boys. That girl enjoyed laying her head on said gorgeous boy’s chest while his breath slowed and he fell into slumber. That girl didn’t care what anyone thought of her in that moment because he made her feel beautiful…

            That girl is me.