Chapter 3: My Best Friend

Chapter 3.

3: My Best Friend

Wednesday the fifth of December

            As soon as the sun leaked into my room I turned away from the window. I groaned, quickly realizing I couldn’t escape the sunshine. I pulled the covers over my head and just as quickly had them torn off again.

            “Get up lazy bones! I made breakfast if you’re interested.” Emerson laughed as I shivered from lack of a blanket. I stared down at my flat stomach that got exposed during the night. It grumbled a few times telling me to get up or starve to death.

“Fine then, be stubborn, but don’t blame me for what I’m about to do, know you asked for it.”

            Before I could yell, kick, think, Emerson had scooped me up in his arms and proceeded to carry me downstairs.

“Put me right now Emerson!” I protested. He shook his head and laughed ignoring my request. I knew nothing would get him to put me down. I waited until he put me down on the couch in the living room to defend myself. I pulled him down to me and smacked his bicep as hard as I could.

            “Ouch!” He said, rubbing his arm as if it had really hurt him.

            “Oh don’t be such a baby Emerson.” I said rising from the couch walking towards breakfast.

            “Hey Laur, you’re out of OJ.” Someone said as I padded into the kitchen, thank god for heated floors. I thought about who would be in my kitchen at this house, but I wasn’t scared I kept walking until I reached the kitchen and the voice got a face, I froze. “Surprise!” She yelled coming to hug me. She held me an arms length away waiting for me to say something.

            “Ohmigod. Madison you’re seriously here! I thought you had like school or something. Oh duh, blonde moment, it’s Wednesday. You do have school! Why aren’t you in school? I have school tomorrow! Oh gosh I’m like so nervous.” I didn’t stop for air, I had barely talked to Madison all week, and I missed her.

            “Okay, first calm your tits, second don’t be nervous I’ll be with you every step. But before anything we need to get you dressed so we can shop for our dorm!” Madison was beaming her white smile blinded me.

            “What do you mean ‘our dorm’?” I backed into Emerson. I didn’t hear him come into the kitchen. He smiled sheepishly at me, he wasn’t telling me something. I crossed my arms over my chest and moved away from both of them.

            “Well Laur, Mr. Sex appeal over here called me from your phone at like one o’clock in the morning yesterday and told me he had friends in higher places, no joke, his words exactly. Anyways imagine how scary that is at that hour. He said if I wanted to I could get a slot in your school, move down to the middle of nowhere with you and share a dorm room the size of a small house. Of course I said yes so here I am enrolled in your school ready to go with you. All thanks to your boyfriend over there.” Madison stuck her thumb towards Emerson, he did a small wave at me, and I glared.

“Well I’m happy you’re coming with Maddy, but I’m pissed at my ‘boyfriend’, (I actually used air quotes.), over there.” How the heck was I supposed to hand this situation?

“I’ll just go upstairs and wait for you in your room Laur. Work it out with Em, then come up when you’re ready.” She picked up her glass of bubbly water, almost as bubbly as he personality, and bounced down the hall. I turned towards Emerson as soon as Madison was out of earshot.

“What the hell were you thinking Emerson? Are you insane?” I whispered loudly hoping Madison wouldn’t hear us. His eyes turned dark as he took in my words.

“Well I was thinking having a friend other than me at school would make things easier for you. I was thinking about how you talked about her last night before we went to bed. Maybe I am crazy, crazy about you.” He stepped towards me. I bit my lip hard trying not to smile at his cheesy pick up line he knows will get me every time.

“See, I knew you couldn’t resist me.” He said now in front of me. He leaned down and kissed my lips softly, and I let him. His kisses made me dizzy. He pulled back, looking at me, waiting for my reaction.

“Madison called you my boyfriend.” I thought out loud. He looked at me with a strange look; a look that said no girl had recovered from his kiss that quickly.

“Well do you want me to be your boyfriend?” He asked taking my small hand in his for a moment. I studied him for a while. Looking in his eyes, seeing his every emotion in them. Every opinion he didn’t voice. Everything he wanted and needed. His eyes hid nothing, but he hid most. I was sure he couldn’t help it.

There was nothing I wanted more, but I couldn’t say that. I had known Emerson for barely a week, but I wanted him to be my boyfriend. This was crazy, no way would I do this. So I did what I did best in difficult situations. I slipped my hand out of his and ran to the one place I would be able to figure this out. I didn’t stop until I got there. I didn’t look back for Emerson.

***********************************

“Hey Momma.” I said sitting cross-legged on the cold ground. I hadn’t been here in a while I realized. I’d been so wrapped up with my own life I had forgotten about my mother. I knew she was always looking out for me, but now I really needed her. We had to talk like I couldn’t talk to my dad.

I could hear her laugh as she said “Hey Laur.” And stare back at me with the same ice blue eyes I have. The sound of her laugh hadn’t faded in my mind yet. She loved my name. Loved calling me it whenever she could, she would laugh a little at the silly decision she made on the spot. She had ended up loving that decision with her whole heart.

You see when I was born my parents could not pick a name for me. They thought for a long time. Asked their friends. Consulted baby name websites and books. Finally I came and they still hadn’t chosen a name for me. On the spot my mother said Lauren Elizabeth Daniels. At the time she didn’t realize that she would end up loving it.

She was beautiful, my mother. Kind, generous, and lots more. I hated to think about her death. Even though I was only six at the time I knew it wasn’t her time to go, she could have lived a long life if it weren’t for those damn drunk drivers.

I refused to think about it. I pushed that thought into the deep dark of my mind for a much later date. I tore the grass from the ground and threw it into the air. The cold breeze carried it away. I was crying.

“Mom, I really need you right now. How do I talk to dad about boys? I wish you were here to teach me the mysterious way of boys.” I laughed a half-hearted laugh before talking again, I probably looked crazy, but I didn’t care.

“So you’re probably wondering what boy I’m rambling about. Well his name is Emerson. Mom he’s so cute. He’s a gentleman, holds my things, and opens doors, the whole nine yards. He’s funny and sweet. He always knows the right thing to say. Did you know Daddy is making us move to Vermont? I have to change schools now. I guess Emerson will be there, and Madison is coming along too. I’ll be fine, I think. Madison said something about a dorm room! I think we have to live on campus Mom.” I sighed then continued.

“Mommy, I really like Emerson. It feels right. He asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. I wanted to say yes, but I ran instead. Ran all the way to you Mom. I feel like if I say yes I’ll never see you again or things would end badly between Emerson and I. It’s a risk, but I wanna take it Mom. I’m going to take it. Thanks Mom.” I stood up with purpose. I brushed the dirt off me and clicked my phone on. The screen read fourteen new messages and five missed calls. I didn’t bother looking at them.

 

I just called him.

***********************************

I sat on the curb with my head in my hands waiting for his black BMW to pull up to the curb and pick me up. When I called him I simply told him I needed to talk, told him where I was, and hung up. I didn’t let him say anything I just expected he’d come get me.

I heard a car approaching and lifted my head to check if it was him. Sure enough his car pulled up to the curb and Emerson jumped out when he saw me. He pulled me to my feet and kept a hold on my hands. He smiled warmly at me.

“Hey, you’re cold. Why don’t we go back to your place and we can talk there. Plus if you’re nice I’ll make you the world’s best cup of cocoa.” He went and led me to the car. He opened my door and waited until I was buckled in before he closed it. When he came to the driver’s side and settled in I sighed loudly.

“Just wait until we get home to lay into me will you? I want to enjoy my first few minutes of having you back.” Emerson said putting his hand into my lap after he had pulled away from the curb.

I took his fingers and lifted them to my small mouth. I gently kissed his fingertips and palm. I laughed as he turned toward me with questioning eyes. I just continued to play with and kiss his hand the entire drive home. Once we parked in my driveway I was warmer, that is until Emerson came around to the passenger side and opened my door.

I shivered and ran up to the front door. I quickly remember I ran out so fast I didn’t have keys. “Emerson, do you have keys?” I asked from the porch.

“What, do you think I’m that dumb Lauren? Of course I have keys.” He said walking up to the door and shoving the key into the lock. He kicked it open with his foot and led me inside. It felt different somehow, less lived in like before.

I took a seat at the island in the kitchen on Emerson’s orders. I watched as he turned his back to me, getting the milk and whipped cream out of the fridge for our cocoa.

“So Laur, you are now free to say whatever you want to me as loudly as you would like since Madison is out of the house. Go ahead.” Emerson said turning back to face me. I sighed.

“Okay Emerson. I’m really sorry. Sorry I ran out like that. Sorry I disappeared without a trace. Truth is, I’m sorry for lots of things. Things that overwhelm me, things that scare me, things that make me sad.” I paused.

“Honestly? You both overwhelm me and scare me. I had no clue how to answer you in that moment, so I went and figured it out. I went and talked to my mom, maybe you think I’m crazy for doing it, but I did end up figuring it out.” I said slowly.

“There is nothing I would like more than for you to be my boyfriend, honest. Even though I haven’t known you for long I think I know what I want. Anyways that’s pretty much all I have to say, but thanks for giving me my space, I needed it.” I said waiting for him to react in another way, besides his mouth hanging open.

“Uh well Lauren… I guess apology excepted?” Emerson said, though he looked a little confused. I laughed quietly at his confusion it was amusing. He turned back toward the sink and got two mugs from the cabinet. I watched as he heated the milk on the stop top. I waited patiently for him to finish. I glanced at my watch.

“Hey Emerson, I had the greatest idea. I think our first date should be now. It’s only eleven take me to the mall! We can be all couple-like while I shop. Oh pretty please Emerson?” I said. He turned towards me and I batted my eyelashes. I could tell he would do whatever I wanted after that.

“What about our cocoa?” He asked.

“Ditch it, the mall is more fun. Actually, promise you’ll make me some more tonight.” I said, getting up from my chair.

“Okay, promise. I’ll get my coat and we’ll go.” Emerson said pouring the milk down the drain and putting the ingredients back in the fridge.

“Well let me go change and shower, you have some time.” I said taking in his appearance. His hair looked like he just woke up, purposely. His jeans were faded and worn out. His green long sleeve t-shirt was plain and simple, and it complimented his eyes. I loved his eyes and how they changed all the time. His muscles were bulging through his shirt. I would never get tired or looking at him, ever.

When I finished staring I realized he was staring at me. “Um Laur, you need something?” He raised one eyebrow questioning me. I laughed and shook my head before heading towards my bathroom.

***********************************

“Oh my gosh! Emerson I need everything in this store!” I exclaimed squeezing his hand and giving him my biggest smile.

“Lauren! Calm down you’ll scare him off.” Madison said from a desk she was trying out. Emerson laughed.

“Don’t worry Madison, I don’t scare easily.” He said wiggling his eyebrows at me causing me to erupt into a fit of giggles. Madison glared at us from her seat.

“Emerson I really hope there are some really hot guys at this major private school of yours, cause I don’t know how much longer I can stand you two while being single.” Madison said waving the sales person over to tell her what she wanted. Emerson didn’t reply to Madison’s comment, he just steered me over to the bed section. I browsed through the aisles with him before choosing one. I picked a cherry wood sleigh bed that was king sized. It was nice and roomy for sleepovers at our “house”. Emerson said it suited me.

Before I knew it Madison and I were finished buying furniture for our “house”. We both had our beds, desk, and lamps, the whole nine yards. We didn’t hold back one bit.

“Okay, next new wardrobe!” Madison said once we sorted the details about where to send the new furniture. She pulled me towards Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch. I turned back toward Emerson and mouthed, “Help me”, he just laughed and walked behind us.

I easily blew a couple thousand dollars on items of clothing Madison would make sure I wore. Emerson and three personal designers were loaded with ten bags each when we finally finished. The personal designers came out of the shadows when we first stepped into a clothing store. They noted our personal style and made suggestions. Once a week they would show up at our “house” and offer us new pieces for our closet, we took what we liked and then they left to work for next week. Of course the designers were a gift from Madison’s parents they’re loaded. These same designers will be with us through college. It was a nice surprise and they seem to know what they’re doing with their fancy tablets, noting sizes, colors, and showing us sketches.

“Lauren, I’m totally drained.” Madison moaned.

“I’m going to head back to my place. I’ll call later and then I guess I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” She headed towards the black SUV that was waiting for her after hugging Emerson and I.

“You guys can follow me back. I’ll keep all the clothes and everything at my place, and I’ll send someone to help me put it into the ‘house’ in the morning. Thanks for all your help today and I’ll see you Friday at four. Call if you have any questions.” I said talking to the PDs (personal designers). They went off towards their cars struggling to keep all our bags on their arms. I started walking with Emerson towards his BMW.

“It’s been a long day Emerson. Not exactly the date I pictured, but it was nice. I think I need that cocoa now. Maybe a long movie and some good old fashioned cuddling.” I said taking half of the bags from him so he could pop the trunk.

He took the bags back and stuffed them in his trunk. Some he put in the backseat, before opening my door and helping me in. I put my seatbelt on and waited for him to get in on the driver’s side. I check my watch and noted it was too early for Dad to be home from work yet. I quickly texted him that Emerson and I were headed home, he replied a moment later saying he was staying in a fancy hotel in Vermont this evening and to have fun with Emerson. For a second I pondered what that was supposed to mean, but decided not to overthink it.

Next thing I knew Emerson was in the car and was backing out of the parking space. I stared out the window as the world flew past our car. Emerson drove fast to get back to the house. I had my nose pressed to the window when Emerson’s hand landed in my lap again, without looking I took his hand and locked his fingers in mine. I knew right then everything would be different.