Chapter 5: Maybe I'm Adjusting

Chapter 5.

5: Maybe I’m Adjusting

“Ew!” Madison screeched. “How do you eat those without gagging or some other disgusting human action?” She asked pushing her food around on her plate.

“Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to play with your food?” Emerson grinned wickedly, amused by Madison’s actions.

“Oh, you mean carrots? Or vegetables in general?” I asked slowly eating my salad. I popped a cherry tomato in my mouth, Madison’s face rearranged. I chewed and swallowed before smiling.

“Never mind, eat what you want. It’s your body after all.” Madison shook her head and cut a piece of grilled chicken up and shoveled it into her mouth. I didn’t understand how she ate everything she did and still was as light as a feather.

It was dinnertime here on campus. With dinner came some complications.

 Number one, Madison doesn’t know how to cook anything; I’m pretty sure she’s brunt water before.

Number two; it’s very distracting having your super hot boyfriend staring at you from a foot away while trying to cook.

So basically we had one option. We hunt. Just kidding. We ordered from the kitchen staff via our inside source (meaning Emerson). He made on phone call. It was that easy. They were all like “yes master Emerson, whatever you need.” Well maybe it wasn’t quite those words, but still.

Emerson put his arm behind me, across my chair. He fiddled with my hair while I munched.

He smiled slowly at me. “You know what’s even worse then eating vegetables?” Madison asked looking at us from across our dining room table. “No? Well it’s watching you two make googly eyes at each other while I sit here trying to enjoy my dinner.” She studied her nails.

Emerson pulled me towards him and kissed me. Madison pushed her plate away, I laughed. “I’m out! I’m gonna go sit in my room and think about what I did to deserve this torture from you two.” Madison said storming off dramatically.

When she was in her room door closed, I knew from the dramatic slam I said, “Wanna watch a movie? I have a TV in my room.”  I smiled devilishly.

Emerson stood just as my phone rang; I put my finger up telling him to wait a second. I clicked my phone on. Emerson took my plate and cup into the kitchen clearing off the table for me.

“Daddy.” I said in a sugary girly tone.

“Blue eyes!” I could see his features softening as he heard my voice in my head. I missed my father a lot I realized.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Oh, the usual. Business, work, home, repeat.” He laughed a hearty laugh it made me smile. “You know it’s not the same without you here to keep me company blue eyes.” He said softly, I felt tears threatening to roll down my cheeks in a moment or two if I didn’t get it under control.

“It’s not the same without you around too Daddy.” I choked back my tears.

“Aw pumpkin, don’t cry.” He said. Emerson came and sat beside me again. He held my hand lightly in his.

“I miss you.” I declared.

“I miss you more blue eyes.” He said before he sighed. “I trust Emerson is taking good care of my little girl.” He said, returning to his stern voice. I clicked the phone on speaker.

“That’s right Mr. Daniels. I’m taking very good care of your daughter.” Emerson smiled at me.

“That’s what I like to hear. Anyways, it’s getting late I better go, I haven’t even left the office yet. Good night Emerson.” He said into the phon.

“Good night Mr. Daniels. Safe travels home.” Emerson said diplomatically.

“Blue eyes, baby, I sent a package your way it should arrive tomorrow. I’ll see you this weekend in New York make sure you come. I miss your blue eyes. I love you Lauren, see you soon sweetie pie.” He hung up. Didn’t give me a chance to tell him I loved him or to drive safe. I slumped in my chair.             

         

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Turns out this weekend would never come.

 

Lights flashed, doors opened, people passed, long hallways stretched on and on for miles it seemed.

 

No one told me anything about what had happened to him.

 

I sat with my head in my hands for hours.  

 

Still no word.

           

                       Nothing.

 

                                   No one.

 

I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t sit there any longer or I might lose my mind, go crazy, mental. I had an echo of his voice on reply in my mind. I wanted to cry. I wandered. I walked down every hallway in that damn hospital.

I wanted to get out. Wanted to be anywhere but there. Honestly my mind knew there was nothing I could do, but my heart kept me going. I asked the receptionist for the fifth time if I could see him.

She just shook her head and said “Not tonight dear.” With those sad, big, brown eyes. A single tear slipped down my cheek.

I raced down the long, white, blindly bright hallway. I went straight into the bathroom. I sunk down against the wall and onto the floor and cried. When I stood I was dizzy and my head hurt. I looked like a mess. I didn’t know how long I had cried, but I didn’t care. I decided there was no point in staying here any longer.

I left the bathroom and went straight out the automatic doors in the main lobby. It was cold outside so I pulled my sweater around me tighter. My car was sitting in the parking lot under the dim hospital streetlights. I searched for my keys in my purse and unlocked the car.

My leather seats were cold on my legs. I immediately turned on the heat and then sat in silence. It was late, and I needed to get home. I slipped my phone out of my pocket and went through my contact list, debating if it was a good idea to call anyone at this hour.

Eventually I decided against it. It was too late to bother any of my friends or even Emerson. When I got the call it was late already. Madison was already in bed and Emerson had headed back to his place only an hour or so earlier. It started to rain while I was inside that dreaded hospital. The staff told me they would call when I could see him or if they had any news.

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

            When I pulled up to his house I didn’t understand exactly how I had ended up here. It wasn’t my intention to wake anyone up at this ungodly hour. I took a deep breath before getting out and walking up to his door. I rang the doorbell.

I waited a couple minutes for someone to answer the door. Finally I heard footsteps. The door swung open and I collapsed into his arms.

“Lauren? What are you doing here, it’s late.” Emerson said holding me. I lifted my head to look at him.

“My dad.” I cried to Emerson. “He’s in the hospital, nobody will tell me what happened or what’s going on.” I said before burying my head into his chest. He closed the door.

Emerson picked me up like a little girl. He carried me down the hallway to what I thought was his bedroom. He set me down on the giant bed softly before coming to lie beside me.

I started sobbing into Emerson’s chest. I didn’t know what came over me. I just had all this sadness all of a sudden. It hit me like a ton of bricks.

“Lauren it’s okay. Shhh, don’t cry Laur. I promise he’ll be alright.” Emerson whispered to me.

The door opened and someone flicked on the light. “Emerson, what’s all the crying about?” A male voice said rubbing his eyes. Emerson got up.

“I’ll be right back blue eyes, stay put.” He said before kissing me on the forehead. Emerson flicked the light off again and pushed the male voice back out the doorframe.

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

“You have a chick in your room after hours?” Toby asked Emerson.

“She’s my girlfriend and FYI my mom runs this school, after hours doesn’t apply to me.” Emerson said back roughly.

I could hear their whole conversation as they were only on the other side of the door.

“So why’s she crying so much?” Toby asked bluntly. I learned his name was Toby in the first few minutes of the boys back and forth.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business Toby. Just go back to sleep would you?” Emerson countered. Toby laughed harshly.

“I think it is, since clearly you aren’t the only one who lives in this house Emerson.” Toby said. I could just imagine his smirk. It made me want to throw up.

 

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

           

My eyes fluttered open in sheer panic. I woke up somewhere else. Not my house, not my room, not my bed. I flipped over to see Emerson lying beside me. I took a deep breath.

His breathing was even and calm, his arm was draped across my midsection pulling me close to him even as he slept peacefully. I put my hand to his chest. It was burning hot. I snuggled into his chest knowing it was still late in the night and we had time to sleep.

Slowly I drifted into sleep next to Emerson’s warm body. His breathing was slow and soft against my body. My hand found his and I curled my fingers around his fist. Finally I was relaxed, sleeping there next to Emerson made me relax.