Chapter 6: A New Day, A New Dawn

Chapter 6.

6: A New Day, A New Dawn

Friday the seventh of December

“Good morning beautiful.” Emerson whispered kissing me softly on the cheek. I moved in closer to him. Emerson laughed softly and I felt it through his entire body.

“Morning Emerson.” I said groggily.

“We kinda should get going if we’re going to make it to class on time.” He said glancing at the bedside clock that flowed through the dim light in Emerson’s room.

I jumped up looking for my jeans; Madison was going to kill me. Emerson swung his long legs off the bed before standing to stretch. Finally I found my jeans and struggled to pull them up, I buttoned them closed just as Emerson pulled a t-shirt over his head.

I pulled the shirt I had on over my head before Emerson handed me a light grey long sleeve of his from his drawer. Quickly I pulled it on and basically ran to the door.

Emerson blocked my way, he wasn’t moving. I put my hand on my hip. “You’re cute when you’re mad.” He said looking down at me. His arms slipped around my waist comfortably.

“I need to leave. We have class and my dad and Madison.” I said looking up into his green-brown eyes.

“Not before you kiss me goodbye.” He said grinning down at me. He picked me up off the ground. I gave in. My arms wrapped around his neck.

After a while I pulled away. His dimple showed itself while he put me down. “Yep well I have to go. Class you know.” I said rocking back and forth on my heels. He moved from the doorway still smiling stupidly.

I passed through the doorway and walked in front of Emerson towards the front hall to put my shoes on. I found Toby standing in the hallway shrugging his coat on.

“Good morning Toby.” I said cordially.

“Morning Girlfriend.” He said back sarcastically.

“I have a name.” I countered.

“Sorry, didn’t catch it while you were keeping me awake all night with your sobbing.” Toby said now wrapping a scarf around his neck.

“Oh well don’t apologize. I should say sorry for my dad being in a coma since that was the reason for my constant sobbing.” I said.

Toby’s face dropped. Emerson gasped from behind me. I pulled my boots and jacket on. The boys said nothing to me. Both were completely silent.

“I’ll see you in class.” I said to Emerson leaving him with a lingering kiss on the mouth. I turned and went out the front door, not looking back as I got into my Mustang and high tailed it home.

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            “Where were you last night?” Madison asked sitting on the foot of my bed watching me dress. I turned towards my best friend since forever and knew I would have to tell her some time, I sighed before joining her on the edge of my bed.

“First I was here with you peacefully in my own warm bed. Then I got a call from a hospital in New York, my dad was in an accident. After that I was in the hospital in New York with him, nobody would let me see him or know anything about what happened. After that I was with Emerson all night. I got a call this morning around five or so telling me my dad is in a coma. That brings me back here to you.” I said emotionless. I stood and pulled my motorcycle boots on over my tights.

Today I wore a cherry red A-line dress with black lace tights I grabbed my leather jacket and went with my motorcycle boots for edge. I tied my hair back with a red ribbon into a high ponytail. I opened my large box of sunglasses and went with classic black ray bans. Some red lipstick and my diamond earrings and I was good to go.

I shoved my books into my usual leather messenger bag, double-checked I had everything and proceeded on to the kitchen to fill my travel mug. Madison followed me into the kitchen.

Today Madison chose a pair of green pastel shorts. Under those she had white tights due to the sub zero temperatures outside. For her top she chose a long sleeve lace material and underneath that a silver patterned tank top. Her dark hair framed her face and her dark makeup made the look less like a fairy and more of a pastel rebel.

Some days I envied Madison’s life. From the outside looking in her life in a word was perfect. Sometimes I looked from the outside in; sometimes I was inside looking out. The days I envied Madison’s life were the days I stood on the outside looking in.

I have known Madison for some time now and its not all butterflies and rainbows. Even with both her parents alive and still happily married. Even with a successful older brother making a place for himself in the world.

Believe it or not Madison has just as many issues as I do.

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I was standing there in the hallway when all of a sudden something happened. I froze. Couldn’t move. It was like all the other ones but it was different in one way. That’s when I saw it.

Flash forward 3 months…

“Darn, another cute boy who won’t notice me.” Madison said slowly. “Cross him off the list will you?” she turned to me looking at me through darkly shaded eyes.

“Sure thing best friend.” I said as I took my red marker from my pocket and scanned the pink paper for the name Lucas Simons. I slashed through his name three times before slipping the marker back into my pocket.

We had been at this new school for about three months now and it seems as though no boy will notice Madison no matter how hard she tries. I decided I would suggest something.

“Maybe we should just ask Emerson what his friends look for in girls.” I said slipping my sunglasses on top of my head.

“Yeah, sure, ask the boy who took bets on if I would attract any boys or not just last week.” She said sarcastically.

“Maddy, he didn’t actually do that. He was just joking with you.” I said scanning the busy outdoor café. No one caught my eye for a moment. I turned back towards my best friend.

“Maybe you don’t know just how difficult it is to get a boyfriend here because you’ve been with that oddly perfect boyfriend of yours since before we started school here.” She said.

“Talking about me again girls?” Emerson said setting our drinks down on the small table. He pulled his chair out and sat down. “Lauren.” He said. I turned towards him; he kissed me sweetly on the lips. I pulled away and smiled.

“Hello Emerson.” I said back. I slipped my sunglasses back over my eyes.

“Two lattes and a black coffee.” He turned to Madison. “I still don’t understand the whole deal with the black coffee Madison. I mean honestly, even I, manly man of the year, cannot stand my coffee to be black.” Emerson said.

I snorted a little bit at his whole manly man joke. She ignored him and took her cup to sip and boy watch at the same time.