Before Me, Him

Chapter 16

     It was now Saturday and me and Emily were at Ulla. I wanted to come earlier but they were in maintenance. During the week we actually talked a lot, however, most of the talking was Emily's. She opened herself to me like she used to do back when we were kids. Somehow I felt happy.

     Today I wanted the day to be about her, I wanted her to have fun and return that marvellous smile to her face.

     When we arrived at the amusement park it was eleven am. Ulla was huge, there were several different attractions and food establishments. Just at the entrance, you could see a ferry's wheel, some roller coasters, carrousels, among other things. There were even people dressed as mice of all colours since it was the park's mascot.

     - Where would you like to go first? – I say while looking to the map of the park.

     - Roller Coaster! – Emily says while pointing forward. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. She looked happier.

     After thirty minutes of waiting, we got onto the roller coaster and Emily almost made me deaf with her screams. Soon after we went to a hot dog stand to grab our lunch. She insisted on taking some pictures to post on her social media so I ended up taking a ton through the day. After our fast food lunch, we went to the carrousel and to the ferries' wheel. Emily ended up trying her luck in a wheel of fortune and checking her aim in a shooting stand. As the day went by the sun started to set and now it was six pm.

     - Are you feeling better Emily? – I question her.

     - Yeah, a lot. – she smiles at me. – Thank you so much! I love you, June!

     Emily hugs me and I pet her head. I'm truly glad she is having fun and I'm even happier that she is feeling better. I was honestly worried, she had spent the whole week feeling dull and sad. I just wanted to see her beautiful smile shine once again. As Emily lets go of me and looks forward her shining smile turns into a dull shocked face. Her eyes looked terrified almost as she had seen a ghost. Then the word "Dean" comes out of her mouth before she runs out of sight.

     - Emily! – I yell while looking back. I had lost her, completely, had no idea where she was.

     I look to where Emily's eyes traveled just to see Dean looking at me while a stunning red-haired girl grabbed his left arm. My face had rage written all over it so I ended up going towards him.

     - How much of an asshole can you be Dean? – I ask almost screaming at his face.

    - June you're overreacting. – he shoves the girl from his arm as her bright blue eyes stay in a state of shock.

     - Clearly. When are you thinking about giving her a reply? – I frown my eyebrows – If you want to be jumping between girls that's fine, I don't care but I care about Emily and her heart so if you, at least, consider yourself her friend just refuse her so she can move on!

     - It's not what it seems June... It truly isn't. – Dean sights. – This is Polly, a foreign cousin. We're family, that's all.

     - Then why do you avoid replying to Emily? Why Dean? – I grab his arm. – Listen you will find her right now and solve things through otherwise you'll have to deal with me. I'll stay with Polly until you both return!

     Dean nods and starts running all over the park in search of Emily. Meanwhile, I take Polly and we both sit on a bench but, every time a loud noise would pop up she would grab my arm as a reflection. I sigh realizing that she was a complete scary-cat and that is the only reason she was grabbing Dean's arm. Of course, the fact that she couldn't talk our language didn't help the fear go away.

     Some time had passed until I hear a sob from a bench behind the one we were sitting in. I recognized it, it was Emily's sobbing. I really wanted to go there and pet her blonde hair while telling everything would be ok but right now that wasn't my task. I touch Polly and point down so that we could both hide since we couldn't leave the bench without being seen. The sun had already turned into a beautiful orange colour, showing off his warm and last rays of light when a random guy approaches Emily. He was wearing a black cap with some workout brown trousers and a white t-shirt. The golden chains around his neck were extremely loud so I could understand straight away that this guy was up to no good.

     - Why are you crying baby girl? – he asks while getting closer to her. – I can make you feel better. Come with me.

     - No. – Emily says while looking him straight into the eye and getting up after some minutes of silence. She was gathering her courage. 

     - I promise you'll have fun, baby. – said the guy while approaching his hand to her cheeks.

     All this time I was controlling myself not to leave and interfere but it was so hard. Seeing her like this was unbearable, I always stood up for her, I always protected her from creeps like this but I was aware that I needed to let her go, otherwise, she would seek shelter under my wing forever.

     - I said... No! – she screams while punching his face. Of course, she regrets it a few seconds later when her hand turned red and then yellow from the punch. The guy's face was harder than her hand. – I'm leaving!

     - You're coming with me. - the guy places his hand on her shoulder while, out of a sudden, he gets punched in the face again. This time it wasn't Emily but Dean instead.

     - She said no. Are you perhaps deaf? – Dean smiles while preparing his fists to punch again if needed. – Maybe you want my help to hear better?

     Understanding the situation he was in the guy leaves and, while Dean was focused on his disappearance he didn't notice that Emily was also walking away. When he realizes it he grabs her hand.

     - Emily, please, stop running. – he says as she freezes her pace. – Please.

     - No Dean. – Emily looks back to him and shoves off his hand. – I'm done.

     - I love you, Emily. – Dean's eyes were focused on Emily's. – It's the truth.

     - Like you love the red-haired girl? – she was mad to an extent I'd never seen her before. It was only natural though. The lack of response on Dean's side and then seeing him with another girl being so intimate with him, it's very hurtful. His past was also a suspicious factor since, for what Emily had told me, Dean used to be extremely popular with the girls and use it to his own advantage. In a month he would have an average of three different girls, at the same time.

     - Emily... She's my cousin, that's all. – his beautiful green eyes were shining bright, almost as if he was about to cry or maybe it was just my impression.

     - Then if you love me why didn't you reply? Why did you avoid me?

     - There is a lot going on right now, in my personal life. Especially family-related. – Dean sighs - That's why I wanted to wait until everything was sorted out before talking to you.

     Afterward, neither one of them would talk. For three minutes they were both quiet as if waiting for the other person to say something else.

     - It was scary wasn't it? – he opens up his arms and Emily automatically runs to them while crying her heart out. – I'm sorry for being late Emily. I'm sorry.