Inferno Part 2

~179~ He's A Punk

Emma's POV

It's been several weeks since Luke got mad at me, and he still won't really talk to me. I have no idea what his problem is, but I don't have time to worry about it. I have finals this week, and I'm beyond stressed.

I've been studying all day in my room. I can't focus without my window and blinds open, so all day they've been open. I've seen Owen playing in the yard with his daughter quite a bit. I've noticed the last couple days he's had her, that he plays with her until he puts her to bed, and then he stays up all hours of the night studying. He must have finals this week too. I don't know how he's doing it. I doubt he's getting much sleep.

I'm beyond stressed, and I don't even have a kid.

I decide to go out for a bit and get a snack. I've been staring at my Business Essentials book for hours now, and I can tell I haven't been retaining anything for a while.

I go downstairs to get a snack and a soda, and a few minutes later, Luke comes barreling down.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!? He screams at me.

Mom and dad stare at him like he's crazy.

"What?!?" I ask, shocked. I've literally been in my room all day. I have done nothing.

"I just went in your room to ask you a question about Trig, and saw that your window was opened. Have you seriously been watching Owen play with his daughter? I'll kill you if you destroy my best friend."

Dad immediately gets mad.

"Threaten my daughter again, and I'll throw you through a damn wall."

Luke looks at dad, and glares at him.

"Does anybody care about him at all?!? Huh?!? This is bullshit. Are you seriously turning into Katie now, Emma?"

I'm getting mad. Really mad. "I HAVE DONE NOTHING!!!" I scream at him.

"Then why is your window open, Emma?"

"What the hell, Luke! I keep my window open all the time. It used to drive Sasha crazy when I had to share a room with her. I have been studying All. Damn. Day. I cannot help it that he's in his yard. What is it that you're wanting me to do?"

"QUIT STARING AT HIM LIKE A DAMN FREAK!!!"

"I haven't done anything wrong," I say, fighting tears hard.

"Then quit watching him," he spits, his tone dark.

I nod and sniff. "K. Um, I think I'm done. You need to mind your own business, Luke. Trace is doing his best not to be jealous, and it's shit like this that's going to make him think he needs to be. I'm going to stay with Jake for a while," I say as I go upstairs to pack.

"Emma, please don't go," mom says, fighting tears.

I look at her. "I can't live with him anymore. He's been awful to me. I'm the one with the problem, so I'll remove myself. It's nothing about the two of you. You've been great," I say as I go upstairs to pack.

I get my book bag packed and throw some clothes in a suitcase.

When I get back downstairs, dad and Luke are screaming at each other. They stop as soon as they see me. I ignore everybody as I leave and walk across the street. Owen is in his front yard, playing hopscotch with his daughter, and he stops jumping when he sees me with my bags. I don't even look at him. Heaven forbid I look at him and wind up pregnant!

I don't even knock as I storm into Jake's house. He and Ethan are laughing and goofing around playing the PlayStation. As soon as he sees me, he immediately puts the controller down and comes over. He pulls me into a hug and holds me as I start crying.