Changing Directions

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Emma's POV

"Hey Em! Where have you been?" My mom asks when I walk through the door.

I shrug out of my tan coat and hang it on the back of my chair. "I was at Aaron's."

She looked at me. "What for?"

I was still mad from yelling at him so I guess it carried into my house, too. "Why do you care?"

"Honey, I just want to be here for you."

"Oh so now you want to be a good parent?" I laugh bitterly.

"Emma, please." She had tears in her eyes and her voice shook.

I may have been mad but she was my mother and I still loved her. Life has been great since Eric left. Emily was sent away to live with her grandparents and I was back to making good grades and seeing Sam after school. Mom had changed, too. She was trying to be a better parent and be more involved in my life. It was frustrating at first, only because I wasn't used to telling her everything, let alone talk to her. But things have gotten better.

"I'm sorry mom. It's just," I mumble.

"What is it Em?"

I sigh. "Well, I broke up with him."

"I'm so sorry Emmie. What happened?"

A lump formed in my throat and I shook my head over and over. "I don't want to talk about it."

"But you'll tell me if you want to?" She sounded hopeful.

"Sure, mom."

She smiled and since she hadn't done that in so long, I couldn't help but smile back.

But the smile was interrupted by my phone. It was a number I didn't recognize.

"Mom do you know this number?" I showed her my phone.

She shook her head no. So I answered it anyway.

And boy am I glad I did.

"Hello?"

"Emma! Get down here right now!!" It was Tyler and he sounded like he had just slammed his hands into a car door and couldn't get out.

Believe me, he would do that.

"Why? Where Tyler what happened?!" I yell, startling my mom.

He told me the street but he didn't say why.

"Tyler! Why?!"

He gulped. "Em, I think you should come here and find out for yourself."

"Tell me." I growled.

"Well, Em," he sighed. "Tyler....well, he died."

My head spun and my vision veered out of control. The phone slipped from my hand and I heard it shatter on the floor, but it sounded like it was miles away. I felt my head hit the floor and I just stared at the ceiling.

"Emma!" My mom yelled, running to my side and pulling me to my feet.

"What?" I ask wearily, putting a hand to my aching head.

"They're talking about some boy on the news. He jumped off a bridge...." She trailed off when she looked at me. "What did Tyler want?"

I fought back tears. "That boy who jumped off the bridge..."

"Yes?" Her eyes were as big as bowling balls.

"That was Aaron. And he's dead."

She backed away from me like I had a contagious disease. Tears were in both of our eyes and I couldn't hold them back anymore. The river started to flow again.