Beyond Education [Jemily]

Take These Broken Wings...

In the dimly lit hallway, I could see two girls heavily making out against the door of a dorm room. One was Emily.

She panted against the girl's lips, "Is your roommate here?"

The girl panted back, "No. Get inside." Emily nodded and opened the door behind her back, leading them both inside. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but I also could. I abandoned my plan to throw the trash out and just walked back into my room, crawling under the covers and battling feelings of anger, sadness, and confusion.

September 11, 2021
This morning, I explained to Pen exactly what happened last night and told her not to let Emily in if she came by, which I knew she probably would. Sure enough, we heard a knock on our door around 2:00 in the afternoon.

I stayed in the lounge, hidden but hearing everything, while Penelope answered it, "Hi Emily."

"Hey, Penelope, is JJ around? I came to see if she wanted to grab lunch."

"She uh... She doesn't wanna see you right now."

"Huh? Why? Is she okay?"

Penelope milked it out of her, "Where'd you go last night? After you dropped her off? Hmm?" Emily must've realized what she was getting at, because I heard her push her way through the door and rush into the lounge where I was.

She saw where I was sitting on the couch and pleaded, "JJ I was drunk, it was a stupid mistake." I didn't respond and just kept toying with the blanket draped over me. Emily sat on the end of the couch and begged, "Please, JJ, don't do this. I-I was just angry and I drank too much... I didn't mean to hurt you, JJ."

"Is it because I didn't wanna be your girlfriend after two dates? Is that it? So you go fuck another girl not even 24 hours later?"

She sighed, "I know. It was dumb and I regret it so much, JJ. Is there any chance you'll forgive me?"

"I felt like such an idiot standing in the hallway and watching you... chew this girl's face off. I wanted to take things slow with you, is that such a crime?"

"No, it's not I promise!"

I avoided eye contact with her, "Please leave."

"JJ!" When I didn't respond, she angrily got up and stomped out of the room and into the hall.

— Emily's POV
"Taking things slow, taking things slow. I get it but come on!" I ranted to Tara after I got back from JJ's dorm.

"You clearly hit a nerve, Emily."

"Ya think!?"

"Well fix it."

"How? She doesn't wanna talk to me. God, I so didn't wanna fuck things up with her."

A pause. "Wanna grab a drink?"

"That's how I got into this shit in the first place, T."

"And it'll help you get out of it. C'mon let's go. I'll be there to make sure you keep your dick in your pants." I nodded and agreed to go. By the time we got there it was only 3:00. Afternoon drinking was never my style, so I just played some rounds of pool and darts with Derek.

"You can patch this up, Emily, it's gonna be fine." He comforted me as we stood around the pool table.

"I hope so. It might never be the same though. She might never trust me again."

"Lemme tell you something. You've been my rock ever since I set foot on campus. Whenever I need help, I go to you. Whenever I'm in trouble, I go to you. There's a reason for that, E."

"Oh yeah? What is it?"

"Because you're the smartest, strongest, most resilient person I know. You always know what to do. I trust your judgement." I smiled at him. "You really know how to come through for a bitch."

I laughed, "Tell Jennifer that."

"Happily." Our deep convo was interrupted when Derek pointed out, "Ayy look who's here!" Aaron and Haley finally walked in around 6:00. The gang was all here, so I decided it was time for a drink.

I approached the bar, "Rum and coke, please." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Penelope and JJ make their way into the bar. I made brief eye contact with her and she shot me a small smile. A sign of hope. I took my drink and walked back to the group. Penelope and JJ took a seat on the other side of the bar, probably around some of JJ's jock friends. I hit Derek on the arm, "She's here."

Aaron loudly asked, "Who's here?"

The four of us simultaneously shushed him, "Shhh!"

Tara quietly answered, "JJ. JJ's here."

Aaron nodded, "Oh. Why do we care?"

Haley rolled her eyes, "Because she's giving Emily the silent treatment right now... Can't you ever keep up?"

He whispered, "Sorry."

Derek explained, "Remember I texted you earlier? Emily got drunk after her date with JJ last night and fucked some other girl."

"Ohh yeahhh. How was it?" Haley hit him over the head. He deserved it. Another hour went by and I was able to concentrate on very little besides JJ. I loved watching her laugh and smile, seeing the excitement in her eyes when someone's telling her a funny story. God, I wish I was over there right now. At one point, she got up and sauntered over to the bar to order a drink. As I would expect, she received attention from several guys, but only one had the balls to approach her. I saw them making smiley conversation for roughy 10 minutes as she sipped on her drink.

"Earth to Emily!" Tara got my attention.

"Huh?"

"How long are you gonna stare at JJ?"

"Forever."

"What's she doing now?"

"Talking to some guy."

"Ew. Men."

"Exactly. What's she talking to him for?"

—JJ's POV
I was currently making pleasant conversation with this really cute guy at the bar. His name is Will and he's a junior on the baseball team. He came up to me after I ordered my drink and kept me company while I drank it. The bar was super crowded tonight but that didn't stop me from spotting Emily across the joint. She was surrounded by her leather-clad crew, making our situation seem like a division between the greasers and jocks in "Grease."

Talking with Will was fun, but I was starting to feel a little dizzy all of a sudden. I suspected it must be my drink, so I pushed it away. Will noticed and said, "Hey are you okay?"

I slurred, "Yeah just uh, I think I sh-should go sit back down."

"You don't look so good. Maybe I should just take you back."

"N-No I'll just... go back to my friends."

He grabbed my arm a little too tightly, "Nah let's go, you're better off with me."

I tried to pull him off but was still groggy, "W-Will I don't w-want to! Let go!"

Suddenly I heard Emily's voice, "Where you goin, man?"

"My girl's not feeling too good, excuse me."

"She's not your girl and she's in no condition to give you consent to bring her to your hall."

"How the fuck do you know that?"

"Because she's my girl, now let her go before I kick the living shit out of you."

I saw Derek's hand cross my vision as he held onto my shoulder and gently said to me, "It's gonna be okay, blondie, we've gotchu."

Now outnumbered and probably a little scared, Will gave up, "I don't want any trouble. I-I'm sorry all right?"

Emily pointed out and gritted to him, "Walk away." Through my blurred vision, I saw Emily step closer to me. She rubbed my back and asked, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, "Take me home, please."