In your arms

Chapter 23: gossip travels fast

James POV:

Me and Emily are sat down in the living room with are eyes fixed one the screen in front of us. It seems to be a routine at this point, Emily's been staying at mine for the time being and as soon as we wake up it's straight down to the tv. We take it in turn getting up and trying to be productive just so we have eyes on the screen at all times. Sometimes I even stay up most of the night. It doesn't matter how much someone tries to convince me the tv is the only way I can check on my girlfriend. It's the only way to make sure she's coping. And it's my only way of protecting her.

I hear a phone go off and turns out Emily had received a message. And but the way she curses under her breath I don't think it's good. "For fucks sake" she throws her hand up in the air in frustration before explaining. "I have to go to the studio, great" she sighs before getting up on her feet.

"Why?" I question but instead of looking in her direction my eyes are still staring in front of me. The daily news doesn't start just yet but any breaking news can come on at any time so I have to give it my full attention. "I told Michelle to watch over A but she's sick so I have to go in" she walks over to the front room door before stopping in her tracks. "Tell me if anything is wrong and I'll run back, ok?" I quickly agree before she rummages for the car keys and goes out to the studio.

I'm left with only my thoughts and the tv. I just hope today goes smoothly. I don't think I can take any more bad news.

Emily's POV:

I pull into the parking lot outside of the studio and make my way inside. The first thing I decide to do is to grab a juice from Java junction. As soon as I turn around I see Piper sat at a small table in the corner by herself and she seems to look as if she's been crying. I start to walk over and notice that she hasn't even realised I have walked in.

"Hey piper.." I say softly while I sit beside her. She jumps slightly as she hasn't noticed I was here before greeting me back. "Hi" her voice seems ruff and her eyes are bloodshot and it's pretty clear she's upset about something.

I'm not the best when it comes to 'giving emotional support' and 'giving advice' and I never have been. But I can try give it a shot this one time as it's technically for family.

"What's up with you?" I place my juice on the table and turn to face her. She shrugs and looks down at her phone which seems to be on YouTube. There's a video paused but I can't make out exactly what it is u til she moves the phone out of my sight. "Piper I'm going to tell you what I tell Michelle. Me asking about your personal life is like a Luna eclipse, it doesn't happen that often and it's kinda magical, so why not give it a try" she laughs a little and I join her. She places the phone face down on the table before looking at me. The tears seem to swell up again but she try's to hold them back as she talks.

"I haven't seen Riley in a while. She's ignoring my messages and calls and I feel like she's mad at me for something I didn't know I did" she explains while sniffing here and there. This reason breaks my heart into two.

Piper is like Riley in the sense that they both stress and over think about everything, and when I say everything I mean everything, there practically the same person mentally. Their there when you need them but cave once it comes to their own feelings. With Riley there's barely any way of telling if she's being genuine or putting on a brave front as she crumbles inside, although James seems to see right through her, but I can see that piper isn't telling me the whole reason she's upset. It's in her tone of voice. It's like she's saying 'here's half the reason why I'm sad because I don't think you can handle the other part so I'm going to extend the truth'.

"I'm sure she isn't mad at you she has no reason to. And are you sure that's the only reason?" I push gently knowing there's more to it. She pauses for a while before a few tears fall from her checks. She wipes them away while I rub my hand up and down her back to try soothe her.