Emma & Jax

Emma

Emma pulled at her shirt. It was 10:45 PM on Friday. She was reading her book. She was still dressed in her school clothes. The weather was getting colder and colder as the weeks passed, a reminder that the school year was passing through quickly. Her eyes were shutting. Then she heard a knock on her balcony door.

She sat up in alert, terrified. Emma stood up from her bed swiftly and set her book down onto her desk. She quickly slipped her cellphone into her back pocket.

Just in case, she thought.

Her heart pounded out of her chest as she moved the curtain away from the balcony door. She gasped, but then sighed when she saw Jax's grinning face. Emma smiled to herself and opened the door to let him in.

"Hi?" She said as she looked at him.

"Hello my dear." He grinned at her knowingly.

Emma skipped all casualties. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to take you out," Jax stated.

"It's almost eleven at night, Jax." She shook her head. "What makes you think I'll go?"

"You're not mad at me, are you?"

"No, no. I'm not." Emma shook her head quickly. "But I'm serious. My dad will freak if he found out I went out this late."

"Emma."

"Yes?"

"I know your dad's not home. Not your stepmom either."

Damn, Emma thought.

"Excuse me," Emma said.

She stepped out of her room and walked into Maddie's.

"What did I say about knocking?" Maddie yelled.

"Sorry!" Emma said. "But I really need to tell you something."

"What is it? Make it quick, I need to get my beauty sleep."

"We have a little problem here."

• • •

"What are you doing here?" Maddie asked, crossing her arms and squinting at Jax.

"He wants me to go outside with him."

"At this time?" Maddie looked between the two.

"Yes," Jax said. "Just for tonight."

"I just need you to cover for me just in case my dad and your mom get back from their dinner thing."

Maddie looked between Emma and Jax. "What's in it for me?"

"I'll let you borrow my clothes for a month," Emma said.

"Oh gross no." Maddie waved her hand.

"I'll cook for you for two weeks," Emma concluded. "Whatever you want."

"Have a nice night." Maddie winked and skipped out of the room.