Emmeline watched as Haley bit down on her lip in concentration, her brow furrowing as she tossed her headphones. "If I listen to this track one more time, I'm going to fucking scream. It's missing something. I just don't know what."
"Why don't we just take a break? Breaks are normal. Can you grab me a tea from the fridge?" Emmeline wiggled her fingers toward the mini fridge, which was a few feet closer to where Haley was sitting. Her friend huffed, shooting her a playful glare as she obeyed and grabbed the drinks.
Emmeline wrinkled her nose as the stench of Haley's Red Bull permeated the studio's small space. Everyone else had left to grab lunch, so they were finally alone to talk.
She promised herself it would be the last time she would pour salt in her own wound. Feigning casualness, she her voice an octave too high she asked, "Heard from Harry?"
The sympathetic smile she received made the acid in her stomach bubble. She took a heavy gulp of tea, wincing as she almost choked on the frosty beverage.
"I have." Haley said softly. "I know what you're doing, you don't need to torture yourself. He's going to be okay. I'm just giving him space. I know he will talk to me when he's ready."
"I just..." Emmeline cleared her throat. "I still feel so bad. I hurt him so bad, Haley. And now you're stuck in the middle, and I just wish he would talk to me. I just want to make things right."
"I'm not stuck in the middle at all. And as much as I hurt for Harry right now, I hurt for you too. I want you to be happy." She shrugged.
Emmeline's eyes welled with tears she refused to shed, at least not now, not in front of Haley. She wanted to be the strong one- she wanted to be the one that kept it together so Haley would have someone to lean on. She wouldn't allow herself to lean on her for this. And if that was her being a glutton for punishment, then so be it.
"We don't need to talk about me and the shit show that is my life currently," Emmeline declared. "We never even got to catch up after your birthday. Did you have the best time? I'm still not sorry for going against your wishes."
"Jokes on you, I expected it. You always go big for birthdays. I'm just glad it wasn't strippers!"
"I feel like you've mentioned strippers enough that you're secretly asking me for them."
"Absolutely not." Haley told her firmly with a stern look.
"Chris told me that he helped you home. You must have been pretty tanked."
"Not as drunk as Margot," Haley said defensively.
"Margot is always the most drunk, that marvelous bitch," Emmeline mused.
"Did Chris also tell you he fell asleep at my house, and my fucking parents barged in the next morning because we had plans for breakfast? I thought my dad was going to kill him. My mom is currently planning the wedding. She's convinced she uncovered some torrid love affair..."
From her friend's expression she couldn't determine what reaction she was waiting for, but Emmeline immediately began laughing. "Oh man, that's great."
"Not great. She has already asked me twice if Chris will be coming with when I come visit them for her birthday this summer. Every time I try and tell her, she treats me like I'm delusional."
Tears were tickling the corners of Emmeline's eyes as she clapped enthusiastically with joy. "Marissa, ever the romantic. I love your mom."
Haley rolled her eyes as Emmeline continued. "But seriously, hate to break her heart but that ain't happening. Could you imagine? You and Chris? I couldn't think of a worse couple. Chris only likes bimbos, and you, my friend, are not a bimbo."
