If Not For Her

Chapter 7. "Where is the fun in that?"

Emmalyn laughed. Annabeth had never heard or seen her laugh and own her lips formed a curve. She  looked beautiful  while laughing, she was beautiful. No, she scolded herself and went back to her straight face. "What do you want my help for, Cole?" she asked in a bored tone. "You are so not bored," Emmalyn said reading her like an open book. "See, Annabeth I need your help with something important" Annabeth found it strange, Emmalyn always called her Reed or Sweetheart but never Annabeth.

"What is it?" Annabeth asked. "I know nothing about art," she said. "No, shit' Anne said, crossing her arms across her chest. "That's why, I am asking you to help me with the basics" Annabeth looked at her the longest and laughed, "you are joking? aren't you" Emmalyn didn't seem to share her humor. "Oh, God you are serious," Annabeth said. "Yes," Emmalyn said. "What would I even get teaching you out of all the people?" she asked. "And why would I even do it?" she asked.

"I can pay you?" Emmalyn tried her best to convince her. "I don't want your money, Emmalyn," she said. "Did you just call me Emmalyn, you never call me Emmalyn" Emmalyn said? "I called you Cole," Anne said. "Whatever you say, see I just need to know some basic things just please give me a few weeks." she tried her puppy eyes. Annabeth raised her eyebrows, did she think it would work on her? That girl was delusional. "I'll give you anything you ask for," she said. A devilish glint flashed through her innocent eyes, "anything you say?" Annabeth said tilting her head as she watched Emmalyn shift on her feet. "Yes, anything" Emmalyn finally said. "Brilliant," Annabeth said.

"You are going to make me regret it, aren't you?" Emmalyn asked. "Oh, yes absolutely," Anne said without any hesitation. " We will do two days a week after school one at each other's home, sounds good?" she asked. Emmalyn nodded.  "You choose one," Anne said. "Monday," Emmalyn said. "That's today," Annabeth said. "I know what I said" Annabeth let out a breath. This would be hard.

Alex won't be at home, he had practice. "Works fine with me, how about Wednesday your house?" Anne asked. "Can't, have ballet" Emmalyn said. "You do ballet?" Anne asked that explained her posture. "Yes, and not everyone knows," Emmalyn said. "So, that's a fun fact about the Emmalyn Cole," she said. Emmalyn just shook her head.

"Hey, do you even know piano?" Anne asked, a smile tugging her lips. "Why?" Emmalyn said. "Just curious, do you?" Anne asked. "Yes," Emma said. "Violin?" Anne asked. "Aren't you done with your questions?" Emmalyn asked. "No, did you and besides I am teaching you art, I think I deserve to know some things about you," Anne said.

"Yes, my mother made me learn everything you could think of, in case of any further query just add a yes," Emmalyn said. "You grew up posh" Annabeth said, Emmalyn smiled and rolled her eyes. That damned smile. "Friday?" Emmalyn asked. "I am free every day after school" Annabeth watched as Emmalyn's face crumpled. "You could have just told that and saved us time?" she said. Annabeth looked up at her "Where is the fun in that" Anne said.

"See you later, Cole," Anne said walking away when she saw Dexter walking towards her. Jerk, she thought as she tried to walk past him. "Hey, Annabeth," he said. She stopped and faced him, he was taller than her, a lot taller. He looked around as if searching for something or someone.

"Were you with Emmalyn?" he asked. " That is none of your business," she said, trying to walk away. "I am just asking and from my experience, she isn't relationship material, if you are considering her. She will leave when things will get serious" She narrowed her eyes, and he raised his hands in the air, " I am just saying," he said.

Annabeth walked towards him in large strides " the same girl you spent the best part of your school life with, the same girl that loved and cherished you, the one that you left for her sister. Don't you feel a bit of shame saying these things about her? I used to think she was the horrible one  but now I am sure it's you"

He opened and closed his mouth like a fish gasping for air. "Besides my life is none of your business.  I am not dating her, next time don't ask me questions about my personal life, and I am pretty sure the person dating her would be a lot happier than the person dating you" she turned around leaving him speechless.

Annabeth knew Dexter, he was in the team along with the rest of his group. She never liked him and often wondered what they saw in each other. Emmalyn needed someone to ground her, to balance her. She needed someone to bring peace into her already happening life and Dexter, he was not it. He basked in her popularity and when he was done, he left her. Annabeth thought if that's how all the high school relationships end.

But the question that bothered her the most was why did she defend Emmalyn instead of just walking away?