If Not For Her

Chapter 21. Her secret spot

"I liked your Mom," Annabeth said, Emmalyn glanced back at her house, "you seem like the only one," she said. "I think you are too harsh," Annabeth said. Emmalyn raised her eyebrows, "I am harsh, have you seen the way she talks to me?" She said. Annabeth shook her head, "it's your life but I think you are not giving her a chance, " Annabeth watched Emmalyn sigh, and she looked up.

"How will you go, its quite late?" she asked, "I will walk, it's not far, " she was cut off, "get in" Annabeth saw Emmalyn getting inside her car, "I don't want you to die on your way" but I can" Sweetheart, just spare me the police investigation when you show up dead, get in please," she said. Annabeth's face lit up, "did you just say please, Cole?" She asked. "I thought we were past the last name phrase but well," said Emmalyn as Annabeth got in.

"You shouldn't have," Annabeth said, "yet, I am," she said starting the car, "do you want to go to the beach?" Emmalyn asked. "Why do you want to go with me?" she asked. Emmalyn was looking ahead, "I just figured out you have nothing better to do," she said. "I have fun things to do," Annabeth said. Emmalyn looked at her, "really, like what?" Annabeth did not have an answer, "fine, I don't have anything interesting to do, let's go to the beach," she said. Emmalyn smiled as she took a turn towards the beach.

Annabeth pulled out her phone and texted Alex.

I will be a bit late, I am going to the beach.

She put it out as she felt the salty air in her hair she started to roll down the window when Emmalyn opened the hood of her car. Annabeth felt the air in her skin and Emmalyn's eyes, "take a picture Em, " she said as Emmalyn rolled her eyes and slowed down. Annabeth got down and they walked towards the sea and sat on the edge. The beach was peaceful, beautiful isn't it?" She asked. "Very," Emmalyn said not looking at the sea. "You know, coming here gives me peace, I can relax," Emmalyn said.

They sat in content silence and surprisingly Annabeth felt relaxed, maybe it was the cool air or her presence, whatever it was she felt great. Her phone buzzed with a text.

do you want to go to the carnival Sunday?

She put it down and looked at Emmalyn, "what are you doing the day after tomorrow ?" She gave her a confused look, she stood up, and gave Annabeth her hand, "come on I want to show you something," she said. Annabeth took her hand, and she felt a warm feeling. Emmalyn led her to the rocks, she clung to Emmalyn's arm as they made their way. She led her to the topmost rock. It was flat, "careful, " she said as Annabeth stood on that rock, under her was the whole sea, she let out a gasp of wonder.

"This is where you push me down," she said, "way to spoil the moment sweetheart," Emmalyn said, "oh we were having a moment?" She asked, between laughs, "you are horrible " "yet you are still with me aren't you?" "I am," Emmalyn said sitting down. Annabeth sat next to her, she shifted closer, "scared,?" Emmalyn asked, "I am just a bit uncomfortable in heights," Annabeth said.

Emmalyn interlaced her hand with her taking her by surprise, "just don't think about it, think about this moment " she said. Annabeth didn't withdraw her hand, "how did you figure this place out?" Annabeth asked. "My father used to bring us to the beach and we found it, and me and Dad used to sit here whenever we felt, and I come here whenever I feel like I need some time and no one knows about it and if you tell it I will kill you I am not lying," she said.

"I won't," Annabeth said. She looked at her bag and handed her an air pod, "thanks" she said putting it in, and they sat on the rock looking at the sea, holding hands, listening to music.

They lost the track of time when Annabeth's phone rang, she picked it up, "where are you?" Alex said from the other side. "I am coming," she said. They got up, "let me drop you off," she said. Annabeth nodded and Emmalyn stopped in front of her home, "thank you for showing me that place," she said. Emmalyn smiled, "I had to show someone, and what were you saying g earlier...?" She asked. "I was thinking about you joining us at the carnival?" She asked. " I would love to," she said. "See you then" she got out, when she saw Nicolas waving at her she waved back and glanced back at Emmalyn, Annabeth waved at her as she smiled and waved back. Annabeth watched Emmalyn drive off.