If Not For Her

Chapter 37. " For her"

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months, and soon their agreement to end meetings within three to four weeks was long forgotten. They grew a lot closer and learned  to enjoy each other's company. They texted back and forth and met behind the Cafeteria during breaks. Their meetings were a secret that no one knew and they kept it that way, close to their hearts. Most days they sat at the rock and talked about everything or just nothing. Everything felt better, just right when they were together.

The winter formal was knocking at the door as the date of submission of their paintings also approached with lightning speed. "How is the painting coming along?" Annabeth asked, one late afternoon. "Better than I hoped for actually, but there are things that I have to change. Yours?" Emmalyn asked. "Good" Annabeth said, she started hers as soon as the program was announced. She had been preparing for it her whole life and she was not going to lose it.

"I am more worried about the winter formal," Emmalyn said, taking a chips from the opened packet between them. "Your mother does not know it yet?" Annabeth asked. "No," she took a deep breath, "letting me practice was one thing but watching me perform, would remind her too much of him," she said. "You agreed to play the lead didn't you?" Annabeth asked. "Yes, it is this Friday and I am losing my mind. Mum is going to be in town for a few days and" "everyone knows about the performance" Annabeth said. "Everyone?" she asked, her eyes wide. "Gloria sent out flyers" Annabeth said, handing her one of the pink papers.

Emmalyn cursed, "you kept these?" Emmalyn asked looking down at her name written in bold letters. "Yep," Annabeth said . Emmalyn looked down at the paper.

"You have to tell her, you can't hide forever, she's gonna know someday" Annabeth said. 'I can try to hide," Emmalyn said. "She could be proud of you," Annabeth said. "No, she won't. You don't know her Liv, she is....complicated" she said. "Well, how many days are left?" "Two," Emmalyn said. "Good luck" Annabeth said taking a sip of her soda.

The next day, Emmalyn missed school and Annabeth seemed to miss her. That day Annabeth told Alex to drop her off at the Ballet Academy. "You are going to try Ballet?" he asked, laughing. "What's so funny I might," she said standing in front of his car. "Right, of course," he tried to stop laughing but failed miserably.  "Be sure not to come home with broken limbs" with that he drove past her. She turned to see the white building with a beautiful garden it was closed but she knew Emmalyn would be there and she was right. Emmalyn spun on her toes to the soft music slowly picking up pace. Annabeth leaned against the door, watching her.

"What are you doing here?" Emmalyn asked coming to a stop. "I just came to give you the notes would hate to lose the only competition I have. Where are the others?" she asked handing her some of her notebooks. "Thanks they will be here in the evening for now it is just us. I am glad you came" she said. "Me too, you dance beautifully," Annabeth said. "Did you just compliment me, you rarely say a good thing about me" Emmalyn said, with a smile. "I have my moments and I" Annabeth fished her bag "also brought you some dark chocolates and a donut with some coffee. You need caffine" she handed her the brown bag. "Did you eat something today?' Annabeth asked, sitting in the wooden floor in front of her as she ate the donut. "Not since morning. God,  I didn't realize how hungry I was" she said. "Eat" Annabeth

The time flew quickly as it normally did when she was with Emmalyn. They talked and both found themselves relaxing. They heard the students approach. Annabeth stood up as she saw the same girl from Emmalyn's date. She turned back to Emmalyn, "Good luck on your big day tomorrow" she said. "I would love it if you could come," Emmalyn said. "I would not miss it for the world," Annabeth said, as she saw the same girl kiss a pretty brunette. She turned to look at a smiling Emmalyn, "See you tomorrow" Annabeth said with a confused look, didn't they two like each other, Annabeth looked between them. "Bye Annabeth" Emmalyn called out sensing her confusion.

Annabeth went home and found her canvas once again. She took up her brush and started painting, she was extremely close to finishing. Her mind wandered back to Emmalyn, for the past few days, months to be exact, she had been thinking of Emmalyn, Why? she took out her phone and called Evelyn. "Hey, Anne" she immediately picked up. "Hey, Eve is your mom home?" she asked, biting her cheek. Why was she doing it? The answer almost immediately came, for her.

"Yeah, she is. Why is there something you need?" Evelyn asked. "No, well yes. Will it be ok if I could talk to her?" she asked. She knew Emmalyn would not be home. "Sure, come over," Evelyn said. "Thank you, Evelyn I will be there in fifteen minutes" Annabeth said."You're welcome" Annabeth hung up the phone.

She knocked on their door after a walk of fifteen minutes. One of the helps opened it "hello Miranda," Annabeth said, she knew some of the helps. "Hello , Ms. Reed" the lady in her forties said as she led her in. Mrs. Cole sat on the couch, noticing her walk shd stood up. "Evelyn said you wanted to talk to me," she said. Over these months both of them have grown closer to each other's families as well, and Mrs. Cole no longer intimidated Annabeth. Annabeth took the seat opposite to her, Evelyn was back up in her room after saying a quick hi. "What is it my child?" Mrs. Cole asked. "I wanted to talk to you about Emmalyn," she said. She noticed her posture stiffen, she took a sip from her expensive tea cup. "What about her?" she asked, her tone flat. "Have you heard of the annual winter formal?" she asked and gave a start to  the conversation.