If Not For Her

Chapter 42. "Together at last"

Emmalyn walked away, "What happened?" Sofia asked while Dean was away. "Nicolas Parker happened," she said, taking a sip from her cup. "They like each other, look how they talk," she said, turning to see them talking to each other. "Well, they seem close but didn't they like grow up together. " Sofia said. "Well, yes," Emmalyn said. "Exactly, they talk like how friends would talk. I saw Adam flirtier with Annabeth than Nicolas. You are stressing too much" she said. Was she? she had to get Annabeth out of her mind. She saw the way Annabeth avoided her. She didn't rush her into anything, did she? She saw Annabeth now sitting with Adam. She looked away.

Her mind was a mess when she felt Dexter come up behind them. "Hey there," he said, to Emmalyn. Emmalyn felt Annabeth's eyes on her and turned completely towards Dexter. She knew it was a petty, horrible move, if she was a better person, she would not do it, but she was not a better person. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder, pulling him close. "Hey there" she whispered extremely close to his lips. She kept her eyes on Dexter's aware of Annabeth's gaze. She would just toy with him for a little while to get a reaction out of her. Did she like her or not?

She could feel Sofia's rolling her eyes. "I will leave you two," Sofia said. "Bye," Emmalyn said, turning to her, she felt his hands coil around her waist. Earlier she would have loved his touch but now it just felt strange. She turned back to Dexter. Evelyn didn't attend these parties, thinking she was above them. "Do you happen to know where the washroom is?" he asked. "Let's find out" she led him upstairs. They opened a door to an empty room. "Emma," Dexter said, caressing her cheek. "I missed you a lot". She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, he missed her now after Evelyn dumped him.

"We were great together," he said. They were, the golden couple, everyone wanted to be them. "I love you, Emmalyn," he said, as he placed his lips on hers. After fifteen minutes or so, the door suddenly opened. They sprung apart, as she saw Annabeth standing. She seemed at a loss for words. She immediately looked down and opened and closed her mouth trying to find the words. "I am...I am so sorry, I was looking for the washroom." She closed the door with a slam. Dexter turned to her, She kept her eyes on the door. "I need to go," she said.

"Why?" he asked, "I have to, move" she pushed him aside and rushed downstairs. It was a mistake, what was she thinking? was she even thinking? she saw Annabeth and her sister. What was Evelyn doing there, she didn't have time to ponder on her sister. Annabeth said something to Nicolas and walked away. She heard Dexter calling her back. "Annabeth, wait" she called after her. "Annabeth," she called again. She came face to face with Christina. "Where is she?" she asked. "She ran out, are you two okay?" she asked. "I am fine," Emmalyn answered before walking out of the door.

She saw Annabeth walking away, her shoes in hand. "Annabeth," she called again, she stopped for a moment before walking again. She ran to her and stopped in front of her. "Annabeth wait," she said catching her breath. She watched Annabeth's eyes travel to her ruffled hair and puffy lips. She turned away, "Why are you running away?" she asked. "Why do you care?" Annabeth said. "Because I love you, you idiot" she said, loudly. She finally said it out loud, Emmalyn caught her breath and looked at her, "I do...I really do, I loved you even when I didn't realize it. All your little habits, the you blush when I call you sweetheart, the way you laugh, the way you smile made me fall in love with you. I love you because I am more myself when I am with you. No one has made me feel like you have. I have always loved you. No one else matters to me when you are near me" She said it all in one breath. Annabeth was silent.

Emmalyn felt panic rising, "Its fine if you don't, say something at least, I just gave a speech" "Stop talking," Annabeth cut her off. "I love you too, Emmalyn, more than you know." she said. Emmalyn felt her heart stop for a moment. Annabeth was in love with too. "I have been in love with you since I met you, I searched for the perfect person but I never realized it was you, and trust me , I couldn't be happier it is you" she said with a smile. Emmalyn smiled back and slowly cupped her cheek, like she was the most precious thing in the whole world. She looked at Annabeth and Annabeth was the first one to lean in.

It was better than the first kiss they shared, Emmalyn felt Annabeth smile against her lips, she smiled back, and they pulled back with the biggest smiles in their faces. "This should have been our first kiss" Annabeth said. "I don't think so, that kiss led to this" she said, her hand still in Annabeth hair. "Annabeth, would you be my girlfriend?" she asked. "Ask me on a date first, Cole" she said. "Of course, Annabeth would you like to go on a date with me?" she asked. "I would love to" she said. Emmalyn pressed another soft kiss on her lips. Annabeth's eyes were still closed. She loved that girl a lot, her childhood nemesis, her bestfriend, her girlfriend.

"Be ready for the best day of your life, Sweetheart" she said. "That is a lot to compete with" Annabeth said. "How many best days do you have?" she asked. "I will tell you on our date" she said. "I will pick you up around the afternoon," she said. "Can't wait" she said. "Let's get out of here?" Emmalyn suggested. Annabeth gave her hand and they drove off. They were together at last.