If Not For Her

Chapter 48. "Things would be alright"

Emmalyn watched her go. It was her mistake and now she had lost her. Annabeth seemed a lot braver than her. She  was a lot braver than her."Can you believe her?" Evelyn scoffed. Emmalyn bit the insides of her cheek, she hated her sister and mostly herself, if only she could have been a bit braver. "I need to go," she said, walking towards the class, mostly away from everyone. The video had been removed and Emmalyn knew it was Adam who removed it, she felt a bit of relief but people talked and soon it would reach her mother. She took a deep breath and continued walking. She had to tell her before she knows from somebody else.

Evelyn matched Emmalyn's steps and stayed close to her. "Why are you with me?" Emmalyn asked, looking at her. "I am with you because right now you need me," Evelyn said, smiling at a fellow student. "Quit the act I don't need you and this act of yours won't sell. Drop it" "I don't know what you think of me Emma, but I know better than to let you date her," Evelyn said walking ahead while Emmalyn stopped in her tracks. "What?" Evelyn asked turning around, noticing her sister was not with her. "We are late for Art" she said.

"Where were you last night?" Emmalyn asked, everything was making sense. "I was at Stella's, I told you" she said. "Really? what did you two do last night?" she asked. Evelyn let out a laugh and looked around. She was nervous, Emmalyn felt her heart break. She knew Evelyn didn't like her but she never expected something like that out of her. "It was you, wasn't it Evie," she said. Evelyn didn't say anything.

"I won't report you to the principal, I couldn't," she stepped closer. "Never interfere in my life or hers ever again because it would take me only a few seconds to destroy yours. Move out my way" she walked past her sister. It was her own family. As usual, she sat next to Annabeth. She didn't miss people turning to see them. Emmalyn glared at anyone who looked their way and they turned back. She decided it to be better not to speak with Annabeth.

Madame Andrea walked in and everyone looked at her. "The submissions are due this week and I expect everyone to submit the best of their work. Now today we will learn about.." the class continued. At the end of the class, Emmalyn saw Annabeth's notebook on the floor before she could give it to her, Annabeth was gone. She put it in her bag, she had to fix what she did. She had to win her girl back.

Emmalyn felt nauseous. Her mother sat right across her, and Evelyn was up in her room painting. "How is the painting coming ?" her mother asked. Emmalyn chewed on her lettuce. "It is not," "Why, you were working so hard on it," she said. Emmalyn kept her eyes down, "Lily walked over it so now it has green paw prints and the date is near. I am not submitting anything" she said shredding her chicken breast.

Her mother sipped her water, "you can try ag-" "Mum, I like girls" she finally looked up. Her mother's face paled. Her eyes burned as she tried hard to keep herself together. Her mother remained silent and Emmalyn instantly regretted it, but she had to tell. "I like both, girls and boys and I don't want you to hate me but I have had a girlfriend," Emmalyn felt a few tears roll down her cheek. She could hear her loud heartbeat. "I wanted to tell you myself before you found it from someone else" she swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked at her mother.

Her mother stayed silent, Emmalyn could feel the seconds ticking away. Her mother looked at her once before getting up and walking away. She had finally ruined everything. She held her head by her hand. Suddenly she felt someone hug her from behind. "You are my kid and I will always love you" her mother whispered. She stood up and hugged her. Her mother stroked her hair. "How long have you known?" she asked. "Months," Emmalyn said, letting her emotions take a toll on her. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" her mother asked, she had tears in her eyes. "I was scared," Emmalyn said, "scared of how you would react."

Her mother took her hand, "you should have come to me earlier. The people you love make you who you are as a person and there is nothing more tragic than hiding your authentic self. As for your girlfriend, when am I meeting the one lucky enough to have you?" she asked. Emmalyn let out a small laugh wiping her tears. "You already know her, Annabeth," she said.

Her mother smiled, "well, you are lucky to have her. She is a good girl and Emma when you find a person you love a lot you shouldn't let go. Hold on to each other" Emmalyn nodded and hugged her once again, things would be alright.