Worlds Collided |g.d.|

Chapter Twenty Eight

-Jana pov-

"Thanks babe." I kissed Grayson's cheek. "Emma can take me back to your house."

"You sure? I can wait here?" Grayson smiled cheekily, his hand sneakily reaching for my waist.

I shifted away from him, opening my car door. "I'm positive, and you need to get a video filmed so I'll see you later."

Before his doe eyes could convince we otherwise, I got out of the car and quickly shut it, rushing into the small cafe Emma agreed to meet me at.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw his blue car pull away. I sighed and took a seat at one of the tables by the door, fiddling with my purse. I agreed to this before everything with Justin. But now I'm wishing I had cancelled. Everything is just so overwhelming. I rather not gossip with a girl I barely know.

The table shook as someone sat down across from me, releasing a heavy sigh. "Hey! Sorry I'm late, my spin class ran late." Emma chirped, lifting the menu beside her.

"No problem."

I quickly looked Emma over, noticing her messy ponytail, sweaty gym clothes, and flushed face. Nevertheless, she was as beautiful as always. She's just one of those girls who radiates no matter the situation.

Emma motioned over a waitress and we both ordered drinks and breakfast. There was a slight lull in the conversation as both of us thought of what to say.

"Thanks for coming Emma, I know it's-."

She cut me off, hands flat on the table. "Ethan and I are dating."

I was taken aback, as I found myself at a loss for words. "W-what?"

"That's what you want to know right? That's why you invited me?" Her words were defensive as she crossed her arms.

"No, actually. I had no idea!" I shook my head. "That's not at all why I..." We make eye contact. "Why are you telling me this Emma? Really, it's non of my business."

Something softened in her gaze. "I thought you deserved to know...with what's going on between you and Grayson."

I turned toward the window, tapping my fingers against the table.

She continued. "I want you to know that I understand what's it's like..." Her voice was only just above a whisper. "To hide your relationship from everybody."

I hesitated, but placed my hand over Emma's. "Thank you. I'm glad I'm not alone anymore."

Her eyes were wary. "You never were."

Our food and drinks came before I could say anything else. The conversation turned to how good everything was and how work had been. As we ate I realized that she had been vulnerable with me, so I should do the same for her.

"We're not official yet, ya know." I slightly chuckled.

Emma paused. "You're not?!"

"Yeah, I mean we haven't really talked about it."

She shook her head, laughing under her breath. "You act like a married couple and you're telling me that you're not boyfriend and girlfriend?!"

"Yup."

"Wow."

"It doesn't bother me much." I pushed around the door on my plate.

"It clearly does if you're bringing it up." She pointed out.

I sighed. "He's so supportive, even with everything going on with my brother he's supportive. A-and I feel it's time to ask him if we can be more."

"Oh it's been time for months!" Emma chewed her food as she thought. "Knowing Gray he feels the same way but doesn't want to overstep."

I nodded. "He overthinks things a lot...well we both do."

"Then you just gotta learn how to communicate in a healthy way. Ethan and I went through the same phase."

"I've never been good at communicating my emotions." I voiced.

"Me too, something we have in common." Emma smiled, setting down her fork. "Are you ready to get out of here? I feel a shopping bug itching."

"Oh, I don't know. I have a lot of work and-."

Emma laughed. "The boys can take care of themselves, come on! Retail therapy is the best type of therapy!"

I thought about the dress I had seen at the mall earlier that week that I wanted another opinion on. "Okay, but only a couple hours."

"Yes!"

We both paid for our breakfast before taking off in Emma's car. Like Grayson, she preferred to drive with her windows down and music blasting. The energy in her car was great, and it felt like the ride to the mall was way too short. Once arriving she dragged me to the nearest store, screaming about a sale that was going on.

When Stella and I shop we're usually in and out. Neither of us like to send hours in a store trying on clothes that we could never afford.

But shopping with Emma was completely different. She had money, and she had no problems using it. It became apparent to me that I also had a little extra money. And suddenly spending hours trying on clothes was the best thing ever.

We didn't have hours, but we did take our time. Emma bought something in every store, claiming, "Shopping hauls do well."

It was fun to give her advice and take b-roll as she posed. It felt like we life long friends, suddenly very comfortable with each other.

She was able to get me into some clothes, anything that she noticed had caught my eye. I got more and more comfortable, not use to the type of attention.

Finally we came to the store where the dress I had seen last week was. Stella needed a dress for a date so I had tagged along, expecting just to be support. But I ended up trying on the sage green dress. And I fell in love.

We walked in and while Emma got distracted by the first display case I ran to the back, crossing my fingers. There's only one left. And it's in my size. I could have died right there.

I told Emma that I would be trying it on again before finding a changing room. It fit like a glove, and I felt so good in the dress. I opened the door, surprised to see Emma already waiting.

"Oh my god." She gasped. "If he doesn't ask you to be his girlfriend after seeing you in that dress I will!"

I laughed. "It's pretty right?!"

"More than pretty, smoking hot!"

"Oh come on...you're the smoking hot one out of the two of us."

A strange look came over Emma's face but she smiled nonetheless. "I think we're going to be great friends Jana."