curiosity

Four

emerson hadn't heard from juniper in four days. it was unusual but she figured it was just her being embarrassed after what happened. today however, archi planned for them to get lunch at a new restaurant that was on their list to try. oliver agreed to go so emerson's figured juniper would be there.

emerson settled on wearing a striped short sleeve button up with the khaki pants she'd just gotten, along with white low top vans. again wearing her regular rings and necklace she always wore. she bought the bag of things emerson left at her house after the night she stayed so she could return it and headed to the restaurant.

as she got out she saw the three sitting at an outside table, already looking at menus. she put the bag in junipers car then joined them at the table.

"how'd i get here before you?" archi teased, handing her the extra menu.

"i lost track of time." she chuckled softly, scanning over the drinks. she glanced up to see juniper looking at her but then looking away when their eyes met. she looked pretty, even through she was only wearing a flowy sun dress.

"after this we could hit the shopping center, there's a few new shops they recently built." oliver suggested, and they all agreed. everyone ordered food and ate while talking about miscellaneous things like they always did. as they finished up lunch juniper left the table to use the restroom. emerson offered to pay for everyone and they walked out to the parking lot to wait for juniper. the boys saw a store with a game they'd been looking for and left emerson to wait for june.

"hey." emerson cooed, smiling when the brunette walked out the doors.

"hi." juniper said softly, shyly. she rushed to walk away from emerson.

"hey, cmere." emerson grabbed junes arm as she caught up to her.

"what's wrong.. you've been so quiet." juniper shrugged.

"nothing." emerson sighed.

"if it's about the party there's no hard feelings, i don't want us to feel awkward around each other because of that." juniper nodded softly.

"okay." she smiled.

"we can forget all about it if you want to.. it never happened." juniper smiled and wrapped her arms around emerson.

"i thought you would be upset." they began walking towards where the boys walked.

"why would i be upset?" june shrugged.

"i don't know... it was just a stupid move you know?" emerson hummed. it was a little upsetting to hear but she pushed on, smiling like nothing happened.

"did you guys find it?" emerson asked as the boys left the shop.

"yup!" ollie smiled, taking the hand of his girlfriend. archi looked at emerson to notice the upset look on her face, walking behind with her as the other two lead the way.

"what happened?" archi asked, resting his hand over emerson's shoulder.

"nothing." she grumbled, following juniper and oliver into the store.
~~~
archi decided to stay the night with emerson. he wanted to make sure she was okay, the rest of the day she just seemed off.

"did you guys talk about it?" the redhead asked while leaning against the island of the kitchen.

"yeah." she muttered, grabbing a bottle of water and slid one to archi as well.

"so, what the problem then? were you expecting that to be her gay awakening or something?" emerson groaned and shrugged, placing her hand over her head.

"i don't know!" she said before plopping on the couch.

"why do you like her so much anyways." archi walked to join her on the couch.

"she's amazing archi.. and so pretty, and sweet... how could i not like her?"

"because she has a boyfriend, emerson." she glanced to archi with an evil stare.

"you said you were staying to help, but seriously you aren't helping at all." archi put his hands up in defense.

"i'm sorry." he muttered, dropping the subject.

"you need to get laid.. find a different woman to obsess over." emerson shrugged.

"i guess so." she had plenty of people she could call for a quick fuck but she didn't want that. she wanted juniper, and only juniper. hook ups didn't even excite her anymore, it was always something she'd do to get her mind off of june. maybe juniper wasn't any good for her mental health. but she wasn't going to let her go, she couldn't let her go.