Roommates with Benefits [COMPLETED]

Chapter 13 - Perfect storm

Emma

"It's really coming down out there," my dad says as he comes up to us.

I glance over at one of the tall windows. Beyond it, large snowflakes are silently covering the world.

"We should probably get going." Jenna has her phone out. "The pilot just texted. We don't want to wait too long if we want to take off tonight."

"We should go too," Daniel looks at his wife, slightly concerned, "before the roads get too bad."

Around us, the rest of the guests also seem to notice the weather and the room is slowly emptying.

"Come on Knightley," Noah pats his shoulder. "Take us home."

"My car is still at your place," Julian says to Noah.

After a few moments of chaos, it's decided that Knightley will drive Julian, Jenna and Noah. Daniel is driving Haley and my father, which leaves me to take Edwin home.

"It doesn't look that bad," Edwin says as we wait for the car. "But if you want, I can drive."

I shake my head. "I don't mind. I've driven in this kind of weather before."

We rush out to the car and I take a moment to arrange my dress and change my shoes. In this weather, I don't want to drive in heels.

Edwin takes a deep breath and I think he's going to say something, but he doesn't. I navigate out onto the road and wonder if I should dim the lights. The snow is flying towards us as we drive, creating almost a tunnel effect.

"So," Edwin says. "There was... Do you want to listen to music?"

"I'd rather not," I say and slow down as we reach an intersection.

"Right." He takes a deep breath again and turns slightly towards me. Then he exhales and looks out his window.

"I wanted to-"

"This looks like really heavy snow," I say, interrupting him. He's acting strange. And I have a feeling I do not want to hear whatever he has to say.

"Yes. There's something I need to say." He shifts towards me in his seat.

I change gears and for a moment; I think he's about to place his hand on mine. I quickly pull it away.

"Yes?" I don't want to hear this.

"First off, I have noticed your efforts lately."

Shit! He knows I've been trying to set him up. Does he not like Hannah?

"And I appreciate it." His eyes burn uncomfortably on my cheek. "I am not one to speak easily of emotions, but after meeting your father, I feel it's only appropriate for me to mention something."

"What's that?" I say suspiciously, wishing I could drive faster.

"I want you to know that your feelings don't go unanswered."

"My feelings?"

"Yes. I hear you loud and clear, and I like you, too."

"You like me?" I blink out at the road.

"Yes. I think we would make a great couple. And I think I've been clear about my intentions of finding a serious relationship while at UNI."

"Wait a minute," I interrupt him again. "You like me? Not Hannah?"

"Hannah? Why would I like Hannah? No, I only have eyes for you. I'm falling in love with you. I liked you already at Bull's and when we ran into each other at UNI, I knew it was fate."

"Please shut up." I hold out a hand at him and take a few deep breaths. This is so much worse than I imagined. I glance over and there's a sly smile on his lips.

"I wasn't sure until tonight how you feel. But after having you introduce me to your family, I knew I had to reciprocate."

"But... Hannah," is all I can say.

"Yes, very clever. Making me think it was a group thing. But Hannah conveniently falling ill was another thing that tipped me off. I probably should have figured it out sooner. But I hope we haven't wasted too much time. So, how about we have a proper date next week?"

I'm gaping at the road. His words echo through me and as he lays it all out. I, for the first time, see it from his perspective.

"I thought you liked Hannah."

"Hannah? How could I even look at her when she's next to you? In a room of a hundred women, my eyes would always be drawn to you."

"But you were nice to her, called her smart."

"She's your friend. And I was letting her know she didn't have to stay in the study group. But why are we talking about Hannah when we could talk about us?"

"No. I'm sorry." I shake my head and realize he's just asked me out and is waiting for an answer. "I think there's been some misunderstanding. I thought you liked Hannah. What you've interpreted as me being interested in you was actually me trying to set you up with Hannah."

"You're lying." He smiles. "Are you shy all of a sudden? Because you don't have to be. I will gladly let you be my girlfriend."

"What? No. I don't want that. I barely like you as a friend. I have no thoughts of dating you or falling in love. With anyone. I'm sorry if I've been sending the wrong message, but this will not happen."

It's as if the light from the streetlamps suddenly stops reaching into the car. A layer of darkness settles over us and he goes still.

"You're serious."

I nod.

He inhales deeply and stares straight ahead. "It's a cruel game you're playing," he finally says as we turn onto his street.

"It's not..." I want to tell him it's not a game, but the words won't come out. Instead, I pull up outside of his house and he gets out. There is no goodbye, no smile, no look back towards me as I drive off.

On the short ride back to my dad's, I can feel a headache starting. How was I supposed to know he would misinterpret every move I made? And if he liked me already when we went to Bull's High, then maybe I was fighting for a lost cause this whole time.

I run our conversation through my head, over and over, until I park outside my dad's house.