𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 ✶ Steve Harrington

07 | 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐲, 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐲

CHAPTER SEVEN,
jealousy, jealousy.

⋆.ೃ࿔*

          THE START OF A BRAND NEW DAY is the chance for a fresh beginning, a mantra firmly embedded in Emmy Dawson's mind as she navigates her daily life. Tomorrow won't be like your last. After experiencing disappointment after disappointment, all she wants is a distraction. Indeed, it must be the perfect distraction. Perhaps, she knows exactly what must be done but is she willing to face the consequences for her actions? She isn't quite sure if it's worth the risk. Then again, she isn't sure about much as of lately. Life has become a puzzle, challenging her at every turn.

       The phone call with her mother the day prior was draining her dry. She tried not to think about it. As a matter of fact, she didn't even want to think about it. So, she didn't. And as she was currently sitting in the passenger seat of Alexis' car, she couldn't help but wonder why the road looked so familiar.

        For that reason, the teenager remained silent, letting the morning breeze soothe her senses. For a fleeting moment, she closed her eyes. What did she see? Paradise. Strangely enough, she could almost say she felt at peace in this unfamiliar location. It wasn't Hawkins, Indiana, nor was it Albany, New York. In truth, she had no idea where she was, only that she wished she could stay there indefinitely. If only that were possible. It was a peculiar notion, yearning for a feeling she had never truly experienced. Yet as humans, our ultimate pursuit is to find a profound source of happiness amid life's chaos.

        All she's known is chaos.

        Would she want it any other way? Now, that is a question that will never be answered. Mainly, because it's not that simple.

        Captivated by her thoughts, she failed to realize the movement of the car being halted. This could only mean one thing. Emmy's eyes fluttered open, her paradise vanishing into thin air. Then, she observed her surroundings. It's been almost a decade, but her brain instantly registered where she was. What stood before her, was a place she often visualized. It was only a mere memory, now, it was her real life. She can't believe she's back at the place where it all started. Gazing at her aunt, a thin line appeared between her brows. "This is my house... Uh, I mean my old house." That stung quite a little. "What are we doing here?" Her voice sounded unsure, but curious, all at once. She had so many questions.

       Alexis proceeds to answer her niece's inquiry, with a slight grin on her face. "I wanted to bring you here to grant you some type of happiness. I know you've been struggling, and although you've been making friends... there's still something missing. The house, it's currently for sale. I got in touch with the real estate agent and asked for a viewing. It's just the two of us here. We can take all the time we need."
   
       That's all Emmy needed to hear. Her aunt's kindness granted her with a boost that resulted in a smile that made her cheeks hurt. Nonetheless, it was a good kind of pain. She exited the car and moved without thinking. After Alexis joined her by the front door, the older woman received the house keys from the hidden spot. Then, the Dawson girl allowed her feet to carry her into a place that held a lot of memories. Overwhelmed with joy and eager with inquisitiveness, Emmy savored the bittersweet moment. She started to miss the old days—when the word family had a prominent meaning. As a young girl, she loved nobody more than her parents. Now, her father is the brightest star above, and her mother is... basically a stranger at this point. It's beyond sad but what can she do?