Emerson

Chapter 30.

Valencia's POV

School is so damn boring. I hate having homework on a Friday. Reece got me a desk for my room after the boys constantly interrupted me in the kitchen. 

I'm hunched over the desk trying to figure out how this math problem makes any sense. I drop my pencil on the wood sick of erasing my mistakes. My saving grace comes in the form of a knock on my door. 

"Come in," I call out if I get up I know I won't finish my homework. I turn around to see Emerson opening my door. He's kind of been avoiding me since he stood up for me the other day. I never thought that anyone would ever stand up for me. 

"Hi, what's up?" I look at him. He stands by the now-closed door looking down at the floor with his arms crossed. 

"Um I want to tell you- or ask you something. Well, I guess more ask and tell you something." He rambled on a little until I giggled. 

"Emerson I know you're new to talking but your rambling," I tell him. 

"Sorry," He looks down sheepish. "Um, I was going to tell you that I really like you and was wondering if you wanted to come to dinner with me." He sneaks a glance at me but looks mostly at the ground. 

I don't respond to him. I just stare thinking about what he said to me. He likes me and wants to go on a date. The cute boy I have been living with and only recently started to actually talk to me wants to go out with me. 

"Are you for real?" Is all I end up being able to say. I wasn't used to anyone liking me. People tended to stray away from me. I was always closed off because of my parents and had a hard time making friends when I was younger. As I got older meaner comments started to come about because of my eyes. 

"Yeah. If you don't want to do we can do something else. Veronica suggested dinner and I thought we could go to a diner. But we don't have to do that-"

"I would love to go to dinner with you Emerson." I interrupt him. He looks shocked for a second before a big smile breaks across his face. 

"Really okay." He walks out of my room before coming back in 10 seconds later. "I forgot to ask you about times." 

"Any time works I have no plans," I tell him sweetly.

"Does tomorrow at 5 work? I figured we could go earlier and there be fewer people," He explains. 

"Sounds amazing. Can't wait." He smiles once again and leaves for the final time. I turn around and get back to my homework with a smile stuck on my face. I look back at my math problem still not finding a solution but this time not caring in the slightest. 

I can't seem to focus on anything but Emerson. Where are we going? He said we wouldn't go anywhere fancy so what should I wear? How casual is too casual for a date? Is curling my hair too much? I don't even know how to curl my hair. 

Focus. If you finish your homework you can think and plan some more. 

I try to focus on the stupid paper in front of me with no luck my mind keeps wandering back to how Emerson stumbled over himself to ask me out. He's gotten more used to talking in front of people but he always seems to get nervous around me when he tries to talk. 

I wonder if he actually called Veronica for advice. 

I set my pencil down giving up. I'll come back to it later. I grab my phone and go to Pinterest. I type in causal outfit inspo pics. I scroll and scroll saving different ideas when I think they are cute or have items similar enough. 

I decide to go for a long maxi skirt with a plain T-shirt. I go up and search through my closet finding substitutes for the items in the picture. I go back to my phone and find cute ideas for my makeup and hair. 

I get called down for dinner after a few minutes of searching. I go down to the dining room. I sit down and we all get served and begin talking about our days. I let everyone else go before I say anything. 

"It was fine I got homework though," I tell Reece. 

We all finish dinner after talking for a bit more. Reece excuses us all and we all disperse. Two of the boys stay behind and do the dishes. Surprisingly I haven't made to do dishes yet. I head back up to my room and continue on my homework. I only have one more math problem to do so hopefully it won't take me too long. 

30 minutes later I finished the stupid math problem. It was one of those that had like 8 subparts you had to answer. I lean back in my chair rubbing the bridge of my nose so glad it's done but exhausted now. 

I take a look at my phone seeing surprisingly no notifications. I get up from my chair and put away my schoolwork so I don't lose it. While doing my homework I decided that tonight I would do a face mask to make myself feel better. I head to my bathroom and search through one of the cabinets until I find the small basket of facemasks I've collected. 

I shuffle through deciding which one I want to use. I settle on using a vitamin C one that claims to brighten your complexion. I like it because it has a slight citrus smell. I change into a pajama shirt that buttons up in the front since I'll take a shower after and don't want to risk getting a face mask on my shirt. I pull my hair back into a messy bun. 

I wash my hands before applying the cold mask. I remove my glasses and lean really close to the mirror to apply the mask. I applied the pale yellow mask and laughed at myself in the mirror. One thing I like about facemasks is how no one looks good in them. 

I make my way back to my room and lay on my bed closing my eyes. I lay there taking in deep breaths, letting my thoughts take over. I think about everything. About my date tomorrow, my parents, school even about simple things like what I should have for breakfast. 

I get immersed in thoughts with the vague feeling of my face tightening keeping me aware. When the facemask makes me want to run my face against the carpet I get up and make my way to the bathroom. I turn on the shower letting the water heat up. I get undressed and get under the water. 

I dunk my face under first the itching immediately stopping. I scrub at my scalp and my body letting the day's stress wash away. I wash my face making sure to get every last bit of face mask off. I stand in the water for more time than necessary before getting out. I grab a towel from the basket under the sink and warm myself up quickly. 

I brush my teeth while I'm in the bathroom finishing my night routine so I can just fall asleep. I read to my closet and pull on some comfortable pajamas before laying down on my phone.