Drawing the Line

Chapter 9

Emilia let out a yawn as she stretched her arms and rubbed her eyes. She had gotten home late last night after departing with Rylie and had trouble sleeping.

She couldn't get her best friend out of her mind and what she had been going through all these years. She knew about her mother and the circumstances of their strained relationship, but Rylie had always put on a brave front and avoided the topic.

Emilia's mother was no longer with them, and she missed her but she knew her mother loved her unconditionally. She spent many good years with her and those are memories she'll cherish forever. Rylie's mom was alive but there was no love, just an emptiness that would never be filled.

She dragged herself out of bed and opened her bedroom door to head to the bathroom. Her nose picked up an aroma she hadn't smelled in a long time. Her eyes lit up and she dashed to brush her teeth and wash her face.

When she arrived in the kitchen, she was welcomed with a plate of pancakes, toast and scrambled eggs; just the way she liked them. At the sink with his back turned, was Yuki washing the dishes with the apron still on.

"Yuki?" He turned around at his name being called and smiled.

"Good morning sleepyhead. Go ahead and eat, me and your dad already ate. You just missed him."

She nodded and took a bite. God, did she miss these pancakes.

"Dad made these right? There's no way you did, you hate waking up early!"

"I hate it but that doesn't mean I won't do it," He playfully flicked water onto her face and turned back around to rinse the plates.

She watched his back while she ate and reminisced on all the times he'd been there for her and supported her like a real brother. She never wondered what it was like having a sibling growing up, but Yuki was the closest thing to one and she wouldn't have it any other way.

He was finishing the last of the dishes when he was startled by arms wrapping around his stomach in a back hug.

"Thanks Yuki!"

He grabbed her wrists and pulled them apart. She backed away confused as he turned around to face her.

"W-what was that for?"

"Just for being you."

"Please don't do that again," he dried his hands on a nearby towel. Confused, Emilia stared at him and stepped forward.

"What's wrong? We used to hug each other all the time growing up."

"I just...don't feel comfortable. We're both adults now."

"All I'm doing is giving you a hug though. I hug my guy friends, you hug your female dancers; I don't see what the problem is. What wrong Yuki? Did I do something to upset you?"

She took another step forward to read his facial reaction and was now in front of his face. He looked up to meet her gaze and flinched. He pushed past her and ran upstairs to his own room, slamming the door behind him.

He paced back and forth in his room and took deep breaths. He didn't know what was happening. In the last few weeks, his mind had been all over the place and he could barely focus. He found himself worrying about Emilia.

Wondering how her mom's death was affecting her, worrying about her staying out late, worrying about this James guy she started hanging out with. Where did he come from anyways? They went to the same school but weren't in the same program or clubs.

He stood still for a moment and put a hand over his heart to feel it beating fast and hard against his chest. Minutes passed and his heart was still beating at the same pace. Then it hit him, why he had been acting so strange lately.