Older || 18+

32. Emma

It's close to midnight before I pull up to the house. I've spent the last six hours sitting in the parking lot of the diner, trying to figure out what to do. Not a single light is on, which means everyone is either asleep or gone. I park and make my way up the front steps. As I reach for the door handle, I hesitate. What am I going to find inside?

I take a deep breath and slowly open the door, the hinges creaking slightly.

The house is dark and quiet, and I let out a sigh of relief. It doesn't sound like anyone is awake.

I tiptoe through the house, not wanting to wake anyone.

I open the door to my room and slip inside. I had expected Ares to be in here and I'm only a little disappointed that he isn't. After plugging up my phone, which died hours ago, I go to the bathroom for a quick shower. My reflection in the mirror is a mess. My eyes are red and swollen from crying, and my hair is a tangled mess. I look like shit, and I feel even worse.

I shower quickly. I'm so tired I could pass out right here. I wrap a towel around myself and walk back into my room. I throw on the first clothes I find.

I need to go to sleep, but I also want to check on Ares. I know that we've been caught. I know that we shouldn't continue with what we've been doing. I knew it wouldn't last from the start. But I also want to make sure he is okay. I want to know that we're okay.

I sneak across the hall and up the stairs, listening for any sounds. I knock lightly, but there is no answer. Maybe he is asleep. I try the handle and find it unlocked. I ease the door open and peek inside.

The room is dark, and the bed is empty.

He's gone. Like, completely gone. His bed is made, and all of his personal items are gone.

My heart sinks.

Maybe this is for the best. Maybe this is what we both need.

But the pain is overwhelming. I feel like I'm going to be sick.

I walk back down the hall and into my room, shutting the door behind me.

I lie down on the bed and pull the covers over my head.

I can't stop the tears from falling.

***

Ares has been calling and texting me basically nonstopped, but I haven't answered or replied. I don't have the capacity to deal with any of this right now. I left hours before I needed to this morning just to avoid my mother and Archer.

I'm not sure how this happened. I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure about anything anymore. How did everything get so fucked up? I knew we were pushing it, letting things continue after my mom and Archer got back from their honeymoon. We should have cut it off then. I should have known better. I did know better, but I let myself get caught up in the fantasy. And now it's all ruined.

I can't stop thinking about the way my mom and Archer reacted. The anger, the disgust, the disappointment. It's almost too much. I wish I could disappear. I wish I could erase yesterday and pretend it never happened.

"You skipping lunch today?" Shane's voice pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, no. I just...I'm not feeling very well," I lie.

Shane looks at me for a moment, then sits down beside me. "You don't seem like yourself, Emma."

I offer a weak smile. "Yeah, sorry. Just had a rough start to the week. I'll be okay."

He shifts slightly, his leg brushing against mine. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I shrug. "Not really."