Older || 18+

37. Emma

It's been about four days since Ares left and I havent responded to any of his messages. His calls have gone unanswered as well.

It's not that I don't want to talk to him. I do. But everytime I pick up the phone to call or text, the words die on my lips.

There isn't anything left for us now that he's gone back home. I can't do long distance and neither of us are willing to move. Texting him back will only hurt both of us, right?

Right.

But despite my resolve to not talk to him, I can't help but wonder how he's doing, what he's up to. It's an ache that I can't shake, an emptiness that only grows as the days pass.

I've spent the last few days throwing myself into school and work, trying to distract myself from the gaping hole in my heart. It's not working, but it's all I can do.

As I sit at my desk, surrounded by textbooks and notes for an upcoming exam, my phone lights up again with a message from Ares. I hesitate, staring at it, feeling a mix of longing and pain. The screen goes dark before I make a move to read it.

In a moment of weakness, I unlock my phone and open the messages, reading through them one by one. Each word feels like a punch to the gut, a reminder of what I'm trying to leave behind.

I lock my phone back and head to the coffee shop. I have finals coming up and I need caffine to survive. I can't focus on my studies with all these thoughts running through my head.

I walk inside, the aroma of coffee and pastries filling the air.

The barista greets me with a smile. "What can I get you?"

"A caramel latte and a chocolate croissant," I reply, forcing a smile.

She rings up my order and I hand her my card. She swipes it, and then swipes it again.

"Um," she starts hesitantly. "Do you have another card? This one isn't working."

"Can you try it again?" I ask, my heart sinking.

"I already did," she says, holding up the card. "It's been declined."

My cheeks flush red as I rummage through my wallet for another card. Why isn't my card working? This has never happened before. Maybe I need a new one?

I quickly rummage through my bag until I find the card Ares gave me. I've been avoiding using it. I didn't want him to financially support me, so I've acted like this card didn't exsist. But it's my only option now.

I hand the barista the card, praying that it works. She runs it, and to my relief, it does.

"Here you go," she says, handing me the card and my order.

"Thank you," I say, taking the items.

I find an empty table and sit down. Taking a sip of the latte, I let the warmth soothe me.

I pull out my phone, opening it to my banking app. I can request a new card and pick it up on my way home. When I log into my account though, I immediatly realize the problem wasn't with my card. Well, it was. But only because my balance is zero. What the fuck is going on? This account always has tens of thousands of dollars in it. It's the account that held my college fund.

Realization dawns on me. She wouldn't. Would she? I know my mother and I have had our problems, more so recently than normal, but she wouldn't dare go this far, would she?

I quickly pull up her number and call her. My blood is boiling, and I can barely contain my rage.

"Hello, Emma," she says, answering on the first ring.