The player and the shy girl (english version)

A Fevered Confrontation

**POV EMMA**

I wake up in the morning.
I'm surprised as I realize I'm still at Lucas' house.

I turn around and see him lying next to me. I try to get out of bed without waking him up.

I feel awful. Dizzy, and on the verge of throwing up.

I get up, head to the bathroom, and lock the door.
After a few minutes, I come out, only to find Lucas standing right in front of me.

My body jolts, and my heart starts racing.

"Are you okay?"
He asks, looking at me.

"Other than the fact that you just scared me."

"No, I mean what you did in the bathroom."

"Just... the usual?"

I didn't want to tell him I wasn't feeling well; I tend to overreact with these things.

"Emma, I know you threw up. What's wrong?"
He looks at me, worried.

"I must've caught something from yesterday," I reply, avoiding his eyes.

He comes closer and presses his lips against my forehead.
I freeze, completely caught off guard.

"Looks like you have a fever. I'll go get a thermometer. Just lie down until I get back."

He says, then heads downstairs. I lay back down, waiting for Lucas to return.

A couple of minutes later, he walks into the room and hands me the thermometer.

"Let's see if you've gotten yourself sick."
He watches me closely.

I put the thermometer in my mouth.
"It's not my fault if I did."

"You insisted on calling Mia."

His serious look makes me anxious, and I wait for the thermometer to beep.

I take it out.
"Let me see."
He grabs it from my hand.

Geez, take it easy.

Well, here you are, I thought you'd gone quiet, finally some peace...

You can never get rid of me, sweet Emma.

I'm now mentally arguing with the annoying little voice in my head. You know, the one that likes to pop up and make sarcastic remarks at the worst times.

"37.8," Lucas says, his expression dead serious.

"Okay, that's not so bad."
I try to downplay it, but his look only grows more intense, almost angry.

"Fine, I'll stop talking," I say, raising my hands in surrender.

"I'm not sure if I even have medicine for you."

"Don't worry about it. I'll just go home."

"You need to stay warm! Otherwise, you're going to get worse."

"You've done enough. You've got better things to do," I say with a nervous smile.

"Whatever, just keep my clothes on. Don't change, and I'll take you home."

I call my aunt, asking her to come over to unlock the door for me.

× I can't, sweetheart, I'm about to head to work.

× At least stop by and leave the keys outside?

× I'm really late, I'm sorry. Stay at Lucas' place; it's better that way.

× Won't that bother him?

× No, why would it? Emma, what does that mean? Did something happen with Lucas? Did he bother you?

× No, Auntie, I'm just asking.

× Okay, stay there, and I'll swing by later if I can.

× Alright.

I hang up the phone.

"Are you ready?"
He asks, looking at me.

I didn't want to stay here. I wanted to go to Mia's or wait outside on the balcony until my aunt arrived.

"Yeah," I say, and we head downstairs.

We see Lucas' mom.

"Emma, Lucas, where are you going?"
She asks innocently.

"I'm taking her home," Lucas replies, but his mom looks confused.

"But I just spoke to your aunt, Emma. She said you should stay here."

Lucas glares at me, his expression hardening, and his breathing gets heavier. I think I'm in trouble.

He looks at me with that same look from when we first met in school. The one that scares me.

"Emma, come with me. Now."
His voice is angry, but calm.

I climb the stairs hesitantly and reach his bedroom door.

He grabs my hand, pulls me inside, shuts the door, and pins me against it, placing his hands above my head.

He stares at me, but I don't meet his gaze.
"LOOK AT ME!"
He shouts, and I turn my eyes to him.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

I don't respond, just keep looking at him.

"What were you going to do once I left? You didn't have your keys, you're running a fever, do you want to make yourself even sicker?"

He yells, and I stare back at him.

"ANSWER ME! Why didn't you tell me the truth?"
His voice booms, and my body trembles.

"I didn't want to stay here," I say quietly.

"Why not?"
He asks, still with that intense look.

I don't answer.

He looks even more frustrated.

"For fuck's sake, Emma! What the hell is going on in your head? I just don't get you!"
He shouts, and I lower my gaze to the floor.

He realizes that I'm scared, that he reminds me of how he used to be.

He looks at me, then tries to calm down.

"Damn it, Emma!"
He says softly, then pulls me into a hug.

He hugged me. Why?

Shut up and enjoy the hug.
Can you shut up?!

"I'm sorry," I say, and he lets go of me.

"Go lie down," he says, watching me carefully.

**POV LUCAS**

I wanted to strangle her when my mom said her aunt told her to stay here.

What does she want, to make herself even more sick?

I yelled at her, and she looked at me with that scared expression. I realized I reminded her of how I used to be.

But I don't know why, for the first time, I didn't want her to be afraid of me.

I hugged her. I don't even know why.

For once, I didn't want someone to fear me.