The player and the shy girl (english version)

Crossing Lines

POV: EMMA

We arrive at Austin's house, he opens the door, and I step inside.
I look around the house.
It's beautiful—gray walls with white accents, and the furniture is white. He has great taste.

"You have a wonderful home," I tell him, and he smiles back.

"Thank you."

"Did you choose the furniture and the color?"

"I picked the color, my dad made the furniture at his company."

"Oh, it's really nice. Congrats on the new place."

"Thank you, Emma."

"Anytime."

"Well, let me show you the room where you'll be sleeping," he says and walks ahead of me.
We climb the stairs, and right in front of us is a door.
He opens it, and I step inside.

The walls are a soft gray.
There's a black double bed, a TV, and a balcony.

"This is where you'll be sleeping, I'm right next door," he tells me, gesturing for me to drop my things.

I set my stuff down, and we head to his room.
He opens the door, it's the same color as mine but a bit darker.

A black wardrobe and a white double bed, a balcony, and a big TV.

"Essentially, the room you're sleeping in is my little brother's bed, he sometimes comes and stays with me."

"How old is he?"

"He's 9."

"That's still pretty young."

"Yeah."
The doorbell rings, and I look at Austin. He heads downstairs with me following.

"Jack, what are you doing here?" he asks.

"Mom won't let me go out again."

"Where do you want to go?"

"Out with my friends. I don't want to talk to her. Can I stay here?"
He asks Austin, and Austin looks at me.

His brother glances at me and whispers to Austin.

POV: AUSTIN

Where am I supposed to put him now? Emma is in his room.
I look at Emma, but the little guy has noticed her.

"Who is she?" he asks.

"She's a friend of mine; she'll be staying here for four days."

"And what about me?"

"Little man, I don't know what to do."

Emma's phone rings, she looks at me, then heads upstairs.

POV: EMMA

My phone is ringing. I pull it out of my pocket and check it.
What does he want now? I glance at Austin and walk into my room.

× What do you want?
× Where are you?
× None of your business!
× Tell me where this Austin lives so I can come get you now!
× Ha, good luck with that.
× Don't make me lose my temper; you don't want to see him in the hospital!
× Lucas, leave me alone! I've moved on; what do you want from me now?
× We didn't finish our conversation properly. Don't push me; tell me where you are so I can come get you, and don't stretch the rope because you know what I'm capable of! Tell me where you are so I can get you, or your little friend will pay!

Whatever he says, he means it. I glance down at Austin from the stairs.
× I'll be at the park in 5 minutes.
I tell him and hang up.

I walk downstairs and look at Austin.
"Austin, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah, I'll be right there, little man, just wait."

"My aunt said I should go back to Lucas. I can't stay here, but thank you anyway."

"Are you sure, Emma?"

"Yes, I really appreciate it."

"Do you want me to drive you?"

"No, Lucas will come pick me up."

"Okay, just call me when you need me."

"Yeah, I will."
I smile at him, head back to my room, gather my things, and start walking to the park.

I arrive and see Lucas's car parked.
He honks, and I get in, first dropping my things in the back seat.

I sit in silence, avoiding eye contact.

"Who gave you permission to leave?" he asks angrily.

"I can do whatever I want, I don't need to ask you!"

"Speak properly! Your aunt left you with me, so you're not going to him!"

"And why do you care?"

"I don't care, I just don't want to take responsibility if something happens to you, little girl!"

I want to hit him so badly, how heartless can one person be?

"Don't worry about it. I wouldn't put you at risk anyway, I already told my aunt."

"Too bad, plans have changed."

"You're ridiculous," I respond, and he looks at me.

"I told you to speak properly."

"I'll do whatever I want!" I yell, glaring at him.
He has pushed me to my limits. What does he want from me, for heaven's sake?
He can't just leave me alone and do whatever he wants!

"I think we've stretched this issue too far!" he says, looking at me while he calms down.

I ignore him, staring out the window.

"I don't think you want to remember the past, so stay in your lane and speak better."

"LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY!" I yell, and he looks at me, startled.

He stares at me angrily and starts the car.
After two minutes, we arrive at his house. I grab my things and walk toward the door.

"Do you want me to help you?" he asks, reaching for my things.

"Just leave me alone, I don't need your help."
I respond, walking into the house while he watches me.

I head to the room where I was sleeping before and sit on the bed.

I truly hate him. What does he want from me? I leave the house to be rid of him, and what happens?
I'm so tired of him.
Yes, I might want him, but after this, I can't forgive him.