Always Almost

Chapter 2

Charlie

Coming back to school after vacations always feels scary. It's like the fear you have on your first day of school, just milder.

I was relieved though to see Emily leaning against my locker, headphones over her ears and eyes laser-focused on her phone screen, looking like a gothic princess as always.

I could feel the way my mouth curved into a grin. I can't describe to her how happy and relieved her presence made me.

And the fact that she was waiting for me by my locker. I didn't expect her to wait for me.

I trotted towards her, through the see of other students going in weird directions like Brownian particles. I spread my arms as I reached her.
"Emily!"

I called and didn't wait for her to take off her headphones. Resting my forehead on her shoulder, I tackled her into a side hug, making a mental effort to not disbalance her or make her fall.

She wouldn't be happy.

And if she wasn't happy, I wouldn't be either. But somehow, this unhappiness was different from the one Georgia gave off.

"You're like a fucking dog," she complained, swatting my hands off her after letting me hug her for a couple seconds.

I didn't know if it was her generosity or if that was her limit for physical interactions. Not that I cared.
"But I'm cute."

"A delusional, persistent dog," Emily retorted. A faint smile ghosted over her lips.

She shuffled away to let me open my locker and take out the books I would need for today.

"How can you be happy when today's literally the first day of hell?" She asked, her arms crossed. A look of displeasure had settled on her face. I didn't think it would go away anywhere soon.

"Because it doesn't feel like hell yet?" I replied, not really sure if that was my full answer.

"Point," she clicked her fingers before going back to her phone.

She didn't say anything for the rest of the time.

It made my heart drop a little.

I knew Emily wasn't talkative. Her saying this much should be more than enough. And yet, I felt a strange emptiness in my chest.

I wanted to talk. I wanted to reach out. I wanted to connect.

I've always liked Emily's face. Her name. Her face. Her blonde hair which contrasted with the dark clothes she always wore. The softness of her cheeks.

I poked her cheek with my index finger, zipping up my bag as soon as I put the last book in.
Emily gave me a side glance.

Ever since I was a child, it always felt like there was a wall between me and the world.

I was always banished.

I somehow was always the only child on the playground who no one wanted to play with.

I always was the person who kept watching as people turned their backs on me, walking farther and farther away.

My hand always outstretched. My voice always loud. Asking them to come back. To not leave me alone.
And they walked away as if they couldn't hear a word...

"Morning!"
I knew it was Adam before I saw him.
He planted a kiss on top of my head. Heat rose in my cheeks. Did he not get embarrassed at all?

His smile. His touch. Everything about him was warm. Welcoming.

So was his scent. Or the way his arm was wrapped loosely around my shoulder.