"Her or me?" A tear rolled down Michelle's puffy cheek, "You have to make a decision."
For Michelle, life has always been about control- control in the studio, in her friendships, and even in the secrets she hides. But with an unexpected pregnancy...
Summer and I are both waiting for her dad to get home, and I've not felt this nervous in a long time. Now even a dance competition could be as nerve-wracking as this.
I tap my foot against the floor whilst shaking my leg. I tried to look as presentable as I could, borrowing a few of Summer's old clothes that happened to fit me. She helped me with my hair, and I even applied some makeup.
"What if he hates me?" I ask her, thinking the worst.
"He won't hate you."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I know." She tells me, "You're an amazing person. You're hardworking, you're kind, and so goddamn pretty. Plus, my dad will see that I'm happy, and that's all that matters to him."
I smile at her, showing her that I appreciate her kind words. "I wish I could say that that made me feel better, but I don't think anything can take away how nervous I feel right now."
"Just breathe; it'll all be okay." She tries to convince me.
I never had to go through this with Michelle. She always made it clear that her family was dysfunctional and she never wanted me to meet them anyway.
Her parents have been separated since she was a child, and her mom lives with her boyfriend and her many children. I honestly lost count of how many kids she'd brought into the world. And the boyfriend– well, he's nuts. He was always coked up and talking to himself.
We both hear a car pulling up outside, and my heart races.
Summer looks out of the window and says, "That's him."
"Okay, okay." I straighten out my clothes. "I got this."
"Yeah, you got this."
"I'm totally not nervous at all," I lie.
"Good, you shouldn't be."
After a minute or so, the back door opens, and in walks a man who resembles Summer. They both have the same features.
He immediately sees me so he says to Summer, "Hey, you didn't say you were having someone over."
"Yeah. Dad, this is Emily," She says, confidently.
He places down the few boxes that he was holding, before holding his hand out for me to shake. I do so, a smile on my face.
"Nice to meet you, Emily."
"Nice to meet you too."
Summer then says to him, "Dad, you remember Emily, right? I've been telling you about her."
He looks confused for a second, before saying, "Oh, yeah, Emily! Right, of course I remember you! Summer won't shut up about you, honestly."
