Everything with you

Part 41

Emma

I'd had a rough night. The more I recalled the way those guys grabbed me and what could have happened if Taylor hadn't shown up when he did, I couldn't stop crying. I was at fault too. Walking alone late in a lonely neighborhood. Ugh!! I had two options: I could either sit here and feel sorry for myself or think of ways I could never be in a situation like that again. I decided I was not going to let what happened to me affect me any longer. I wiped away my tears and charged my phone. I opened my laptop and typed "Cars for sale around me" in the browser window.

I had saved a bit, but scrolling down the website, I was losing hope of ever finding a car within my budget. After scrolling for about an hour, I found a car that was perfect. It was a 2015 Fiat 500 Pop, and the car was just two towns over. It was a bit over my price range, but I hoped to negotiate with the current owner. I quickly click on the Check Availability button and hope for a positive response.

I didn't bother to check my phone. I closed my laptop and lay on the bed, sleeping almost instantly, exhausted from today.

The next morning when I woke up, the room was still empty. Hayley had been staying out a lot lately. I almost never saw her the last two weeks. I had gotten up before my alarm rang. I checked my phone for any messages; I had gotten two: one was from my mom, and another was from Hayley letting me know she'd be staying out again. The other was a message from my mom was asking me to give her a call.

I let out a big breath. I couldn't deal with my mom today. We've spoken only a few times since my last trip home with Justin. She had been a bit easier on me after she knew Justin's mom passed away, but as time went on, she started to nag me again regarding my job, selecting a major, and the main topic of discussion, my relationship.

I heard my phone chime when I came back from the shower. Thinking it was my mom, I ignore it, but it buzzes again. I reluctantly grab my phone off the desk and check it. I let out a squeal. The car was available! The owner wanted to check if I could meet them later today. I was finally getting a break.

I sent Justin a message asking if he was free later and quickly got to my classes. I kept checking my phone to see if he had replied, but he didn't.

"Why are you so focused on your phone today?" Joel whispers, sitting next to me in Psych class.

"Uh... um... I need a ride after classes. Are you free?" I whisper back, deciding to give up on Justin. I couldn't afford to miss this car.

"Sure, where are we going?" he tries to whisper, but it comes out louder than he expected. This makes our professor frown and shake his head disapprovingly, which makes Joel snicker a laugh.

I open the address in my phone and show it to him in silence.

"Okay," he whispers again, this time controlling his laughter.

We skipped our coffee date and went to Forks to check out the car.

"Why the sudden interest in cars?" Joel questioned on our way.

"I was saving to buy a car and thought it was about time," I say quickly, not wanting to explain the topic further.

"Okay..." he gives me a weird look and continues talking about random stuff.

I was able to bring the price of the car below the asking rate by talking to the owner, who was a lovely elderly lady. The car was white in color and was in decent condition despite not having run much in the last two years. I transferred the money and got the keys. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding in. 

I drove back to my dorm in my new car. Joel left after we reached my dorm; he insisted on driving back to the dorms with me .

Once I parked my car, I clicked a few pictures of the car and sent them to my mom. I checked if there were any messages or calls from Justin, but there were none. He had been acting differently for the past two weeks. He was becoming more and more distant. I understood his situation, but it was starting to bother me a little. I didn't expect him to do everything for me, but ghosting me completely just didn't sit right. I'd wanted to not text him until he initiated it, but I was an idiot; I couldn't help but think, What was he up to?

"Hey, what's up? How are you?", I typed out quickly and hit the send button. That's it; I tried. My phone buzzed in my hand. It was my mom; I let out a breath of disappointment. I'd really hoped it was him. I answered the call.

"Hi, Mom."

"Emma! Finally! You answered my calls. You bought a car?" she questions way too fast.

"Yes, Mom, I was busy. I did buy a car today!", I say proudly. It might not be much, but I did buy it with the money I earned. That made me extremely happy.

"Well, you could have bought it a lot earlier if you'd let us help."

"You know, I wanted to do this on my own, Mom."

"I do..." she says quietly, followed by a silence.

"How's Dad doing?" I change the topic.

"He's fine. He's out of the house at the moment. How are you? How are classes going on?"

"I'm good. Classes are fine; I have exams coming up next month", I say as I lock the car and head up to my room.

"Good... How's your job?" . I remember what happened yesterday, and my throat closes suddenly. I quickly shake it off and clear my throat.

"Umm, yeah... It's good. It'll save me a ton of time since I have a car now", I say honestly.

"Hmm... that's true, Em. How's Justin doing?" she asks genuinely.

"Honestly, Mom, I don't know... He's been distant and closed off ever since..."

"I know... Each person deals with grief different from others. It may be frustrating, but I know he's dealing with these changes the best he can, but also remember it takes a toll on the people around him until he comes to terms with this."

"Okay," I say, taking in what she had just said.

"Okay... Oh... someone's at the door, Emma. I've gotta go... Call me when you're free", she says as I hear a doorbell ring.

"Okay, Mom." I say as I cut the call and open the door to my room. I find Hayley on the bed scrolling through her phone.

"Hey Halyes!"

"Hi Emma! Why are you not at work?", she questions, surprised.

"Um... I took the day off. I got a car today!" I say excitedly.

"What? That's great!" She gets off the bed and gives me a hug.

"Yeah... It is great!"

"Where were you last night? I almost never got to see you last week?", I ask.

Her expression changes from happy to flustered.

"I... um...," she mumbles as she sits on her bed again. I take a seat on my bed waiting for a response.

"Hayles?"

She covers her face with her hands and says, "I was with Nate.". She notices the shock in my expression and continues.

"No... not like that... I mean we didn't sleep together again. We just hung out... you know, talking and stuff as friends", she says way too quickly.

I raise an eyebrow. "Friends?"

"Yes! He's easy to talk to, and we've been hanging out and having a pretty good time", she admits, smiling adorably.

"Okay... why are you smiling like that?" I say, smiling myself, looking at her.

"What? It's nothing, Em; we're just friends", she says.

"Whatever you say, Hayles!" I laugh as I lie on the bed. 

Nate and Hayley, they did make a good-looking couple. If they ever thought to actually start dating. I check my phone again; there were no calls or messages. I let out a grunt of frustration; I had to catch up on my assignments. That would give me the distraction I needed.