Empty Promises

s e v e n

"I have two older brothers, who are currently in college. Divorced, I live with my mom who's a workaholic. My mom has remarried several times but recently is single." 

Sylvia was currently giving a brief need to know basis about her life. 

"What about your dad?" I cringed, knowing it was a bad topic. "Haven't seen him in seven years and that doesn't bother me at all." 

I noticed Tyler about to say something and I quickly spoke up. "My turn?" Syl sent me a thankful smile.

"Only child, my mom is also a workaholic but that might change with my dad back." I didn't mention that my dad was missing, and continued.

"My gramps is a known firearms dealer and we hunt together sometimes. That's it really." As I finished, I felt Sylvia grabbed my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. 

"Grandma?" I shook my head, not looking at her, "It all happened so fast, she gone before the morning came."

I wasn't about to explain how, seeing as I'd probably burst into tears. "I'm sorry." I couldn't help but scoff lightly at those words. 

"Who's next?" I asked dying to change the subject before I start crying. 

"I'll go." Sophia spoke up, but before she could answer, the sound of thunder caused the house to vibrate before the power go off. 

Syl and I let out a loud scream. "Lights! Please get the lights!" I cried out trying to find Sylvia. 

"Shh, I'm right here Em." Sylvia whispered to me, taking my hand into her own.

This fear that I have is called Nyctophobia which is a extreme or irrational fear of the night or darkness.

Deucalion barked and I wanted to scream when I couldn't find him due to the darkness. 

"Deucalion!" I called out only for another sound of lighting to go off making me scream.

I held onto Sylvia's hand as the images of things I wished to forget appeared. 

"Powers out. Let's head upstairs." Tyler announced and we all carefully walked up the stairs.

Oh and at some point in getting to know each other we all moved to basement, so yeah.

The moonlight was the only thing giving us light as we reached the living room, and I was still holding Sylvia's hand.

"Signals out too. Do you have any candles or flashlight?" Alex asks me using his phone as a flashlight. 

"Y-Yeah, I'll show you." Hesitantly, I left Sylvia's side and walked towards the kitchen. 

Using Alex's phone to see, I opened one of the draws and pulled out some candles before handing them to him. 

Another sound of thunder went off and I flinched, covering my ears and falling to my knees. 

"Deep breathes. Just breathe." Alexander told m and oddly I relaxed a bit. "There you go." He encouraged me as I calmed myself. 

"Here, take my hand." I just stared at his hand, shaking my head and just folding my arms over my chest.

He looked sad that I didn't take his hand but didn't say anything, heading back into the living room everyone had the floor covered in blankets and pillows. 

Deuce was laying in the middle of it all making me smile at him. 

"Are you okay?" Syl asked as soon as I sat next to her, I gave her a smile and nodded.

"So anyone want to continue?" I gave Aiden a look but he ignored it. "Might as well." Sophia agreed.

"Well I'm an only child now, and my parents are both workaholics." Now? 

"Now?" Syl asked basically reading my mind. "It's complicated." She stated and I nodded understandingly.

"If anyone knows complicated then that's me." Sylvia told her while laughing lightly.

"Let's not continue this game thingy." I declared and everyone agreed. 

Suddenly the power came back on and I sighed in relief. 

"So movies anyone?" 

» × «  

"Shh, you'll wake them up." Click. 

I groaned and rolled over hitting a ... wall? 

"She's waking up!" Who's talking? Click.

What the hell is up with the clicking noise?

I pushed myself away from the wall only for it to pull me back. 

Wait! Walls can't do that!

I opened my eyes and gasped, my face was flushed against Alex's chest. I looked over my shoulder to see Sylvia and everyone smirking at me.

I blushed and wiggled out of his grip despite already missing his arms around me.

No, no catching feelings Emily. 

"Awe so cute." I glared at them before heading upstairs. "I'm going to shower!"

I heard laughing and I already knew they were laughing at me. Oh god, did they take pictures? I sighed frustrated before jumping into the shower.

I didn't take long, I was in and out in a decent amount of time. Once I finished, I wrapped a towel around my body. 

I jumped when I saw Syl, Sophia, Chloe, and Layla on my bed. 

"Well hello to you too love." I rolled my eyes at them and walked to my closet. "You have a balcony?!" I heard Chloe exclaim. 

"Wow! You have a perfect view of the forest." I quickly got dressed, slipping on some denim shorts, and a black v-neck. 

"Yeah." I sat on my bed and Syl threw me my phone.

My eyes widened, "You didn't!" 

She laughed and nodded. There was a picture of Alex and I sleeping or shall I say "cuddling". 

"Oh god." My face heated up as I covered it. The room emitted with laughter and I glared at everyone. "You guys are so mean." 

"You know we love you." Love, is a strong word. 

They can't just throw it around like that. 

"I'm always going to love you and only you."

"Emily? Hello? Em .." I shook the memory away looking at Layla. "What sorry?" 

"We asked what you want to do today. School's canceled because of the blackouts happening." She explained and I nodded. 

"Well what can we do? It's raining like mad crazy." I asked as I continued to look at the photos. 

They're actually kind of cute. Wait no, no they're not but they are.

"Let's just watch movies and stay in? Syl and I could bake while you guys decide on a movie." I suggested. 

"Or Alex and you can while we choose." Syl also suggested in a teasing tone. "Oh bite your tongue." I sarcastically told her making everyone laugh.

There as no way in hell that I was going to let myself fall for that guy out there, nope. So not happening.

There was one rule that I followed, and one rule only.

Avoid love at all costs.