Emma
I've never felt so hurt and seeing Michael walk past me everyday with an aloof look on his face hurt me. It was like I was nonexistent and my feelings no longer mattered to him. I wondered if this was normal behavior whenever he got hurt. I walked into the kitchen and my mom was making pancakes.
"Good morning dear! How was the pre-rodeo?"
I sighed and put on a fake smile. "It was great!"
"Oh Im glad you had fun honey. Im also glad to see that you are warming up to the community. Hey, Jacob came by this morning and left these." she said handing my a bouquet of flowers. Michael walked in and sat at the table.
"Hey Michael! How are you this morning?"
"Im fine. How are you?" he asked my mom. "Oh im fine honey. Pancakes will be ready in a second." He looked at me and the flowers. I was going to say something but he calmly looked away. "Ms.Granger will be here in an hour so you kids eat up." Mom said putting the food on the table. We were in the middle of eating when I asked Michael to pass the syrup. He gave the bottle a little nudge and got back to eating.
Tears were welling up in my eyes and I was shaking. I couldnt believe he was acting like this. Had I hurt him THAT bad? I felt like a total ass.
"Can....can I excuse myself?" I asked.
"Sure honey. What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing mom. My stomach just hurts a little. Im just going to lie down before Ms.Granger comes."
She nodded and I got up from the table. I just wanted to go back to the city. I missed home and I missed my friends. There was no one I could talk to here.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Ms.Granger arrived and we were working some questions from the book we were reading. Ms.Granger looked up and took off her glasses.
"You two are awfully quiet today. Is there something going on?"
"No. Im fine." Michael said with a smile and looked back at his paper. I continued to write in fear that Ms.Granger would start to question me. "Emma?"
"Ye yes Ms.Granger?"
"How about you? Are you doing alright?"
"Im fine Ms.Granger." I said softly. She got up and lifted my head up. "You look like you've been crying."
"I said Im fine." I said as I got back to work. She let it go and we started to discuss our answers. I wasnt fine. I wanted leave the table and take off. The session had ended and we both went upstairs to our rooms.
*Michael*
My heart nearly broke into pieces when I saw how red Emma's eyes were. I felt terrible for making her cry and I just wanted to hold her. But...I couldnt stop now. The next step was to make her feel how I felt. My heart and mind was tugging me in two different directions. Should I just talk to her after we finished or should I let this go on?
No. I cant let her off this easy and I cant risk my heart getting hurt again. Besides, it looked like she was still into Jacob when I saw her outside with him during break. I cant feel sorry for her.
*Emma*
I dont know why Jacob came by to see me. I told him I didnt want to see his face and that it was rude to send flowers to the house. There was nothing he could say or do to make me get back with him and I wish he would leave me alone.
I had planned to sneak out tonight and catch a plane back to the city, but I had no idea where I would get the money for a ticket from. I wasnt a thief and I refused to take my mom's money. I decided to call my dad to see if he could send some money.
After leaving three messages, it was clear that my dad was off doing something more important than answering my calls. My phone rang and it was a private number.
"Hello?"
"Hey cutie."
"Jacob please....I told you I didnt want to be with you anymore."
"Why not babygirl? I was just starting to like having you around."
"Look...I just cant do it. Im in love with someone else and I hurt him."
"That farmer boy Michael. Look baby he's so lame and besides...when's the last time he KEPT a girlfriend."
"Because you stole them from him."
He laughed. "No...they just fell for my charming looks, like you."
"Whatever. Look, I wont be around anyway. Im leaving."
"Oh? Where to?"
"Going back to the city. I dont fit in here. But I need money to get a ticket."
"And how do you suppose you're going to do that?"
"I...."
"Look....if you really want to get outta here. Ill help you."
"Really?! I mean I dont want any of your charity."
"Its quite easy. Just put something sexy on and come to my place in about an hour."
"Im not having sex with you for money."
"Look...you and I both know what you're capable of. You dont want your family to know that you gave me a little treat in the stables last week."
"Dont you DARE come near my family with that bullshit! It was ONE time and a mistake."
"Look dammit, if you dont bring your ass over here in the next hour, ill be sure to tell them.
"And what makes you believe that they will believe you?"
"Sweetheart....did you not forget that Jessica walked by and caught us? She knows, and she'll be happy to tell. And besides, she's been wanting to get with me for some time now and this will prove her love for me."
"Michael was right, you're an asshole."
"One hour." he said before hanging up. I fell to the floor and started to cry. I couldnt let them know what I did. If Michael knew he would definitely not consider talking to me anymore.
I had to go and do it. I put on something that Jacob bought me, left out the door, and headed to Jacob's place.
TO BE CONTINUED
