Is There Still A FOREVER

Chapter 4 - My Special Tree House

Emerald POV

It was dinner time at my house.

My parents and brother came home late today. Mom and Dad had meetings to go to while my brother is starting to learn the ropes in our company.

He loves our business and he loves running it. He doesn't need to tell us because his enthusiasm and how much he brags about it during dinner are signs enough.

I wasn't listening though. Not this time. I had other things in my mind.

I was poking my lasagna with my fork when my mom noticed my mood.

"Is something wrong honey?" She asked me, her voice full of concern

I looked up and shook my head. "No mom, everything is all good" I plastered on a fake smile for her but I knew she didnt buy it.

Suddenly the doorbell rang

My brother Anthony got up to get the door.

"Hey, am I late?" I heard someone say. I smiled. I know that voice. I didn't need to turn around to know that it was Jonathan who came.

"Hi Jonathan! Just in time for dinner, how are you?" My Dad asked him

"I'm great Mr. M!" He replied and inhaled deeply "Is that Mrs. M's famous lasagna I smell?"

"Yes, now calm down before you start drooling" I responded jokingly

"Try telling that to these puppies when they've been craving your mom's lasagna for months!" He replied while patting his tummy

"Oh you poor poor thing! Come on, let's get those poor flabby puppies some lasagna before you start eating everything in your way" I teased while patting his tummy too and my family laughed with me.

He doesn't have a flabby tummy at all, but I love teasing him about it because of how much he eats. Despite the amount of food he pretty much inhales everyday, he has very sculpted abs. Kind of like the ones you'd see on swimsuit models these days.

My mom gave him a plate full of lasagna and once he got it he started eating like he hasn't eaten for a whole day! I just laughed at him.

"So why are you here?" I asked

He looked up and took a minute to chew his food. "Your mom invited me" He said as soon as he swallowed his food.

"Wait what?" I asked, in shock. I looked at my mom and saw her guilty face. "Mooomm.. why? Not that I don't want him here but why?"

"Well I just thought it would be a lovely idea so we can all talk about how your first day at school went!" She replied, trying to justify her decision

I shook my head at her. I know she has different motives but I'll let this one pass for now.

"Well in that case, it was wonderful! So many people and such a big school! I even met this girl who loves basketball as much as I do" Jonathan said with a big smile on his face. You can clearly tell that my parents are happy for him too.

"Yep definitely wonderful" I murmured under my voice

My mom looked at me "Okay now I'm very worried about you Em. Did something happen? Did someone recognize you from a magazine or a news article again?" She questioned me

News article... I wish it was like that...

That always brought back so many horrible memories...

I looked up and shook my head again. "Everything's fine" I didnt smile this time though

"Honey you know you can tell us what's wrong. Did someone bother you?" She tried to get answers again but that was the last straw.

I snapped. "I'M FINE MOM! I DON'T NEED TO RELIVE MEMORIES OF A STUPID FIRST DAY AGAIN!"

I ran outside. To my old treehouse from when I was little. That was the second place I go to when things go wrong. That was where I met Jonathan too.

I remembered how his family was invited to our house when we were only 6 years old. I went up to this exact treehouse and found a boy with a bag of candy trying to hide it some place where no one can get to. I helped him hide it in my treehouse and in return, he became my best friend.

I smiled at the memory of it. Thinking about how different it was back then. When everyone was equal. No one to make you feel different, like you don't fit in. Now, you have to be either above others, or below.

Someone tapped my shoulders and approached me.

"Everything alright Em?" Jonathan asked

I shrugged, refusing to talk to him

"Okay so its the silent treatment now huh? Don't worry, I'll get you to talk Emerald Crystal Montebello" He said, full of confidence

I cringed. I dont like it when people call me my full name. My Mom was obsessed with those really long first name thing that you'd usually name a princess or something so she named me that. I always asked her why and she'd always say "because you're our princess" with a proud smile on her face.

Don't get me wrong, I love the name. It just sounds so formal when you say the whole thing. Too formal actually.

Jonathan kept trying to convince me to talk but when I didnt budge for the 15th time. He started loosing hope.

"Come on Em. You can tell me. I'm your best friend for a reason!" He said in frustration. "What's the point of a best friend if you won't rant to me or tell me what's bothering you?"

I sighed. "Fine. I'll tell you but next time don't guilt me about being my best friend and all that crap" I replied with anger and annoyance in my voice. I never swear but when I'm mad, I start to.

I started telling him what happened. "You were taking so long earlier today, doing who on earth knows, so I decided to find my classes when this stupid girl. Texting on one hand and holding a cup of coffee so far away from her like it was freaking ill or something, on her other hand spilled her coffee everywhere! And she had the nerve to call me a freak infront of so many people!"

I had to take a deep breathe after how fast I said that whole thing

"Is that all that happened?" He asked

I bit my lip, contemplating whether or not I should tell him about the guy. Then decided not to and nodded

I can tell he didnt buy it but nodded and just went with it.

"Well first off, I'm sorry about leaving you. I got so caught up with the new people and then our old elementary classmates wanted to hang out." I flinched when he said elementary classmates. "so I didnt get time to come see you after. I'm really sorry Em. Forgive me?" He looked at me with his puppy eyes that showed he really was guilty.

I smiled at him and laughed. "How can I resist those eyes?"

He laughed with me. "Seriously though Em. I'm sorry. And secondly, whatever that bitch said. Ignore her. You are not a freak and you enever will be. You're perfect in so many ways" he said in a serious tone while caressing my cheek with his thumb, as if wiping a tear off.

I smiled at him warmingly. He always knew what to say when I was doubting my self worth.

I looked away before I actually started crying and told him I was going to bed. He nodded and left me alone in the tree house. I left a few minutes after him and went to sleep. I decided to apologize to my mom tomorrow morning about my outburst.