Love Hate (on the run)

Chapter 2 - Emma

I wake up before Jess does the next morning. I glance at the clock. 9:12 AM glares back at me. So much for going into work this morning. I slip out of bed and decide to go grab donuts for breakfast. I hurridly throw on some clothes and decide to walk a block or two to my favorite bakery. It’s run by some little old ladies but they hire teens to work the front of the store.Before I leave, Pepper walks over, leash in mouth.

“Oh all right. Just this time.” I say to her, and I clip on her leash and we walk down to the bakery. Before we go in, I tie her up to a newspaper dispenser. The bell jingles as I open the door. A boy appears seconds later.

“Good morning!” He says, wiping the counter down

“Morning Harry.” Then I notice the camera man. I just smile and wave at him then turn back to Harry, assuming its some reality show for One Direction.

“What can I do for ya?”

“I’d like a half dozen donuts.”

“Sure, pick which ones you want.” He says grabbing a box. After ordering my assortment, I get a cup of coffee and Harry rings up my total. Its just under 5 pounds so I tell him to keep the change.

“Ok, what’s up with the cameras?” I ask, sipping my coffee. Harry smiles and leans on the counter.

“Its for our 3D movie.”

“Oh. Well if you want to get some dirt on Harry’s past, give me a ring.” I say to the camera men, making a telephone with my hand. “Bye Hazz, happy filming!” I call

The bell jingles again as I walk out into the crisp morning air. Pepper and I trudge back to my apartment, grab a donut out of the box and sit at the kitchen table with my coffee. I hear Jess bumping around in the bathroom. She walks out, bed-head hair, clothes rumpled and her face— My eyes bug out of my face

“What the *#(& happened to your face?!?!?!” I exclaim. I rack my brain. She didn’t look anything like this yesterday… Jess smiles at me grimly

“Ummmm… J-James happened.”  Her face is purple and black and blue and her eyes are red. Her nose has dried blood in the corner and her glasses seem to be sitting on top of a bruise.

“This isn’t the first time is it?” I ask quietly. Jess shakes her head. I tighten my grip on my coffee cup, “Have you told anyone? I mean besides me.” She shakes her head again. “We’re going to press charges then get a restraining order. Because this-” I wave my hand at her, “- is NOT ok.” She opens her mouth to protest, “And I don’t care what you think because I’m gonna sue his @&$ either way.”

“We’ll talk about this when we’re both sane.” Jess says weakly, in an attempt to fight back. But we know each other too well. I never back down from an argument, EVER. I mean, I’m in law school, we don’t take no for an answer there. Of course, school is expensive so I work at a frozen-yogurt place and I baby-sit.

“Sure.” I say, exhaling a puff of air. Let her think she won this battle. The war is still mine… MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA*cough* ugh, hairball…

“Ooooh, are those donuts?” I look at her like she grew three heads,

“You don’t even like donuts.” I say, knowing she’s just trying to avoid the subject at hand.

“Yea I do!” Jess says defiantly, snatching the cup out of my hand, probably expecting water or juice or something.

“JESS – NO –THAT’S---” I exclaim, about to tell her not to. She takes a big gulp and does a spit take all over my tiled kitchen.

“YECK!” she screams, wiping her tongue furiously in hopes of removing the bitter taste.