Step by step

Chapter Fifteen

Fortunately, Emmett took his leave after reassuring himself that I was okay and I was safely tucked in bed. He had kissed my forehead goodnight, in a quite cold manner if I may add, and left without another word.

I couldn't thank the heavens enough that Emmett didn't pry into my stupid answer of no when he asked if I was okay.

Hell, I didn't even knew why I bravely said no.

Thursday dawn came sooner than I expected, without really expecting it. I was wide awake til' the wee hours of the morning contemplating my actions and my objectives.

Why was I in this position and why was I doing this.

And like how I've written it, it was a statement because it wasn't a question I was ready to answer.

When I heard Tom's car pull into the driveway, I immediately covered my head with my floral sheets. I lay in bed as stiff as a board and as quiet as a mouse, listening for Tom's oddly loud footsteps.

It was as if he was really giving off his position and right before I felt his presence near, he coughed several times.

Even though I didn't see him, I felt Tom standing by the doorway. He observed me for a few really long seconds before he disappeared, this time his footsteps were light again.

The thought of having Therese and Jade all up into my business was the thing that got me going when the sun shone into my room. I didn't want them or anyone finding out the little incident last night and so, I got showered and fed myself to the utmost quiet that I could do.

Tom didn't woke up or even open his door to which I'm grateful for. Those little things that Tom respected are what I love most about him. He wasn't going to pry until I was ready to let him.

I waited for a couple minutes by the front door. When the time clicked into the second I had to leave the house in order to arrive at school punctually and Emmett or Matt wasn't there to pick me up, I sighed in relief as I jogged towards the bus stop.

I wanted no one to be there, as much as possible, but of course I didn't own the bus stop to make that command.

"Oh hey." I tried hard to avoid Jon's eyes but of course, life said 'Piss off, El.'

"Hey." He casually smiled.

I smiled back and faced the way the bus would be coming. In my head, I was already using the force to will the bus faster.

"No Matt?"

I reeled my neck to him, "What?"

"Matt. He isn't with you."

My mouth formed an o, "Yeah. He, um, is busy." I shrug with a light and nervous smile.

"Emmett didn't pick you up?"

Oh god how I wish he would stop. "Nope."

"Why?"

"Why don't you go ask him because I really don't have a clue." I braved out a smile again.

"Maybe it was because of yesterday."

My whole body went into shock, "Excuse me?"

"I'm not supposed to say anything but I really care for Emmett, I mean as a friend. He really is a good guy and I, we - his teammates and buddies, would hate to see him hurt himself again-"

"Hurt himself?" Oh god. Did he just blab to his teammates what happened last night?

"Yeah, didn't you see his bruised hand?"

My mind sunk into realization and my body calmed, "Where did he get that? He refuse to tell me."

"After seeing you and Matt? Boy did he go beastly." Jon chuckled but a grim worry bagged under his eyes, "Just lay low with Matt, okay? I know he's your best friend and all, but tone it down a bit especially if you're giving hopes to Emmett."

I was about to open my mouth when the bus wheeled in in front of us. Jon smiled at me for one last time before climbing in.

I followed him in and I was more than surprised to find the whole football team inside. They were being their usual self, loud, rowdy, and cheerful.

"ELLIE!" They shouted in unison and I flinched for two reasons; one, everybody turned their heads and two, Ellie was used by Matt and only Matt.

I smiled in between what seemed to be genuine and in a cringe.

"Come, sit!" Francis pulled me towards him and had pushed me down by the window seat, "Emmett's riding too, he'll be by the next stop." He nudged my side and only then did I noticed that my eyes and neck were straining themselves looking for someone.

Someone by the name of Matt.

"Oh." I smiled politely as I settled into my seat and let the whole bus drown in their jokes and laughter.

By the next stop, Emmett climbed in and I felt the female population of the bus swoon.

He had a cheerful smile on and he even howled as his teammates did, but when his eyes landed on me, the spark of his fireworks died. But none of the people inside the bus seemed to have noticed.

Francis gave me a pat in the back and gave an overly dramatic presentation of the available seat beside me as he sat back beside Dylan.

Emmett cautiously approached me and gave his teammates hi-5's before flopping down next to me.

For the entirety of the ride, Emmett didn't even looked at me. He was busying himself with talking to either Kit or Luke whose seats were beside ours. In one or two times, I caught Jon's eyes urging me to start a conversation but as the pussy that I was, I didn't even dare bump his shoulder.

Plus, I was guilty of being too busy waiting for Matt's entry at every stop but sadly, as the bus stopped right in front of the school, I lost all hope that he was going to school today.

The football team let everybody off first before they started filing out. I was the last of them as I followed Emmett out of the vehicle.

To my surprise, as I neared the last step out, Emmett took both sides of my waist and lifted me down.

In a quick second, his eyes found mine and a genuine smile graced his lips. "Have a great day, El." He ruffled my hair before catching up with the football team, tackling Francis in the process.

I stood by the pavement in confusion.

"Earth to Eleanor, class starts in five. Why are you standing there like a fool?" Jade's blonde hair seemed different. "You like? I kind opted for a Harley Quinn look." Now that she mentioned it, her blonde hair was now bleached and the ends were covered in pastel pink and blue.

Trust me when I tell you that no matter how curvy Jade was, she really didn't pull it off. I tried my hardest not to laugh at the girl. "Have it change Jay. Seriously."

She rolled her eyes and linked arms with me as we walked towards the doors, "Where's Matt?"

I pulled out my phone with an empty screen, "I honestly have no idea."

"Well, that's a first."