One Way Bridge

Chapter 24

The phone rang as I waited patiently for an answer. The tears still fell down my face. I was glad that Justin had left before I started sobbing. I was seated on the floor waiting to speak with my friend from back home. An automated voice started speaking through the phone, so I hung up immediately and curled into a ball on the floor. Sobs racked my body as I realized everyone had moved on except for me.

I could call Riley, I thought. He would always answer my calls no matter what, but he would probably make too much of a deal with what's happening. He'd baby me. That's when I remembered the business card Michael gave me. I rummaged through a box of things I hadn't bothered with, to find the small piece of paper. I punched in the number and waited again.

It only rang three times before his soft voice spoke. "Hello?"

"Michael, it's Emma," my voice cracked and I'm fairly certain it was obvious that I was crying.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just I started to miss my friends and family and old life, and I feel like- I feel like everyone has forgotten about me and, I'm sorry I didn't know who else to call."

"I'm glad you called! I told you to call me whenever you wanted, and I meant it! And, as far as your friends, they haven't forgotten you, they just don't know what to say, Just wait, they miss you, and soon they'll call."

"You're right," I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"Emma, sweety, breakfast is ready," my grandma's voice came through the door.

"Okay, one minute!" I hollered back before speaking to Michael again. "I have to go, thanks again Michael."

"No problem, bye." I hung up and went out to the kitchen for breakfast.

I didn't talk to Justin again until the next day. Michael on the other hand texted me to make sure I was alright, and then again on Sunday to wish me a happy Halloween. That night I was handing out candy to a little boy dressed as a cowboy when Justin walked up onto the front deck. He waited until the boy had run down the stairs to his mom before speaking. "Trick or treat!" Justin chanted.

            "I think you're a little too old for trick or treating," I said stepping back into the house and letting the door shut behind me.

            The door didn't slam because Justin followed me inside like I knew he would. I grabbed a cookie in the kitchen before looking at Justin. "If I can't trick or treat, you will!"

            "What?" I asked with a mouth full of cookie.

He smiled. "Trick, you have to go to a party with me, or treat, you get to go to a party with me."

            "Um," I thought quickly. "I would love to, but see, it's a school night, so grandma won't let me." I lied hoping he wouldn't dig into it. It wasn't that I didn't want to go with him; I just didn't want to go. I didn't want to change out of my sweat pants.

            "I was expecting that answer, so here comes the trick." He winked at me. "Loraine," Justin called and I sighed. I followed him into the next room where grandma was watching television. "Do you mind if I take Emma to a party at Ally's house?"

I shook my head hoping she would see me, unfortunately she did. Grandma smirked at me before answering, "of course not, just be home by midnight."

Thanks Grandma, I thought as I groaned internally.

Full Copyright 2013
Last Edited 2017