The One

The One (42)

"Get out!" screamed Emily. "GET! OUT!"

"Emily -" tried Steve.

"Don't call my name!" screeched Emily. "Don't!"

"Don't be like this," he tried.

"Like what?" shrieked Emily. "Like a madwoman?! Oh, I know. You're looking at me like I'm a madwoman, right!"

"No, I would never -"

"Then why are you doing this to me?" sobbed Emily. "I can't live without you, Steve. You know that. I tried it before, and look where I landed."

"I know." Steve's voice was hard. "But I can't do this anymore."

"Do what?" Emily's voice was icy. "Don't you love me?"

"I..."

My heart sunk as I heard him speechless.

No.

No.

Say no, Steve. Tell her you don't love her.

"You what?" screamed Emily. "Tell me you love me, Steve."

I waited in desperation to hear Steve's answer.

"No!" shouted Steve. "Sorry Emily, I don't love you. Never had and never will."

"Stop!" screamed Emily. "You're lying! I know you are!"

Suddenly I felt someone tap on my shoulder. 

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

I turned around and saw Maxine looking at me. "Felicia, what are you doing?"

"Shh!" I hurriedly said. "I'm eavesdropping on them."

"What? Who?"

"Shh, listen and you'll know."

"I'm not lying, Emily," said Steve calmly. "I don't feel that way towards you."

"NO!" she screamed. "No, no, no, no, NO!"

"Wow, she's behaving like a bitch now," commented Maxine. "How many times has she said no?"

"She can't help it," I said. "She was in a mental hospital before. I think Steve's worried that she might have a relapse."

"What? She was in a mental hospital before?" asked Maxine, confused.

I widened my eyes. "Shit!" I covered my mouth with my hands. "I wasn't supposed to tell you that!"

"She never was in a mental hospital, silly girl," said Maxine, rolling her eyes.

"What? How would you know -" I was cut off by the sound of glass crashing.

"Were my ears playing pranks on me or was that the sound of glass shattering?" asked Maxine.

"That was the sounds of glass shattering," I confirmed.

"Gosh, she has gone too far," said Maxine. She stood up.

My eyes widened. "Maxine, what are you doing -"

"Your boyfriend is suffering in there, and I'm going in there to rescue him." Maxine opened the door.

"Maxine -"

Too late, Steve and Emily saw both Maxine and I. Emily's eyes widened in hatred and rage.

"It's because of her, right!" screamed Emily, pointing at me. "It's all because of her that you left me."

"No." Steve's voice was firm, but his face was worried. "Don't you get it, Emily? I was never yours to begin with."

"No! I don't want to hear it!" screamed Emily. "Shut up!"