Tucked (REWRITING/EDITING-)

20

Emma.

I'm heading to Sacramento for treatment today, whoop di di doo. Eli offered to drive me, seeing as I don't own a car, and he is my boyfriend. Also. I will admit I want to get extra time with him, just in case, well, you know. Not that anything like that will happen, I'm trying to look on the bright side here. We're going to have a good time, even if it's only an three hour drive, maybe a bit more with traffic. Hey, I can bring Adele cd's. Aaaaaand we leave in two minutes. Shit, I need to pack. I quickly grab a large tote, tossing in my toiletries and comfiest clothes. Pausing a second by my closet, I grab a new dress I just bought as an afterthought.

"Emma?" Eli's voice is muffled from the hallway.

"One sec!" I yell back, getting a few things last minute. I jog to the door and turn the knob, looking at the space behind me.

"Bye apartment." I say under my breath, "Be back soon. Probably."

Eli gives me a hug and we go down the stairs, hand in hand.

I snuggle into the familiar seat of the yellow Volkswagen bug, the well worn grey leather seats welcoming me. I really love this car. Eli pulls out of his parking spot and we begin our road trip. Right now it's more of a street trip, considering the considerable amount of traffic in the city. I plug my phone into the auxiliary cord, and play the playlist I made months ago for car rides. I really like making playlists, you can just perfectly capture the mood without needing to skip songs.

"So where exactly are we going? To your parents house, or..." Eli asks, his eyes on the road but flicking to me every other word.

"Yeah, my parents house. I'll tell you where to go, don't worry." I reply, a smile on my face.

"This isn't exactly how I planned meeting your parents. Do you think they'll like me?"

How did you plan it?

"I'm sure they'll love you. Just be yourself, they'll like that better than you trying to impress them." I smirk.

Just then, the Adele song Eli and I sang together on our first date comes on. I forgot that was on this playlist. We exchange smiles and both start in unison when she starts singing. Did I mention Eli is really not a wonderful singer? I found the one thing that wasn't "perfect" about him. In reality, I've finally understood that no one is perfect, not even an amazing boy. He has flaws, and even though I love his flaws as well as his wonderful qualities, they still aren't perfect. Oh man, philosophizing about my life with an air of finality, I'm not making it seem like I'm looking on the bright side. We take the more scenic route to Sacramento, along the Number 1 highway. In case you didn't know, it overlooks the ocean at some parts. We stop in a little town for ice cream, and walk over to a dock where we sit and lick our cones.

"Did you see that this ice cream was made in Sacramento? Pretty cool." Eli asks, slurping his strawberry cone.

"Oh cool. Have you been to that place in San Fran where they make the ice cream with liquid nitrogen? Its amazing." I say.

"No, but I've heard about it. We should go when we get back."

"Yes, definitely." I say with a grin. My vanilla ice cream tries to escape my waffle cone with a few lone drips. I lick them up and gaze at the view.

"Eli?"

"Yeah?" I says, turning his head to observe me.

"What if... I don't make it? I know my chances are good but, that's not great."

"Well, I don't know. We'll cross that bridge if we come to it." He sighs, a serious look on his face.

"You mean if you come to it. If we come to it I obviously won't be there." I say sarcastically.

"Don't be a smart ass, be positive."

"I'm trying, but I'm going through the motions and I can't help but think it could be the last time."

"I'm here for you, no matter what, okay? I'll stay for the surgery."

"No, you have school, and work, and..."

"No, I'm staying. I already discussed it with Nina and I can continue doing school work online. If..." He takes a deep breath "-it really is the last time I'll see you, I'm going to be there."

There's no point in arguing, he's right. We finish our ice cream then go back to the car. We get in and I resume the happy playlist, brightening the mood. We start to sing and talk and joke again, making the hours count. We get to Sacramento, the first time since summer for me. Oh I miss my home, no matter how much I love San Francisco. I give Eli directions, and we zoom past all my favorite places; In&Out burger, Trader Joe's, the movie theater I like. Finally, we pull into my driveway, and I get out and take a huge breath. I love the smell of my neighbor hood. We have flower bushes, and orange trees in the backyard, and it smells like home to me. I get my bag and lug it to the door, but it's harder then usual, my side is burning again. Eli catches up and takes the bag.

"Be careful Em, don't exert yourself." He says worriedly, kissing my forehead sweetly.

I nod, and hold my side for a second before continuing. I'm willing to bet money my parents are watching us from the living room window. They are very mature people after all. We get to the door, and I'm greeted by a little ball of sunshine in little girl form. My cousin, Sadie, barreling into me in a hug. Her head only reaches my stomach, so I can't really hug her back. I laugh and stroke her hair.

"Hey there turbo. I didn't know you were here."

"Yesh! My parents is in Sanata Quooz (Santa Cruz)." She grins maniacally, then sets her eyes on Eli. "Is this your booooooyfwend?"

"Yes, his name is Eli. Eli, this is Sadie, my cousin."

Just then, my parents enter the room.

"Hi hon, Sadie, get off Emma." My mom says.

"You must be Eli. I've heard about you." My dad says, reaching out a hand for a shake.

Eli takes it. "And vice versa."

This'll be interesting.