6

14

"Oh my God." Aubrey ran over to the door and grabbed my shoulders. "Where have you been?"

"It's a uh, funny story." I tried shaking him off of me, but his hands weren't leaving my arms.

"A funny story?" He raised his eyebrows. I could tell that wasn't the right answer. I could just feel the anger radiating off of him. "It's six o'clock in the morning and you've been missing for five hours and it's a funny story?"

"It was only four hours." I managed to wiggle from his grip and walked over to the bed. Jace was sitting up looking, no more like glaring, at me.

"Emerson, I've been worried. What the fuck is wrong with you?" Aubrey had his hands curled into fists and his muscles where flexing beneath the thin black cotton of his T-shirt. "I thought you fucking died."

"Well I didn't." I unlaced my shoes and kicked him off. I was gone for four hours and he didn't even ask if I was okay. He slammed his hand down hard on the table and his anger came rushing out full force.

"Listen, right now I'd suggest you didn't have that smart ass mouth." He raised his voice. "You two are absolutely fucking ridiculous. You should've stayed together, instead of risking one life over another. I can't believe how stupid and selfish you both are."

"Oh, I'm selfish?" I pulled the heavy black hoodie over my head. It was wet from the rain and snow that had fallen on it. "I fucking tried to find you. Jace over there wanted to leave." I unbuttoned my pants, standing and sliding them off. I pulled on a pair of sweatpants angrily. "I'm the selfish one for thinking of everyone?"

"I told you to come home when you got lost." I rubbed my eyes, trying to stay awake.

"You did, but I was lost. Aubrey, when people get lost they don't know their way back. I'm sorry for that." I sighed and pulled on a loose shirt. "Can we talk about this another time? I'm tired."

"Oh no," Aubrey jaw clenched. "I've waited here for however many hours. I wanted to go to sleep but instead I was stuck waiting for you." I was surprised Jace stayed quiet for this long, he wasn't saying a word. I had a feeling that Aubrey had lost his temper on him before I came.

"I said sorry. What the fuck do you want Aubrey? I got lost." I grabbed a tissue from the box beside the bed and blew my nose. Of course, now I was coming down with something form being in the cold for so long.

"You should've come back Emerson." He sighed. I felt some of his anger leave. "You both broke two rules: don't split up, unless you need to, and if something happens head back here."

"I know Aubrey." I sighed and pulled the comforter over my body. "We can talk about this later." I looked over to see Jace already half asleep. I heard Aubrey let out a loud sigh and grabbed and blanket, making his way to the floor. "You can sleep up here again."

He thought over it for a moment and decide to join me. I smiled to myself, happy that he climbed up. I wanted someone else to sleep with me. I reached over to turn off the lamp and glanced at Jace, who was in a deep sleep, already snoring. I sighed and switched off the light. I cuddled into my pillow and closed my eyes.

"Em, I'm not as mad as I am upset." Aubrey said in a low voice. I turned to face him. "I was just worried, I thought you got hurt." He sighed. I couldn't see his facial expressions because it was so dark.

"I tried to get back but I really did get lost." I whispered.

"I know, just next time please be more careful." I reached out under the covers and grabbed his hand.

"I'm sorry." I squeezed his hand. He squeezed back and continued to hold it. I closed my eyes, finally letting sleep take over.

~~