The Story Of Us

Chapter 57

The Story Of Us
Chapter 57
Emily's POV

Date story took place: 5/13/15
Age: 16

"You cheated!" Hayley shouted at Annie.

"No, it's called I'm a better dancer than you actually." Annie sasses back.

Hayley huffed. "Emily, who was better? Me or Annie?"

"It was a tie. You both looked great." I threw my hands up.

"Well, then explain to me why I have the highest score out of the two of us then." Annie pointed to the Just Dance scores that were displayed over the TV.

"I don't know. I guess it's wrong or something." I shrugged and smiled.

Hayley ran over to me and jumped on my lap. "Can you play with us now?"

"Dude, I've played at least five times already. I'm drenched in sweat." I pulled on Hayley's curls as she gave me a pouty face.

"You need to babysit us more often." Annie sat down next to me.

"You just need to come over more often." Hayley corrected Annie. "Why don't you?"

"Hayley, come on." Annie gave her a look and I let out a small laugh.

"I just need some time away from Caleb right now." I tried to explain to Hayley. I wasn't sure how to tell her without blurting out that I was absolutely pissed off at him and never really wanted to speak to him again.

She just nodded her head and played with the bracelet on my wrist.

"We miss seeing you all the time. You're like my big sister." Annie said.

"Awh," I pulled the girls close to me and sighed. "I know that Caleb and I aren't on the best terms right now but that's not going to stop me from spending time with my two favorite girls."

"Can't you just makeup and be best friends again? I do that all the time at school with my friends." Hayley whined.

"It doesn't really work that way, Hay." I said just as the front door opened.

Caleb walked in wearing his baseball pants and jersey. He threw his baseball bag to the side which landed with a loud thud on the ground.

"Okay," I took a deep breath. "Looks like I need to go. Your brother can take care of you two from here."

"Em, please don't leave!" Hayley begged. "Caleb is an awful babysitter. He just sits and mopes around."

Hayley's pouting drew attention towards me so I could feel Caleb staring at me through the back of my head.

"Your parents should be getting home soon anyways." I assured them. I leaned down and gave both the girls a kiss on top of the head.

"I'll see you two soon, okay?" I asked.

"Pinky promise?" Hayley held up her little pinky.

"Pinky promise." I wrapped my pinky around hers.

I grabbed my jacket and phone off the other side of the couch. My purse was lying on the counter in the kitchen where Caleb was messing around.

I awkwardly walked into the kitchen and gathered my belongings.

"Thanks for watching them." Caleb spoke.

I gave him a quick glance and then stared down at my feet. "Yeah, no problem." I said so quietly that you could barely hear me. I didn't want to make eye contact because I knew that would make things even more odd than it was already.

As I made my way to the door, Hayley stopped me.

"Emily! Hold on one second!" She called from the couch. "Caleb come here."

He walked over to her to where she pulled him down to whisper something in his ear.

Hayley was a loud whisperer so I could hear what she had told Caleb.

'Tell her you love her.' Hayley looked up at him with pleading eyes.

Caleb gave her a sad look and shook his head. "Hay, stop."

Before anything else happened, I walked out the door. I didn't want Annie or Hayley see me crying about their brother.

I swiftly moved through the lawn, trying to make my way to my house. I heard the sound of a door opening and slamming shut.

"Emily," I heard Caleb call out. "Wait up!"

I gripped onto the purse around my shoulder tighter and quickened my pace. A tear slipped but I quickly wiped it away.

Caleb has always been faster than me and caught up before I even had time to step into my own yard.

He placed his hand on my shoulder, forcing me to face him. I swung myself around.

"Caleb, I don't-" I started to shout but looked over at the porch. Annie and Hayley stood there with tiny glimpses of hope in their eyes while their arms were crossed, staring at us.

"I don't want to talk about this." I lowered my voice and looked into his  eyes.

We stared at each other for awhile, not sure of what to do next. Slowly Caleb lifted his hand and placed it under my chin while caressing my cheek with his thumb. I closed my eyes and just a few more tears slipped. I sighed and finally jerked my head away while gently shoving his hand out of my face.

"No, Caleb." I mumbled. I had to keep it cool since the girls were watching us.

"You've got to hear me out on all of this, Em." He begged, but I shook my head.

I eyed the girls. "Now is not the time, Caleb." My voice was more stern.

"Emily," Caleb's voice rose. "I don't give a crap if their listening to us. I don't care if they here me shouting." He paused to catch his breath. "I just want you back."

"No." I said clearly. With that, I turned off and walked home, leaving Caleb in shock behind me.