Emily's Escape

Chapter 12

Friday

"How did it go?" Carter asked as he took a bite of his apple. It was currently lunchtime. I was eating a small salad in the library.

I shrugged. "They told me I was anorexic and made me some appointments with a therapist."

"Oh, okay, how do you feel about that?" he said with a gentle voice. His eyebrows were furrowed together and he looked worried.

"I don't know, I still can't really believe it, you know," I tried to lighten the mood.

"Hey, um sorry about the kiss after Max's fight last Friday," he said bluntly. I choked on my water.

"Uhm it's fine, why do you bring this up now?" he shrugged.

"I don't know, I guess I just wanted to say it," he said and looked down on his pasta. He ate a lot of food. How he was so fit and muscular surprised me.

Did I just think like that about him?

"Well, it's fine," I said closing the subject. I really didn't want to discuss this topic right now.

"Alright, have you told your parents?" he asked while stuffing his mouth with pasta. He didn't look up at me so he didn't catch my confused face.

I still hadn't told him. Maybe it was time for me to actually talk to someone about it.

"Uhm actually, I'm not able to tell my parents," I said and looked down. I could feel his eyes on me.

"What do you mean?" he asked. I lifted my head and saw him looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"My parents are dead," I blurted out. That probably wasn't the best way to tell someone.

"Wait, are you serious?" I nodded. "Oh my god, I didn't know, I don't think anyone knows," he said and laid his hand on top of mine. I stared at the hands. Why did he always do this? He showed affection but he was confusing about everything.

"Yes, I'm serious. I don't want anybody to know, that's sort of the reason I stopped talking to all of the popular kids," I admitted. He was staring intensely at me. I really didn't need his sympathy.

"I'm so sorry, Emily. I was never told by anyone," he said and pulled his hand back. A part of me wanted him to place his hand on top of mine again.

"Nobody knows, that's why. Look, I don't want anyone to know, please don't tell anyone!" I begged him. He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Of course I won't tell anyone, but how have you kept this to yourself?" he asked, but I figured it was a rhetorical question and didn't answer.

"If you don't want to answer that's completely fine, but how did they die?" he asked in a gentle voice. He talked like he was afraid to hurt me.

"A car accident," I whispered. I couldn't help but tear up. I was sensitive about it.

"Shit, I'm so sorry," he breathed. He stood up from his chair and soon I felt his arms around me. I couldn't help but embrace him as well. I burrowed my face and his neck and cried silently.

When we pulled away my tears had finally dried. I pulled completely away and tried to hide my awkwardness by laughing a little.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Carter asked. I didn't really know if I wanted to talk about it.

"There isn't much to say," I said and he nodded understanding. He understood me. He walked to his chair and sat back down.

"Do you want to come to my house after school?" he asked. I widened my eyes in surprise. He really wanted to hang out with me? I didn't really get why he wanted to hang out with me.