I Can't Cope (COMPLETED)

Chapter 25 - Emily

I wake up late, after going to bed pretty late last night. Hunter insisted on staying until I felt like going to bed, saying he didn't want me to be lonely. The only problem with that was that I tried to stay awake for as long as possible, trying to maximise the time Hunter was there, because I didn't want him to go. I knew I would have to go and deal with things with Riley when he'd gone, and I really didn't feel like doing that.

It's surprising how Riley and I are so close, yet we've never been so open with our opinions of each other, never been so brutally honest about stuff like this. And thinking about it, I highly doubt we're even going to listen to each other, so neither of us have really helped anything by saying what we did - all we did was make each other hate each other.

So when I went upstairs last night, I was kinda confused about what I was going to say to Riley. Apologise? Agree with her? Keep arguing my point? I didn't know. So the lucky thing was, when I peered around her bedroom door, she'd gone to bed, so I didn't have to say anything. But I knew I'd have to deal with it in the morning.

So it's morning now, and, as I get out of bed, I check the time. 9.06. Great, so I've missed everyone. If Mum and Dad did come home last night, I would have talked to them about things with Hunter, probably asked Mum how to fix things with Riley. And even if they had left super early for work, I would have still had time to talk to Riley before she left for school. But I woke up too late, so it's too late now...

I go downstairs and walk slowly towards the kitchen, picking up my phone on the way. I've actually had so many more messages since Steph and Giselle came over. Messages from them, now Hunter, and surprisingly, a few from others too. I feel like slowly, people are remembering that they forgot me, and I'm kinda hoping they feel bad about that - but whether they do, I don't know.

I make myself a bowl of cereal and sit on a stool behind the counter. Browsing through social media, a notification from James pops up at the top of the screen. James? Why would James need to, or want to, talk to me? I click on the notification and it opens up the message.

Yeah. But don't mention it to anyone.

Maybe he sent that message to the wrong person? Because that means nothing to me! A couple of seconds after I've read it, it disappears. He must have unsent it.

What was that James? I send.

Sorry. He replies. It was meant for Michelle. He adds, but suddenly that disappears too. Why would he unsend that?

What are you talking about with Michelle? I ask, out of interest - also known as me being nosy.

Nothing. I meant someone else. He replies.

Uh, okay... I reply.

All things with Riley aside, I'm not sure I trust James. Yes, I like him - sometimes - but I can't say I trust him. I know he did all those things for Riley to get her back, but kissing Beth? Unforgiveable, in my opinion. Cheating on your girlfriend is the lowest of the low and I think Riley should have just moved on and left him behind, because I'm sure there'd be plenty of other guys queuing up to be with her.

I go back to eating my cereal. James' conversation with Michelle probably wasn't very interesting and the reason he unsent the message was because he didn't want a nosy person like me to get involved in his conversation. But, to be honest, if he'd just left it and told me it was an accident, I probably wouldn't have been as eager to know, as he wouldn't have been being so secretive.

But will I tell Riley about it? No. If she's just going to continue acting the way she does, being so contradictory and defensive, then she doesn't deserve to know. Besides, I think she needs to spend some time sorting herself out before she starts dealing with her relationships.

Finishing my cereal, I get up and put my bowl by the sink. Then I stop. Wait, did that really just happen? Did I manage to get up without my knee hurting? Oh my god, that's amazing! As much as I put up with the pain, I would much rather it didn't exist. I know, on my bad days, I say I deserve it - but maybe I don't...

Seeing the studio yesterday made me realise, when my knee's healed - which shouldn't be too long away, by the looks of things - maybe I do want to go back to dance. Perhaps a break from everything may have made a difference - I've learned a lot, surprisingly, whilst being alone.

Maybe I should try something now... I walk over to the space in the centre of the kitchen, between the counters. Stepping to one side, I try to do a grand jeté, something I remember being unable to do when I first injured my knee. I manage to do it and continue dancing, doing a routine I remember doing as a warm-up. Getting to the end, I stop, slightly out of breath. I haven't danced for so long, but it just feels right - honestly, it feels better than before.

By now, my knee's started to twinge slightly, so I walk slowly off to the living room to sit down. I'd rather it didn't hurt at all, but at least it's improving...

I smile, in spite of things not being sorted with Riley. Things are finally looking up for me. My knee's healing, Hunter's my boyfriend, and all doubts about returning to dance have gone out the window. I just hope things don't go downhill now...

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There's chapter 25! Sorry for not updating sooner :)

What's James been talking about with Michelle? Will Emily's knee be okay? What do you think the 'major things' I keep mentioning are? :D Comment your thoughts!

Those 'major things' are coming up next chapter - the things that happen start off the events of the rest of the book, so keep reading to find out what happens... ;)

Please continue to vote and comment too, I love all your support :D