One Way Bridge

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

"Want to stay for dinner? It's just Charlie and I tonight. We're ordering pizza?" I smiled as Vince bribed me with pizza. We had just been sitting on the couch in silence. I had my head on his shoulder, enjoying the warmth his arm wrapped around me gave and staring at the barn ceiling.

"Sure," I turned to look at him. He was such a sweet guy, despite all the times he hit on me. I could see why Ally had fallen for him.

"Come on," Vince pulled me up with him. "Pizza's not gonna order itself." I crack a smile as he tugged me away by my hand. Outside the weather was changing. The wind brought a bit of frost that would cut our long fall short. I released Vince's hand to yank my jacket tighter. Vince, noticing my hunchback pose, held out an arm to me, which I gratefully snuggled into.

Due to our stance, we probably took longer getting to the door because we had to waddle, but Vince's warmth didn't stop me from shivering. "I-its g-g-getting r-really c-old out there,"

"Yeah," Vince chuckled at me. I glared back, but was interrupted before I could retort by my phone buzzing.

I checked to see a text from Justin. 'Hey sorry I couldn't see you when you got home I had a dentist appointment I'll see you around eight? Miss you!' I smiled.

The warmth inside me was short lived. "Charlie? I'm going to order the pizza, what do you want?" Vince yelled making me jump and drop my phone. I quickly picked it up and shoved it back in my pocket.

"Sausage, pepperoni, and mushroom," Charlotte yelled as she skipped up the steps. "Oh, are you staying for dinner, Emma?" She was surprised to see me still here.

"Of course! You think I would miss out on pizza night?" I joked.

I had forgotten how good the small pizza place in town was. Together we devoured a whole extra-large pizza and by 'we,' I pretty much just mean Charlotte and I. Vince had a few pieces, but nothing compared to the amount I ate. Charlotte and I gave him a hard time about it. All the joking around really made me feel like I was back at home with Hannah and Erin again. I was sad to go when Vince gave me a ride home after.

"Thanks," I said as I hopped out of Vince's truck, "for everything."

"No problem, I'm always here for you Emma." He smiled back at me. "Have a happy Thanksgiving."

"I will, you too!" I waved shutting the door. I waited for him to back out of the driveway before heading up to the house.

"Hey!" Justin walked out from between the garage and house. "Was that Vince?" He motioned towards the truck as it turned onto the main road.

"Yeah, me, him, and Charlotte had dinner." I left out the part about mine and Vince's little heart to heart.

"Fun," Justin grabbed my hand. I couldn't help compare it to the way Vince had held mine. Even worse, I found the way Vince's thump stroked the back of my hand more comfortable than Justin's firm grasp. It was as if he was never going to let go. However, he dropped my hand before we walked through the door.

"Hey grandma," I found her sitting in the living room. "Justin, Alex and I are going to go downstairs and watch a movie, okay?"

"Sure, I'm going to be going to bed soon, so I shouldn't be a bother."

"Alright, why don't you guys head down?" Alex had just walked into the room. "I'm going to change." I saw Justin follow Alex before I went to find some sweats. I changed quickly, hoping an awkward silence hadn't settled in the basement. "Night Grandma," I called as I hurried back through the living room and downstairs.

I found both the boys on the furniture, the movie ready to play. "Turn off the lights, will ya?" Alex smirked. I gave a huff but did so before taking a seat on the carpet next to the couch. I would have happily shared it, but Alex looked pretty reluctant to move seeing as he made a show of the way he was sprawled across it. Justin on the other hand sat ramrod straight in the arm chair, as if he was afraid to move.

A couple hours later, Alex moved from his position. Stretching and yawning he spoke. "I'm going to bed, night guys." Both Justin and I mumbled a reply, but waited until we could no longer hear the squeak of stressed steps to move.

I moved up to the couch, and Justin moved to sit beside me, resting his feet on the small coffee table. "How was South Dakota?"

"Good," my voice was strained as I remembered Michael and little Bella.

Justin looked at me for a while, but decided not to speak on it. Instead he asked about Hannah. "How's your friend who thinks I'm a 'hottie'?"

"Hannah's good, especially since I told her."

"You did?"

"Mmm hmm, and Riley, so we'll have to tell everyone before he comes down here for Christmas."

"He's not going to beat me up is he?"

"I don't think so; I mean I'm pretty sure you can take him." I knew he was joking, but he did tense a bit at my response. We didn't really watch the last half hour or so of the movie, instead we talked about South Dakota and my cousins' house. I tried to ask him about his Thanksgiving, but he said it was boring and nothing special.

"Goodbye," I stood in the entry way waiting for Justin to say goodbye.

"Have fun with your cousins," he opened the door.

"I will," I bit my lip. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Emma," Justin walked out onto the porch and towards his house with not so much as a glance back at me. I sighed shutting the door and dragging myself back to my room.

I wasn't surprised to find Alex lying on the trundle bed. I only tripped over one bag as I felt my way through the dark to my own bed.

"Emma?" he whispered into the night.

"You could have told me you were awake so I didn't have to stub my toe!" My voice was just as low as his, but much more harsh.

Alex chuckled before replying. "Do you like Justin?"

I was taken aback a little and thankful the dark hid the shocked look on my face. I fought my way under my covers to buy me time. "Yeah," I finally spoke once my blankets were situated to my liking. "He's a good friend."

"That's not what I meant." I looked over to see him staring at the ceiling. I copied him. As my eyes adjusted, I could see more and more of the white ceiling which shone blue in the light from the clock. "He likes you. He really likes you. The way he looks at you. Be careful." I turned my head to reply, but Alex had rolled over onto his side, leaving me to ponder his words.

Author's Note:

Sorry it took me a couple extra days. I've been getting these really bad headaches ever since Sunday and I don't know why. Merry Christmas, or for those of you who live in the future, Happy Boxing Day. May your pygmy puff sing loud and proud! If you don't get that you are only slightly less awesome. Point is, you guys are so amazing and I'm terrible for lying to you guys about when I'm going to update. I'll try and get another chapter up soon and a chapter for Ignorance is Bliss. Oh and in case you are extremely confused, I switched the title and cover. Now that that's cleared up, stay SuperMegaFoxyAwesome!

Devin4862

PS you can thank TeamTwilight1234 for motivating me to finally write this chapter!