Mismatch Lovers

Chapter 24

*Emma's POV*

I got up early the next morning and headed straight for the shower. Killian was still asleep so I tried to be quiet and let him sleep as long as I could, knowing tonight was going to be a long one for him. I was glad things seemed to be working out, I just really hoped Ruby wasn't just toying with me again. It took everything I had to be nice to her sometimes knowing the way she'd treated Killian before I'd gotten involved, so if she pulled anything I knew I was sure to snap.

As I walked through the store, though, I could feel eyes on me. It was similar to when I first moved here, that feeling when you just know they're all talking about you, except this time I had no idea what they could be saying... until Killian called me.

"Where are you?" He asked without greeting, taking me completely off guard. "Nevermind, I just need you to come home. We need to talk."

"What's wrong?" I asked, concerned by his serious tone. "Did something happen?"

"I-I-I d-d-don't," he stopped taking a breath the way he did to try to stop his stutter. "P-p-please just c-come home?"

"Alright," I agreed easily though my anxiety was now eating me alive. "I just need one more thing so I'll be home in twenty minutes?"

"Okay," was all he said before he hung up. I didn't even know how to handle him this way, he'd never acted like this. I quickly grabbed what I needed and went to check out, ignoring every set of eyes on me and speeding home.

"Killian?" I called as I came in the back door, leaving my bags in the kitchen and finding him pacing in our room downstairs. "Babe, what's going on?"

"You tell me," he snapped a bit, taking a breath when I flinched at his sudden harshness. "Look, I'm sorry, but I heard a rumor, and I just want to get things straight."

"Okay?" I allowed, still lost. "What rumor?"

"Just be honest with me," he started, looking horrified to find out my answer. "A-a-re... are you... p-pregnant?"

"Woah, what?!" I exclaimed, that being the last thing I expected him to ask me. "Where the hell did you hear that?!"

"Kris called earlier, said it's going around town," he answered dismissively before asking again. "But are you?"

"Of course not!" I assured him and his entire demeanor relaxed. "Though that explains the staring today at the store. Stupid tiny town..."

"I-I-I'm sorry, love, I j-j-just-"

"Hey," I stopped him, my voice much softer as I stepped closer to rest my palm on his cheek and make him meet my eyes. "It's okay. Besides, if I was, don't you think you'd be the first to know?"

"I'm so sorry," he shook his head, pulling me closer for a tight hug. I just let him hold me, my fingers toying with the hair at the nape of his neck to soothe him. "I should have known it was just this ridiculous town at work again."

I knew words wouldn't settle his guilt, kissing along his jaw until finally meeting his lips. His entire body relaxed in my arms as we sunk into each other, his hold tightening again for a much different reason a moment later. I let him press me up against the wall, my body forming to his easily.

"I promise I'm not," I told him again, now totally breathless. "Don't let the town-"

"Just come here," he interrupted me impatiently, yanking me impossibly closer to kiss me again. I giggled against his lips and slid my arms around his neck, glad the subject had moved to something much more enjoyable.

*Killian's POV*

Later that night I was sitting on the bed, watching Emma and her friends as they sat laughing on the floor in front of the TV. I was trying to work on my homework, but my eyes were always drawn to her when she wasn't within my reach. She always had a different attitude when she was with her friends, almost like she was forcing herself to be happy, and it was starting to frustrate me. I didn't trust a thing Ruby said or did either, pretty sure that she was the one who had started that rumor.

"Hey," Emma's voice pulled me from my thoughts as she crawled onto the bed on all fours in front of me. "Wanna be my favorite person in the world?"

"Well I thought I already was," I smirked, chuckling and reaching up to tuck some loose hair behind her ear when she rolled her eyes at me. "What do you need, Swan?"

"Can you go pick up the pizza?" She asked with a slight pout, knowing it'd make it impossible for me to resist her. "They're really busy and it'll take forever if we have to wait for them to deliver it."

"And I take it you're hungry right this moment," I assumed, the way she worried her lip between her teeth in response making affection for her swell inside me. I sighed. "Well I suppose I could run out and get it..."

"Ah, thank you!" A bright smile covered her face, making me laugh when she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me quickly. "I knew you were my favorite person for a reason."

"It's always food with you, isn't it, lass?" I laughed, her cheeks flushing. "Alright, love, I'll be back in a few minutes, yeah?"

"Thank you," she said again, kissing me more sweetly before letting me get up. "Just let me grab my purse."

"Oh, no you don't," I stopped her, her protests silenced when I covered her lips with mine once more. "I'll be right back."

Her half smile was the last thing I say before I hurried out to get their pizza. I ignored all the whispers and stares, not at all worried about it now that I'd talked to Emma. When I got back they were all in their pajamas but obviously nowhere near ready for sleep.

"There you are," Emma greeted me cheerfully when she saw me come in, her face lighting up the way I had become accustomed to as she got up. I expected her to just take the pizza but she passed it to someone else, her arms sliding around my waist to bring her body against mine. My arms instantly encircled her, her voice much lower when she spoke again. "I have no idea what to even talk to them about, it's so awkward for me."

"Why don't I invite the guys over?" I suggested in an equally soft tone, rubbing her back absent mindedly. "That way you all have another focus, there won't be so much pressure."

She relaxed in my arms as she thought it over, soon standing up on her toes to kiss me deeply. As we sat around that night, all but attached to our significant others, I realized it would be like this much longer. She would go to Harvard, meet all kinds of new people, and I'd be here, where I'd always been while she forgot all about me. She'd swear it wouldn't happen, but I knew. I'd always known. She wasn't mine to keep.

So it's been forever, but I've been super busy and stressed with family/baby, and I'm so sorry! Anyway, I have an idea for this story, but I need to know what you think: should I do graduation and her going to college before the time skip, or just do it? Please let me know what you think of everything! Later, loves!