When They Met

Chapter 22

Hiding the dress from Killian all week long had been a hassle. But, today was Saturday so he could finally see the dress. She was getting ready for their date in her bedroom, walking between the room and the bathroom. She could hear Killian getting ready in his room, and it put a smile to her face. Emma had been super excited all week, and couldn't wait for their date. It had been a long week. Not only with school but with the drama with Jefferson. But, the date she was going to go on with Killian was enough to take her mind off of things. He hadn't given her any clues or dropped any hints about where he was going to take her for their date. All she knew was that she was supposed to dress in something fancy. He had changed his mind about their casual fancy date a few days ago.

As the time drew closer to 7:30, more butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She put the finishing touches to her dress and makeup, then grabbed her clutch purse. There was a knock on her bedroom door, and she went over to it. Killian's jaw dropped when he saw her. She blushed and smiled. Her dress was a dark, royal blue that went down to her ankles. She had silver flats and silver jewelry. Her hair was flipped to the side and curled perfectly.

"W-w-wow." Killian was having a hard time finding his voice anyway. "Y-you are gorgeous."

Emma laughed. "Really?" She looked down at the skirt. "It isn't too much?" She spun around to reveal a slit in her back that showed some skin. His jaw dropped further as his eyes bugged out of his head. "What? What is it?"

Killian shook his head. "I love it. You l-look fantastic."

"Thanks. I was really worried about your reaction to the dress. That was why I wanted to keep it a secret."

"I-it was so w-w-worth the wait." He smiled and held out his arm for her, which she quickly threaded hers through. "Shall w-we?"

"We shall." She confirmed. They walked down the stairs and a flash of light hit them.

Killian blinked rapidly as he looked around, seeing Liam holding a camera. "What the h-hell, b-brother?"

"Sorry, it's just your first date." Liam smiled. "You both look amazing."

"Let's go." Killian said, dragging Emma down the stairs and outside. "S-s-sorry ab-about him."

Emma shook her head with a smile. "It's okay, Killian. Let's go eat. I'm starving."

He nodded and they drove to the restaurant. They quickly got to their table and ordered their food. They ate and had small talk. The waitress had just brought them the bill when there was a sound of glass shattering. Emma and Killian both looked over to see Jefferson standing in the doorway of the dining room in his football jersey. Along with him, were three other guys standing in their jerseys.

"Jones!" Jefferson called out, catching everyone's attention. "Get away from my girl!"

"Time to go." Killian mumbled, putting forty dollars under the billfold and stood up. "Shit."

Emma turned to him and grabbed his hand. She pulled him out of the restaurant and in between the guys until they got outside. Arms wrapped around her from behind as Killian was dragged away from her.  "No! Let me go!" She yelled, struggling in the person's grip. She looked behind her to see Jefferson. "Put me down!"

"No!" He hollered back at her. "Do it." He nodded to his friends who threw Killian to the ground. One guy sat on his stomach and threw punches to his face, neck, and chest. Grunts could be heard from the guys. The two guys who stood over Killian, kicked him in the sides. This seemed to go on for five minutes. Emma struggled in Jefferson's grip, pleading with him to let her go and for him to stop his friends from hurting Killian anymore, but he ignored her. "Enough!" He yelled out suddenly. He pushed Emma to the ground in front of his feet. She scraped up her hands and gasped at the pain. Jefferson leaned down to cup her chin.

"You stay away f-from-" Killian's sentence was cut off when one of the guys kicked him in the stomach again, successfully knocking the wind out of him.

"That's what happens when you go behind my back like that. You belong to me, whether you want to admit it or not. The boy with the stutter isn't a problem for me."

Growing mad, Emma raised her fist up and punched Jefferson in the jaw. A sickening crack could be heard throughout the parking lot along with his yelp of pain. "None of us are afraid of you." She rose to her feet. "Something tells me you don't like when girls stick up for themselves in front of you. I suggest you stay away from me unless you want a broken nose along with that jaw." She turned to walk away, but turned around again to face the football player who was holding his jaw and glaring at her. "And Jefferson, I don't belong to anyone."

The football players standing over Killian rushed away when Emma came over them. She knelt down to Killian and stroked his hair back over his forehead. "Hey, b-beautiful." He choked out through grunts of pain.

She put her hands over the place where his hand was and applied a small amount of pressure, quickly pulling back when he yelped in pain. "Your ribs are broken."

"That m-must b-be why it h-hurts when I l-l-laugh."

"Come on, we have to get you to the hospital. I'll call Liam." She helped him sit up and they slowly went to the car.

"L-love, let's j-j-just go home. We can go t-tomorrow. Besides, they won't d-do anything for b-broken r-r-ribs."

Emma glanced between him and the road before sighing in agreement. "Fine, but if it isn't any better in a few days, we have to go."

He nodded and laid his head back on the headrest. "I'm sorry."

"None of this is your fault, Killian."

"I know, but I f-feel l-like a w-wuss because I c-couldn't fight b-back." He slammed his fist down on the console, making Emma jump in her seat.

She put her hand over his and he glanced over at her. "I told you. I love you just the way you are. Please don't put yourself down. We talked about this." She pulled over to the side of the road and shut the ignition off. "This means I get to take care of you." She ran her hand through his hair, giving him a small smile. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. "W-we can s-start b-by you giving me s-s-some ice when we g-get home."

She giggled. "Anything you need, I will be there to get it for you."