Emma's POV:
Only days after Christmas, we were back at the Faris' for New Year 2014.
Mum and dad haven't returned for New Year or called. Not a phone call and not a message. I tried calling but they wouldn't answer.
Just like I thought.
After spending the night at Kyle' we returned home for a few days, just to have to leave again for New Year. It was a rush of time but we enjoyed it anyway. Brooke and Curtis (Kyle' dad) were welcoming us with open arms and for once I felt like I had a family. For a few days.
I couldn't say the same for Jess. She seemed to be heartbroken. I saw her sitting on the balcony yesterday, crying. Sobbing to herself. When she saw me, she stood up and just stared. Tears ran down her face but she stood still. Until the point where she ran straight to me. She hugged me by the waist and sobbed into my shirt, whispering:
Why?
Why?
What did I do?
Her body trembled and she gripped onto my shirt.
That night I stared at my bedroom ceiling in thought. I know how she feels. I spent my childhood the same way. From one nanny to another. From family to friends. I saw them a few times. Though I never complained. I knew they were busy. But when Jess came into the world, I vowed and promised to make sure that she has a better childhood.
But,
The thing is,
I failed.
I failed to keep my promise.
I failed as a sister.
I failed as a friend.
...I failed...
* * * * * * * * * *
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
2014!
"Happy New Year," I said as the clock stroke 00:00.
A chorus of 'Happy New Year' from around. The start of a new year. The start of a new episode. The start of a new beginning.
I slipped on my coat, stepped into the garden, pulled out my phone and dialed Max' number.
"Happy New Year!" His voice brought a smile to my face.
"Happy New Year to you too. What you doing?"
"Watching fireworks." He sighed, but I heard.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I was just wondering, its the start of a New Year. The start of us. If you understand what I'm saying."
"I do. I mean, I don't know what's going to happen to us."
"We'll talk about this tomorrow, Happy New Year...again."
I decided to not push it further. I ended the call after saying goodbye and stood outside watching the fireworks.
Different colours, shapes sizes.
"Hey."
My best friend joined me in the garden.
"Hey," A comfortable silence fell between us.
"Em, I need to ask you something." I nodded in conformance, ".....Do you love Max?"
The question came unexpected and my body froze. My eyes darted to the ground and my hands fidgeted with the hem of my shirt.
He looked at me expectantly.
I ran a hand through my hair and turned to him.
"...No," He raised an eyebrow. "Love is strong. I haven't got there. I trust Max and I know he cares for me but.... not love. Its not there. Too be honest I haven't had much time to think. My life is busy and messy that I cant get to one point without having to start again. You know what I mean."
He instantly pulled me in for a hug and kissed my temples.
"Whatever happens, I'll always be by your side and everything will be okay, I promise."
"It wont be. Its not." I pulled away and turned to look at the snow. "Ever since they left, I became a different person. I don't want the same thing to happen to Jess."
"I remember," He said, wrapping an arm around my waist, "Four years ago. You were here for new year. They didn't call and you got so upset that you sat outside, right there." He pointed to the spot where I sat, "You cried and cried. And when they called two days later, you refused to talk. You grew to understand what was happening."
"Exactly. I love my parents but I hate them at the same time. They never have time for us.... And-I, I can't control it..." I narrowed my eyes at the phone in my hand. "And they don't even call or text. Spare 1 minute for a call, for you children. Urgh, I don't want Jess to grow up with hate in her heart, like me."
"No, don't say that. You don't have hate in your heart. You just care about Jess and it makes you upset that its hard to do that. Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."
I burst into a fit of laughter at the last thing he said.
"That's a saying from Felice Dunas."
"Yeah, but your smiling. Thats all I want to see."
Its true.
I'm smiling.
A true smile.
* * * * * * * * * *
Happy New Year,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SmILe
HaPpY nEw YeAr
xoxo
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Our Secret Game
Teen FictionEmma Mortez has been the school's punching bag since she started high school. She's been bullied for two years, and frankly she's had enough of it. So for senior year she's back, looking different and ready for revenge. Max Jones is starting his sen...
