The Friend That Stayed

Chapter 1

July 19th, 2009

Fear. Pain. Anger. Those emotions and more flashing in Emelia’s forest green eyes. Her ruby red lips were grimly pressed together.

“What do you want from me, Damon?” she spat.

“It’s not what you think, Lia,” Damon stammered, struggling to explain.

“Oh? How not?” Her eyes bore into him. He was at a loss for words. He took in her soft, creamy, tanned skin and her silky black curls that fell to her hips. He didn’t want to lose her. God, how he loved her, but he couldn’t tell her why what had happened, had happened.

“I see,” Emelia said quietly and walked away and out of Damon’s life.

March 1st, 2012

“Lia, Ma wants you downstairs,” Emmett yelled at her doorway. She looked up from her mirror where she was currently pinning up her hair. She looked straight into the eyes of herself, but with much shorter and spikier hair. Her twin brother, Emmett, headed back downstairs. She trailed after him and found her mom downstairs in the kitchen.

“Yes, Mama?” Emelia questions.

“Hi dear, quick question. Did you want a vanilla cake or chocolate cake for Sia’s party next Saturday?” Maria looked at Alessia, who was sitting at the table.

“Vanilla is fine, Ma,” Emelia looked lovingly at the little girl, who was intently eating her cereal. Alessia looked up at Emelia and smiled widely.

“Mornin’ Mommy!” Alessia put her arms up for Emelia to pick her up.

“Good morning, my sweet girl,” Emelia picked up the girl and looked into her chocolate brown eyes, the eyes of the little girl’s father.

“Oh, hey, Matthew is going to come by in a little bit. He wants me to go shopping with him. I’m gonna take Ale with me,” she smiled at her daughter. Maria nodded and Emelia headed upstairs with her daughter on her hip. She placed Alessia in the playpen that doubled as a crib in the room that Emelia shared with Alessia. Emelia went back to her hair and makeup. Once she was satisfied, she turned back to her daughter who was now sleeping soundly. He phone then went off with a text:

Matthew: I’m here, are you ready?

Emelia: Not quite. Come in, gotta pack up Ale’s bag first.

Within a few moments, she heard a car door slam and her friend’s voice drew closer until he was in her room. His deep voice filled the room.

“Where’s my girl?” Emelia pointed to the playpen as she got the bag together. Matthew’s tall frame leaned over the playpen and scooped up the sleeping toddler, cradling her gently. He looked at her with such affection. It warmed Emelia’s heart. His brown eyes snapped up to meet hers. He smiled at her and she finished packing up. Once she had everything, she threw the bag on her shoulder and they headed downstairs.

“Bye, Ma! I have my cell and so does Matt.” Her mom grabbed her and pressed two twenty’s into her palm.

“Get something nice for Matthew’s birthday,” she whispered. Emelia nodded and headed out the door. She stopped at her car and snagged Alessia’s car seat and towed it to Matthew’s car. She slung the bag in next to the seat and took Alessia from Matthew. She buckled the child into her car seat and slid into the front seat. She looked back at her sleeping daughter and smiled, turning back to face Matthew. She was startled to see him looking at her. She smiled at him and he turned away, an unreadable expression on his face. They drove for about 20 minutes until they arrived at the mall. Matthew turned off the car and opened the back door. He unbuckled Alessia and handed her to Emelia. Matthew then put the bag on his shoulder and they walked into the mall. Alessia started to stir as Emelia was approaching the stroller rental. Matthew grabbed a stroller and Emelia placed her daughter in the stroller. Matthew put the bag underneath the stroller and took over pushing the waking child. They headed to a clothing store first, to find new outfits for Emelia and Alessia for Saturday’s party. Matthew wandered around with Alessia. Emelia was browsing through a rack of dresses for Alessia when she heard an all too familiar voice behind her.

“Lia?”