Not Everything Is What It Seems (Book I)

From bad to worse

It was hard to believe in what my eyes were seeing. Was this really true? Or was just a nightmare? I was losing him. I knew that.

“Where is everybody?” Brian asked as he looked around the living room, which was empty. The only people there were Matt and Emma. Matt sat straight in the couch, embarrassed, after he heard Brian’s voice. Emma had now her head on Matt’s lap.

“They’re all gone. It was getting late so they just went home.” Matt said.

“Even Michelle?” Brian asked surprised.

“Even Michelle dude.. actually she was the first one to leave. She was all pissed.”

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow..” Brian said and then sighed.

I was still stuck in the doorway, looking at Matt. I could feel my tears forming in the back of my eyes, but I didn’t want to cry. I was fighting hard to stop the tears from falling. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t talk. I was just there.. staring at them. Brian must have noticed my silence because he turned around.

“Are you okay?” He asked concerned.

“I.. I..” I couldn’t say any single word. I ran towards the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I leaned against the door and breathed deeply. “Don’t cry! Don’t cry! Don’t cry!” I said to myself. “You can’t fucking cry!” I breathed deeply again. I stayed there for some minutes until I was calm. That’s when I heard a knock on the door.

“Annie?” It was Brian.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I said as I opened the door.

“You headed here with such a hurry. I thought that something was wrong.” He said concerned.

“I needed to pee.” I lied, making him chuckle.

We went to the living room and Matt was still in the same place.

“It’s late, maybe it’s time to go back home.” Matt said looking at me. I could see he was a little embarrassed because Emma had her head in his lap.

“Yup.. can you take her to the car? She doesn’t need to wake up now.” I said about Emma. I tried to look normal but it was hard.

“Sure.. I’ll take her and when we arrive home, we wake her up.. she’s going to yours right?” He asked.

“Yes.” I said as I watched Matt pick Emma in bride style.

“See you later Gates.” He said as he walked towards the front door.

“Goodnight Brian.” I said, without any enthusiasm.

I headed to the front door and opened it to Matt who was carrying Emma in his arms. As I was about to leave, Brian grabbed my hand and turned me.

“Are you sure you are okay?” He asked. I could see the concern in his eyes.

“Yes, I’m sure..” I lied. Again.

“You don’t look ok to me. Do you want me to take you home?”

“I have to go with them. I have no choice.” I said, looking at my feet.

“But if you had, would you come with me?” He asked.

“It doesn’t matter Brian, and it wouldn’t change anything.”

“Something’s wrong and you aren’t telling me.” He said. I knew he was looking at me but I kept my eyes locked with the ground.

“Just leave it.. I have to go, they’re waiting for me..” I said as I turned around, leaving Brian without a proper answer.