NEVER TAP OUT

~04~

Emerson POV
Thursday
*dream*
"Shut up" my heart raced as the man held me tight. "Do you understand" his voice echoing every word. This has to be a dream, I tell myself. It feels real, all of it. It's a dream, I scream trying to wake up.

I could feel me moving around. Finally my eyes open to a dark room. My breaths sounding heavy as my for head is drenched in sweat.

I sat for a second trying to collect my thoughts. I reached for my phone off of my night stand, clicking the button for a bright screen to blind me. The time reading five-fifty. I groaned at the time, knowing I only had ten minutes to be up for school.

Last night after Annie's house, I came home and crashed in my bed. All that biology made my brain feel like it did a marathon. I crawled my way out of bed and into the shower. I took only a few minutes before getting out.

I walked to my room, shutting my door behind me as I got changed. Today I decided to wear something comfortable and dark. I threw on my burgundy long sleeve shirt with a pair of black leggings. I did a light apply of makeup and brushed my hair.

My tummy growled letting me know I was hungry,so I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. I made a bowl of Frosted Flakes, and glued my rear end to the couch for some early morning cartoons.

"Hey darling" my mothers morning voice rang my ears. "You're up early" she said yawning after her statement.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep" I said taking my bowl to the sink. My mom grabbed some bread to put in the toaster.

"Oh, how come" she said looking puzzled. I handed her a plate before replying. "Thanks" she said taking it from me.

"I...I had extra homework I forgot about" I said lying through my teeth. She shook her head as she turned on a pot of coffee.

"That's good, do you need a ride to school" she grabbed her toast and laid it on her plate. "I don't go in for work till ten" she went to the fridge to grab some jelly for her toast.

"Uh...sure, I guess" I shrugged my shoulders even though her back was turned against me.

"Are you okay" she said reaching for the coffee and pouring her a cup. I grabbed a cup sliding it towards her. "I will take that as a no" she looked at me with concern.

"No I'm fine" I say lying once again. "Just tired" I smile at her, trying to believe the lie myself.

We sat and talked, till I ran upstairs to brush my teeth. When I returned my mom was waiting for me in the car. The whole ride was silent as we pulled up to my school. "I love you sweetie" my mom said as I rolled my eyes.

"Mom, stop with the pet names already" I looked at her. "Love you too" I opened the door and walked to my locker.

I quickly did the exchange of books,then headed straight to class. The whole day was boring, I sat silent most of the time. Unless I had a class with Annie. "So, Roman asked me to the dance" Annie squealed as we sat at Scoops and Shakes.

"Oh congrats" I say not caring one bit. I really hated every type of dancing, but she loves every bit of it. "Wait, isn't the dance like five months away" I say remembering the dance is in April.

"Yeah, so...aren't you excited for me" she said rolling her eyes. I smiled and put my hands on her shoulders.

"Of course I am" wow three lies in one day, I wonder what's next. Maybe I should rob a bank and then lie and say I didn't.

"Really" I was thinking in my head no but my mouth decided to lie again. So I went with it, bank here I come you better watch out.

"Yeah" she hugged me so tight to the point I saw a bright white light. "Is that you God" I say before Annie releases me.

"Sorry" she apologizes as I can breathe again. "Mrs.Tucker is mad you haven't been at dance" she said a little disappointed.

"I don't care" I sighed. It's true I didn't care about dance or Mrs. Tucker. "If you had the chance, would you quit dance" I say bluntly.

"No, I love dance with all my heart" she smiled at the thought of it. "Why, would you" she turned the question to me.

"I guess..I mean what's the point in it" I say running my hand through my hair. "I'm not going any where with it" Annie's face was covered in shock by my reply.

"Well, you have a point, but what else would you do" she stared at me with curiosity.

"I don't know..learn how to fight" I say looking her in her eyes trying to find an answer.

"Girls don't fight,Em" she frowned. That wasn't the reply I hoped for, but it was what she felt. So I respected it like a good best friend should.

"Yeah..you're right, what was I thinking" I stood from my seat and walked out the door as Annie called after me. Maybe she wasn't right, maybe she and I were both wrong. Girls can do what ever they want, just like guys can. I looked up directions to my location before walking there.

When I stood in front of the building, I questioned if this was the right choice. Then a familiar face greeted me as I walked through the doors. "Hello, welcome to Never Tap Out" his face was white as a ghost when he saw me smile.

Ooooooo.... sorry for the cliff hanger there. What do you think is going to happen next. 🦄😂