NEVER TAP OUT

~18~

Emerson's POV
Sunday
"Are you okay?" Annie's worried voice spoke through the phone. I looked around Archers room before I gave my answer.

"Yeah, I'm fine" I lied through my teeth. I was not fine, I was broken, I was shattered. My mom hated me, I'm being hunted by Layla, and I keep lying to Annie.

"I'm glad you are" I frowned at her reply. She should know that I wasn't fine, but she couldn't see the pain. "I will see you later I guess" she said ending the call.

"Why lie to her?" Archer said sitting up on his bed. "If she is your best friend" his hand gripped my shoulder.

"If I don't lie, then she will always be asking if I'm okay" I sat my phone on the night stand next to me.

"Is that a bad thing?" He questioned as I laid down. I nodded my head yes, and turned over. "Why is it a bad thing?" I sighed as I rolled over.

I didn't have an answer, so I got out of bed to get ready for the day. As I stared in the mirror, a look of sadness spread across my face. There were tiny scratches all over my face.

"Baby" Archer said clearing his voice. I didn't even notice he was there. I could see he was holding my phone as it buzzed. "It's your mom" I shook my head and looked back in the mirror. The sound of my phone being laid on the counter and two strong arms wrapping around me, calmed me down.  "You have to talk to her sometime" I just relaxed into him.

"No, I can just ignore her forever and live with you" he smiled with a quick laugh. Small kisses were placed on my neck and shoulder, as we stared at each other in the mirror.

"As much as I like the idea, you have to speak to your mom" he pulled me tighter against him. "If you talk to her, she might understand how you feel" I looked over to my phone then back to us in the mirror.

"Why does everyone call you Archie?" I asked a bit curious. I turned to face him, my arms wrapping around him."When I call you Arch" I could hear a laugh grow inside him.

"It's different, and I like different" I placed a light kiss to his chest before laying my head back on it. "Do me a favor?" Our eyes met as he smiled. "Call your mom today" I thought for a moment.

"If you set up a match again for me, I will" he smirked and kissed my forehead. We stood in the position for awhile before moving.

(Later that day)
I had been avoiding calling my mom all day. I just wasn't ready to hear her yelling at me again, but I knew it was time. I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. It rang a few times before she answered. "Mom" there was an awkward silence.

"Em, is everything alright?" I swallowed, trying to think of what to say.

"Yeah, everything is fine" it was so awkward to be talking to her right now. Sniffles came from the other end of the call. "Mom,what's wrong?" I was a bit worried.

"It's just good to hear from you again" I could hear her giggle through the phone. It made me smile to know she was happy. "I tried to call this morning" she signed.

"Yeah I saw you did, I was still asleep" I cleared my throat. She sounded so heart broken, it made me sad to hear it.

"I miss you, when are you coming back?" I could hear the tears in her voice. A few small tears slipped down my face, I quickly wiped them away.

"I don't honestly know right now"  I said in a monotone voice. "I figured you still hated me" she laughed.

"Emerson, I do not hate you, I could never hate you" her crying got louder. "You're my daughter and I love you" tears streamed down my cheeks as I listen to her say this.

"I love you to mom" I wiped away my tears, trying to calm down a bit. It had sounded like she was doing the same.

"Come home soon please" she whispered. I bit my lip trying to fight back my tears.

"I will" we talked a little more, before saying goodbye. Some part of me felt better to have my mom back in my life.

A/n well she has her mom back now,what do you think? 🦄😂