Bad Timing

Dodici

Not Edited*

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▲ Noah Callaway’s Point of View▲

I’d be the worst liar in the world if I said I wasn’t worried about Emma.

It was pretty freaking obvious by the way I pathetically paced back and forth like my mother did when she was apprehensive. I even loosened my tie constantly and dragged my hands through my hair over and over again.

“Emma, ¿dónde coño estás” Paige yelled into her phone. “Answer your phone, Emma! We’re worried sick about you. Please just come back.”

It has been three hours since Emma has gone missing and no one has any idea where the blonde went. Callum and I scouted the fair and the parking lot, but there was no sight of her and her car was gone. Paige and Leon possibly left a million voicemails on Emma’s phone. However, there was no sign of her anywhere.

And it was fucking nerve-racking.

I knew there was something wrong once her perfect vocals trembled during her performance. The way her eyes displayed so many emotions as she stared at the crowd of fathers and daughters dancing. Believe it or not, I even felt her pain as she sang every lyric with ache.

“I managed to persuade Evan to go home,” Leon informed, coming up from behind us. “Told him that he should wait there in case Emma showed up.”

Paige nodded and sat down on the bench with her head in her hands. “Where the hell could she be?”

“I’m sure she’d call soon,” Callum reassured, plopping down next to her and rubbing her back soothingly.

It was still pretty weird to see Callum and Paige together. The last time I talked to Callum about the petite Mexican, who was intimidating to the male population of East Carteret High, he claimed that she was the last person he’d want to be with.

Leon, who was still clueless about the two although it was really obvious, looked confused. “Campbell, keep your hands to yourself.”

“Why? Are you her boyfriend?” Callum snapped, cocking his head to the side in frustration.

“You aren’t her boyfriend either, so I suggest you – “

“Oh, will you two shut up?” Paige blew up, shaking her head in disbelief. “We’re trying to look for Emma, not start a Soap Opera.”

The whole time the three conversed about the stupid idea of calling her back again in five minutes, I thought of a place where she’d be. However, all I could think about was her house, my house, and the street. It was a brilliant idea to check the street, but even if I found her there, it didn’t mean she would leave with me or listen to me.

Why would she?

My phone rang, causing everyone’s conversations to come to an abrupt end. I stopped pacing to fish my phone out of my pocket. Although it was the last person I’d expect to call me, I was nothing but relieved.

I quickly answered the phone and with genuine concern, I asked, “Emma, where the hell are you?”

“Emma?” Paige gasped. She and the two boys surrounded me, listening intently.

“Noah, you’re incredibly hot,” Emma slurred from the other end and giggled. “But you have the worst attitude. I’m not sure if that’s a turn on or a turn off.”

My eyebrows drew together in confusion, ignoring what she just said to me. “Are you drunk?”

“Eh, I just had a couple of drinks.” When Emma burped, she giggled like it was the funniest thing in the entire world. “Can you tell me why you’re still so handsome even with a black eye? You’d look good even with a paper bag over your head.”